Opportunity Scholarships
An Opportunity Scholarship supports a student financially during their time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
Scholarships are awarded to a number of students each year. They are set up to support students as they work towards their education and career goals.
Scholars each receive £3,000 per year for three years of study.
Gifts from donors, including donations in Wills, have meant that 50 students were awarded scholarships through the Opportunity Scholarship programme in 2024/25. They join more than 100 existing Opportunity Scholars.
The scholarships have a huge impact on the student recipients.
Of the 50 new scholars, 94% are from households with an income of less than £18,000 per year.
Many of our scholars come from low socioeconomic backgrounds, may have received free school meals, and some students are from areas of the country where there is low participation in higher education.
Eloise's scholarship story
Eloise graduated from the University in the summer of 2024.
Here she shares the impact that her scholarship has had on her º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experience. We also hear from alumnus Anthony Cresci, who donated to Eloise's scholarship.
The impact on James, Courtney and Sameer
The Opportunity Scholarship enables many students like James, Courtney and Sameer to relax into student life and really enjoy their time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
James's story
James is a mature student with a passion for psychology.
Reflecting on his life in the few years before he began his studies at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, James realised he wanted to make changes to achieve fulfilment. He wanted to find a new path, explore new opportunities, and find a way to support other people.
Benefiting from the physical and mental effects of sport and exercise, James felt that º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ would be a great fit for this new chapter in his life. But before his Sport and Exercise Psychology course started in 2022, James was worried about how he would survive financially whilst studying.
The moment that James achieved the Opportunity Scholarship was life changing.
With the financial support awarded to him, James was able to carefully consider where he would seek part-time work and how he would manage his time to make the most out of life at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
James has certainly thrown himself into everything that university has to offer.
He has won a Course Representative of the Year award and is a co-ordinator for mental health support group, #Me. He has integrated into life at university, developed study skills, and presented in front of 200 people from his course on several occasions.
James has already achieved so much in his first year at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
The financial stability that the Opportunity Scholarship has afforded James has given him the chance to give time to peers. The award given for his voluntary work as a course representative recognises the time he has given to fellow students adapting to the course and to university.
The support of generous donations means that James is leading a fulfilling life at university, and not only is he benefiting, but he is also paying that forward to others.
Thanking his donor, James said:
The support you provide really does make a difference and enables me to maximise my time here.
Seeing your willingness to reach out and help others also encourages me to reach out and help the next person.
James is looking forward to his next couple of years at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ with the peace of mind that he can dedicate time to his studies and to gaining relevant experiences that will support his ambition of becoming a psychologist.
Courtney's story
Working hard to turn her life experiences in something positive, Courtney came to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in 2021 to study Psychology with Criminology.
Courtney grew up alongside her brother in a single-parent family.
When she was awarded an Opportunity Scholarship, Courtney was able to feel excited about starting university and no longer felt concerned or guilty about the potential strain that it may have put on her mother. She said:
To receive university education is such a privilege and something I only ever hoped I could be successful in. The kindness of the donation has sincerely given me a new lease of life.
The Opportunity Scholarship has helped Courtney to get involved in activities that have benefited her mental health and supported her opportunity to socialise and make friends. Recently diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, Courtney used some of her scholarship to fund tests. The results have been a weight off her shoulders and have given her a new understanding of herself.
Sameer's story
Worried about the thought of the expenses associated with attending university, the Opportunity Scholarship has enabled Sameer to really enjoy his time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ so far.
Growing up, Sameer’s family experienced a range of distressing and difficult events – not least his mother becoming ill and other key members of his family passing away.
The years during which Sameer was studying for GCSEs and A Levels weren’t the easiest. There was a lot of emotional stress, but despite this, he worked hard and achieved his place at university.
From a low-income background, Sameer’s Opportunity Scholarship has meant that he can confidently get involved in everything at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and set himself on a new track.
Sameer is studying Economics, and he is also a talented badminton player. Training and competing for the University, Sameer was able to give more time to his sport during his first year at university than he expected. To support himself financially, he expected to have to work many hours alongside his studies and training to stay afloat.
Now, with the financial support offered to Sameer through the scholarship, he has been able to dedicate time to his studies and badminton, go to the gym, and is enjoying learning to cook – and he is not having to rely on his family.
With everything he has learned in the first two years of his degree, Sameer is now on placement, ready to gain valuable experience in his chosen field, and he is determined to build a great career that he can continue following the final year of his degree.
Thank you
It is thanks to the generous support of donors to the University that we are able to support students who otherwise may not be able to attend university.
Gifts at all levels make a huge difference. Whether it’s by equipping our students with skills for the workplace and beyond, or by enabling them to have an amazing student experience, gifts to Access to Education programmes at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ are opening doors to success.
