New UCAS tool showcases Reading sustainability scholarships

Hundreds of financial support packages worth up to thousands of pounds can be claimed by students to cover tuition or living expenses at university or college amid rising costs of living – yet many are unaware they are eligible to apply.

UCAS has launched a new online tool that pulls together nearly 800 scholarships, bursaries and grants all in one place on the UCAS website for the first time, after its research found that low awareness of funding opportunities may be adding to financial uncertainty for prospective students. 

The new research revealed that more than a quarter (29%) of students starting university or college this autumn said they were unsure or unprepared to manage their day-to-day finances. UCAS found that only one in five students said they felt very prepared. Many called for clearer advice earlier in the application process, particularly on scholarships and bursaries.

The cost of living has increasingly shaped student decisions this cycle. Pre-applicants said financial support ranked as the second most important consideration for them (46%), demonstrating the importance of easy access to scholarships and bursaries, followed closely by universities’ specific cost-of-living support (34%).

The scholarships tool enables applicants to easily check what is on offer at universities and colleges across the country. Awards can range from £500 to full tuition fees for both UK and international applicants, and can also cover the cost of accommodation, meals and travel.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, which has been named the Times and Sunday Times University of the Year for Scholarships and Bursaries 2026, said: 

“There are many scholarships on offer that reduce the cost of study, and I am glad to see that UCAS is streamlining information to make it easier to find scholarship details. There is a growing range available, such as our expanded sustainability scholarships scheme, which provides generous financial support as well as helping to train the sustainability leaders of the future across all academic subjects.”

'Opening doors of opportunity'

Students using the tool can search for awards matched to their background, achievements or chosen course. Some of these offer extra benefits such as internships, networking or accommodation discounts. 

UCAS hopes the tool will help widen access to higher education by connecting students to extra sources of financial support, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, while reducing feelings of uncertainty around costs.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive of UCAS, said:

“Every student should have the chance to pursue their ambitions without barriers holding them back. By connecting students to the scholarships, bursaries and grants that universities and colleges offer, UCAS aims to make it easier for applicants, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, to find and explore financial support that could be available to them. 

“I’m committed to opening doors of opportunity for all those who could benefit from higher education. This new tool is aimed to help make university or college a reality for students who may have thought pursuing an undergraduate degree was out of reach due to financial barriers.”

Teachers and advisers can also use the tool to find funding options tailored to their students’ needs, without having to search across multiple university websites.

• Search for scholarships on the UCAS scholarships, bursaries and grants search tool.
• Learn about the 400 scholarships worth £6,000 a year available for high achieving undergraduates at the University of Reading: Global Sustainability Scholarships Scheme.