UK healthcare students to receive upfront travel and accommodation funding

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced new plans to provide upfront cash support to thousands of healthcare students to cover travel and accommodation costs for clinical placements.

Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, eligible students with access to the NHS Learning Support Fund will be able to claim advance funding. This replaces the current system where students must pay for expenses out of pocket and seek reimbursement later. The government stated that the change aims to prevent students from being left out of pocket while waiting for claims to process and to encourage placements in rural and coastal communities where costs may be higher.

Health Minister Alison McGovern noted that the advance payments are intended to ease budget pressures and ensure no student is held back by the upfront costs of training. Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, described the move as an important step in supporting the next generation of nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals.