Before enrolling to university or college, you’ll hear all about bursaries and scholarships. But what do they all mean? Get the ins and outs on the differences between a bursary and scholarship. Find out if you qualify for financial assistance and more!
Differences Between a Bursary and Scholarship
Although both bursaries and scholarships help students pay for their studies, there are clear differences between the two. Knowing what they are will help you sort out your finances before enrolling. Take a look at the differences between a bursary and scholarship below.
Bursary
Bursaries are financial assistance given to students who do not have the finances to fund their studies. To qualify, you need to come from a low income family. You don’t need to pay back a bursary, unless you have applied for a bursary loan.
Your bursary covers your:
- Studies
- Travelling or accommodation
- Vouchers for food and study supplies
Scholarship
If you’re an A student in school, then this is for you. A scholarship is awarded to students who have reached an academic achievement or received high results. In most cases, it only covers the cost of your studies, unless it is a full-ride scholarship. Since it awards academic excellence, you do not have to pay back the scholarship.

Will a Bursary and Scholarship Cover all Your Studies?
Both a scholarship and bursary generally only cover one year. So you may need to reapply each year for the entire duration of your studies. This all depends on the bursary or scholarship you take. Do your research and ask questions to determine what is covered and for how long.
What is Expected of you?
Now that you’ve got your bursary, it’s all smooth sailing right? Well not quite. For certain bursaries, you may need to attend workshops or work for the sponsor. With your scholarship, you need to maintain the high standard reached. If not, you could lose your scholarship or you won’t be able to reapply the next year.
Does Skills Academy Offer Bursaries?
No, we do not offer bursaries, loans or scholarships. We do, however, have a range of benefits that makes studying with us an affordable option. Benefits that allow more bang for your buck includes:
- Our study Fast Pay Less Policy – With our study fast and pay less policy, you can cut the cost and time of your studies. This allows you to save money while you gain new skills.
- Studying from home – No need to spend money on travelling when studying from home. With distance learning, you’ll be able to save towards your future.
- Course Material Delivered to you – Course material can be expensive. But with us, your coursework is delivered to you. You’ll get the resources you need.




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Study Quality Courses With us
We believe everyone has the right to quality yet affordable education. With our courses, you can learn top skills toward your successful career. To get started, contact our course experts. You can:
- Call us on 0800 39 00 27 – it’s free
- Fill in our contact form for a call back