Financial Support

We believe that no student should miss out on fulfilling their academic potential because of financial concerns. A range of grants and bursaries are available to support students in times of financial hardship.

The Finance Office is responsible for the financial running of the College and its subsidiaries. We are located in the Cavendish building.

If you require financial assistance, please contact the Finance Tutor and your College Tutor.

The Finance Tutor is in College during term time only on Wednesdays, between 4 pm to 7.30 pm and Thursdays, between 12 noon to 7.30 pm. Students wishing to arrange a meeting, are advised to contact the Finance Tutor directly to agree a convenient time. 

Financial assistance for students

Funding for students during the course (Undergraduate)

Once matriculated, current graduate students can apply for Research Grants to assist with expenses such as conference registration fees. Student Representation Awards are made to those who contribute at a University level to sports, societies, music, or drama. In addition, students who find themselves in severe hardship due to unforeseen financial difficulties may apply to the limited College Hardship Fund.

We know that tuition fees and living costs can be a worry for many students. We believe that no student should miss out on fulfilling their academic potential because of financial concerns, and so we offer a range of grants, bursaries and prizes. We also have a dedicated finance tutor who can advise you on the sources of funding that are available.

Fees and costs (Postgraduate)

Please see the University's Graduate Admissions pages for further details about course finances and the cost of living in Cambridge.

The University's Funding Search website is a useful tool for incoming postgraduate students to identify any grants or studentships for which they may be eligible.

If you nominated Homerton as your first or second choice of College on your application you will be eligible to apply for the Charter Postgraduate Award. This is a sum of £1,500, paid annually, renewable over a period of 3 years for PhDs, subject to satisfactory progress.

Student loans and tuition fees

All new students entering in September/October must apply to one of the following for confirmation of their Home or EU status in order to receive tuition fee and maintenance loans and/or grants;

Please ensure that you apply to one of the above (that is applicable to you) to prove that you are a Home/EU student. Failure to obtain this confirmation will result in you being assessed as self-funded and/or an overseas student.

All continuing Undergraduate students who wish to take a tuition fee loan must re-apply to one of the services listed above (as applicable) well in advance of the start of their next academic year in order to secure funding on time

Hardship funding

Cambridge Bursary Scheme (CBS) 

The Cambridge Bursary Scheme offers Home fee status students non-repayable Bursaries to help with living costs. These Bursaries are offered in addition to any government financial support that you might receive. The value of each Bursary is dependent on household income, and could be up to £3,500 per year. Further enhanced awards are available to all students who are classed as independent by their regional funding body. This includes students who have been in local authority care or who are estranged from their families, and students who are over 25, married or have children. The Scheme includes an additional £1,000 per year for all low-income students who qualified for free school meals. There's no limit to the number of Bursaries available, and you are automatically considered for it if you are eligible. 

College Hardship Funds

Homerton is committed to offering hardship support beyond what is offered by the Cambridge Bursary Scheme to those who have particular needs. The College has modest funds to make grants to those in most need, especially those who do not qualify for the Cambridge Bursary Scheme and /or those whose circumstances and finances changed after they started the course.

To be considered for a College Hardship Grant, students should contact their College Tutor in the first instance.

Bell, Abbott and Barnes Funds

The Bell, Abbott, and Barnes Funds provide funding for undergraduate students experiencing unexpected financial hardship. Awards are made from the Bell, Abbott, and Barnes Funds once each term, and grants of up to £2,000 per annum are provided

Students should give details of their financial situation to their personal tutor who can apply on their behalf. The deadline for your Tutor to apply is the Division of Term, that is to say, 9th November, 13th February or 14th/21st May (the final date depending on when Easter falls). Late applications cannot be considered until the following term

Central Childcare Bursary Scheme

The Central Childcare Bursary Scheme is available to eligible EU and overseas student parents. The grants are means-tested and depend on family income and expenditures. Further information about eligibility criteria and application packs can be found on the Childcare website. Application packs are also available from College offices, the SU or via the Childcare Office.

Completed applications must be submitted through your College Tutor who should support the application. Proof of a secured place or places at an Ofsted-registered childcare provider, including the child’s name, booking pattern and the start dates, must be included with the completed application form.

Other sources of support

Homerton also has a selection of smaller awards for which students are invited to apply as college members. These include a Vacation Study Grant, internship bursaries, a year abroad grant, a dissertation grant and small grants for academic projects. There are also several travel awards available and the possibility for students to be reimbursed for up to 50% of the cost of a language course through the University Language Centre. More information is available from the Tutorial Office.

If postgraduate students encounter unforeseen financial difficulties, they may apply to the University's Postgraduate Hardship Fund. Awards given by this fund are intended to support students who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of unexpected changes in their financial circumstances, to enable them to complete their research or study.

Please note that there are termly deadlines for receipt of applications, and the maximum amount of the award is £2000. Please see the postgraduate hardship funding webpage for eligibility and guidance. 

PhD students who are over-running their 3 years fixed funded research by the Cambridge Trust may seek advice from the College Graduate Tutor and/or the Financial Tutor if the Trust would extend this further by up to 2 extra terms.

Funding for international students

The financial support available for international undergraduates is limited and detailed here, including some partial financial support available through the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust. You can only apply for funding through the Trust once you've been offered a place at the College.  At this point, the College will send you full details of the Trust awards and an application form. 

Funding for disabled students

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are grants to help meet the extra course costs incurred as a direct result of a disability or Specific Learning Difficulty. They are paid on top of anything you get through the standard student finance package, are not means-tested, and do not need to be repaid. Available for home students only. Included in your application to student finance UK.

 

Reasonable Adjustments Funds (RAF)

University Grants for home students (UK nationals) with disabilities, which may include, but is not limited to funding note-takers, proofreading and specialist mentoring. Please contact the DRC to arrange an appointment to discuss the Reasonable Adjustment Funds. If you have already applied for DSAs, you do not need to make an additional application, the DRC will contact you to discuss support available from the RAF.

 

International Disabled students’ Fund (IDS)

International students (EU or non-EU) with disabilities may be eligible for support to assist their academic work, including independent needs assessments, specialist equipment, and extra travel costs incurred because of your disability. Students may discuss this support with their disability advisor or fill out an IDS application form. Students and offer holders are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that any support requirements are in place for the beginning of term.

 

Crane’s Charity Hardship Fund

Crane’s Charity provides hardship grants for students towards the cost of medical, surgical or psychiatric treatment or for convalescent accommodation and travel to assist students who are ill. Students should speak to their college tutor, who can make an application on their behalf. 

Details of other funds for disabled students can be found on the Disability Resource Centre webpages. 

Funding for extracurricular activities

Student Representation Awards

Homerton College wishes to acknowledge and reward those students who represent the College in University sport, societies or other activities such as music, drama and charitable activities as it brings benefits to the College through raising the College profile and providing opportunities for communications to alumni. Awards of up to £200, or 14 vacation accommodation nights if requested, will be awarded to recipient students. 

 

Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP)

Homerton supports and encourages students in the learning of languages through courses provided by the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP). Homerton students enrolled on a language programme (in any language other than English),generally taught during Michaelmas and Lent terms on CULP standard programs, may seek Homerton contribution of up to 50% of the full cost of the course by applying to the finance tutor, enclosing a copy of CULP receipt of payment and Certification of course completion issued by CULP. Upon receipt of Certification of course completion issued by CULP the Finance Tutor will authorise release of College contribution to the Finance Office. Payment is generally processed via BACS by the Finance Office, direct into your bank account.

 

Small Grants for School Outreach

These funds are intended to help Homerton College Undergraduates with expenses associated with outreach related activities. They are primarily meant for funding a visit to a student’s previous school, but other activities will be considered if they fall within the remit of the college’s outreach targets. Applications from groups of students visiting multiple schools will be considered.

Students may simply wish to talk about their Cambridge experience, or engage in subject-related activity. For the purposes of outreach, we will provide a general power-point presentation, and other “stash” for distribution.

If your application is successful, the Admissions Tutor will write to you with details of how to make a claim (enclosing receipts of expenditure) to the Finance Office. Return completed form to the Tutorial Administrator, which can found under Outreach application form

 

Sports Awards

Financial Support for Sportsmen/Women

The Hawk's club offers a charitable trust which provides funds for sporting excellence to current students, male and female, whose sporting activities are inhibited by financial constraints. Applications have to be endorsed by a University Senior Member to confirm financial need; grants are normally only awarded in sports of Blue or Half-blue status, taking into account if need is equal, the level of sporting excellence and the academic level. Further details can be found on their website.

