What can you apply for?
The R W Barnes Bursary Fund offers financial assistance to undergraduate students on programmes of study based on Engineering, Maths or Physics, at selected UK universities, subject to certain criteria and exceptions.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, you must meet ALL of the following:
- You live, or lived before starting university, in one of these postcode areas: BS, BA, TA, DT, SP3, SP7, SP8, SNl0, SN12, SN13, SN14, SN15 or GL9.
- You are a UK national by birth.
- You are starting an undergraduate degree in September or October 2026 or you are already studying as an undergraduate at a UK university.
- At least 60 percent of your degree content is in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering (Aeronautical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical and Manufacturing), Astronomy or Oceanography.
Priority will be given to:
- Students meeting the above eligibility criteria.
- Current or prospective students at the University of Bath, University of Cambridge or Imperial College London.
- Students from families whose household income is below £45,000. We will consider families who are supporting other children in higher education.
We will give further priority to:
- Current or prospective students at other Russell Group universities (Go to Our universitiesI RussellGroup).
- Current or prospective students at other universities ranked within the top 40 in The Complete University Guide (go to University Rankings and League Tables 2026).
Decision turnaround
We aim to tell you about the outcome of your application by late August 2026.
