College Support

College Support

Apply for funds via Student Forms.

College offers financial support for students on both a full-time and part-time course of study and welcomes applications from all groups of students who are not in a position to cover such costs themselves. Financial support can include funds to support your studies, such as reimbursement for books or travel, as well as funds to help you in times of any unforeseen financial difficulty. Applications are made via your student form portal.

Applications from part-time students will be considered on a pro-rata basis for their FTE rate of study. For example, 0.5 FTE students would usually be awarded, if eligible, 50% of an award a FTE student receives.

All applications are reviewed in detail, and, if you have not made clear your circumstances as to why you are no longer in a position to cover such costs yourself, you may receive an email from the Tutorial Office asking for further clarification and be asked to provide supporting documents to make clear your change of circumstances.     

In advance of applying, please discuss with your Tutor, or in the cases of certain applications, your DoS, to let them know if you are making an application for funding and why. If your Tutor is unavailable, please contact the Tutorial Office for advice or to make an appointment to discuss your financial situation with the Academic Registrar. tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk.    

Applications submitted relating to activities taking place after the following dates cannot be considered:

• Undergraduate students - after the completion of your course requirements. 
• Masters' students - after the completion of your course requirements/course completion date, whichever is sooner.
• PhD students - after the submission of your soft-bound thesis.
• Clinical Students - after the completion of your course requirements.

Financial Assistance to assist with an unforeseen financial difficulty 

Prior to starting your course you will have provided information to confirm you have sufficient funding for the duration of your studies. Admission is only agreed on this basis. However, College is aware that it is possible that at certain times you may encounter unforeseen financial difficulties which can subsequently place you in a financial difficulty. If this is the case you may be eligible to apply for financial assistance from College. Applications are welcome from both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. The maximum amount awarded is normally  no more than £500 (£1000 for clinical medics) in any one term.  For an application to be considered, you will need to provide a detailed budget (you will be provided with the form and asked to upload this when applying). You will also need to make clear what has changed, and what particular expense is unforeseen that you are seeking support for. Applications will be delayed if you do not include relevant information with your application. 

Undergraduate students: It is normally expected to submit claims for financial assistance in relation to term time costs only. UK students should have applied to Student Finance (SF) for all tuition fee loans and grants, and any other statutory awards for which you may be eligible, before applying. Please note that if your household financial circumstances have worsened since your initial application, you can apply to have your household income reassessed by SF, which may result in further support from them SF. Applications for SF are automatically considered for a Cambridge Bursary (see University-wide and External Financial Support | Downing College Cambridge). Overseas students will have supplied a funding plan before arriving in Cambridge. They should ask their guarantors to honour this plan before applying.    

Clinical Medics only: As a Clinical Medic you can be considered for financial assistance of up to £1000 in any one term. Information regarding funding support available for clinical students is notified termly via the DEN.   

Postgraduate students: You may apply if you are a research student, and you are overrunning with your thesis completion/your submission is delayed due to unforeseen reasons and your CamSIS record has a future submission date recorded for you. Please make clear the reasons in any application. It is not expected to receive applications from fully funded students, including those funded from a Studentship, Cambridge Trust Award, Doctoral Training Partnership Award, Research Funded Award, Gates Scholarship or any other funding body unless you provide evidence that your funding body has ceased to support you, and why this is the case.

PhD students - Hardbound thesis costs: PhD students who are able to demonstrate they are unable cover the cost of binding a hardbound copy of their thesis for the University Library may apply for a contribution from College of up to £80 to cover this cost. If you are based in one of the following Departments: Astronomy, Earth Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science or the Judge Business School; and you provide confirmation in your application of the Department requirement to submit a second copy, applications will be considered up to the sum of £160.       

It is not ordinarily expected for applications to be submitted to supplement the following costs:

• Students are expected to have applied for all eligible funds, such as Student Finance for maintenance, if not already doing so, before applying to College for financial assistance.
• To bridge the gap between Student Finance maintenance funds you receive, and the maximum Student Finance can agree to fund. (the funds you receive are based on your household income and, based on this income, are supplemented by a Cambridge Bursary)
• To bridge the gap if eligible for a Student Finance maintenance, but opt not to receive this.
• Accommodation/storage costs (College accommodation is available at various price points)
• Should you choose to purchase an expensive laptop/computer, it is not possible to provide a top up to the £300 available from College to cover the additional cost.
• Mobile phones
• Mortgage or loan payments
• Application fees for further course application costs (unless in receipt of a Cambridge Bursary – any monies agreed will be based on the percentage of the Bursary received)
• Medical or Dental costs (as costs for essential treatment is covered under NHS provision)
• To cover costs as a result of a College fine
• Holidays or non-academic related travel costs (taken or planned)
• To accrue savings
• Theatre/Concert/Ball tickets or similar
• Lost/Stolen items (normally expected to be covered under your own personal Insurance claims)
• Vehicle costs, unless students can demonstrate a car is essential for your course of study
• Any non-essential subscription costs (College funds are available for essential course related subscription costs by applying via ‘Course Materials (Other)’)

