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Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

 

Bursaries are opening up the Cambridge learning experience to more people.

One of the Institute of Continuing Education’s strategic priorities is to develop and promote opportunities to study at the University of Cambridge to a broad range of adult learners. This includes people from a variety of professional backgrounds, those who have never experienced higher education before, those who are studying for personal interest including into pre- and post-retirement and those whose financial circumstances might prove a barrier to study.

The work, life, study balance

We recognise that many adult learners are balancing competing calls on their time and finances. The Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) has long offered an alternative route to a Cambridge education through its part-time and flexible learning options. Many of our courses are available through part-time study. This enables learners to maintain personal and professional commitments while also studying at ICE.

Help with the financial commitment

We know that for many potential adult learners, paying for the costs of studying at a leading university like Cambridge can be challenging. We have a number of different bursary schemes on offer to help remove or reduce this potential barrier to learning with us. Please note that you cannot be awarded a bursary along with any concession, and you can only receive one bursary at a time. The Enrolment Team is happy to support identifying the bursary or bursaries that you may be eligible to apply for. Please connect with us through our email questions@ice.cam.ac.uk

Information about bursaries currently on offer is set out below. We regularly update this information as new bursary schemes are launched so please check back from time to time if you do not see a bursary that reflects your personal situation.

Bursaries are offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for the following types of courses.

Bursary application deadlines

There are two opportunities to apply for bursaries applicable to our undergraduate courses. Round One (open now) closes on 31st March 2025. Round Two opens on 1st May and closes on 31st July 2025. Bursaries are awarded on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis following the receipt of a completed application with required supporting documentation. Only bursaries that are not fully awarded in Round One will be open to applications in Round Two. Outcomes will be communicated to applicants within one calendar month of the closing date.

Undergraduate Award Bearing Courses

Below are the offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our undergraduate courses.

Bursaries

Name

Required evidence of financial hardship 1

Specific eligibility

Tuition fee reduction

Number available

Eligible courses and subjects

Applications close

Churton Collins Memorial​

Not applicable

English Literature Students

£1000

2

English literature Certificates and Diplomas

31 March 2025

Classics for All - Institute of Continuing Education Bursary Scheme

Not applicable

See below

100%

4

Undergraduate Certificate in Classical Studies

31 March 2025

 

Teachers or other education professionals working in UK-based settings, particularly working in deprived / disadvantaged settings and who would otherwise face financial barriers to engage with study. Applicants for the bursaries are likely to work in a state-funded setting such as a state school, public library, National Health Service or HM Prisons Service and will have a clear commitment to developing curricula and teaching topics pertaining to classical studies. Applicants from the third-sector organisations and relevant not-for-profit organisations (e.g. Community Interest Companies in the education field) would be considered.

 

Edward and Ivy Rose Hood Memorial

None

Up to £1000

2

All Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas

31 March 2025

ICE First Time in Higher Education

Arts and Humanities students

50%

1

Arts and Humanities Certificates

31 March 2025

ICE First Time in Higher Education

Science students

50%

1

Science Certificates

31 March 2025

Irene Cooper Coaching Bursary.

Coaching students

£1000

1

Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching

31 March 2025

National Extension College

See below

100%

1

See below

31 March 2025

 

  • Eligibility: Current or recent (last 12 months) NEC students who have completed an A-level course with NEC. Additional eligibility criteria is listed within the online Bursary Application.
  • Qualifying courses: Certificates in English Literature, Evolutionary Biology, History, History of Art, Philosophy and International Development.

Pre-Medical Studies Bursary

Not applicable

See below

£3000

Up to 12

Certificate of Higher Education in Pre-Medical Studies

14 July 2025

 

  • Home address at time of application must be in one of the following area postcodes - AL, CB, CM, CO, IP, LU, MK, NN, NR, PE, RM, SG, SS; 
  • UK Citizen, or holder of UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Status or holder of UK Refugee Status; 
  • Aged 21, or over, by 01 September 2025; 
  • Hold at least 6 GCSEs B/6 grades or higher - including Mathematics, English Language and two science subjects - by 01 September 2025; 
  • An intention to apply for medical school after completion of this course with this clearly articulated in the supporting statement 

NOTE proof will be required.

The Honos Foundation World Archaeology Bursary

Undergraduate Certificate in World Archaeology students

Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of the Ancient World

100%

1

Undergraduate Certificate in World Archaeology

Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of the Ancient World

31 March 2025

1 Qualifying income level may include a gross household income of not more than £25,000 per year or you may be in receipt of a qualifying benefit such as income support, job-seekers' allowance, employment and support allowance (ESA), universal credit, or your sole income is a State Pension and/or you are in receipt of pension credit. Applicants may be asked to provide supporting evidence to confirm this if they are offered a bursary.

To apply for an undergraduate award bearing course bursary, please apply for your chosen course first and then make an application for a bursary using the simple online bursary application form.

Postgraduate Award Bearing Courses

Please find below the complete list of bursaries offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our postgraduate courses.

Bursaries

Name

Specific eligibility

Tuition fee reduction

Number available

Specified course and/or subject 

Application period

How to apply

First Story

Institute of Continuing Education Tuition Fee Bursary Scheme

Educators working in disadvantaged settings

Please refer to the First Story Bursary Terms and Conditions.

Up to £2,000

4

PG Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing

2025-26

Apply here

 

Master's Courses 

Please find below the complete list of bursaries offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our Master's courses. 

Name

Specific eligibility

Tuition fee reduction

Number available

Specified course and/or subject 

Application period

How to apply

Joy Brandon Bursary 

British Black Caribbean Creative Writing Master's students 

Please see here for more information. 

Around 80%*

2

MSt in Creative Writing / MSt Writing for Performance 

2024-26

Apply Here

ICE - MSt in History Research Bursary

Students on the 2024-26 cohort of the MSt in History.

Up to £1,000 towards the expenses for year two research activity for home fee students. If successful, home fee students are expected to supply expenses receipts so reimbursement can be made.

Expenses must be incurred during the 1 June 2025 – 1 June 2026 period.

MSt in History 2024-26 Apply Here

*Home students are expected to pay £3,200.00* towards the course fees. If applicant is assessed as overseas fees, then the contribution will be higher and calculated accordingly.

Applying for a Bursary

To apply for an ICE bursary, please apply for your chosen course first and then make an application for a bursary using the simple online bursary application form.

Bursary partners

We also work with a number of partner organisations to design bursaries that reflect the needs of those in particular sectors of the workplace, or those who do not currently work or have never experienced higher education. These collaborations may include contributing to the financial costs of providing bursaries or promoting bursaries through your network or membership group.

If you would like to join us in widening access to a Cambridge education for people in your organisation or sector, please get in touch for an informal conversation through our email questions@ice.cam.ac.uk.