The Student Room Group

Financing when I dont qualify for bursarys

So I'm a Yr12 student and ive been looking at a cancer biomedicine course at UCL due to it covering almost all of the topics I want such as radiation, immuneology and pathogens. However, I live towards Bristol and cant afford Londons prices. The problem comes as my parents earn too much for me to claim grants but not enough to support me. Is there anything I can do to be able to access money? It seems unfair that I cant claim financial help yet I still cant afford to go to UCL. I understand that London is a lot more expensive.

Reply 1

Grants are provided by the university themselves so if you don't meet their eligibility criteria then it's a bit harder just to ask them to give you the money as their aim is to try help the more disadvantaged students. Have a look into applying for some scholarships they might offer and see if you can get them. Many universities do provide emergency funds, but you need to pay these back. A lot of people do work before university because they're in a similar position like yours.
Otherwise, student finance is the other option if youve not yet considered it. You can still get a few thousand of maintenance depending on how high your household income is, especially if you have siblings your parents are still looking after.
Some companies also offer external scholarships, but these are usually programmes that you have to had completed and then secure the scholarship for - this just needs a bit more research.

Reply 2

Original post by Carrotsroom
Grants are provided by the university themselves so if you don't meet their eligibility criteria then it's a bit harder just to ask them to give you the money as their aim is to try help the more disadvantaged students. Have a look into applying for some scholarships they might offer and see if you can get them. Many universities do provide emergency funds, but you need to pay these back. A lot of people do work before university because they're in a similar position like yours.
Otherwise, student finance is the other option if youve not yet considered it. You can still get a few thousand of maintenance depending on how high your household income is, especially if you have siblings your parents are still looking after.
Some companies also offer external scholarships, but these are usually programmes that you have to had completed and then secure the scholarship for - this just needs a bit more research.

I've looked into student finance and maintenace loans but the average cost of renting a place for a month in london is between 1 to 2 grand. Maintenance would not cover this let alone day to day life. I'm gonna contact someone at UCL to see if they can help provide some insight. Theres not many oppertunities for jobs in my area. I currently have a part time job but it does not provide enough to save up for uni in a reasonable amount of time.
Original post by Bored321
So I'm a Yr12 student and ive been looking at a cancer biomedicine course at UCL due to it covering almost all of the topics I want such as radiation, immuneology and pathogens. However, I live towards Bristol and cant afford Londons prices. The problem comes as my parents earn too much for me to claim grants but not enough to support me. Is there anything I can do to be able to access money? It seems unfair that I cant claim financial help yet I still cant afford to go to UCL. I understand that London is a lot more expensive.


The student finance maintenance loan will be higher if you choose to study in London. Your parents will need to submit their income details for assessment and they are expected to make up any shortfall between the amount you are awarded and the maximum loan. If you have an idea of what your parents earn, you can try the student finance calculator to see what you might get:

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Your parents will save money when you move out so, if they won't make up the difference, ask if they will give you £30-40 per week for food. If they refuse to help, then live at home and commute to a local uni or take a gap year to find a job and save all you can.

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