Thursday 4 June 2026
Novotel, Birmingham
Novotel, Birmingham
Our first Student Finance Conference in June 2025 was a huge success with over 100 delegates from across the country attending. Feedback from participants included:
“During the workshops I gained insight into how other colleges operate and learned about new regulations related to bursaries. It was insightful to compare practices and gain updates that could enhance our own processes.”
“It is so helpful to know that you are not on your own with the guidelines to bursary – to meet other people who all feel the same – makes me feel to much better about the work we do – we are all trying to do our best for the students!”
“I thought overall it was a fab day, I loved the mix of keynote speakers and different workshops. There was a variety of choice, between my colleague and I we managed to attend all of the workshops which were important to us. I thought they were all informative and it was great to see other colleges perspective on things. I would love to see this conference take place again next year (also, fab lunch!).”
Our 2026 event will take place on Thursday 4 June at the Novotel in Birmingham. More information on the keynotes, workshops and tickets will be available early in the Summer Term. In the meantime, these pages provide a good insight in to what you can expect from the next NAMSS Student Finance Conference.
This one-day event aims to support member’s understanding of guidance and create an opportunity to share practice as well as establish a network of support for those administering the bursary and, providing financial support and education. The conference is aimed at both operational staff and those who manage Student Finance and other guidance teams.
Take a look at the workshops before booking your tickets.
This event is also open to non NAMSS members. Save money on Conference Tickets by clicking here to become a NAMSS member before booking.
Please make a note of your chosen workshops before clicking below to book
09.00am
Registration
09.30am
Keynote from Andrew Thomas, Department for Education
10.15am
Overview of 25/26 Bursary Guidance including a Q&A Panel
11.45am
Workshop 1
12.45pm
Lunch
1.45pm
Workshop 2
3pm
Workshop 3
4pm
Conference Close
Andrew is the Director of Funding and Financial Oversight at Operations and Infrastructure Group, Department for Education and joined the department in January 2023.
Andrew has been a civil servant for more than 20 years. Before joining ESFA he worked in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Andrew is an economist by training and has a breadth of experience including Strategy, Operations, Contract Management and Finance.
As well as being our keynote, Andrew will join the Q&A panel and delegates will have the opportunity to submit a question when they book their ticket.
1 day event – Listen, learn, share, network and be inspired in just 1 day.
9 Workshops – Hosted by experts and practitioners.
Share practice –Find out what others have found works and what doesn’t and talk about new ideas.
Non NAMSS Members – the Conference is open to non-members but tickets are more expensive.
