Healthcare students to receive upfront placement travel and accommodation costs
UKPulse Local Desk
Eligible healthcare students will receive advance payments for placement-related travel and accommodation costs from the 2026/27 academic year.
- Advance payments will cover travel and accommodation costs for clinical placements.
- The new system aims to reduce financial barriers for nursing, midwifery, allied health, and dental therapy/hygiene students.
- The change will particularly support students undertaking placements in rural and coastal communities.
From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, eligible nursing, midwifery, allied health, and dental therapy/hygiene students will receive upfront support for travel and accommodation costs related to clinical placements. This new system means students will no longer need to pay these expenses themselves before claiming reimbursement.
The government states that this change is intended to ease financial pressure on students and support placements in rural and coastal areas, where costs can be higher. Health Minister Alison McGovern commented that no student should be hindered by the upfront cost of placements.
Students with full access to the NHS Learning Support Fund will be able to receive these advance payments. They will continue to submit claims as usual, with approved claims deducted from their advance balance. A top-up can be requested if the balance falls below £50.
Why this matters: The change aims to reduce financial barriers for healthcare students, potentially making training more accessible and supporting the future NHS workforce.
What this means for you: If you are an eligible healthcare student, you will receive advance payments for placement travel and accommodation costs, removing the need to pay these expenses upfront.