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.
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.
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.
There are two opportunities to apply for bursaries applicable to our undergraduate courses. Round One (open now) closes on 31st March 2025. Round Two is now open and will close 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.
Below are the bursaries offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our undergraduate courses.
|
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 July 2025 |
|
Classics for All - Institute of Continuing Education Bursary Scheme |
Not applicable |
See below |
100% |
4 |
Undergraduate Certificate in Classical Studies |
31 March 2025 |
|
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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. |
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Edward and Ivy Rose Hood Memorial |
✔ |
None |
Up to £1000 |
2 |
All Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas |
31 July 2025 |
|
ICE First Time in Higher Education |
✔ |
Arts and Humanities students |
50% |
1 |
Arts and Humanities Certificates |
31 July 2025 |
|
ICE First Time in Higher Education |
✔ |
Science students |
50% |
1 |
Science Certificates |
31 July 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 July 2025 |
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Pre-Medical Studies Bursary |
Not applicable |
See below |
£3000 |
Up to 12 |
Certificate of Higher Education in Pre-Medical Studies |
14 July 2025 |
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NOTE proof will be required. |
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| 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 July 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.
Please find below the details of the bursary offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our non-award bearing courses.
|
Name |
Required evidence of financial hardship1 |
Specific eligibility |
Tuition fee reduction |
Number available |
Eligible courses and subjects |
Applications close |
|
|
Alison Fordham Bursary |
Yes |
See below. |
50% ** |
See T&C’s for further detail. |
Online Courses via our virtual learning platform. |
2 weeks before the course start date. |
Please find below the complete list of bursaries offered by the Institute of Continuing Education for our postgraduate courses.
|
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 Applications close 5 June 2025 |
*The Alison Fordham Bursary is named in honour of a valued longstanding colleague of the Institute of Continuing Education.
** Each bursary will provide 50% of the overall tuition fee to the maximum value of £250.
Eligibility: A personal statement is needed to support your application, which should outline your motivations for study at this stage in your life, your future ambitions for undergraduate study, and evidence of your financial need. See T&Cs for further details.
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 |
|
| 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. |
5 | 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.
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.
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.
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