Link goes to an expired domain, find updated link if there is one. The Ospreys is a society by and for the University of Cambridge sportswomen aimed at raising the profile of women's sport. The Ospreys seek to provide financial support for members in the form of Bursary awards. Ospreys Bursaries are annual monetary grants intended to support members in the pursuit of sport at the University level and beyond. Further details can be found on their website.

Travel Grants

Homerton Travel Award 2024

For many years an annual Travel Award has been made available to help Homerton students who are contemplating ambitious or out of the ordinary journeys during the summer vacation; on average around ten awards of up to £500 are made. The purpose of the travel should be challenging and mind-broadening, but also confer a benefit to others; travel designed for research purposes or coursework related will not be considered. Further details including how to apply, the criteria for applying, and required information, are available to download. If you have any questions, please contact the Tutorial Office.

Closing date 22nd May 2024.

 

Homerton Internship Grant

Homerton College will again be offering an increased number of Internship Bursaries this year. The Bursaries are intended to support undergraduates and graduates (incl. PGCE) students who are seeking to undertake an internship, work experience or a research project that would have a potential benefit to their future careers. Further information is available online. The closing date is 15th May 2024.

 

The Student Travel Award

The Student Travel Award provides two Cambridge undergraduates with up to £1,000 each to travel separately throughout Europe during the summer, visiting Cambridge's volunteer-led Alumni Groups and promoting the Groups' activities to students. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their networks with alumni and visit locations of personal and career interests.

Full details including how to apply are available on the CUDO website.

Academic awards and grants

Academic awards, scholarships and prizes

For details of the academic awards, prizes and scholarships available to students at Homerton, please visit the Prizes and Scholarships page on the website.
 

Vacation Study Grant (VSG)

Homerton Undergraduates who are unable to pay for vacation stay and have strong academically approved reasons to remain in Cambridge during the vacations can apply for a grant to help towards living costs whilst remaining in college. The Fund is means tested and only those eligible will be considered by the VSG Committee. All applications must have the support of their Tutor or Director of Studies (DoS). Xmas vacation closing date midday Friday 10th November 2023.

The grant will only apply for the days outside the period covered by your termly rent. Generally final year students will be considered. However, (first and second year) students may apply if they have strong support from their DoS or Tutor and are eligible. You may apply to stay on after the end of term or apply to arrive early before the start of the following term. 

 

Homerton Internship Grant

Homerton College will again be offering an increased number of Internship Bursaries this year. The Bursaries are intended to support undergraduates and graduates (incl. PGCE) students who are seeking to undertake an internship, work experience or a research project that would have a potential benefit to their future careers.

The Bursaries will generally provide funding to cover the costs of accommodation in College of up to 5 weeks (in exceptional circumstances up to 10 weeks) during the Summer vacation, or it will provide funding towards the costs of accommodation and associated costs of your internship, closer to the place of employment.

Students must tentatively have arranged an internship, work experience or research project over the Summer vacation period. Awards will be made taking into consideration any payments made by the employer for the internship and any personal finances available to fund the internship.

Closing date midday 15th May 2024.

 

Small Grants for Undergraduate Academic Projects

A Research Grant of up to £100 may be available for undergraduates who are unable to afford expenses associated with academic-related work. Please contact your Tutor/DoS in the first instance.

 

Homerton Dissertation Grant 2024

Undergraduates in their final year can apply for the Homerton Dissertation Grant to assist with expenses associated with a research project or dissertation which is an assessed part of their course. Grants of up to £500 will be considered (not more than one grant per student per academic year) and students applying for this may NOT also apply for a small grant for Undergraduate Academic Projects.

Applications may be made to help with the costs of fieldwork, trips to libraries and archives etc. Funds will not normally be given for normal meals, purchase of laptops or software. Please complete the form via the link below and submit it to the Tutorial Office by noon on 16th May 2024.

