Titanic Belfast reopens Transport Bursary which has helped over 1,300 pupils

As Titanic Belfast opens applications for its School Transport Bursary for the new academic year, the world-leading visitor attraction has revealed that over 1,300 pupils have been able to benefit from its educational programme since the initiative was launched just two years ago. 

Funded through Titanic Belfast’s Community Impact Fund and delivered in partnership with McComb’s Coach Travel, the scheme removes one of the biggest barriers schools face when organising trips, the cost of transport, and aims to make educational visits more accessible for schools that may have previously been unable to attend due to financial constraints. 

Since its launch in 2023, the bursary has been widened to include schools within a 30-mile radius of Belfast, and participating schools have travelled a combined 237.4 miles to Titanic Belfast, with McComb’s Coach Travel covering almost 500 miles to make the visits possible. 

Schools that meet the criteria - which includes those with more than half of pupils in receipt of Free School Meals and located in Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas - can apply by Monday 22nd September with visits set to take place between October 2025 and March 2026.

Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast said: “It’s clear our School Transport Bursary is making a real difference and we are incredibly proud that more than 1,300 children have been able to benefit from it over the last two years. We know how important it is to ensure opportunities like this are as accessible as possible, especially at a time when financial pressures are placing such constraints on school budgets, so we are delighted to open it up for the new academic year to give more schools and their pupils the chance to enjoy an educational visit to Titanic Belfast.”  

Caroline McComb, Director of McComb’s Coach Travel added: “We are very proud to once again partner with Titanic Belfast on this initiative. It’s fantastic to see so many children getting the chance to take part in such a unique educational experience.” 

Titanic Belfast offers school visits throughout the academic year for self-guided tours and guided tours of the Titanic Experience. Workshops are also available including Get The Message, which has been reimagined for 2025, and Solve The Case where students step back into the Edwardian era, to uncover the story of passengers on board Titanic. It has also developed a full programme of resources and activities for classes to use before, during and after their visit.

To view the full entry criteria or to apply for the School Transport Bursary teachers click here by Monday 22nd September 2025.