An opportunity for individuals or groups of students who are undertaking an extensive final year project. This Final Year Project Fund provides successful applicants with a financial contribution to help support such activity.

During the 2024/25 academic year, you may apply for up to £300 in match-funding to support a final year project that meets the criteria and eligibility outlined below. If you apply as a group of students, you may request a maximum of £1000. 

Project criteria 

To be eligible to receive funding the project must:  

  • Be part of work required for the final year of the recipient’s degree course at Bath Spa University – the Fund is for final year work only. Extra-curricular pursuits or activities not directly related to the course are not eligible for funding.  
  • Be within a reasonable timeframe – the project should start and be completed within the recipient’s final year.   
  • Be for a unique project – multiple applications for one project are not permitted. If awarded, the funding must be used for the project as per the application.   

Important: This Fund is intended to support final year projects where the nature of the degree requires students to be involved with activity that involves significant cost to the student beyond what would typically be expected.

Therefore, funds should be used to support project activity such as an end of year showcase, industry exhibition or performance. Applications of this nature will be prioritized.  

What is match-funding? 

We want to help students to develop their enterprising and entrepreneurial skills, giving them an insight into funding their future work, marketing and promotion.

To be eligible for funding, applicants will need to provide evidence of sourcing at least 50% of the project cost via other fundraising avenues. For example:

  • sponsorship from an individual or business
  • raising additional funds through crowdfunding.  

If the application is successful, the Final Year Project Fund will typically match the applicant's funding up to the maximum amount as stated above.  

Applicants are responsible for arranging and securing their own match-funding. General guidance about crowdfunding is available in our Crowdfunding Tips and Tricks. 

Please note: awards from other BSU Scholarships and Bursaries (e.g. Student Opportunities Fund) cannot be used as match-funding.

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria: 

  • You (including all group members if a group application) must be a Bath Spa University student studying at either Newton Park, Sion Hill, Locksbrook, Corsham Court or BSU London. Students studying at our Educational Partner institutes are not eligible.  
  • The Fund is open to final year students only; both undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible. 
  • The activity being funded must fulfil the Project Criteria outlined above. 
  • No retrospective funding is available – applications cannot be considered for projects or activities that have already taken place. 
  • Successful applicants are required to submit a brief report detailing their participation in the funded activity.  

Application deadlines

Applications will open in late January. They will be reviewed at the final two rounds of the Scholarships and Bursaries Disbursement Panel. Application deadlines for 2024/2025 are as follows: 

  • Round one: 9am Monday 28 October 2024 
  • Round two: 9am, Monday 3 March 2025 
  • Round three: 9am, Monday 28 April 2025  

Where an application is submitted after a round deadline, it will not be considered until the next round. No further applications for the academic year will be considered after the round three April deadline.  

How to apply 

Online application 

Students may apply by using the online application form (student login required) on AppHub. Select the 'Scholarship Applications' menu, then choose the ' Final Year Project Fund’ option when adding an application. 

Group applications 

Where the application is for a group, only one member should apply on behalf of the group. They will act as the lead applicant and will be the main point of contact regarding the application including being responsible for any follow-up actions that may be required.  

The lead applicant should include all group member names and student ID information in the notes section of the application form. 

Application requirements 

Please note that the application requires the following: 

  • Event details – information about where and when the event, showcase or industry exhibition will be held.  
  • A summary of the project – a description of the project and explanation about what you aim to achieve. You will need to demonstrate how the project will benefit your final year work and how it will support your career growth or enable you to further your studies. 
  • A breakdown of the expected project costs, including supporting evidence – you will need to provide supporting documentation to evidence the costs, which can be added to the online application as attachments.   
  • The name of your tutor, course leader or other appropriate BSU staff - who is willing to support the application and act as a referee. Please make sure you seek permission from the referee in advance, so they are aware to expect a request for a short supporting statement. 

Please read the terms and conditions before applying and complete all sections of the form before submission. Applicants can refer to these application guidelines for advice and information on how to complete the form. 

How applications are judged 

The successful applicants will be selected by the Scholarships and Bursaries Disbursement Panel. The Panel aims to convene within four weeks following the application deadline. 

Applicants should expect to receive decision feedback within six weeks of the deadline. However, where additional information or clarification is required, decisions may take longer to confirm.  

Please be aware that this Fund has a limited budget available and therefore not all applications will be successful. All applications will be thoroughly and fairly considered by the Disbursement Panel and decisions will be communicated as soon as possible.  

Get in touch

If you have any questions about this award, please login to MyCareer and submit a question. Please select the 'scholarships and bursaries' option from the question type list.