Books: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Books)

It would not normally be expected for reimbursements to be requested for books available in the College Library for example. Please confirm this when submitting your application. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via  tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk 

Essential Course Materials: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Other)

Please make clear in your application the exact course materials being applied for. This can include subscription costs, computer programmes etc. if essential to your current course of study. Your department determines what is essential to your course of study.  Any item you are asking to be reimbursed for from College will either need to appear on a departmental list of required materials or be supported by the Course Director along with details of the level of support provided by the Department. Please upload relevant supporting documents, such as a link to a webpage or an email from the Course Director or Departmental administrator to confirm the item you are requesting funding for is essential to your course of study. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk. A maximum £300 contribution can be granted in relation to applications submitted in relation to course materials, books, etc., during your current course of study. A further £300 is available during your course of study to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop/computer.

Undergraduate students: If you have had a change of course normally approved by the College Education Committee, you are entitled to apply for a further £300 to purchase books and materials for your new course of study. This does not apply to students who undertake an intercalated 3rd or 4th year of study in a different subject.

Postgraduate students: It would normally be expected for essential course materials to be made available from your Department or Faculty and costs to be met by them. If submitting an application to College, you need to make clear the reasons your Department or Faculty have advised you they are not in a position to contribute towards such essential costs. Please provide relevant supporting documents, such as an email from your Department to confirm their position.

Laptop / computer costs: (apply via Course Materials - Other)

£300 is available in total during your course of study to contribute to a replacement or repair of a laptop/computer or for other computer costs that are an essential requirement of your course. The University recommends a standard laptop should be sufficient, ideally with Windows 10 or 11, or Mac OS X 10.15 or higher for most courses of study. However, your Department will be able to advise if your particular course has course-specific hardware requirements, but it would be unusual to be recommended the purchase of a non-standard laptop or an expensive device. The University do not recommend you purchase a Chromebook, tablet or similar, as they often do not support some of the software used in the University. Should you request funding for devices other than a laptop/computer, such as a tablet, screen, mouse etc., you will need to upload an email from your Department to confirm that the items requested are essential to your course of study, and, if applicable ensure any device is compatible with any examination formats. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

Music lessons: (apply via Course Materials Reimbursements - Music)

In addition, and to assist undergraduates reading Music only, College will make a further contribution of up to £420 (Year 1), £500 (Year 2) or £700 (Year 3) towards the cost of vocal or instrumental tuition if taking the recital option as part of the Music Tripos. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk 

(Please note: missed lessons, or no receipts submitted will result in a debit being added to your College bill).

Language course reimbursements

Applications are considered when a student has enrolled and paid for a course on the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP), or via another route agreed by your Tutor. Applications can be considered for up to half the cost of any agreed course but will need to be repaid if the course is not completed or the course is not passed. The maximum amount one student can claim in any academic year is £250. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via: tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk 

Travel/Conferences (in person or virtually to present papers, results etc.)/Internships/Electives and other related costs (apply via Travel Expenses Reimbursement) 

Claims for the cost of accommodation, conference registration fees, as well as travel and associated expenses for you to attend events, undertake internships etc. can be considered. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of completing Travel/Conference/Internship/Elective etc. via tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk. 

Undergraduate Students: See table below as to details of reimbursement. Applications are divided into three categories:  A: Academic – directly related/essential element to your current course of study; B: Academically related; and C: Non-academic. Category B applications may be upgraded to the category A rate should the Vacation Study or Travel Grant make up less than a quarter of the projected total costs. This only applies if no other external funding is obtained.  Category A grants awarded may be increased at the Senior Tutor's discretion. You need to make clear what category you are applying for and confirm that you have checked with your Department or Faculty as to their contribution if applying under Category A as it would be normally expected for some funding to be offered from this source.

CATEGORY	A	B	C	MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study £750
	£750	£300	£0

Postgraduate Students: See table below as to details of reimbursement. 

Travel/Confernece/internships/electives costs cannot be considered for PhD students in relation to costs following the submission of a soft-bound thesis/date of submission as recorded in your CamSIS record. 

For Clinical or Masters' students after the completion of the course requirements/course completion date, whichever is sooner. Applications submitted are allocated according to the table below.

COURSE	MAXIMUM SUM awarded per course of study
Clinical Medicine or Veterinary Studies	£900
MPhil or other Full-time Masters programmes	£300
PhD	£1200

Sports funding

Please see our Funding for Sports page for more information. 

Undergraduate students only: BAME costs

Established by the JCR, the BAME Solidarity Fund is available to assist undergraduate students only of colour with their welfare. Contributions can be made towards the cost of mental health support: Applications are welcome up to £50 per application, and a total of £150 during your course of study. This fund can cover expenses including, but not limited to, a private counselling trial session, Self-help provision, Wellbeing subscription services etc. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via  tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

Undergraduate students only: LGBT+ costs

Established by the JCR the LGBT+ Fund is available to support the wellbeing of LGBT+ undergraduate students. Up to £50 per individual applicant are welcome during your course of study. This fund can be applied to for therapy costs, gender affirming clothes, travel to clinics etc. All applications need to be supported with relevant receipts at the time of request or within two weeks of receiving the money via  tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk

Undergraduate students only: NHS Prescription Reimbursement 

Established by the JCR to assist Undergraduate students only by contributing towards the costs of NHS prescription charges. Students can claim a maximum of £57.90 per academic year. All applications are welcome and no medical details need to be provided. All applications need to be supported with receipt of purchase confirming cost of the NHS prescription at the time of request. 

Medical costs

Please arrange to meet with a member of the College Wellbeing Team to discuss any support you may need: health-practitioner@dow.cam.ac.uk. College is able to refer students to the Cranes Charity (see below) if financial assistance is required in respect of any medical costs.   

Cranes Charity

The University’s Crane Fund provides financial assistance to students in financial need who need treatment for physical or mental illness. The treatment applied for should not be conveniently or readily obtainable under the NHS or the University. If you submit an application and receive notification of monies agreed from Cranes, all treatment must be completed in accordance with the timelines agreed by the Charity. You will not receive any monies directly from the Cranes to cover costs. You are asked to let your provider know College will cover costs (up to the sum agreed by Cranes and if undertaken in the eligible period – see Cranes website for details). Please arrange for invoices to be sent to the Tutorial Office tutorial-enquiries@dow.cam.ac.uk who will arrange the payments to be made and organise subsequent reimbursement from Cranes.   

Educational Screening costs

If you are a full-time student and believe you may need support with your studies and any subsequent University examinations or assessments you should contact the College Student Health Practitioner or the Tutorial Office for advice on how to take this forward.  Screenings can assist with ensuring you have appropriate support, if not already in place, for your examinations, handouts for lectures etc. To receive support, College may need to refer you for an educational screening within the University’s Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC). The screening is free to students. College can cover costs for screening undertaken via the ADRC and if it has been agreed in advance by a College Health Practitioner or the Tutorial Office. If screening identifies any support needs the ADRC will be able to provide you with a Student Support Document (SSD). You will agree with the ADRC what, from the SSD, you want to share with various parties in the University and College. This will ensure you have the correct support in place for your studies. 

Should there be no educational screening service readily available at the ADRC, it may be suggested you complete an educational diagnostic assessment from one of the University’s recommended providers. Before you take anything forward outside of the College recommended route, you will need to discuss with the College Health Practitioner or the Tutorial Office how the cost of this assessment will be covered. 

College cannot offer reimbursements for screenings and assessments undertaken without prior agreement that these costs will be covered. 

Please do not contact a private provider for screening or an educational assessment unless you are able to cover such costs yourself, or you have had agreed in writing who will cover such costs.

University and External Support 

Information on University-wide and External Financial Support is available here.

Other College funds subject to application

The College also offers a number of Bursaries, Scholarships and Studentships to fund the cost of courses commencing in the 2024-25 academic year; either in part or in full, to enable students to continue their education in the following subject areas:

As well as the above courses, the College also offers a number of entry level Scholarships and Studentships to fund the cost of courses, either in part or in full, which are administered and awarded externally, as follows:

Cambridge UK Masters' Scholarships - The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust

Applicants from the UK, with 'home' fee status, applying for MPhil programmes in the following subjects will be eligible for these awards, provided they

• Apply by the Graduate Funding deadline for their chosen course of study, and be offered conditional admission to the University of Cambridge;
• Tick the box to apply for funding, and fill in the Cambridge Trust section of the online form, as part of their application for admission through the University's Applicant Portal.

Therefore, in summary, to be eligible for consideration in the Graduate Funding Competition, an application to study and supporting documents need to be submitted via the above Applicant Portal by the relevant deadlines, as well as completing the funding section to indicate that you wish to be considered for funding.  Awards are made automatically by the Cambridge Trust as part of this process.

The following competitions will only be advertised and opened for student applications by College should an award not be made as part of the above process by the Cambridge Trust in any given year:

The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust also administer the following awards on behalf of the College:

The Department of Plant Sciences administers the following award with the College as part of their admissions' process:

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission administers the following award as a Marshall Scholarship on behalf of the College:

Jardine Foundation Scholarships administered by the Jardine Foundation:

Other College funding by Course not subject to application