Funding & Grants
Embarking on the journey to become a dentist is an exciting but often financially challenging endeavour. Recognising the need for support, various organisations and initiatives offer scholarships and bursaries to aspiring dental students. Here is the support you can get before applying for dental school and even during dental school, aside from government-funded SFE.
MedicHut runs an annual scholarship program. Originally designed for applicants from BAME backgrounds, this initiative is now open to all individuals facing socio-economic challenges. While the scholarship doesn't cover tuition fees, it provides comprehensive application support, ensuring aspiring students receive the assistance they need to navigate the complexities of the application process
University Financial Aid
Universities often provide a lifeline through grants, loans, and bursaries. In navigating your dental school finances, delve into the financial aid section of your university's website. Don't hesitate to apply for grants, bursaries, and any available financial assistance - your dedication to your studies should be the focus, not financial worries. Seize the opportunities that universities provide, ensuring that your pursuit of dental education is supported on all fronts.
University Bursaries
It's worth delving into the bursaries offered by your university specifically for dental students. Institutions like King's College provide the "Access to Professions Bursary" tailored for BDS students. This bursary, valued at £9,000 in total, extends a cash grant of £3,000 per year for the initial three years of your dental course.
Several universities, including Cardiff, Glasgow, Plymouth, and Leeds, offer bursaries designed to alleviate financial burdens without the obligation of repayment. These financial aids often come with varying eligibility criteria for BDS students.
Dental Mentor stands as a beacon of inspiration and support for dental students across the UK. Dental Mentor funds over 100 dental student scholarships each year. This demonstrates a powerful commitment to nurturing the dreams of aspiring dental professionals. The scholarships provided by Dental Mentor play a crucial role in supporting students financially and fostering the future of healthcare.
NHS Bursary
Dental students enrolled in courses recognised by the GDC, may be eligible for financial assistance from the NHS in their final year of study. This support comes in the form of a non-means tested grant of £1,000 per academic year, a tuition fee contribution, and a means-tested bursary based on your household income.
Make sure you look into the specific residence requirements detailed in the NHS Bursary Scheme.