About the Bursary

Applications closed

Applications have closed for this year.

We'll update this page in early 2026 with information for 2026/27 entry. 

This Bursary is designed to support first-year students from lower-income backgrounds by helping to cover the cost of living in University accommodation. 

It will be applied as a discount on accommodation fees and is open to students living in the following halls of residence:

  • Standard self-catered rooms in: Whitworth Park
  • En suite self-catered rooms in: Burkhardt House and Richmond Park
  • Standard catered rooms in: Ashburne Hall and Dalton Ellis Hall

Who can apply?

Essential eligibility criteria

You must meet all the following conditions to be eligible:

  • have home fee status;
  • be starting your first year of undergraduate study at The University of Manchester;
  • be holding a firm offer at the University;
  • have applied for accommodation and selected one (or more) of the eligible halls as your first choice.

Priority criteria

Applications will be prioritised based on the following criteria:

  • you’re eligible for a WP or WP+ Flag under our Contextual Admissions Process
    Eligibility Checker;
  • you were eligible for free school meals in secondary school or college/sixth form (this includes students who opted not to have them);
  • you live in an area of relative deprivation;
  • you live in a postcode of low progression to higher education;
  • you went to a low attaining secondary school;
  • you go to a low attaining sixth form/college.
  • you’re a care leaver or care-experienced student;
  • you’re an estranged student;
  • you’re a young carer;
  • you’re a refugee or asylum seeker;
  • you’re disabled.

Application and selection process

We use a points-based system to score applications and award bursaries.

Please note, you must upload all supporting evidence with your application before the closing date as we cannot accept late documents or documents submitted separately. 

Frequently asked questions

Contact us

Queries about applying for the bursary can be directed to uom-accommodation-bursary@manchester.ac.uk.

Students are able to apply for multiple bursaries/scholarships, including the Article 26 Scholarship, the Cowrie Scholarship, the Education Matters Scholarship, the Elizabeth Moley Scholarship, the Raheem Sterling Scholarship and the Sadler Bursary (if eligible).

However, if you successfully receive one of the above, you'll not be able to get the Accommodation Bursary, too.