You may be able to access funding if you need to gain a qualification and we’ve provided some suggestions. Some sources of funding will be available to you as the learner, while your employer or learning provider needs to apply for others. You should also ask your employer and learning provider about any available funding as this is not a complete list. We provide updates on funding in the news section of our website.
Part time fee grant
You may be able to apply for this grant from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). See below for the Part Time Grant for Social Services and Healthcare Qualifications leaflet.
SDS Individual Training Account (ITA)
Skills Development Scotland manages this funding which can give you up to £200 towards an approved course. You can find out more about Individual Training Accounts on the My World of Work website.
Funding for social work study
Undergraduate
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is responsible for giving financial support to eligible students on undergraduate and part time social work courses in Scotland. Find out more here.
Postgraduate
This information is relevant to the 2023/24 academic year. Funding is reviewed annually so please use this as a guide only for future years.
Postgraduate bursaries are available for nominated and eligible students studying the MSc Social Work at the following universities:
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of Strathclyde
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Stirling
- University of the West of Scotland
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Open University.
Each university receives a quota of bursary places and must nominate students for each year of the course. Bursary places are allocated at the discretion of universities and they may have more students than available bursary places. Please contact your chosen university directly if you want to be nominated.
Universities send the SSSC lists of nominated students twice a year, during summer for the September intake and during autumn for the January intake. We then invite those nominated to apply. Nomination does not guarantee eligibility for funding. Students will be assessed for residence eligibility, previous funding received and if eligible, entitlement.
- Residence eligibility will be derived from the Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022.
The overall bursary consists of various allowances and is intended as a contribution towards the costs of study. The schedule of rates is reviewed annually.
- Tuition fees – all eligible students will receive a contribution towards tuition fees. The maximum contribution the postgraduate bursary scheme is approved to pay towards course fees in 2023/24 is £3,415.00. The maximum amount may not cover the full fee so please check this with your chosen university. The contribution towards fees is paid directly to the relevant university on the student’s behalf.
- Means-tested grant and dependants allowance – the means-tested grant allowance is assessed using students’ unearned income; husband’s/wife's/civil partner’s income; or if a student is under 25 on the relevant date, we will take into account parental income, where applicable. The dependants allowance is assessed using a co-habitee’s income.
- Sundry expenses: all eligible students will receive a one-off payment towards placement travel and other expenses.
Please contact the Bursaries team at bursaries@sssc.uk.com for more information.
Modern apprenticeship funding
Skills Development Scotland administers funding to Modern Apprenticeship Centres.
If you apply for a modern apprenticeship vacancy you will learn on the job and get paid. You will not pay towards your qualification. The main website to apply for apprenticeships is www.apprenticeships.scot but they are also advertised on other job sites.
There are opportunities for employers to develop their existing workforce with social service apprenticeships. Skills Development Scotland has a range of guidance, including: