Financial support

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

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 open for applications.

Grant Application Steps 1) Grant: Select the correct grant for your course 2) Eligibility: Check that you are eligible by reading through the eligibility criteria - see guidance documents below 3) Information: Ensure you have all the information you need before applying, as there is no function to save your application once it has been started.
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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. For more information, the eligibility criteria and to apply:

Download the Learning Grant guidance

If you’re unable to download the Learning Grant document the full guidance is also available online here.

Open University Grant (OU)

These awards are available to members undertaking 30 and 60 point OU courses up to and including under-graduate level. For more information, the eligibility criteria and to apply:

Download the OU Grant guidance

If you’re unable to download the OU document the full guidance is also available online here.

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. For more information, the eligibility criteria and to apply:

Download the TULS guidance        

If you’re unable to download the TULS document the full guidance is also available online here.

 

 

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