Newcastle University

The scheme will provide full scholarships worth £9,000 a year to 20 young people who show the most academic potential but are least likely to attend a top UK university such as Newcastle.

It has been launched in response to the Government’s overhaul of Higher Education which will see the University introducing an annual £9,000 tuition fee from 2012.

The Newcastle University Promise Scholarship will support 20 students to complete a range of degree courses at Newcastle which is recognised internationally for its research excellence, its success in supporting graduates into jobs and the quality of its teaching. The Promise Scholarships are part of the University’s generous package of bursaries, scholarships and fee-discounts, from which up to 6,000 students will benefit over the next five years.

When compared against similar institutions across the country, Newcastle University was this year ranked 10th for student satisfaction and is 5th in the UK for its employment record of graduates securing jobs within six months.

Launching the scheme, Pro-Vice Chancellor for teaching and learning Professor Suzanne Cholerton, said: “Newcastle University is committed to increasing the number of students we attract from a wide range of backgrounds and we are investing at least £55 million over the next five years in bursaries, fee waivers and activities that will help us to widen participation.

“We recognise that the introduction of tuition fees will have a significant effect on the choices young people and their families make about their futures. We hope that by providing a wide range of financial support packages we can help them to see that studying at Newcastle is an aspiration that is within their reach.”

David Pearmain, chair of Schools North East and head teacher of Kenton School, added: “This is a really worthwhile initiative. It will be a tragedy if some of our brightest students are put off going to university because they feel they can’t afford it. These new and existing bursaries offer much needed support and a real opportunity for our young people to maximise their potential.”

20-year-old Scott Caffrey, from Walker, Newcastle, is an undergraduate at Newcastle University who has benefitted from a bursary to enable him to study a Mathematics degree.

Scott is the first person in the family to go to university and he is currently in his final year.

He said: “Without the extra cash I received as a bursary it would have made it much harder to attend university. It just gives you an extra safety net. Most of the people I went to school with didn’t even consider going to university even though many were capable of it.

“There are thousands of other students in a similar position and it is such a waste of talent if these people can’t fulfil their potential. That is why it is such great news that Newcastle University has launched this new scholarship, especially at a time when students are facing increased tuition fees.”

For more information about Newcastle University Promise Scholarships and other financial support available through Newcastle University please contact: Kelly Deary, Newcastle University on Tel 0191 222 5906 or visit our website.