17.08.2006
Half of full-time undergraduates coming to the University of Brighton this September can expect to receive a bursary.
The university's bursaries are based on family circumstances and students with a family income up to £37,425 a year will qualify automatically. There's a simple scale that means those from the poorest homes can get a bursary of £1,000 a year while those with incomes closer to £37,425 can get a bursary of £500 a year.
As the university's bursaries are in addition to new government funding for students, with grants up to £2,700 a year and loans over £3,000 a year at favourable rates of interest, it is hoped that students will find it easier to afford to study and reap the intellectual, career and income benefits of a degree.
There will also be a scholarship fund for those students who do best in their end of year assessments, qualifying for scholarships of a further £1000 a year; and sports scholarships for disabled athletes, as well as additional funding to work with local schools to encourage more young people to consider a university course.
The remaining additional fee income will be invested in a major programme to improve the learning and teaching environment for students including a £25m-plus building programme.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, said:
"We believe this is amongst the most generous packages of support available for significant numbers of entrants, linked to a strongly vocational set of courses that equip graduates well for professional and working life. We will be using just over £1.5m in 2006-07 for individual bursaries and access activities, increasing to over £4m in 2010-11."
"We estimate our bursary package will benefit half of the new undergraduates enrolling with us on a full-time course this autumn. It has many features, not least a simple, income-related entitlement for students, without requiring a separate, complicated or competitive application process; and they will know how much they will receive before they start their course. There is a range of options out there for students at different universities and I am optimistic that we have struck a good balance in benefiting individual students with the greatest financial need and further investment in the environment for the whole university community."
- The Higher Education Act 2004 allows universities to charge fees up to £3,000 a year for full-time undergraduate courses if they satisfy the Office for Fair Access about their intentions with respect to bursaries and outreach.
- The Act abolished up-front fees for full-time undergraduate students. Instead, fees are deferred: the student pays no fee at the time of studying but repays the fee once they graduate and their income crosses a threshold.
- The new arrangements apply only to home/EU students starting their courses in 2006-07, those already on course will continue under the current arrangements.
Enquiries
Please contact registry (student administration)
Tel: +44/0 1273 642821 / 642819
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
