Ravensbourne University Scholarships & Funding 2026
Your Guide to Financial Support

🎓 Introduction

Studying at Ravensbourne University London puts you in the heart of North Greenwich’s creative hub, but the cost of living and tuition can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the university and external partners offer generous scholarships and bursaries to help UK, EU, and international students fund their studies.

This 2026 guide breaks down every major funding route so you can plan your finances, strengthen your applications, and focus on building your creative portfolio.

💷 Types of Scholarships at Ravensbourne (2026)

Ravensbourne recognises academic excellence, creative talent, and future potential across its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes:

Merit-Based Scholarships

• Reward high-achieving applicants with strong grades or professional experience.
• Commonly awarded as partial tuition fee reductions applied at enrolment.
• Highlight academic distinctions, awards, or relevant industry work in your application.

Creative Talent Scholarships

• Designed for students with exceptional portfolios in fashion, film, design, animation, or emerging media.
• Judged on creativity, technical quality, and innovation—make sure your work is well-presented and curated.
• Use course-specific briefs to show how your practice aligns with Ravensbourne’s industry-focused ethos.

International Student Scholarships

• Help overseas applicants manage higher tuition fees and London living costs.
• Often include International Excellence Awards for standout academic or portfolio performance.
• Some awards are automatically considered when you receive an offer; others require a separate form.

Course-Specific Awards

• Faculty-devised scholarships for key programmes such as Digital Media, Fashion Design, Game Art, and Architecture.
• May come from industry partnerships, alumni donors, or competition prizes.
• Look for announcements on departmental pages and newsletters throughout the year.

📌 Bursaries & Financial Aid

Bursaries support students who face financial or personal challenges. These funds usually do not require repayment and can be vital for covering rent, equipment, or emergency expenses.

Household Income Bursary

• Targets students from low-income backgrounds.
• Requires documentation such as tax returns, benefit statements, or UCAS household income assessments.
• Paid in instalments to help with living expenses across the academic year.

Care Leavers & Estranged Student Bursary

• Provides tailored support for students without family financial backing.
• Includes mentoring, wellbeing assistance, and emergency grants.
• Work closely with the Student Services team to unlock all available support.

Hardship & Emergency Funds

• Short-term support when unexpected costs arise—equipment failure, sudden housing issues, travel emergencies.
• Applications typically require a short statement, receipts, and evidence of financial hardship.
• Decisions are made quickly so you can stay on track academically.

🌍 Funding for International Students

Over 90 nationalities study at Ravensbourne, and international students can access additional financial pathways:

• International Excellence Scholarships: Awarded for outstanding academic results, portfolio strength, or entrepreneurial projects.
• Country-Specific Partnerships: Check for scholarships delivered via education ministries, cultural missions, or corporate sponsors in your country.
• External Scholarships: Apply for schemes like Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarships, GREAT Scholarships, or British Council awards.
• Education Loans: Some countries offer low-interest student loans for overseas study—combine these with partial scholarships for a complete funding package.

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Scholarships

Follow this proven workflow to stay organised and meet every funding deadline:

1. Check Eligibility: Review criteria on the official Ravensbourne website and note GPA, portfolio, or residency requirements.
2. Gather Documentation: Collect academic transcripts, references, proof of income, passport copies, and creative work samples.
3. Write Compelling Statements: Use separate personal statements tailored to each scholarship—spotlight goals, achievements, and impact.
4. Submit Applications: Use the Ravensbourne Scholarships Portal, UCAS support, or direct links provided by external funders.
5. Track Deadlines: Many awards close months before the academic year begins—maintain a spreadsheet with due dates and submission status.
6. Respond Promptly: Monitor email for requests, interviews, or outcome notifications, and accept offers within the stated timeframe.

💡 Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Apply as early as possible—priority rounds often allocate the largest awards.
• Showcase both academic excellence and extracurricular involvement (competitions, exhibitions, volunteering).
• Curate your portfolio carefully—include captions that explain context, tools, and outcomes.
• Seek feedback on your personal statement from mentors or current students before submitting.
• Combine multiple funding sources—scholarships, bursaries, part-time work, and government loans.

🔍 Additional Funding Resources

• Ravensbourne Funding Hub
• UCAS Student Finance Overview
• UK Government Student Finance
• Chevening Scholarships Portal
• British Council Scholarship Finder

✅ Conclusion

Funding your Ravensbourne journey in 2026 is achievable when you know where to look. Mix university scholarships, bursaries, and external awards to reduce tuition, cover living costs, and free up time for creative work. Preparation, strong storytelling, and polished portfolios make all the difference.

Start researching now, keep your documents organised, and apply to multiple opportunities—financial confidence will let you focus on shaping your creative career in London.

❓ FAQs about Ravensbourne Scholarships