Postgraduate Research and Training Grants

The Postgraduate Research and Training Grants support Homerton College postgraduate students with expenses associated with their academic work. These may include: travel to conferences, research sites, or archives; registration fees for conferences; accommodation costs when working away from College or at a residential conference or school; exceptional expenses associated with research, such as the purchase of specialist analysis software if not available elsewhere.

Postgraduate students students on full-time one-year courses (MPhil, MRes, LLM, etc.) may apply for up to £175, and full-time PhD students may apply for up to £400 each of their three course years, or up to £1200 over the whole course (for example, making one large claim in the third year for an international conference). Part-time students may also apply for these awards: PhD, EdD and MD students for £200 each year in their first four years and £400 in their fifth year, or up to £1200 over the whole course; MEd and MSt students for £175 over the duration of their course, whether one or two years.

Students will be contacted by the Postgraduate Administrator before each deadline.

Further information and application form

Also Available: Research Events Fund

The Research Events Fund helps Homerton College postgraduate students with expenses associated with holding research-related activities. Organising such events increasingly is seen as a crucial part of research students’ work, giving vital CV points and helping build academic networks and reputations.

Further information and application form

Charter Postgraduate Awards
  • Amount: £1,500 per annum for one year (Masters’-level courses) or three years (doctoral-level courses)
  • Eligibility: students embarking on a new course of postgraduate degree study from October 2023 who have named Homerton College as first or second choice when applying to the University, or are a continuing/returning Homerton student. You must have been made an offer by University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions for your course and have been accepted by Homerton College for membership.
  • Criteria: decisions will be made on the grounds of academic merit. Please note that approximately half of the available awards will be reserved for existing (matriculated) members of the College planning to embark on a new course of postgraduate degree study in October 2023.
  • Application process: Write to Dr Melanie Keene, Postgraduate Tutor (mjk32@cam.ac.uk), indicating your wish to be considered for an Award, including a short statement (one page of A4) of your academic/research interests written for a non-specialist audience. In your statement you should answer the following questions: 1) What is your area of specialist research?; 2) How does your research fit with the values and aims of Homerton College? 3) What is the wider impact or significance of your research? Please copy your application to Miss Kelly Collinwood, Postgraduate Administrator (postgrad-admin@homerton.cam.ac.uk).
  • Deadline for applications: Sunday 28 May 2023.
  • Notification of decisions: July 2023.
Horobin Sports Awards (Postgraduate)
  • Amount: £5,000. Homerton also has a fund to which College athletes can apply for support towards the additional costs of participating in sport - which might include costs of personal equipment, travel, and attendance at training camps.
  • Eligibility: postgraduate students of any gender, in any subject, working towards any postgraduate-level qualification of the University of Cambridge, who are of international standard in any sport.
  • Criteria: Academic and athletic ability. In cases of doubt, the College will take advice on the international level of applicants’ sporting achievement from experts nominated by the College on the advice of the University of Cambridge’s Director of Sport.
  • Application process: Write to Dr Melanie Keene, Postgraduate Tutor (mjk32@cam.ac.uk), indicating your wish to be considered for an Award, including a short statement (one page of A4) of your academic and sporting achievements written for a non-specialist audience. A copy of your statement should also be copied to Miss Kelly Collinwood, Postgraduate Administrator (postgrad-admin@homerton.cam.ac.uk).
  • Deadline for applications: Sunday 28 May 2023.
  • Notification of decisions: July 2023.
Music awards

Those studying Music are automatically entitled to a generous bursary towards instrumental lessons for each year of their undergraduate study at Homerton. These can be held concurrently with an Organ ScholarshipChoral Scholarship, Accompanist Scholarship, Conducting Scholarship, or Instrumental award.  Have a look at the Music Awards and Scholarship Document for further information.

Choral Scholarships

At Homerton, choral scholars sing in the Charter Choir. Scholarships are tenable for the duration of undergraduate study (usually three years), and choral scholars are required to take part in the musical services of the Charter Choir at the neighbouring Church of St John the Evangelist, attend choir practices, and are expected to take an active part in the secular musical life of the College. In addition to the annual stipend of £100, choral scholars receive a generous further subsidy towards singing lessons, free Formal Hall, and other perks.

Homerton College participates in the University's Vocal Assessment Days (end of September), but prospective choral applicants who don't attend this event are nevertheless most welcome to contact the Director of Music, Dr Daniel Trocmé-Latter for informal advice about making an application.

