The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT), which provides financial aid for the families of those working in the convenience, grocery, and pharmacy trades, has announced postgraduate bursary applications open for 2025/2026. The round runs from 1st June until 1st September 2025. The charity’s bursary scheme is open to students on postgraduate courses, whose parent, carer, spouse is employed in an eligible profession, such as convenience retailer, supermarket store worker, or pharmacy technician. Students can apply to receive up to £5,000. The opportunity is also open to anyone already working in these industries who wants to fund their own study. The bursary can be put towards tuition fees, or other expenses such as course materials, equipment or travel costs.
As the cost of attending university mounts year on year, the bursary has been designed to help families who may be concerned about supporting a child, partner or even themselves through further higher education. With the charity’s core belief that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their academic potential, LTCT hopes that it will help alleviate some of the financial pressure on students and their parents.
In 2025, the total number of bursaries awarded since the scheme launched is expected to exceed 5,000, totalling £28 million worth of financial aid.
Professor Anna Vignoles CBE FBA, director of The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, says: “We are passionate about generating opportunities for further study. Our postgraduate bursaries are designed to be a valuable support for students keen to continue their studies. If our bursaries help diversify the students able to take a postgraduate degree, then we see that as a very positive step. The current climate makes it challenging for some families to consider further study and these students should be able to enjoy the same opportunities as their counterparts from more advantaged backgrounds. We look forward to receiving applications and being able to support a new cohort of students in the upcoming academic year.”
The postgraduate scheme is currently open for those keen to return to university, closing on 1st September 2025.
For further information on the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, a full breakdown of bursary eligibility and to apply, visit: www.leverhulme-trade.org.uk.
