bursary
A bursary is a gift of money given to a student by a school to help pay for their education.
Explanation at your level:
A bursary is money for school. If you want to study but do not have enough money, the school can give you a bursary. You do not pay it back. It is a gift to help you learn.
A bursary is a sum of money given to a student. Schools give this money to students who need help paying for things like books or tuition. It is not a loan, so you keep the money. Many students apply for a bursary every year.
A bursary is a financial award provided by an institution to support a student's education. Unlike a loan, you do not need to repay a bursary. They are usually granted based on financial need, helping students who cannot afford the full cost of their studies to stay in school and succeed.
A bursary represents a form of non-repayable financial assistance. It is distinct from a scholarship, which is typically merit-based, as a bursary is primarily awarded to alleviate financial hardship. Students often undergo an application process where they must demonstrate their economic circumstances to qualify for these funds.
The term bursary denotes a specific type of academic grant designed to foster equity in higher education. By providing essential funding to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, institutions use bursaries to mitigate the barriers to entry. It is a crucial instrument in academic administration, effectively acting as a social safety net that enables students to prioritize their intellectual development over immediate financial survival.
Etymologically rooted in the medieval 'bursa' or purse, a bursary has evolved from a simple administrative fund into a sophisticated mechanism of institutional support. In contemporary academic discourse, the bursary is viewed as a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the ivory tower remains accessible to those of varying fiscal capacities. It is a nuanced financial instrument, often requiring rigorous means-testing and institutional oversight, reflecting a deep-seated cultural value placed on the democratization of knowledge and the pursuit of scholarly excellence regardless of one's personal wealth.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A bursary is money given to students by a school.
- It is a gift and does not need to be repaid.
- It is usually based on financial need.
- It is a formal, academic term.
When you hear the word bursary, think of it as a helping hand in the form of cash. It is a specific type of financial aid that schools or organizations give to students who might otherwise struggle to afford their tuition or living expenses.
The most important thing to remember is that a bursary is not a loan. You do not have to pay it back once you graduate! It is essentially a gift meant to support your academic journey. Schools often look at your bank account or your family's income to decide if you qualify, making it a needs-based form of support.
While scholarships are often given for being great at sports or having high grades, a bursary is usually about fairness and access. It is designed to make sure that money doesn't stop a smart or dedicated person from getting a degree. It is a wonderful way for institutions to invest in their students' futures.
The word bursary has a fascinating history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It comes from the Medieval Latin word bursarius, which is related to bursa, meaning 'purse' or 'bag'.
In the old days, a 'bursar' was the person in charge of the money at a monastery or a university—literally the 'purse-keeper.' Over time, the term evolved to describe the actual fund or the money held in that purse for students. By the 16th century, the term began to be used specifically for the money granted to scholars to help them survive while they studied.
It is quite poetic that the word for a modern-day student grant comes from the word for a simple leather bag. It reminds us that at its heart, a bursary is just about making sure a student has enough 'in their purse' to get by while they focus on their books.
You will mostly hear bursary used in academic or formal contexts. It is a standard term in universities, especially in the UK, Canada, and Australia. In the US, you are more likely to hear the term 'financial aid' or 'grant'.
Common phrases include 'apply for a bursary' or 'awarded a bursary'. You might hear someone say, 'I was lucky enough to receive a bursary to cover my textbooks.' Because it is a formal word, you would use it in an application letter or when talking to a school administrator.
It is important not to confuse it with 'scholarship.' While both are free money, scholarships are usually about merit (being the best at something), whereas bursaries are usually about need (not having enough money). Using the correct term shows you understand the system!
While 'bursary' itself isn't a common idiom, it appears in contexts involving financial support. Here are some related expressions:
- Foot the bill: To pay for something. Example: 'The university footed the bill for her research through a generous bursary.'
- A helping hand: Providing support. Example: 'The bursary gave him a helping hand during his final year.'
- Money is no object: When you have plenty of money. Example: 'For those without a bursary, money is often an object.'
- Tighten one's belt: To live on less money. Example: 'Even with a bursary, she had to tighten her belt to afford rent.'
- Nest egg: Savings for the future. Example: 'He used his bursary to avoid dipping into his small nest egg.'
The word bursary is a countable noun. You can have one bursary or many bursaries. It is almost always used with the indefinite article 'a' or the definite article 'the'.
Pronunciation is straightforward but can vary slightly. In British English, it is BUR-suh-ree (IPA: /ˈbɜːrsəri/). In American English, the 'r' sounds are often more pronounced. The stress is always on the first syllable.
