Student bursary scheme

Our Bursary scheme helps final year students experiencing financial difficulty due to an ongoing significant challenge. Read on for more information on who is eligible and how to apply.

What is the Pharmacist Support Student Bursary Scheme?

The Pharmacist Support Student Bursary Scheme was launched in the 2014/15 academic year.  We are very proud to confirm that the scheme is now in its 12th year and is supported by the pharmacy schools across Great Britain.

The purpose of the bursary scheme is to provide financial assistance to those eligible MPharm students, to support them during their final year of study, who are struggling financially as a result of unexpected significant challenge(s)/event(s) during their MPharm course, such as a considerable change to their health or family situation.

How did it go this year?

This year we received 42 applications from students from 16 of the schools of pharmacy.

Each year we receive applications from students who have experienced very challenging misfortune but have been able to persevere and remain on track towards completing the degree. Again, the bursary panel had the incredibly difficult task of choosing from a shortlist of 13 MPharm students and eventually after much deliberation, agreed on a final 7 to receive an award.  Through this year’s scheme the charity has been able to support all 7 individuals with an award of £5000 (payment of the award is subject to exam success and enrolment onto final year of study).

When can I apply?

Dates and the application process for the 2026/2027 Bursary Scheme will be released early 2027.

Further financial support for pharmacy students

Any student enrolled on an MPharm degree course and experiencing unexpected financial difficulty is eligible to apply for our Essential Living Expenses Grant or One-off Grant of up to £1,500 per academic year.  

Please note before you apply, our criteria is that we do expect that you would have approached your university first for financial support before approaching the charity and this must be evidenced.  

Unfortunately we do not pay grants to help students outside of their academic year and applications received during the summer break will be rejected.  Students must be enrolled and actively attending university.

For more information on the essential living expenses grant for students click here 

 

“At the end of my second year, my sponsor withdrew their support for my studies. As I was an international student, my living costs, bills, rent and fees were much higher than other students so no longer having a sponsor was causing me a lot of stress. In the end, I was sent back to my home country by my sponsor with no idea how I would get back to the UK and continue my studies.
Student Bursary recipient

Amy* reached out to Pharmacist Support during her second year at university whilst she was struggling with financial stress due to issues with her sponsor. She has kindly shared her story with us to show how our student grants and bursary can help pharmacy students complete their studies.

Read her story

I am really appreciative and grateful for being awarded this bursary. I have had very difficult personal circumstances which made me think I wouldn’t have been able to make it through the year, never mind finishing off my pharmacy degree.
Student Bursary recipient

Priyanka* is a final-year pharmacy student who, whilst at university, had to leave home unexpectedly and quickly due to ongoing adversity. She has kindly shared her story in the hope that it reaches those who need that extra push to reach out for help.

Read her story

 

The Pharmacist Support Student Bursary Scheme is supported by Cencora Alliance Healthcare

This page was last updated June 2026

I am very grateful for the opportunity to successfully complete my studies. Thank you for seeing something in me. I cannot stress how life changing this is.
Student bursary recipient

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