Breaking barriers to education

Widening access to education has always been at the heart of the University of London’s mission. We were the first university in the UK to welcome students from all faiths, the first to open its doors to women, and the first to give students the opportunity to study wherever they are in the world.

Our vision is to ensure that a University of London education remains accessible to all who wish to study. The University’s Scholarships Programme, much of which is funded through the generosity of our alumni and friends, helps break down the financial barriers to education, providing crucial support to students who are unable to afford to study for a university degree.

Donor Spotlight: József Váradi

Earlier this year, the University of London was honoured to receive a donation of £1.2million from alumnus József Váradi to establish the Váradi Scholarships.

Over the next ten years, this landmark gift – the largest given towards scholarships by any living individual in the University’s 184-year history – will support 100 students from all around the world studying through our distance and flexible learning programmes, with a particular focus on those from Central and Eastern Europe.

As the co-founder of Wizz Air and its CEO since 2003, József Váradi has forged a successful career in the international business world. In 2018, he was named CEO of the Year in Central and Eastern Europe (CEESAR Award) and in the same year, he represented Hungary at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year. József studied at Budapest University of Economic Sciences (now called Corvinus University of Budapest), before completing an LLM with merit via distance learning with the University of London in 2014, specialising in International Business Law. He sees “intellectual stimulus as a cornerstone of human life” and credits his law degree with giving him a new perspective on the legal profession. “Lawyers used to come across with me in my professional life like sacred cows. My LLM studies put me in a position to see these people as human beings who may be challenged,” said József. “On a personal note, I love the ever-evolving logic behind law, as it is an integrating and reflective science in the crossroad of politics and economics, as well as genuine human and social developments.”

The ability to study via distance learning alongside his work commitments allowed József to make the best use of travel time during his business trips. He considers the University of London a “top-notch framework for education that tailors its offering to varying personal needs and circumstances.”

When asked about his motivation to give back to the University, József said: “Similarly to my professional life, I wanted to find the highest return on investment. I want people to live a better life and I’m eager to contribute to it with my intellectual and financial capacity.” A believer in the University’s mission to widen access to education, József decided to donate towards student scholarships and give others the opportunity to follow in his footsteps by studying for a University of London degree. “The scholarship is an enabler to make a difference for those who are keen to learn and develop themselves”, said József. “In my mind, there is no better investment than investing in the education of people who are naturally driven. As the saying goes, you give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, or you teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

In my mind, there is no better investment than investing in the education of people who are naturally driven.

The long-term impact of József’s philanthropy goes beyond the immediate need to support students through their studies. Not only will his gift have a transformative effect on the lives of the 100 students who will receive a Váradi Scholarship, but also in turn on the lives of their families and communities. How does József feel knowing that his support will have such far-reaching impact? “I inherently want to do the right thing and I want to do it right”, he explains. “It will certainly feel very good if people are able to capitalise on this small financial token and could think of their studies as one of the driving forces behind the impact they achieve in their lives.”

Looking to the future, the University has a mission to connect worlds across national, educational and economic divides – a concept which József agrees with wholeheartedly. “Humanity is increasingly a global phenomenon and it won’t change”, he said. “Global access to global systems is already a profound principle of our lives and developments. I’m particularly keen on getting Central and Eastern Europe to be levelled up to the highest standards in education to help its economic and social convergence.”

Thanks to the support of alumni like József and the life-changing impact of scholarships, the University is able to fulfil its mission and continue to enable access to education across the globe.

The impact of scholarships

During 2019/20, philanthropically-funded scholarships supported 24 students studying with the School of Advanced Study, the University of London Institute in Paris, or through the University’s distance and flexible learning programmes.

To find out more about supporting the University and our students, please visit: london.ac.uk/support

Professor Mary Stiasny OBE Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and Chief Executive of University of London Worldwide.

Support for our scholarship programmes allows students from around the world, regardless of their personal circumstances, to improve their lives and the lives of their communities through education.

Abigail Leitao, BSc Computer Science student and recipient of the J&J Scholarship.

There is no doubt that, had I not been offered this scholarship, I would not have been able to pursue this course. It has awarded me the opportunity to continue to support my family alongside my studies, without allowing the burden of fees to cause any barriers in my professional development.

Olawale Juwon, BSc Computer Science student and recipient of a Váradi Scholarship.

Learning about the Internet of Things has been a passion to me, but I was limited financially. Thanks to the Váradi Scholarship, my aspirations are becoming reality.

Abiba Coulibaly, MA Urban History and Culture student at the University of London Institute in Paris, and recipient of the Convocation Trust Scholarship.

Receiving a scholarship has been invaluably helpful in allowing me to continue higher education. Since I chose to undertake my master’s degree in France I was not eligible for a postgraduate loan from the UK government, and with my family unable to cover the fees, it would not have been at all possible for me to attend university abroad in the near future.

Ian Dooley, MA History of the Book student at the Institute of English Studies, and recipient of the Sambrook Fund Scholarship.

I will always be grateful for being awarded a Sambrook Fund Scholarship. Without it, I would not have been able to pursue the area of study which I am most passionate about. The Sambrook Fund made it a possible for me to afford this once in a lifetime opportunity.