What does bursary mean?
A bursary is a sum of money awarded to a student to help pay for their education. Unlike scholarships, which are often tied to academic or athletic achievement, bursaries are frequently granted on the basis of financial need, making them a vital route into higher education for students from less advantaged backgrounds. The word is used mainly in Britain and other Commonwealth countries; American English tends to favour 'scholarship' or 'grant' instead. A second, more specialised sense refers to the office or department within a school, college, or religious institution responsible for its finances — the domain of the bursar. The word traces back through medieval Latin 'bursaria' to 'bursa', meaning purse or bag, the same root that gives us 'reimburse' and 'disburse'. In everyday speech, receiving a bursary carries warm connotations of opportunity and support.
A grant of money given to a student, typically means-tested, to support their studies.
"Her bursary covered accommodation costs throughout her three-year course."
Chiefly British and Commonwealth; often contrasted with merit-based scholarships.
The administrative office or treasury of a college, university, or monastery, overseen by the bursar.
"Payment plans can be arranged through the bursary."
Institutional register; common in older universities and religious houses.
Regular pluralisation; both senses pluralise identically.
"The charity funds several bursaries each year for first-generation students."
Every time you get reimbursed, you're using a word born from 'bursa' — the leather purse ancient Romans wore at their belts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bursary
Bursary derives from the medieval Latin 'bursaria', meaning 'keeper of the purse', itself from Late Latin 'bursa', a purse or moneybag, which was borrowed from Greek 'bursa'. The word entered English in the early 17th century. Its cognates include 'bursar', 'reimburse', and 'disburse' — all built around the same image of the purse as the seat of institutional finance.
Related word forms
How bursary is actually used
Predominantly British and Commonwealth usage; in North American English, 'scholarship' or 'grant' is far more common for the student-award sense. Bursaries are typically need-based, distinguishing them from merit-based scholarships, though the terms overlap in practice.
Easily confused with bursary
A bursar is the person who administers an institution's finances, whereas a bursary is either the money awarded to a student or the office itself.