A scheme providing financial aid for the families of those working in the pharmacy sector has opened up applications for undergraduate bursaries.
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT) is offering eligible applicants bursaries worth up to £3,000 per year to help ease financial strain, focus on learning, and progress towards their chosen careers without unnecessary financial pressure.
The bursary scheme can help support students whose parent or spouse has worked in the pharmacy industry for the last five years or more, and applications are open until October.
Undergraduate study can place significant pressure on families, particularly when students are balancing education with part-time work, travel costs, accommodation and study materials, said the Trust.
Professor Anna Vignoles CBE FBA, Director of LTCT, encouraged people to take up the opportunity.
“Opportunity should be shared, not saved for the lucky few. These bursaries exist to recognise the contribution made by people working in pharmacies across the country, and to ensure their families have access to the same educational opportunities as anyone else.
“We know that many people are balancing vital shift work and family responsibilities while fighting the rising costs of university.
Adnan Salem, a University of Lancashire dental surgery student said that receiving a bursary had allowed more focus on study.
“The grant has massively helped, as I am self-funding my studies, it has allowed me to reduce my weekly working hours. The time saved per week helps me to focus more on my studies and has alleviated some of the financial stress.”
Fikayo, a PGCE social sciences student at Manchester Metropolitan University, said they were grateful for the grant, saying: “I applied for the grant and hoped for the best. I received the grant so unexpectedly, but it truly came at the right time. I am so grateful to the Trust for believing in me and supporting my studies. I honestly feel so blessed to have come across this grant.”
Macaulay, a medical student at Keele University, commented: “The grant has helped massively in allowing me to focus fully on my studies and make the most of the opportunities available to me. The financial support has eased many of the practical pressures that come with a medical degree, particularly costs associated with placements, travel, and study resources.”
The undergraduate scheme is currently open for those keen to undertake university study and closes on 1 October 2026.
Students whose household income is up to £50,000 will be prioritised, while applications from households with an income of up to £90,000 may also be considered.
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust is an independent charity that supports education from reception up to PhD level for families in the grocery and pharmacy trades and has been doing so for 100 years. The Trust aims to provide a contribution to the costs of education for school aged children and college and university students in the UK, specifically those in financial need whose parents are in these trades.
For further information on the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, a full breakdown of bursary eligibility and to apply, visit: www.leverhulme-trade.org.uk
