Skip to main content

Travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)

Printable version

1. Overview

You may get a grant to cover some of your travel expenses if you normally live in England and any of the following apply:

  • you’re studying abroad as part of your course
  • you’re on a study or work placement through the Turing or Taith schemes
  • you’re a medical or dental student studying abroad or attending a clinical placement in the UK

You do not have to pay back a travel grant. There are rules on eligibility and how much you’ll get.

There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, student from Wales or student from Northern Ireland.

2. What you'll get

The amount you get depends on your total household income. This means your income, if you have one, combined with that of your parents or guardians, or spouse or partner if you live with them. Do not count income from other family members you live with.

You must pay the first £303 of your travel costs. Your travel grant will be reduced by £1 for each:

  • £8.73 of household income over £39,796, if you’re studying on an undergraduate course that started before 1 January 2027
  • £13.47 of household income over £45,000, if you’re studying a course that starts on or after 1 January 2027 (funded through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement)

Keep your travel costs as low as possible without being impractical.

If you’re on a study or work placement abroad

You can apply for:

  • up to 3 return journeys between your home and the overseas institution during a full academic year abroad
  • help with essential expenses, medical insurance and travel visas

You may be able to apply for your children’s travel costs if you’re a single parent.

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

You can apply for travel costs between your home and the hospital or facility where you’re doing your placement.

3. Eligibility

Your permanent home address must be in England.

If you’re on a study or work placement abroad

If your course started before 1 January 2027, you must attend an overseas institution for at least half of each academic term.

If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027 (funded through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement), you must attend an overseas institution for at least 6 weeks during a year of your course. You can do this in any year of your course. If you’re on a UK medical or dentistry placement, there is no minimum amount of time that you need to spend abroad.

This period of study can be compulsory or optional.

You can also get a travel grant if you’re on:

Other work placements do not count.

You cannot apply for grants to cover the same expenses more than once.

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

The placement must be an essential part of your medical or dental course.

You cannot get a travel grant if you’re eligible for means-tested NHS bursaries or awards instead.

You can still apply for a travel grant if you get other student finance that depends on your household income, such as a Maintenance Loan.

4. How to apply

  1. Apply for student finance using your student finance account. You can register and set up an account if you do not already have one.

  2. You’ll then receive a course abroad form.

  3. Once you’ve filled in and returned the form, you’ll automatically receive a travel grant form if you’re eligible.

Keep all receipts for any expenses you want to apply for - you’ll need to send copies when you apply.

The money will be paid directly into your bank account.

If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027 (funded through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement), there will be a different way to apply for a travel grant. Online applications will open in September 2026.

If you’re doing a clinical placement in the UK

After applying for student finance for clinical study you’ll automatically receive a travel grant form if you’re eligible.