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View across the Bishop Burton College campus to the Equine Centre

Fees, Funding and Financial Support

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, regardless of their financial circumstances. That's why we offer a range of funding options and bursaries to help make studying at Bishop Burton College as accessible and affordable as possible. Whether you're looking for information about tuition fees, financial support or bursaries, our friendly Student Services team is here to help you understand your options and guide you through the application process.

Tuition fees

For most students, there are no tuition fees to pay.

If you are 18 or under when you start your course, your tuition fees will be fully funded.

If you are 19 or over, you may still be able to study free of charge, depending on your age, previous qualifications, employment status and household income. We'll assess your individual circumstances to confirm whether any tuition fees apply.

If fees are payable, you may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help fund your studies.

If you're unsure about your eligibility or would like advice on tuition fees and funding, our Student Services team is always happy to help.

Financial support

We know there are other costs to consider when starting college, from travel and equipment to meals and accommodation. Our range of bursaries and support funds are designed to help remove financial barriers, allowing you to focus on your studies and make the most of your college experience.

Residential Bursary Fund

The Residential Bursary Fund helps eligible students with the cost of living in residential accommodation while studying at Bishop Burton College or Riseholme College. It is available to students aged 16 and over who are enrolled on a qualifying land-based Further Education course and cannot reasonably travel to college each day.

The bursary is means-tested and available to students with a household income of up to £50,000.

Residential Bursaries are available for standard accommodation. Students receiving a Residential Bursary will therefore be allocated a standard room rather than an en-suite room.

Income thresholds are subject to annual review and may change for future academic years.

The below table details the amount that can be awarded for each of the income thresholds.

Household Income Bishop Burton Riseholme
£0-£40,000 £6,317 £3,104
£40,001 - £45,000 £5,053 £5,683
£45,001 - £50,000 £3,159 £3,552

Vulnerable Bursary

Eligible students could receive up to £1,200 through the Vulnerable Bursary if they are:

  • In care or care experienced
  • A care leaver
  • Receiving Income Support
  • Receiving both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

For the 2026/27 academic year, students must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2026. Students aged 19 or over may still be able to access support through the Discretionary Bursary.

Discretionary Bursary

Our Discretionary Bursary helps students with the everyday costs of studying, including:

  • Travel
  • Meals
  • Course equipment
  • Specialist clothing
  • Books and learning resources

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be enrolled on a Further Education course at Bishop Burton College or Riseholme College.
  • Have a taxable household income of £50,000 or less.

Care to Learn

The Care to Learn scheme supports young parents by helping with childcare costs while they study.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be under 20 when your course starts.
  • Be the main carer for your child and receive Child Benefit.
  • Use an Ofsted-registered childcare provider who is not related to your child.

How to apply

Applying is straightforward through our PayMyStudent portal (access here).  A single application allows us to assess your eligibility for the funding available, although each bursary has its own criteria and evidence requirements. 

Every application is assessed individually, enabling us to provide support that best meets your needs, and course requirements.

If you need support with your application or would like to discuss the financial assistance available, our Student Services team will be happy to help. You can contact us by emailing bursaries@bishopburton.ac.uk or speak to us at one of our Open Events. Please note that applications open 3rd August 2026.

We're here to support you

Starting college is an exciting step, and we don't want financial concerns to stand in the way of your future. If you think you may need support, we encourage you to get in touch. Our team is here to help you access the funding available so you can focus on achieving your goals.

You can contact us by emailing bursaries@bishopburton.ac.uk or speak to us at one of our Open Events. Please note that applications open 3rd August 2026.

Course Search How to Apply Open Event Booking