The Institute of Physics
The Undergraduate Bursary Scheme
The Institute of Physics aims to give bursaries of around £1000 per year to selected undergraduates studying physics in the UK and Ireland with the objective of increasing participation in the subject. The Institute of Physics Undergraduate Bursary Scheme will be operational from the academic year 2006/7 and will involve the allocation of a quota of bursaries to participating university physics departments. The scheme will be restricted to accredited degree programmes and to UK and Irish nationals.
For a list of accredited degree programmes please refer to our accreditation page. The Universities with the letter "a" next to them are accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the Undergraduate Bursary Scheme?
Why is this a priority for the Institute of Physics?
When will the Bursary Scheme start?
Will students who have entered university prior to 2006/7 be eligible for a bursary?
Who will be eligible for an IOP Undergraduate Bursary?
What is a bursary worth?
Will I have to repay the bursary on graduation?
Are there any strings attached?
How many will be awarded per annum?
When and how can I apply?
What is the aim of the Undergraduate Bursary Scheme?
Our aim is to increase the number of students studying physics at university.
Why is this a priority for the Institute of Physics?
We do not want to see the financial implications of choice of subject unduly influencing the decision of less well off students to study physics at university. For example, many universities do not offer physics degrees. This means that students wishing to study physics may well have to incur extra expenditure by living away from home.
When will the Bursary Scheme start?
We intend to offer the first Bursaries for the 2006/07 academic year.
Will students who have entered university prior to 2006/7 be eligible for a bursary?
Unfortunately not.
Who will be eligible for an Institute of Physics Undergraduate Bursary?
Only UK and Irish nationals applying to courses accredited by the Institute in the UK and Ireland will be eligible for consideration.
What is a bursary worth?
We envisage them to be worth approximately £1000 per annum. They will be for the duration of the course.
Will I have to repay the bursary on graduation?
No, they will not have to be repaid.
Are there any strings attached?
No. Provided students remain on an accredited physics course the bursaries will continue to be paid. The bursary will not be contingent on future employment within physics after graduation.
How many will be awarded per annum?
Precise numbers depend on the funds available but we believe that we will be able to award 200 - 300 bursaries a year.
When and how can I apply?
University physics departments participating in the scheme will be allocating bursaries on our behalf. They will be able to advise you.
Participating Universities. This list will be updated as other universities join the scheme.
A register of accredited courses can be found here.
Further Information
Further information on studying physics at university can be found here.
For policy information on this scheme please visit the Policy section.