Bursaries available to support postgraduate social work students
in the 2025-26 academic year will increase by almost 50% on
average.
From 1 June students commencing courses in the academic year
beginning August 2025 will be able to apply for £11,000 to
support them through each year of their studies - split between
£6,000 towards living costs and £5,000 for course fees. The
average bursary previously available to postgraduate social work
students was valued at £7,415.
The scheme, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by
the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), will provide support
to up to 250 students in the coming academic year. Additional
allowances for students who are carers or who have disabilities
will continue to be available for those eligible.
Students can apply for the support from 1 June through the SSSC
website.
Minister for The Promise Natalie Don-Innes said:
“Social workers play a vital role in supporting people and their
families within their communities. We are determined to support
more people to acquire the skills and knowledge to enter social
work, and these increased bursaries will help to remove financial
barriers for many postgraduate students amidst the wider cost of
living crisis.
“This increased bursary is in addition to wider support,
including grants to support social work students undertaking
mandatory assessed practice learning placements and loans for
tuition and cost-of-living support for those not eligible for the
SSSC bursary.”
Alison Bavidge, National Director of the Scottish Association for
Social Work, said:
“This is excellent news for postgraduate social work students. It
is a significant piece of the jigsaw Scotland needs to put in
place to deliver the social workers of the future. It should help
to make social work a more attractive career and enable a wider
range of applicants.
“While this improvement to the postgraduate bursary is very
welcome, we hope the Scottish Government will build on this
progress and further enhance support to ensure social work is an
accessible profession.”
Background:
The Scottish Social Services
Council (SSSC)
250 bursaries of £11,000 will be available to postgraduate social
work students with a household income of less than £34,000.
