You may be able to access funding if you need to gain a qualification, here we provide some suggestions.

Some sources of funding will be available to you as the learner, while your employer or learning provider needs to apply for others. You should also ask your employer and learning provider about any available funding as this is not a complete list. We provide updates on funding in the news section of our website.

Part time fee grant

Funding for social work study

Practice Learning Support Grant (PLSG)

Modern apprenticeship funding

Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF)

Part time fee grant

You may be able to apply for this grant from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Further information can be found in the Part Time Grant for Social Services and Healthcare Qualifications leaflet here.

Funding for social work study

Undergraduate

Students on undergraduate and part time social work courses in Scotland may be eligible for financial support. 

Postgraduate

This information is relevant to the 2024/25 academic year. Funding is reviewed annually so please use this as a guide only for future years.

Postgraduate bursaries are available for nominated and eligible students studying the MSc Social Work at many universities.

Read more about funding for social work study.

Practice Learning Support Grant (PLSG)

Scottish Government is funding new arrangements to support social work students on placement.

Read more about funding for student social workers on placement.

Modern apprenticeship funding

Skills Development Scotland administers funding to Modern Apprenticeship Centres.

If you apply for a modern apprenticeship vacancy you will learn on the job and get paid. You will not pay towards your qualification. The main website to apply for apprenticeships is www.apprenticeships.scot but they are also advertised on other job sites.

There are opportunities for employers to develop their existing workforce with social service apprenticeships. Skills Development Scotland has a range of guidance, including:

• general information about apprenticeships
• step-by-step guide
• the apprenticeship levy.

Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF)

The Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) supports voluntary sector organisations providing social services that are a registered charity and are registered with the Care Inspectorate.

The SSSC administers the VSDF on behalf of the Scottish Government. When funding is available we publish information on how to apply in the news section and in our newsletters.