BUILD BACK BURSARIES
a BULU campaign
Since at least 2017, the Bath Bursary has been losing value to inflation. This year marks not only a 20% decrease in the original bursary's effective value, but new effort from the University to further that trend to a tune of an overall 47% decrease since 2017.
33
Decrease in value from 2023
With this change the university is eroding support from those of us that need it the most.
See the data56
th
ranked for social mobility
Bath University already ranks worse than 55 other universities for social mobility, including Oxford and Cambridge. This change only exacerbates the issue.
See the data20,470
of us effected
The university does not publish figures on bursary usage, however with a record number of us attending the university and a cost of living crisis the bursary is more important than ever.
This affects all of us.
They're removing choice
Through diverting cash funds from the bursary into food and drink credits, the university is removing the choice from students on how they spend their money. This is not only unsustainable but also unfair to students who rely on the bursary to make ends meet.
The Student Union at a SUmmit event outlined dishonesty in the university's approach to the bursary, by forcing students to spend their bursary on food and drink credits that goes directly back into the university's pocket. They further noted issues with those that have dietary requirements and the lack of variety in affordable food options.
It is unsustainable for students
Sustainable support does not look like cutting the value of the bursary and forcing students to spend it on food and drink credits. The university needs to be held accountable for its actions and provide sustainable support for students in need.
They must understand that the bursary is a lifeline for many students and that it is unacceptable to cut its value.
How to take action
We need your help to make our demands heard. The student body must come together to demand change from the university. We need to stand together to ensure that the university is held accountable for its actions.