UCAT Bursary Scheme
Applications for the 2026 UCAT Bursary Scheme will open in May 2026. Information on applying to the Bursary Scheme will be updated before this date.
Bursary vouchers from 2025 can no longer be redeemed.
Candidate Eligibility
The bursary scheme is open to UK candidates that meet the bursary criteria.
If you are over the age of 21 and no longer in full-time secondary or undergraduate education you must be personally in receipt of a qualifying award or means-tested benefit to qualify for a bursary.
You are only permitted one bursary voucher each test cycle. Additional vouchers will not be issued if you miss your test for any reason.
Bursary criteria and supporting evidence
You must meet at least one of the bursary criteria detailed below and provide one piece of evidence to support your application.
UCAT reserves the right to request additional evidence if, in our view, the initial supporting documentation is not considered sufficient to verify eligibility. On occasion UCAT may consider alternative evidence on a case-by-case basis.
| Eligibility Criteria | Evidence Required |
| Candidate in receipt of: | |
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An official letter or communication from your school/college confirming you currently receive free school meals (Local Authority funded only) for academic year 2024/25 or 2025/26. It must include your full name, the name of your school/college and the full date. |
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Your official award letter or communication for academic year 2024/25 or 2025/26, which must include your full name, the name of your school/college and the full date of the award. |
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Your official award letter for academic year 2024/25 or 2025/26, which must include your full name, the name of your college/place of study and the full date of the award. |
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Your award letter (all pages) for academic year 2024/25 or 2025/26 showing a full rate (means-tested) undergraduate:
Candidates unable to take out SF loans for religious/cultural reasons may email the UCAT Office for advice on alternative evidence. |
| Candidate or parent/guardian (living at the same address) in receipt of: | |
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The first page of one of your or your parent/guardian's Universal Credit statements, dated within the last 3 months, which must include the name and address of the claimant, the date, and the award amount. See example Statements can be saved from a Universal Credit online account. |
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Your or your parent/guardian's award letter (all pages) from a UK Jobcentre Plus, dated 2025. Parent/guardians in receipt of JSA or ESA must be entitled to the income-based benefit (e.g. means-tested) and not a contribution-based award. This is specified on the final page of the award letter. A proof of benefit letter can be obtained online. |
|
Your or your parent/guardian's official award letter, dated within the last 12 months. |
The following awards/benefits or evidence are not accepted under any circumstances:
- Scholarships, bursaries or free school meals at independent or fee-paying schools;
- Postgraduate Loan, Advanced Learner Loan or Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary;
- Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit or Personal Independence Payment (PIP);
- Annual accounts or a P60 end of year certificate.
Use the interactive slides below to check your evidence meets our criteria (best viewed on desktop).
UCAT BURSARY SCHEME IS CURRENTLY CLOSED
