Scholarships at Surrey

SCHOLARSHIPS AT SURREY

INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SURREY STUDENTS

INVESTING IN SCHOLARSHIPS

At the University of Surrey, supporting those who struggle to reach higher education is part of our DNA. This is why we continue to invest in our students through scholarships.

Each generation of students attending university have had to face many challenges during their studies. But for young people today, particularly those from care experienced or minority backgrounds the route to higher education is full of additional challenges. Less than 12% of young people in care enter higher education by the time they’re 23, compared with 43% of all young people.

For those students who do make it to university, financial struggles can be a key reason why students drop out. Just under a quarter of all students, 24%, said they were less likely to finish their degree due to their financial circumstances.

Our vast programme of scholarships is already ensuring talented young people can undertake degrees, regardless of their personal or financial backgrounds. But there are many more students that are in need. By supporting scholarships, you can invest in a talented student who may be the first in their family to go to university.

Shining

“Securing a scholarship was the only reason I was able to accept and complete my course. It meant that somebody I had never met saw me, where I was from and where I wanted to go, and chose to support me.”

Stacey-Marie Bertrand BA Musical Theatre

Star Scholar

FERANMI AJILEYE

Feranmi Ajileye lost her mother aged eight and was brought up by her older brother Yomi. “Losing my mother at a young age had a life-changing impact on me as I learned to cope with the loss” says Feranmi but she feels lucky to have the opportunity to study at Surrey. As a Surrey graduate himself, Yomi recommended the University to his sister and during her first term, Feranmi was awarded the first Forever Surrey Scholarship.

Now, having almost completed the first year of her Psychology degree, Feranmi says she would like to use her degree to become a psychotherapist and help support children suffering from grief.

JAMES BIGGS

James had a long-held dream of studying Physics at university. He was due to study at Surrey in 2004 but tight finances and difficult circumstances meant it was not attainable. James had many further challenges in his life but always held on to the ambition to take up Physics at Surrey.

Securing a scholarship gave James the confidence to come to Surrey to start his degree in Physics. James did not want to have to rely on support from his aging mother and was also concerned about a long commute to Surrey. The financial support of his scholarship has removed these concerns, allowing James to focus all his energy into his studies. He is now finally pursuing his lifelong ambition of studying Physics at Surrey.

“My brother always had my back and I’ve been blessed to have his help. Now that I have been awarded this scholarship, I feel even more supported. I have the chance of a more stable life and a successful career because of it.”

BSc (Hons) Psychology Forever Surrey Scholar

“By supporting scholarships, you are not only improving the lives of those that receive them, but also promoting the discovery and expansion of our collective knowledge. I especially feel that this is important in the sciences, where we should encourage as many people as possible to study.”

BSc (Hons) Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics Jarrett Scholar

Accounting and Finance, Foundation Year

Battersea Scholar

Luke was estranged from his family at the age of 18 and suffered mental health problems. A promising teenage opportunity within professional football came to an end, and Luke could not see the way forward. Luke secured a residential place at Cherrytrees Care in Woking, with their support he was able to sit his A Levels and apply to Surrey.

Luke was accepted and started his foundation course in Accounting and Finance in September 2022. Shortly after starting his course, Luke was awarded the Battersea Scholarship.

Despite such a difficult start in life, Luke is full of optimism thanks to his scholarship. “I started behind everyone else. The support at Cherrytrees helped me rebuild and get back in the race. The Battersea Scholarship will help me catch up and succeed.”

ANWAR MUDH HID

Originally from Kenya, Anwar Mudh Hid was estranged from his mother when he came to the UK. Difficulties in his relationship with his father and his stepmother saw social services intervene, and Anwar was assigned a legal guardian.

After getting a place at Surrey, Anwar began looking for financial support. As he attests, “If you’re not financially stable, you can’t focus on your studies because you’re too concerned about money worries.” After meeting with the Student Money Team, Anwar applied to the Battersea Scholarship, and was awarded as the first scholar during his first semester at Surrey.

Thanks to the financial support the scholarship provides, Anwar is on a stable footing to embrace his future and is looking forward to completing a professional placement next academic year.

