RIBA Part 1 Bursary

We are now accepting applications for the Part 1 Bursary scheme from students continuing their Part 1 studies in September 2025/26.

The aim of this scheme is to provide long term financial support to Part 1 architecture students who demonstrate talent and commitment to their studies and who might struggle to cover the costs of living and course-related expenditures.

Successful applicants studying full-time will receive £8,000 paid in termly instalments (£1,500 in the Autumn term and £1,250 in the Spring and Summer terms) throughout the second and third years of their Part 1. Successful part-time applicants, or those studying a course with a placement year included, will receive the same maximum amount in payments proportionate to the length of studies.

As part of the RIBA Part 1 Bursaries offer, we are pleased to confirm the availability of one RIBA Goldfinger Bursary. This bursary will follow the same selection criteria and offer the same support as a RIBA Part 1 Bursary but will prioritise applicants identifying with, and demonstrating, one or more of the following backgrounds:

an underrepresented racialised group (this would be any applicant from a non-white background, including traveller and gypsy communities)
a socio-economically disadvantaged household
being the first in their family to attend university

We are delighted to announce the inaugural Hans and Christopher Eisner scholarship as part of the RIBA Part 1 Bursary offer. This scholarship serves as a memorial to Hans and his son Christopher who were both architects and RIBA Members. The recipient of the scholarship will receive a Part 1 Bursary and also funding for their Part 2 course subject to successful completion of their undergraduate studies. All eligible applicants for a RIBA Part 1 Bursary will be considered for the Hans and Christopher Eisner scholarship.

The RIBA Goldfinger Bursary is made possible thanks to a generous donation from the family of Ernö Goldfinger. The Hans and Christopher Eisner scholarship is made possible thanks to the generous bequest of Hans Eisner. The remaining RIBA Part 1 bursaries are made possible thanks to the generosity of generous donations by the Rosenberg Memorial Fund, the WJ Parker Trust, and individuals, corporate partners, and trusts and foundations through to the RIBA Education Fund.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be enrolled in the first year of a RIBA Part 1 course in the UK.

Evidence of the completion of the first year, proof of enrolment and confirmation of funding from Student Finance will be required before the bursary is paid to successful applicants.

All home, EU, and international students are eligible to apply.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed by members of RIBA Education Development Group. This is an expert working group tasked with overseeing the allocation of grants, awards, and bursaries from RIBA Education Trust Funds in accordance with the objectives attached to each fund, and as delegated by RIBA Education and Learning Committee.

The assessors will use the following criteria to select the successful applicants:

evidence of their academic performance, commitment to studies, and potential contribution to the profession
demonstration of financial need
demonstration of clear consideration of their future goals and aspirations as an architecture student, and how they hope to achieve them

The assessment panel will base its decision on household income and financial need as well as demonstrable academic ability and merit.

How to apply

Please read the guidance notes (PDF) in full before submitting your online application. These guidance notes contain important details about the information you need to provide in the online form.

Access the online application form

You will need to follow the instructions to register for an account first, and then select the ‘RIBA Part 1 Bursary’ form to begin your application for this bursary. You will receive an automatic email notification upon submission of your application.

The deadline for applications is 3pm (GMT) Friday 14 March 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this time.

If you have any issues with the online application form, please email student.support@riba.org.

Contact

If you have any questions about the RIBA Part 1 Bursary, please contact us at student.support@riba.org.

This email address is monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

2024 RIBA Part 1 Bursary recipients:

Camilla Dempster - University of the West of England (Rosenberg Bursary)
Morgan Giddins - Arts University Bournemouth (Walter Parker Bursary)
Fiona Gyamfi - University of Westminster (Rosenberg Bursary)
Viktoriia Manko - Manchester School of Architecture
Krystyna Sanecka - University of Greenwich
Haris Sheth - RIBA Studio (Walter Parker Bursary)
Anon - (Rosenberg Bursary)

2024 RIBA Goldfinger Bursary recipient

Parampreet Kaur - University of Westminster