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Nursing student bursary in Scotland will rise to £10,000 by 2020

Current bursary for nursing and midwifery students stands at £6,578
Nicola Sturgeon

Current bursary for nursing and midwifery students stands at £6,578


Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Getty

Nursing students in Scotland can expect greater financial support – with their bursary rising to £10,000.

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon today announced the bursary increase for nursing and midwifery students, to take effect incrementally from 2019.

Nursing students will receive an £8,100 bursary in 2019/20, which will increase to £10,000 the following financial year. Scotland's nursing student bursary is currently £6,578.

'We'll make having an NHS career easier'

Ms Sturgeon said: ‘It is vital we help support the nurses and midwives of the future during their training. This extra funding will help make studying nursing or midwifery easier for those who want a career in our health service.’

RCN Scotland director Theresa Fyffe welcomed the news, adding: ‘The RCN will continue to work with the Scottish Government on staffing challenges so that nurses feel valued and listened to throughout their career.’

The nursing bursary in England was scrapped in August 2017, although nursing students in Northern Ireland, like those in Scotland, continue to receive bursaries. 

The Welsh Government has pledged to grant bursaries to nursing students beginning courses in 2019 but the RCN wants a longer-term commitment.


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