Lancaster University

Grants and Bursaries

The Graduate College offers a range of grants and bursaries to help students during their studies.

Cost of Living Support

There are a number of initiatives in place to support students during the cost-of-living difficulties we are currently living through. Full details of these are advertised on the Student News Portal.

Community Cupboard & Supermarket vouchers

The community cupboard is a space for students to donate unopened food, hygiene, or cleaning items for other students to take and use. If you've bought something you no longer need or want, please donate it to others via the community cupboard in the college reception area (A Floor, House 10, Graduate College). Thanks!

Emergency food bags and small supermarket vouchers are available to help students in need while they wait for a payday/funding award/bursary or loan payment. Please talk to a member of the college team in person, via Teams, or via email (graduatecollege@lancaster.ac.uk) if you have an urgent need for groceries or hygiene items.

Please bear in mind that these are temporary solutions, and you should also look at the hardship funds linked below, and perhaps some part-time work to help while you complete your studies.

Hardship funds

Students suffering unexpected financial hardship are advised to apply for LOAF. Details of all funds available are on the University's funding pages.

If you need an emergency loan to support you through a small gap in funding, please speak to the Funding Team at studentfunding@lancaster.ac.uk.

Travel grants

Graduate College & Doctoral Academy Travel Grants are now OPEN for applications - with thanks to the university Alumni donors who have made this fund possible.

Please submit your application prior to the date of your academic travel as per the submission dates.

Deadlines for submission are as follows:

  • 5th August
  • 2nd September
  • 7th October
  • 4th November
  • 2nd December

2025

  • 6th January
  • 3rd February
  • 3rd March

This fund is intended to support the sharing and dissemination of research conducted at Lancaster, to support researchers when they have to travel for their research - particularly if this travel was not anticipated when you started your research degree. Applications can also be made by students attending the Global Experiences summer schools, travelling to interviews or recruitment fairs, etc. See the application form 'Eligibility Criteria' for full details.

Applications can be made through the online form

If you need to apply without using the online system or you have any questions, please email graduatecollege@lancaster.ac.uk.