UNISON wants to help members realise their potential. We offer financial support to members taking part in various educational and learning opportunities, as well as learning discounts from a number of providers.
Being a UNISON member also offers access to our full member learning offer which includes a wide range of educational opportunities, both online and offline.
On this page you will find information about:
- UNISON College bursary scheme
- Other financial support
If you have any questions please get in touch with us at learningandorganising@unison.co.uk
Note: you must be a full (employed) UNISON member to apply (student or unemployed members must have been a full, employed member at some point)
Before reading further, please watch the explainer video below. To view with audio please click here
UNISON College Bursary Scheme
To help members to further their education, UNISON offers grants towards course or exam fees for members studying at their own expense.
The 2024 scheme is now closed for applications – applications will re-open in early 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications re-open, please email your name and membership number to l.organising@unison.co.uk.
Learning Grant
These awards are available to members undertaking any course for personal or professional development that doesn’t fall under the other two categories.
The 2024 scheme is now closed for applications – applications will re-open in early 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications re-open, please email your name and membership number to l.organising@unison.co.uk.
Open University Grant (OU)
These awards are available to members undertaking 30 and 60 point OU courses up to and including under-graduate level.
The 2024 scheme is now closed for applications – applications will re-open in early 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications re-open, please email your name and membership number to l.organising@unison.co.uk.
Trade Union & Labour Studies and Women’s Studies (TULS)
These awards are available to members undertaking a programme of study specifically related to Trade Union & Labour Studies and Women’s Studies.
The 2024 scheme is now closed for applications – applications will re-open in early 2025. If you would like to be notified when applications re-open, please email your name and membership number to l.organising@unison.co.uk.
Other financial support:
Learning discounts for UNISON members
Members can get fee discounts for distance learning from:
- National Extension College – 10% discount on all NEC courses, including GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational courses; get your discount code by emailing us at l.organising@unison.co.uk
- National Extension College – 50% discount on fees for their functional skills courses; get your discount code by emailing us at l.organising@unison.co.uk Please note – the discount applies to the course fee (full price £500) and not to the end point assessment fee (£150)
- E-Careers – 20% discount for UNISON members on a range of professional skills development courses.
- University of London – 10% discount for union members on four of its distance learning courses