Postgraduate study bursaries

Bursaries to support NHS knowledge and library service staff in England to undertake postgraduate study on CILIP accredited courses.

Bursaries for 2025/26 study 

One of the ambitions of Knowledge for Healthcare is to grow the professional specialist knowledge and library service workforce. As part of this we are keen to develop our existing workforce and support career development, particularly for library assistants and paraprofessional staff.

Applications are now open for library assistants and paraprofessional staff to apply for a bursary to cover the cost of the course fees for the first year of study on a CILIP accredited master’s degree course commencing in Autumn 2025.  This one-year funding will enable a candidate to gain credits for a master's degree programme and might result in the award of a postgraduate certificate.  

Who can apply?  

Library assistants and para-professional staff employed and working in knowledge and library service at an NHS Trust in England.  

Knowledge and library service staff who already have some credits towards a master's degree programme and wish to complete the next stage to gain a diploma or full master’s degree.  

Knowledge and library service staff currently self-funding a course who would like a contribution to cover the cost of modules in academic year 25/26.   

What courses are covered?  

The bursary will only apply to part-time study on one of the following CILIP accredited programmes:  

• Aberystwyth University – Information and Library Studies
• Manchester Metropolitan University – Library and Information Management  
• Robert Gordon University – Information and Library Studies  
• University of Sheffield - Librarianship 
• University of Sheffield - Library and Information Services Management 
• Ulster University – Library and Information Management 

What happens at the end of year one of the course?  

At this stage we do not have confirmed funding for academic year 26/27.  However, once confirmed, priority will be given for continuation funding for anyone who has been awarded a bursary for 25/26.  This will enable you to complete additional modules and a health-related dissertation as part of a master's degree qualification.  

How does the bursary work?  

The bursary will be awarded to the employing NHS Trust through the NHS Education Funding Agreement scheduled payments. The Trust will be responsible for paying the course fees to the University.  

How do I apply?  

1. Seek approval from your Knowledge and Library Service Manager. They will need to support your development and study leave for the programme.  

2. Research and apply for a place on a CILIP accredited library and information services course, from the list above.  

3. Complete the following application form – this will close at 5PM on Friday 30th May. The application will require you to provide details of the course you are applying for/have a place on, what learning you hope to gain and will ask about your career aspirations.  

4. Ask your Knowledge and Library Service Manager to complete the following application agreement form to ensure arrangements can be made to pay the University and support you to undertake the programme. This form will also close 5PM Friday 30th May  

5. Applications will be reviewed, and you might be offered an interview. Bursaries will be confirmed in July 2025.  

If you have any questions, then please contact us at [email protected]  

We look forward to receiving your application.  

Previous postgraduate study bursaries

The NHS Knowledge for Healthcare Learning Academy have offered 30 bursaries since 2022 to existing NHS knowledge and library services staff to complete postgraduate qualifications in information, knowledge and library studies. This is to address the current challenge of recruiting into qualified posts (Agenda for Change Band 5 and above) in this specialist sector.  The bursaries are designed for:  

• library assistants and paraprofessionals (at Bands 2-4)  

• those in Band 5 roles who do not currently hold a CILIP recognised knowledge and library service qualification  

• those in substantive roles within NHS knowledge and library services in England.   

The bursaries cover the costs of, or contribute to CILIP-accredited postgraduate study, in the United Kingdom.  Priority is given to services where there have been recent vacancies in Band 5+ roles or from areas of the country where it is often difficult to recruit.  

Applicants will be required to select a dissertation on a health topic and share their learning with the national knowledge and library services team, NHS England and network colleagues.