BLUE PEANUT FOUNDATION

Bursaries for Widening Participation Students

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. Our bursaries remove financial barriers, allowing students from lower-income and underrepresented backgrounds to access preparation for UCAT and medical school interviews.

Provide bursaries

Fee waivers or discounts for Blue Peanut resources: UCAT exam preparation, medical school interview days, and more.

Partner with schools & NHS orgs

We are co-designing widening participation activities with schools, colleges and NHS partners across the UK.

Make medicine & dentistry accessible

We focus our support where it matters most, boosting confidence, skills and applications from underrepresented groups.

What the bursary can include

Access to online UCAT practice and strategy sessions

Interview preparation: live workshops and courses, in person or remote

Selected work‑experience placements (limited places - Rossendale school students only)

Eligibility

You should meet one or more of the following. We use a holistic approach and welcome teacher statements.

  • Eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) or 16–19 bursary

  • Household income typically below £30,000 (or on means‑tested benefits)

  • First in family to attend university (no parent/guardian with a UK undergraduate degree)

  • In care, care‑experienced, estranged, or a young carer

  • Refugee or asylum seeker status

  • Live in a low‑participation neighbourhood (POLAR/Acorn/IMD) or attend a school with below‑average progression to HE

  • Contextual flags used by your target universities

If you are unsure, apply anyway — we will review each case individually. We will require evidence of eligibility.

Get in touch.

Complete the online form.

  • Tell us about your circumstances, the support you’re seeking, and any dates/deadlines.

  • Upload simple evidence. e.g., FSM letter, bursary status, UCAT bursary confirmation, teacher letter, or equivalent.

  • If you do not hear from us within 7 days of your submission, please assume your application is not successful.

  • We review holistically. We consider need, school context and timing.

  • Decision & next steps: If approved, you’ll receive a personalised package and booking instructions.