Starting in September 2026, eligible dietetics students can receive upfront support with the travel and accommodation costs associated with placements. This means students won’t have to pay out of pocket before claiming the money back; instead, they can receive advance payments from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Susan Price, Chair of the BDA, said, “No student should have to choose between completing practice-based learning and managing their finances. The BDA warmly welcomes these improvements to the Learning Support Fund, which will provide much needed support to dietetic students and reduce cash-flow pressures during practice-based learning.”