Social work bursary boost for master’s students in Scotland

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Maximum payments for the means-tested bursary will rise from £7,415 to £11,000 per year from 2025-26 for students at the nine universities that run social work master’s courses, typically lasting two years.

However, while the Scottish Government is increasing investment in postgraduate student support, it has reduced the number of available bursaries per year from 300 to 250, which it says is in line with recent uptake.

As in 2024-25, payments are available to students with an annual household income of less than £34,000 a year.

For those nominated for a bursary by their university, £5,000 (up from £3,415) per year will cover tuition fees, which are typically at least £7,000 annually. The remaining £6,000 will cover living costs.

Falling number of social work students

The news follows two consecutive annual falls in the number of social work students registered in Scotland, which universities have, in part, attributed to poverty and the cost of living.

Over the same period, students, supported by the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) and Social Workers Union (SWU), have mounted a campaign to improve financial support.

Prior to the bursary rise, the Scottish Government had extended student loan access to postgraduate social work students ineligible for a bursary and increased practice learning support from £350 to £750 per placement, in response to the campaign.

No bursary for undergraduate students

However, ministers have not met campaigners’ key aim, to provide annual bursaries of £7,500 for third- and fourth-year undergraduates, who spend those years on placement. They may currently only obtain means-tested support worth £8,400 to £11,400 a year, mostly in the form of loans.

By contrast, nursing, midwifery and paramedic students receive non-means tested bursaries of £10,000 in each of their first three years and £7,500 in their fourth year.

Following the postgraduate bursary increase announcement, minister for children, young people and The Promise* Natalie Don-Innes said: “Social workers play a vital role in supporting people and their families within their communities.

Government ‘determined to attract more people into social work’

“We are determined to support more people to acquire the skills and knowledge to enter social work, and these increased bursaries will help to remove financial barriers for many postgraduate students amidst the wider cost of living crisis.”

SASW’s national director, Alison Bavidge, described the announcement as “excellent news for postgraduate social work students”.

“It is a significant piece of the jigsaw Scotland needs to put in place to deliver the social workers of the future,” she added.

“It should help to make social work a more attractive career and enable a wider range of applicants. While this improvement to the postgraduate bursary is very welcome, we hope the Scottish Government will build on this progress and further enhance support to ensure social work is an accessible profession.”

*The Promise is the Scottish Government’s pledge to care experienced children and young people that they will grow up loved, safe and respected.