It rhymes with 'nursery' and 'cursory.' When using it in a sentence, it often follows verbs like 'receive,' 'obtain,' or 'apply for.' It is a very stable noun that doesn't change form based on gender or tense, making it quite easy to use once you get the hang of the spelling!
Fun Fact
The person who manages school money is still called a 'bursar' in many universities.
Pronunciation Guide
BUR-suh-ree
BUR-suh-ree
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- mispronouncing the 's' as 'z'
- forgetting the 'r' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in academic texts.
Useful in formal letters.
Used in educational discussions.
Common in university settings.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable
A bursary (countable)
Articles with Nouns
The bursary
Subject-Verb Agreement
The bursary covers...
Examples by Level
The school gave me a bursary.
School gave money
Simple past
I need a bursary for college.
I want money
Modal verb
A bursary helps me study.
Money helps learning
Subject-verb agreement
He got a small bursary.
He received money
Adjective
Is the bursary free?
No pay back?
Interrogative
She applied for a bursary.
She asked for money
Past tense
The bursary covers my books.
Money pays for books
Present tense
I am happy about the bursary.
I like the money
Preposition
She received a bursary to study art.
The university offers a bursary for local students.
I am filling out my bursary application today.
Without the bursary, I could not attend.
He was awarded a bursary last month.
The bursary is for students in need.
Did you get the bursary letter?
The bursary helped pay for my laptop.
The bursary committee will review your application next week.
Many students rely on a bursary to cover their living costs.
She was delighted to hear that her bursary was approved.
The university increased the number of bursaries available this year.
To qualify for the bursary, you must show proof of income.
He used his bursary to pay for his tuition fees.
The bursary program is designed to support low-income families.
Applying for a bursary can be a long and complex process.
The institution provides a generous bursary to alleviate the burden of tuition.
Securing a bursary was the deciding factor in her choice of university.
The criteria for the bursary are strictly based on financial necessity.
He was fortunate to be a recipient of a full-tuition bursary.
The university's bursary scheme is highly competitive this year.
She managed her bursary carefully to last the entire semester.
The bursary serves as a vital lifeline for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Administrators often encourage students to explore all available bursary options.
The university has expanded its bursary endowment to foster greater socioeconomic diversity.
While scholarships reward academic brilliance, the bursary addresses the pragmatic realities of financial constraints.
She successfully navigated the bureaucratic hurdles to obtain a significant bursary.
The bursary acts as a catalyst for social mobility within the academic community.
His research was only possible thanks to the bursary provided by the foundation.
The university's commitment to accessibility is reflected in its robust bursary policy.
Applicants are advised to articulate their financial situation clearly in the bursary essay.
The bursary provides a buffer against the rising costs of higher education.
The provision of a bursary is an institutional manifestation of the egalitarian ideal in education.
The bursary, while modest, provided the necessary fiscal latitude for him to pursue his studies.
The committee scrutinized the bursary applications with meticulous attention to detail.
The bursary system is a testament to the institution's dedication to meritocratic access.
By leveraging a bursary, she was able to transcend the limitations of her financial background.
The bursary allocation process is fraught with complexity and administrative oversight.
The bursary serves as a bulwark against the exclusionary nature of expensive tuition fees.
The recipient of the bursary expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected financial reprieve.
Synonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"on the house"
free, paid for by someone else
The coffee was on the house.
casual"money for jam"
something easy to get
Getting that bursary was money for jam.
informal"in the red"
owing money
Without the bursary, I would be in the red.
neutral"in the black"
having money, profitable
The bursary kept my account in the black.
neutral"a drop in the ocean"
a very small amount
The bursary helped, but it was a drop in the ocean.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are free money.
Scholarships are merit-based; bursaries are need-based.
He got a scholarship for tennis, but a bursary for rent.
Both involve money for school.
Loans must be repaid; bursaries do not.
I took a loan for tuition and a bursary for books.
Often used interchangeably.
Grant is a broader term; bursary is specific to students.
The research grant was different from the student bursary.
Both are payments.
Stipends are usually for work or living; bursaries are for tuition/study.
The internship paid a stipend.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + apply for + bursary
I applied for a bursary.
Subject + receive + bursary
She received a bursary.
Subject + be + eligible for + bursary
He is eligible for a bursary.
Subject + award + bursary + to + object
They awarded a bursary to him.
Subject + use + bursary + for + noun
I used my bursary for books.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Bursaries are for need, scholarships for merit.
