What is a private school bursary?

A bursary is a means-tested reduction in school fees, awarded on financial need rather than ability. The school assesses household income, savings, property and other assets, and the award can range from a small percentage of fees to a full 100% place. Unlike a scholarship, it is reassessed every year.

What income do you need to qualify for a bursary?

There is no national threshold — each school sets its own. As a rough guide, many schools begin tapering support at a gross household income of around £45,000–£60,000 and stop at £100,000–£120,000, with the largest awards going to families below that. Savings, equity in your home, second properties and the number of children in fee-paying education all count.

Can a bursary cover 100% of fees?

Yes. Many schools offer full-fee bursaries, sometimes called free places or foundation awards, for families on the lowest incomes — and some also cover uniform, trips, lunches and transport. These places are limited in number and heavily competed for.

When should I apply for a bursary?

At the same time as you register for a place, and before the school's bursary deadline — which is often earlier than the registration deadline. Most fall between October and December for the following September. The forms ask for P60s, tax returns and bank statements, so start gathering them early.

Does applying for a bursary affect my child's chance of a place?

Schools say admission decisions are made on the assessment alone, separately from the bursary. In practice bursary budgets are finite, so an offer of a place does not guarantee an award, and some schools confirm the financial package only after the academic outcome.

Private school bursaries.

Means-tested fee support at 433 UK independent schools: how much each offers, how many awards it makes and when to apply. 171 schools publish awards of up to 100% of fees, and the typical maximum award is 100%. Bursaries are separate from merit scholarships, and are usually where the larger sums are.

433
Schools with bursaries: 171
Offer up to 100% of fees: 2,296
Awards made (30 schools reporting): 115
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433 schools offering bursaries

How means-testing works

Income — gross household income from all sources, usually from the last one to three tax years.
Assets — savings, investments, home equity and any second property.
Family — the number of dependent children and any other school fees you pay.
Review — awards are reassessed each year, and many schools make a home visit before the first award.

Before you apply

Check each school's bursary deadline — it is often earlier than registration.
Gather P60s or tax returns, payslips, bank and savings statements and a mortgage statement.
Ask the bursar for the income bands where support starts and ends.
Apply at several schools: bursary budgets are finite and awards vary widely.

Read the full bursaries guide →

Frequently asked questions

What is a private school bursary?: A bursary is a means-tested reduction in school fees, awarded on financial need rather than ability. The school assesses household income, savings, property and other assets, and the award can range from a small percentage of fees to a full 100% place. Unlike a scholarship, it is reassessed every year.
What income do you need to qualify for a bursary?: There is no national threshold — each school sets its own. As a rough guide, many schools begin tapering support at a gross household income of around £45,000–£60,000 and stop at £100,000–£120,000, with the largest awards going to families below that. Savings, equity in your home, second properties and the number of children in fee-paying education all count.
Can a bursary cover 100% of fees?: Yes. Many schools offer full-fee bursaries, sometimes called free places or foundation awards, for families on the lowest incomes — and some also cover uniform, trips, lunches and transport. These places are limited in number and heavily competed for.
When should I apply for a bursary?: At the same time as you register for a place, and before the school's bursary deadline — which is often earlier than the registration deadline. Most fall between October and December for the following September. The forms ask for P60s, tax returns and bank statements, so start gathering them early.
Does applying for a bursary affect my child's chance of a place?: Schools say admission decisions are made on the assessment alone, separately from the bursary. In practice bursary budgets are finite, so an offer of a place does not guarantee an award, and some schools confirm the financial package only after the academic outcome.