Welsh Government consultation on shaping the future of the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme – survey for students Δ Step 1 of 7 14% Background –The Welsh Government have launched a consultation to gather views on shaping the future of the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme. While the bursary continues to offer vital financial support, it hasn’t been reviewed for some time. The Welsh Government are now looking ahead and are asking what the future NHS Wales Bursary Scheme should look like. They would like a scheme that: -meets the diverse needs of students, whether they’re school leavers or mature learners -provides meaningful financial support -encourages graduates to stay and work in NHS Wales. Aims of the survey –RCSLT Wales intend to respond to this very important consultation. We would like to gather views from students to understand how the bursary influences students’ decisions to train and work in Wales, and how they could be better supported throughout their education and transition into NHS careers. Nb: The NHS Wales bursary includes full payment of tuition fees, a non means tested grant and a means-tested bursary. Students receiving the NHS Wales Bursary do not repay the funding and as of the 2024/25 academic year, can also apply for a full Student Finance Wales maintenance loan. Personal informationThe RCSLT will process the personal information provided within this form in line with its specified purposes and with full adherence to the Regulations. For more information about how we use your information, your rights and how to contact us, please see our Privacy Notice: https://www.rcslt.org/privacy-notice/ Section A: Participation informationWhich university do you attend?(Required) Cardiff Metropolitan University Wrexham University Other What year of your course are you currently in? Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 What is your current living situation during your studies? Living at family home Living away from family home Are you ordinarily resident in Wales i.e. Welsh-domiciled?(Required) Yes No Section B: Awareness & ParticipationDid you apply for the NHS Wales Bursary?(Required) yes No If yes, what motivated your decision? (Select all that apply) Full tuition fees paid Financial support for living costs Commitment to work in Wales after graduation Recommendation by university/peers Ability to also access a full student maintenance loan (from home country) Other reason (please specify) Please specify:If no, why did you not apply? (Select all that apply) I was not aware of the bursary Students who take the bursary were not able to access a full student maintenance loan at the time I started my course The application timeline (of up to ten weeks after commencing the course) was too short The means-tested living cost support was too low I could not or did not want to commit to working in Wales for two years I did not fully understand the bursary benefits I was not eligible to apply for the bursary Other reason (please specify) Please specify:Do you think bursary information is promoted equally to all groups (e.g., Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority groups, mature students, rural communities, Welsh speakers)? Yes No Not sure Did you receive a student maintenance loan? Yes, the maximum Yes, a reduced amount No, I did not apply for or receive it Section C: Satisfaction & ImpactHow easy was the NHS Wales Bursary application process?Not applicable1 – Very difficult23 45 – Very easyDo you agree with the NHS Wales Bursary requirement to work in Wales for two years after graduation (or for 18 months if on a two-year course)?(Required)1- Strongly disagree23 – Neutral/don’t know45 – Strongly agreePlease explain your answer:Do you plan to work in NHS Wales after you graduate?(Required) Yes, definitely Undecided No Please explain your answer:To what extent did the NHS Wales Bursary cover your essential living costs during your course?Not applicable1- Not at all2345 – CompletelyPlease explain your answer:What additional financial support did you receive? Childcare support and/or support for other dependants Disabled Students’ Allowance Parental Learning Allowance Other – please specify: Please specify:What additional types of financial support would help you manage extra costs during your course if they existed? Support with placement-related costs e.g. travel Grants for students without parental financial support Other – please specify: Please state: Section D: Improvement SuggestionsHow important is it for you to have the option of combining the NHS Wales Bursary with a student loan?Not applicable1- not at all important2345- Extremely importantPlease explain you answer:Please choose up to three ways where the current NHS Wales Bursary could be most improved:(Required) Simplify the application process Increase the non-means tested grant (currently £1,000) Increase the maximum means-tested bursary amount* Raise income thresholds for means-tested eligibility (currently £24,000 for full support) Pay bursary funds at the start of the academic year Improve communications about eligibility and conditions Reconsider the mandatory work commitment period after graduation Provide more flexibility for starting employment after graduation (e.g. extend the time allowed to take up suitable employment after completing the course) Other – please state: *The maximum means tested bursary amount is currently £2,643 per academic year for students living away from home (or £2,207 if living in the parental home), plus a weekly top-up of £84 (or £56 if living in the parental home) for each week beyond the standard 30-week course duration. Please state:What alternative financial incentives would encourage you to remain in Wales after qualification? (Select all that apply) Lump sum payment after course completion tiered according to the length of service commitment Relocation allowances for graduates moving within Wales for an NHS role Student loan forgiveness scheme for graduates who commit to working in NHS Wales for longer Other – please state: Please state:Which changes would help make the NHS Wales Bursary more inclusive and accessible? (Select all that apply) Ensure application processes and information are easy to access and fully accessible Provide additional financial support for specific needs e.g. childcare grants and travel allowances Offer financial incentives for students who can deliver care in Welsh or other community languages Increase awareness and outreach to underrepresented groups (e.g., Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities groups, rural communities, low-income households, Welsh speakers) Other, Please state: Please state: Section E: Final ReflectionsOverall, how would you rate the NHS Wales bursary scheme?Not applicable1- Very poor2345 – ExcellentShould the NHS Wales Bursary for speech and language therapy students be continued as it is, or replaced with a better option to attract and retain students in Wales?(Required)1- Strongly disagree that it should be continued23 – Neutral/don’t know45 – Strongly agree it should be replacedDo you have any other comments about your experience or ideas for future improvements? (free text) Optional: Consent & DemographicsDo you consent to your responses being used (anonymously) to respond to the Welsh Government’s consultation and to help make improvements to the NHS Wales bursary? Yes No What is your age? 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Prefer not to say Do you have a disability, impairment or health condition which affects your day-to-day activities? Yes No Prefer not to say What is your ethnicity? This may be different to your nationality, place of birth or citizenship. Asian British Bangladeshi Chinese Indian Pakistani Another Asian background, please say what: Prefer not to say Please state:Black, African, Caribbean or Black British African Black British Caribbean Another Black, African or Caribbean background, please say what: Prefer not to say Please state:Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups Asian and White Black African and White Black Caribbean and White Another Mixed or Multiple ethnic group, please say what: Prefer not to say Please state:White English Gypsy or Irish Traveller Irish Northern Irish Scottish Welsh Other European Another White background, please say what: Prefer not to say Please state:Another ethnic group Arab Another ethnic group, please say what: Prefer not to say Please state:What is your sex? Female Male Prefer to self describe, please say how: Prefer not to say Please state:What is your sexual orientation? Asexual Bisexual Gay Heterosexual Lesbian Pansexual Questioning Prefer to self describe, please say how: Prefer not to say Please state:Do you have caring responsibilities (e.g., children, dependants)? Yes No Prefer not to say Are you a Welsh speaker? Yes No Prefer not to say
