NHS Bursaries more info needed please

lucky_me_2

I'm looking into studying Occupational Therapy at University next year, this would be funded by a bursary from the NHS, i've had a look at the student NHS bursaries website and although it has lots of information I still have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer, also any advice from anyone who is currently working as an Occupational Therapist:

My first question is that I would be classed as an adult learner (i'm 23) so would I have to meet the entry criteria, I didn't do badly on my GCSE results but didn't get great grades in Science, which I guess may be a problem, however I have studied with the Open University (Diploma in Social Sciences) - Would I be considered?

Secondly, although I live with my parents I pay rent and work full time, would their income be assessed when applying for a bursary, they would really struggle without any contribution from me but I would say their earnings are above 35,000 P/A - although they do not support me in any way but I'm not sure if their earnings would be taken into account. I know when I studied with the OU I was eligible for financial support and their earning were not taken into account but I do not know if the same applies to all universities?

and my last question is would the bursary just cover the course fees or would it allow some money for living expenses, I plan to study at my local university but as I said my parents would struggle without my rent contributions and although the Uni is local it would still involve two bus journeys too and from uni every day (about an hour and half travel each way).

Sorry for the overload of questions, I want to be sure that I can afford to study, it's been something that i've always wanted to do and I really want to better myself and I just need some further advice/guidance on the matter.

annie_d

Hello,
My daughter is 24 and studying to be a mental health nurse.Lives at home. Bursary approx £525 each month( I have never asked the exact amount) Not means tested on our pay ( We earn in excess of £60,00 )
She saves her receipts for travel to and from placements and is able to recoup this at the end of each term. She also had to sign to agree not to work as the training is a full-time occupation. She does work though. Course/placements = 37.5 hours a week and she works approx 30-40 hours a week. Not easy at all at all!
Now the bad news. Of the previous group who qualified, out of 19 only 2 have jobs. There are no jobs available for either speech therapists or occupational therapists. Hard times ahead.

clairec79

You need to prove independence if under 25 I believe (ie that you have been working for 3 years, no matter where you were living) - I believe over 25 it's automatically assumed and bursary not calculated on your parents income - or be married or have a child (I was 26 married with kids when I applied so I'm a little fuzzy)

Your fees are seperate and covered by the NHS - the bursary is for your living expenses

Contact the uni direct - I was able to use my qualifications from school and just do a part time evening course to prove recent study (AS human biology and I'm assuming yours was higher)

lucky_me_2

Thank you for your replies both, it's made things much more clear now

I'm assuming then that the bursary would cover living expenses and the NHS would fund my course fees which is brilliant, I do believe from research that Occupational therapy is not easy to get on to and my local Uni advises that you do some work experience before applying for the course.

I do have one advantage in that I currently work for the NHS in an admin role but I work in a hospital and we do have OT's on site so I guess I could gain unpaid work experience on my weekends. I am quite new in the post so a little bit worried about letting on to my manager/colleagues that I wish to study full time at the moment, otherwise I would ask the OT's more about the type of work involved but obviously I have a good idea from seeing them day to day.

It's something I really would love to do and i've always had regrets about not going to Uni from the day I left school and went straight in to work but my biggest concern is that I am so used to a certain way of living and having a lot of bills to pay + my parents needing my financial support to get by it just worries me that I could not live on just the bursary that would only just cover my monthly outgoings.

On a long term basis though I know that the earning potential is much higher than I could expect if I was to stay in the job I am in now.