Picture credit: OJO Images/Rex Features. The number of students who receive a social work bursary will be capped from the academic year 2013, the government has announced. In addition, undergraduate students will only be able to apply for the bursary in their second and final years.It is hugely important to have this announcement now, just as students are submitting their applications to UCAS for entry to the social work degree programme in 2013,â said Anne Mercer, professional advisor for the College.