“It’s amazing that people from an institution that dates back to 1891 are creating opportunities for people like me now.

I feel grateful to them for funding this. I’m part of their legacy and I thank them for their support.”

“The money the Battersea alumni donated has made a real difference to me. It will make a difference to others who’ll benefit from this. I hope people continue to give.”

BSc in Business Management Battersea Scholar

REUBEN SAMBELLS

Reuben’s passion for music led him to pick Surrey as his first choice for university, because our Tonmeister course is world leading. He also knew the University had a world class reputation for placement years. However due to difficult financial circumstances Reuben was worried that he may not be able to prioritise a university education over the need to stay in employment.

The AIR Diversity Scholarship, for students from underrepresented ethnic groups, has transformed Reuben’s prospects. The financial support means that he can fully focus on his studies. The scholarship has also given Reuben access to fantastic opportunities such as a tour of AIR (Associated Independent Recording) studios and the opportunity to pursue placements at companies who are global leaders in their field.

JENNI SHIPP

Jenni joined Surrey in September 2020 studying Midwifery. As a parent to three young children, Jenni has had to juggle her studies and being a mum. With her youngest child still attending nursery, the scholarship has allowed her to complete her course without having to worry about paying nursery costs and the pressure of supporting a young family while studying.

Jenni has also been able to complete several placements while on her course including time on Royal Surrey County Hospital Shere Postnatal Ward and the Delivery Suite. While Jenni was there, she was able to deliver her first five babies, showing the real impact scholars like Jenni go on to make.

“Throughout my A-levels, I was determined to stay in employment against the advice of my teachers, because it was the only way to afford music tuition and start saving towards the cost of living I’d later face at uni. Thanks to the scholarship I’ve been able to completely prioritise my education where otherwise I wouldn’t be able to.”

BMus (Hons) Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) AIR Diversity Scholar

“The scholarship from the Ted Adams Trust has made such a difference to my studies, having taken away a huge amount of financial pressure from studying whilst raising a family. Thank you for your support and kindness.”

BSc (Hons) Midwifery Ted Adams Scholar

WHY I GIVE

Surrey has supporters from across the globe who are united by their desire to improve our students lives for the better. However, the journey to making a gift is different for everyone.

LUCY BARNES

Lucy Barnes came to Surrey in 2014 to study Law. Following her graduation in 2018, Lucy went on to become a barrister-at-law and obtained a Masters of Law.

Lucy experienced hardship first-hand at a young age. After a difficult childhood she was put into local authority care when she was 13. Lucy had no family support when she came to Surrey, so instead worked two part-time jobs in order to reach her graduation. Now, as a graduate and knowing first-hand the value of a Surrey education as well as the difficulty of studying without financial support from home, Lucy is supporting the next generation of Surrey students through scholarships.

“The University changed my life and having access to a scholarship would have made a huge difference to me.

Scholarships demonstrate compassion and help to dissolve stigmas. It is one of the reasons why I was so happy to support a scholarship, and I would encourage others to do so.”

LLB Law, 2018

YOU CAN CHANGE A STUDENT’S LIFE

Today, you can make a difference by investing in the future of our talented students. There are several ways you can support them to reach their full potential.

£1,000

can fund a scholarship recipient for their first semester at Surrey.

£3,000

can allow a student to take up a placement year in industry working for some of the leading companies around the world, significantly increasing their future employability when they leave Surrey.

£12,000

can support a student through the entirety of their course including an optional placement year in industry. This scholarship is paid in sums of £3,000 per year.

By supporting scholarships at Surrey, you can ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to talented students joining us on campus.

As a scholarship donor, you will receive regular updates on the students you support. You will also receive our quarterly supporter e-news and invitations to alumni events across the world.

If you would like further details on supporting our range of scholarships, please contact our team at alumni@surrey.ac.uk

Award

“This money will help me greatly both financially as well as emotionally as I no longer will be excessively worried about my financial situation and this will mean I can really make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Nirali Chokshi

BSc Biomedical Science Millett

Recipient

University of Surrey

Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK

E: alumni@surrey.ac.uk surrey.ac.uk/fundascholar