Word
bursary
Phoneticsbur·sary
UK/bˈɜːsəɹi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. money given to a student to help pay for school or university, usually because the costs are hard to afford or the student studies very well.
n. a grant of money awarded to a student to support continued study, typically based on financial need or academic merit. Unlike a loan, it does not require repayment.
Examples
“She gets a bursary to help pay for university.”
“He applied for a bursary to cover his tuition because his family could not afford the full fees.”
“The university awarded her a means-tested bursary that covered accommodation costs, allowing her to complete her degree without taking on part-time work during term.”
Examples
simple
“She gets a bursary to help pay for university.”
contextual
“He applied for a bursary to cover his tuition because his family could not afford the full fees.”
complex
“The university awarded her a means-tested bursary that covered accommodation costs, allowing her to complete her degree without taking on part-time work during term.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bursary” in context.
Verb
01. apply for bursary
“Students must apply for a bursary before the end of March.”
verb + prep + noun
02. award bursary
“The college awards five bursaries to talented musicians each year.”
verb + noun
03. bursary covers
“The bursary covers her tuition fees and textbooks.”
noun + verb
04. bursary helps
“The bursary helps talented students afford higher education.”
noun + verb
05. depend on bursary
“Many students depend on a bursary to stay at university.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. academic bursary
“She earned an academic bursary for outstanding exam results.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. bursary fund
“Donations to the bursary fund support disadvantaged applicants.”
noun + noun
08. bursary scheme
“The government launched a new bursary scheme for trainee teachers.”
noun + noun
09. apply for a bursary
“I decided to apply for a bursary to help pay my hall fees.”
10. be awarded a bursary
“She was awarded a bursary for her outstanding academic record.”
11. be eligible for a bursary
“Students from rural areas may be eligible for a bursary.”
12. cover fees with a bursary
“She covered her fees with a bursary from the university.”
Real-World Examples
“Maintenance loans and bursaries cover basic costs, but those from lower-income families are still often left with less disposable income than their contemporaries – including wealthy international students who pay much higher fees.” “If you’re experiencing financial difficulty while studying, applying for non-repayable hardship funds and bursaries offered by your university may help ease the strain.” “Alongside maintenance loans and grants, many universities now offer hardship funds and bursaries to help with everyday living costs, while student unions provide support for activities outside the classroom.” “Yet every year, millions of pounds worth of scholarships and bursary funding goes unclaimed by students - with many unaware the extra help exists.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin bursaria, from bursarius.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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