Bucks New University - Plans for £500 annual bursary

Following research showing that bursaries are not a major factor in applicants' selection of university, Bucks New University will make changes to its non-means-tested £1,000 annual bursary from next year. For its 2008 intake, the university plans to offer students a £500 annual bursary together with free participation in recreational activities, sports, events and entertainment as well as course-based activities that would previously have been paid for by students. The scheme was developed from a proposal by the Bucks student union. Ruth Farwell, the vice-chancellor, said: "So far it is being received extremely positively by applicants and their parents."