A new bursary scheme aimed at widening access to nursing education and strengthening the regional NHS workforce has been launched by the University of Suffolk.
Ten adult nursing students will receive annual bursaries of £3,500 for the duration of their degree through the Transformation Ten Adult Nursing Bursaries, introduced to mark the university’s 10th anniversary in 2026. The funding is designed to help students facing financial barriers pursue a career in nursing while supporting healthcare provision across Suffolk and the wider region.
The scheme has been funded by The ALBORADA Trust, a Suffolk-based charitable foundation that supports initiatives across healthcare, higher education, research and international aid.
The bursaries will be available to applicants from Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk who demonstrate financial need and academic potential. Priority will also be given to students from underrepresented backgrounds, including care leavers, mature learners and those with a declared disability. Eligible applicants must apply through the main UCAS cycle by 30 June 2026 and show academic potential through Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels or BTECs, alongside performance at interview.
The initiative comes amid a national decline in nursing enrolment since the Covid pandemic, with mature student participation dropping by around 30%. The university hopes the bursaries will encourage more people to consider nursing who might otherwise be unable to afford to study.
Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, said:
“This year, as we celebrate 10 years of being an independent university it is important that we recognise the impact the University of Suffolk has made, not only creating opportunities for people of all ages to study, but also delivering projects within the community.
“The generous donation from The ALBORADA Trust and the creation of the Transformation Ten Adult Nursing Bursary represents a significant investment for the University and its students.”
Grant Harris, Director of the ALBORADA Trust, added:
“The ALBORADA Trust is delighted to continue its support of the University of Suffolk’s work in meeting the healthcare needs of the local community and providing opportunities for a fulfilling career in nursing. We look forward to seeing how this transformative project unfolds.”
The trust has been a longstanding supporter of the university. It previously contributed £1.25 million towards the development of the university’s Health and Wellbeing Building, which opened in 2023 and houses state-of-the-art teaching facilities for health courses.
Professor Paula Kersten, Dean of the School of Health, Sciences and Society at the University of Suffolk, said:
“We are grateful to the ALBORADA Trust for their ongoing support and contribution to our health courses. Adult nursing is a hugely rewarding career and we are delighted that this new bursary will provide a significant boost for those students who may otherwise be excluded from studying.”
In 2025, the University of Suffolk was named University of the Year at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards and was runner-up for Teaching Quality and Student Experience in the The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Students interested in studying adult nursing can find more information on the University of Suffolk website.
