Students from Bath College and residents across Bath and North East Somerset could receive up to £10,000 a year towards their studies following the launch of two new bursary schemes by Norland University of Early Childhood.
The Bath-based university has introduced the Norland University Bath College Bursary and Bath Resident Bursary to help talented students overcome financial barriers and pursue careers in early childhood education and care.
Both schemes will be available to eligible students applying for Norland’s undergraduate degree and diploma from 2027 onwards.
Supporting local students
The Bath College Bursary is aimed at current students who receive an offer to study at Norland. Applicants will be identified through the college’s recommendation process before completing a bursary application.
Meanwhile, the Bath Resident Bursary is available to undergraduate offer holders who have lived in Bath and North East Somerset for at least three years immediately before starting their studies. Depending on their circumstances, successful applicants could receive anything from a one-off £500 contribution in their first year to £10,000 annually throughout their three-year course.
Rob Cole, Chief Financial Officer at Norland, said, “We believe that talented students should be able to access a Norland education regardless of their financial circumstances. Our teaching campus is based in Bath, so it is particularly important to us that local people can access the opportunities a Norland education provides.”
Opening doors to careers
Over the past five years, Norland has awarded £1.35 million in bursaries, with around one in four students receiving financial support.
Professor Janet Rose, Vice Chancellor at Norland, said, “These bursaries are an important part of our commitment to widening access, helping us nurture the very best early childhood practitioners and enabling more talented students to fulfil their potential, whatever their financial circumstances.”
Kevin Hamblin, Principal and CEO at Bath College, welcomed the initiative. “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to offer our learners this exciting opportunity with Norland,” he said. “The chance to explore bursary opportunities can help remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent talented students from pursuing their ambitions.”
Making a difference
Third-year Norland student Daisy, who benefited from the university’s existing Emily Ward Bursary, explained how financial support had helped her pursue her ambitions.
“Receiving the Emily Ward Bursary helped make studying at Norland possible for me. It reduced the financial pressure on my family and gave me the confidence to pursue a course I am passionate about without the same level of worry about costs,” she said.
Fellow bursary recipient Olivia, who graduated in 2026 and now works as a full-time live-in nanny caring for four children, also praised the support.
“When I was applying to Norland, one of my biggest concerns was how I would afford to study there. As a student funding my studies myself from a single-parent household, I was extremely grateful to receive the Emily Ward Bursary,” she said.
“The support made a huge difference and helped make a Norland education possible for me. Applying to Norland was the best investment I could have made in my future career.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of B&NES Council, welcomed the new schemes, saying they would help local young people access specialist education and establish rewarding careers.
For more information and eligibility details, visit www.norland.ac.uk/undergraduate/finance-bursaries/.
