Scholarships & Bursaries: A Simple Guide for Families

Scholarships and bursaries aren’t the same thing. Schools often mention them together, but they work differently — and that difference matters when you’re planning fees.

Think of it like this: one is usually awarded for strength, the other is given for need. And in many schools, families can be eligible for both.

Related guides: UK Schools · International Families · All blog posts

Quick definitions (so you don’t get caught out)

• Scholarship = recognition for ability/performance (academic, sport, music, art, drama, etc.).
• Bursary = financial support based on household circumstances (means-tested).

Scholarships

Scholarships are typically awarded because a child shows strong performance in a specific area.

• Merit-based (academic, sport, music, art, drama, etc.)
• Often a partial fee reduction rather than full fees covered
• May involve an assessment (exam, audition, trial, interview, portfolio)
• Sometimes includes expectations (e.g., representing the school in sport, performing in concerts)

What parents often miss

• Scholarships can be competitive. The “headline” scholarship exists, but the number awarded may be small.
• They can be conditional. Some schools review scholarship status if performance drops or commitments aren’t met.
• They’re not always the biggest discount. The bursary can be the larger factor for affordability.

Bursaries

Bursaries are financial support based on family circumstances. They’re designed to make the school accessible.

• Means-tested support (based on household finances)
• Often requires documentation (income, tax returns, bank statements, assets, etc.)
• Support can vary widely depending on the school’s policy and budget
• May be reviewed annually if family circumstances change

What parents often miss

• Timing matters. Bursary budgets can be limited, and earlier applicants may have more options.
• Every school is different. “Bursary available” can mean anything from small help to major support.
• Documentation takes time. If you wait until the last minute, you risk missing the window.

Can you get both?

Often, yes. A common setup is:

• Scholarship = recognition (status + a % reduction)
• Bursary = affordability (means-tested support that can add on top)

This is why it’s worth asking schools directly how they combine them — some stack, some cap, some treat them separately.

What to ask schools (copy/paste)

Once you’ve made a shortlist, ask each school the same questions so you can compare properly:

1) What support exists?

• Do you offer scholarships, bursaries, or both?
• Do scholarships and bursaries stack (combine), or is there a cap?

2) What deadlines apply?

• When do applications for scholarships/bursaries open and close?
• Are scholarship assessments tied to the main admissions timeline, or separate?

3) What evidence is required?

• Exactly what documents are needed for bursary assessment?
• Do you include assets/savings, or only income?
• When will we receive a decision (and is there an appeal process)?

Try this next

Create a simple “fees support” comparison for your shortlist. For each school, write one line for:

• Scholarships: what types, what assessments, typical reduction range (if they’ll share)
• Bursaries: eligibility approach, documents required, decision timeline
• Renewal: is it reviewed each year, and what could change it?

Once that’s clear, you can compare schools on the factors that actually affect your family’s reality — not just the headline fees.

Next step: browse more UK Schools guides to refine your shortlist and questions for open days.