Formal applications can only be made once an academic place has been offered (in early January). In order to apply, the Choral Award Application Form must be completed and sent to the Admissions Office of your College.

Organ Scholarships

Those wishing to apply for an Organ Scholarship need to complete the Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA) as well as submit a UCAS application. The Organ Scholarship applications must usually be received by the beginning of September. Your UCAS application does not have to be submitted until the October deadline.

There are normally two Organ Scholars at Homerton. The Organ Scholars’ main responsibilities are to accompany the Charter Choir at all rehearsals and services (usually Choral Evensong at the neighbouring Church of St John the Evangelist), and to help with choir-related administration and general organisation. When no accompaniment is needed, they may be expected to sing with the Choir. They are also given regular opportunities to conduct the Choir, with informal guidance from the Director of Music. Organ Scholars are also expected to take a leading role in other forms of music-making at Homerton. Awards are tenable for three years (at £450 per annum), and come with additional perks including free organ lessons, free Formal Hall, and free international tours. In addition, the Organ Scholars are provided with a digital practice piano in their College room.

Instrumental Awards

Homerton College participates in the University Instrumental Award Scheme, whose purpose is to enable talented players to reach a high standard of chamber music performance. Undergraduates in any subject whose place at Homerton has been confirmed may apply for an Award. A distinction at Grade 8 is usually required as a minimum level. Applications must usually be submitted by late February.

Accompanist Scholarship

Homerton College also offers an Accompanist Scholarship for competent pianists who are either continuing or incoming students. Applications are welcome from those who will have achieved at least Grade 7 standard on the piano. The value of the scholarship is £300 per annum, plus an additional grant for piano/accompaniment lessons. There is also an optional provision for organ lessons of £300 per annum. The scholarship will be awarded for one year in the first instance; candidates are permitted to reapply in subsequent years.

The Accompanist Scholar is the official accompanist for musical events in College and is be expected to promote music at Homerton. They may also, from time to time, be required to accompany the Charter Choir at a concert or service. Appointment is by audition, usually held at the very beginning of the academic year

Appointment will be by audition at Homerton College at the end of September. At the audition, candidates will be required to perform two pieces of their choice on the piano, and will be given some sight-reading exercises.

Those interested in applying are invited to register their interest with the Director of Music, Dr Daniel TrocméLatter (dt267@cam.ac.uk).

Closing date for applying: Sunday 19 September 2021 . Provisional date for auditions: Monday 27 September 2021

Conducting Scholarship 

Homerton College would like to appoint a Conducting Scholar for the academic year 2021–22. This is a new award, open to all current student members of College as well as those holding an offer to begin studying here in autumn 2021 who have an interest in learning orchestral conducting. Homerton College is most grateful to the Douglas Coombes Foundation for the partial sponsorship of this award.

No prior conducting experience is necessary, although candidates’ potential will be taken into consideration.

The value of the scholarship is £300 per annum, plus an additional grant for conducting lessons and – for students studying subjects other than Music – another grant for instrumental lessons. Where possible, the Conducting Scholar will be provided with a digital piano in their college room. The scholarship will be awarded for one year in the first instance, but may be extended for a subsequent year with the agreement of both parties.

Appointment will be by audition at the end of September. At the audition, candidates will be required to conduct a short excerpt of music, and will be given some sight-reading exercises. 

Those interested in applying are invited to register their interest with the Director of Music, Dr Daniel TrocméLatter (dt267@cam.ac.uk).

Closing date for applying: Sunday 19 September 2021 . Provisional date for auditions: Monday 27 September 2021

Visit the University Website for more information about the  Intercollegiate Choral Award Competition and the Intercollegiate Organ Award Competition.

Student representation awards

Homerton College wishes to acknowledge and reward those students who represent the College in University sport, societies or other activities such as music, drama and charitable activities. Students representing Homerton bring many benefits to the College, including raising the College profile and providing opportunities for communications to alumni. The Student Representation Award offers up to £200, or 14 vacation accommodation nights if requested by recipient students.

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Prizes and Scholarships

Prizes and Scholarships

Undergraduate study

Undergraduate study

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study

Staff Wellbeing

Staff Wellbeing

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