Bursaries don't need to be paid back.
It ends in -ary, not -ery.
You cannot 'bursary' someone.
Drop the y and add ies.
Tips
Purse Trick
Remember 'Bursary' sounds like 'Purse'—it's money for your purse.
UK vs US
Use 'bursary' in the UK, 'grant' in the US.
Scholarship vs Bursary
Always check if the school distinguishes between the two.
Pluralization
Ends in -ies, not -ys.
Stress
Always stress the first syllable: BUR-sary.
Verb usage
Don't use it as a verb, it is a noun.
History
It comes from the Latin for 'purse'.
Context
Read university websites to see how they use it.
Articles
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Formal tone
Use it in formal applications.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Bursary = Purse-ary (A purse for your studies)
Visual Association
A student holding a purse full of coins labeled 'Tuition'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a fake letter applying for a bursary.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: purse or bag
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral and positive term.
Common in UK and Commonwealth universities; less common in the US where 'financial aid' is the preferred umbrella term.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
University Application
- apply for a bursary
- bursary eligibility
- financial aid office
Student Finance
- bursary payment
- tuition coverage
- living expenses
School Administration
- bursary committee
- bursary criteria
- bursary scheme
Academic Writing
- recipients of the bursary
- financial support
- academic funding
Conversation Starters
"Did you have to apply for a bursary to attend university?"
"Do you think schools should offer more bursaries?"
"What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship?"
"How does a bursary help a student's mental health?"
"If you were a university head, what kind of bursary would you create?"
Journal Prompts
Write about how a bursary could change a student's life.
Describe a time you received financial help.
Why is it important for education to be accessible?
Compare your country's student funding to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a grant, not a loan.
No, scholarships are for merit, bursaries for need.
Universities, colleges, and private foundations.
Usually through the school's financial aid office.
Yes, but it is usually based on your financial situation.
It is understood, but 'grant' or 'aid' is more common.
Sometimes, depending on the specific bursary.
The person who manages the money at a university.
Test Yourself
I received a ___ to help pay for school.
Bursary is money for school.
What is a bursary?
It is a gift of money.
You must pay back a bursary.
Bursaries are non-repayable.
Word
Meaning
Bursaries are gifts, loans are debts.
I applied for a bursary.
Score: /5
Summary
A bursary is a non-repayable gift of money that helps students focus on their studies rather than their financial worries.
- A bursary is money given to students by a school.
- It is a gift and does not need to be repaid.
- It is usually based on financial need.
- It is a formal, academic term.
Purse Trick
Remember 'Bursary' sounds like 'Purse'—it's money for your purse.
UK vs US
Use 'bursary' in the UK, 'grant' in the US.
Scholarship vs Bursary
Always check if the school distinguishes between the two.
Pluralization
Ends in -ies, not -ys.
Example
I’m applying for a bursary to help pay for my textbooks this semester.
Related Content
More Education words
chair
A1A piece of furniture designed for one person to sit on, typically featuring a backrest and four legs. In an educational context, it is a primary piece of equipment used by students and teachers in classrooms.
dictionary
A1A dictionary is a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language in alphabetical order. It provides information about what words mean, how they are spelled, and how to pronounce them.
abstruse
C1Describing something that is difficult to understand because it is intellectual, complex, or obscure. It is typically used for subjects, theories, or language that require significant effort or specialized knowledge to grasp.
noncitible
C1To officially designate a source or piece of information as ineligible for formal citation or academic referencing. This technical verb is used primarily in database management or academic administration to flag unreliable or unverified data.
memorize
A1To learn something so well that you can repeat it from memory. It involves the process of committing information to your mind so you do not need to look at it again.
exscribency
C1The act or practice of copying out or transcribing text from an original source. It refers to the systematic process of writing out information to create a secondary record or duplicate.
academic
A2Relating to schools, colleges, and universities, or connected to studying and thinking rather than practical or technical skills. It is often used to describe subjects like history, math, and science that are studied in an educational setting.
informist
C1To systematically provide specialized or formal information to a specific audience or authority. It implies a more structured and professional dissemination of facts than the standard verb 'inform'.
acquire
A2To obtain or get something, such as a physical object, a skill, or knowledge, often through effort or purchase. It is frequently used to describe a gradual process of learning or a formal business transaction.
langfocus
B1A feature or mode within a learning tool that narrows the user's attention to a specific aspect of the language being studied, such as grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation. It provides a concentrated learning experience by filtering out other linguistic elements to help master a particular skill.
