Apply for RREF Financial Support
Reading Real Estate Foundation provides a range of undergraduate bursaries and hardship grants to students who will not be able to complete the course without financial assistance, as well as graduation awards. These bursaries, grants and awards are funded each year by our generous alumni, corporate donors and fundraising events, and are administered by the RREF Disbursements Committee.
RREF Funding Summary
Generously supported by alumni and corporate donors to RREF, bursaries and scholarships are open for applications from Undergraduate and Postgraduate students studying at the School of Real Estate & Planning at the University of Reading.
Funding for prospective students:
- RREF BSc Bursary
- RREF MSc Bursary
- The Barton Willmore Scholarship Fund
Funding for current students:
- RREF Hardship Grant
- RREF Travel Bursary
- Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund
RREF BSc Bursary 2026/27
We are currently working to confirm bursary funding for programmes starting in the 2026/27 academic year and beyond. If you wish be considered for bursary funding, please complete the online application form when it launches in January 2026.
The Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF) offers financial support to undergraduate students based on a demonstration of financial need.
Who can apply:
The RREF BSc Bursary is awarded to UK and International applicants who can demonstrate significant financial need and who will contribute to the diversity and experience of their programme.
To be considered for the Bursary, you will need an offer to study one of the following BSc Real Estate & Planning programmes at Henley Business School, University of Reading:
If you are applying for a foundation year programme at the University, or you are progressing to or entering the University at Parts 2 or 3, you are not eligible for apply for this Bursary.
How to apply:
- Before applying, ensure you read the Guidance Notes here.
- When applications open, complete the online application form below (this will take about 20 minutes).
Applications open: January 2026
Application deadline: Sunday 12 May 2026
*If you are a Pathways to Property alumni and will be studying a Real Estate & Planning course at Henley Business School, University of Reading, there is unique financial support we can offer you during your studies. We can offer you support of up to £30,000 over the three year Undergraduate course. To apply, please complete the above application form*
RREF MSc Bursary 2026/27
We are currently working to confirm bursary funding for programmes starting in the 2026/27 academic year and beyond. If you wish be considered for bursary funding, please complete the online application form when it launches in January 2026.
RREF offers financial support to Postgraduate students based on a demonstration of financial need. For the academic year 2026/27, RREF MSc Bursary recipients can receive funding towards the cost of their tuition fees. The sum of the bursary awarded will be deducted from tuition fees.
Who can apply:
The RREF MSc Bursary is awarded to UK and International applicants who can demonstrate significant financial need and who will contribute to the diversity and experience of their programme.
To be considered for the Bursary, you will need an offer to study one of the following MSc Real Estate & Planning programmes at Henley Business School, University of Reading:
- MSc Real Estate (full-time only)
- Masters Real Estate Finance (full-time only)
- MSc Spatial Planning and Development (full-time only)
How to apply:
- Before applying, ensure you read the Guidance Notes here.
- Complete the online application form below (this will take about 20 minutes).
Applications open: January 2026
Application deadline: Sunday 10 May 2026
The Barton Willmore Scholarship Fund 2026/27
The Barton Willmore Scholarship Fund offers financial support to students from diverse backgrounds into the UK planning profession. Successful applicants will receive £5,000 in total to support living costs and to allow students to pursue relevant working experience in the planning and development sector alongside their studies.
Who can apply:
- Applicants with an offer to study for the Masters in Spatial Planning and Development (Full-Time)
How to apply:
- Before applying, ensure you read the Guidance Notes here.
- When applications open, complete the online application form below (this will take about 20 minutes).
Applications open: January 2026
Application deadline: Sunday 10 May 2026
RREF Hardship Grants 2025/26
The RREF Hardship Grant offers financial support to students based on a demonstration of financial need due to an unforeseen change in circumstance. Students can receive up to £1,000 in total per academic year.
If you are a student currently studying in the Department of Real Estate & Planning and are currently experience financial concern, please contact RREF-info@henley.ac.uk for the applications forms.
Who can apply:
- Current Undergraduate and Postgraduate Real Estate & Planning student at Henley Business School, University of Reading
How to apply:
- Before completing an application, please read the Guidance Notes here.
- Complete the Hardship Grant application form and Income Expenditure spreadsheet.
- Send both documents to RREF at RREF-info@henley.ac.uk.
RREF Travel Bursary 2026/27
We are currently working to confirm bursary funding for programmes starting in the 2026/27 academic year and beyond. If you wish be considered for bursary funding, please complete the online application form when it launches in January 2026.
The RREF Travel Bursary offers up to £1000 of financial support to undergraduate students based on a demonstration of financial need due to undertaking a study abroad placement.
Who can apply:
- Current undergraduate Real Estate & Planning students in their first or second year of study who have applied or are in the process of applying for a study abroad placement.
How to apply:
- Before completing an application, please read the Guidance notes here.
- When applications open, complete the online application form (this will take about 20 minutes).
Applications open: Wednesday 07 January 2026
Application deadline: Sunday12 April 2026
Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund 2025/26
Not currently accepting applications.
The Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund enables PhD students to further their research by purchasing data or undertaking fieldwork that would not otherwise be possible. Students can receive up to £1,000 from the Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund.
If you are a current PhD student at Henley Business School, University of Reading, you are eligible to apply for the Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund.
There is no application deadline for the Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund applications and students may apply throughout the academic year, for as long as funding is available.
How to apply:
- Before completing an application, please read the Peter Byrne Research Excellence Fund Information and Guidance notes here.
- To complete your application, you will need to complete the Excellence Fund application form here.