Some organisations operate bursary schemes to help their workers meet the costs of study. These can vary from a contribution towards the cost of studying to full payment of the course fee.

UNISON negotiated one such bursary scheme through the Sussex Consortium learning partnership. In this scheme students studying An introduction to health and social care (K101) can access a £300 bursary to help them meet the total cost of the course. The student pays the course fee themselves (either by financial assistance, their own money or a combination of the two). They then claim back the course fee, up to a maximum of £300, via their Education/Training department.

For many students studying through the Sussex Consortium, the course fees are paid in total either by a Financial Assistance Award administered by The Open University or through a combination of financial assistance and employer funding accessed via the bursary scheme.

It should be remembered that employer bursaries are discretionary and cannot be guaranteed, but it is certainly worthwhile exploring with your line manager or training department whether your employer has any such system in place.