The Professional Training Year (PTY) Support Award aims to support undergraduate Home/UK students from under-represented and vulnerable groups, listed in the eligibility and categories section. The award aims to ensure that students from a Widening Participation background are sufficiently financed to undertake a PTY.
The award will provide approximately £4,000 to eligible Home/UK students during their PTY. The award can be received in addition to other University scholarships or any other bursary, prize and awards if eligible. The award will be given to 12 successful applicants.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be undertaking their Professional Training Year during the 2025/26 academic year and paying the full professional training year fees (therefore courses that do not offer a full Professional Training Year are not eligible).
- Applicants do not need to have secure a placement to be able to apply for the award. Awards will be confirmed in July 2025 only to students who have secured an approved placement by that date.
- Applicants must fall into one or more of the specific Widening Participation categories which include:
- Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
- Disabled Students
- Low-Participation Neighbourhoods (LPN) - POLAR4: (Quintile 1 or 2) *.
*POLAR eligibility is based on the data the University has received from UCAS prior to commencing your university programme. This data will be used to assess eligibility. Students can check their postcode Quintile via the Office for Students.
How to apply
Please download and complete the application form below. Please return your completed form by email to placements@surrey.ac.uk by the closing date of Monday 30th June 2025. Successful applicants will be notified of their entitlement by the end of July 2025.
Applications submitted after the closing date of Monday 30th June 2025 will not be considered.
Selection criteria
Successful applicants will be selected using a points-based system. You can find the 2025/26 selection criteria below.
Widening Participation Categories
Please note the categories and sub-categories are listed in no particular order.
Category A: Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
- Arab
- Asian – Bangladeshi
- Asian - Chinese
- Asian - Indian
- Asian - Other
- Asian - Pakistani
- Black - Other
- Black African
- Black Caribbean
- Gypsy or Traveller
- Other ethnic group
- Other mixed/multiple ethnic background
- White/ Asian
- White/ Black African
- White/ Black Caribbean
Category B: Disabled Students
- Autistic Spectrum Condition
- Blind/Partially Sighted
- Deaf/Hearing Impairment
- Long Standing illness
- Mental Health Condition
- Multiple Disabilities
- Physical Impairment/Mobility Issues
- Specific Learning Difficulty e.g. Dyslexia
- Disability not listed above
Category C: Low-Participation Neighbourhoods (LPN)
Postcode Criteria: Home postcode (where you are normally resident)
You must be normally resident in a POLAR4 postcode rated Quintile 1 or 2*.
*POLAR eligibility is based on the data the University has received from UCAS prior to commencing your university programme. This data will be used to assess eligibility.
Students can check their postcode Quintile via the Office for Students.
Points-Based System
Essential Criteria
| Criteria |
Points |
| Home / UK Student |
0 |
| Undertaking a Professional Training Year |
0 |
| Secure a PTY placement before applying for the PTY Support Award |
0 |
| Paying full PTY fees of £1,900 |
0 |
Widening Participation
| Criteria |
Points |
| Black and Asian Students |
3 |
| Other Minority students |
2 |
| Disabled Students |
2 |
| Low Participation Neighbourhoods (POLAR4 Quintile 1 or 2) |
1 |
