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Scholarships remove barriers to postgraduate study

Posted on 9 October 2014

Sixty-eight students at the University of York have received scholarships to study Masters degrees as part of a multi-million pound scheme to encourage under-represented groups into postgraduate education.

York is a member of a consortium of six universities (Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Warwick and York) which secured £3m funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to develop innovative ways of attracting and supporting disadvantaged students into postgraduate study.

At York, the grant was used to promote access to taught Masters programmes starting in 2014/15. Each of the 68 students awarded a York Masters Opportunities Scholarship will receive £10,000 in the form of a full fee waiver combined with a stipend.

In addition, thanks to a generous donation by York alumnus Richard House, two further scholarships - the Tom and Eileen House Scholarships - have been awarded for tuition fees.

In total, the University of York will spend nearly £4m on postgraduate awards in 2014/15, including £680,000 under the HEFCE Postgraduate Support Scheme.

Simon Willis, the University of York’s Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions, said: “It has been shown that completing a postgraduate degree increases social mobility and plays a crucial part in creating a skilled workforce. The scholarships present a fantastic opportunity for these students to further their studies at one of the UK's foremost universities.

“We place great importance on social inclusion at York and are very pleased to have been able to offer 68 full Masters scholarships to students who otherwise might not have had an opportunity to study at this level.”

The £3m funding secured by the consortium was part of £25m distributed to universities and colleges as part of the HEFCE’s Postgraduate Support Scheme.

Dr Paul Wakeling, a Senior Lecturer in Education at York, who is an expert on access to postgraduate study, is leading the research that will underpin the project at York.

Dr Wakeling is also working on behalf of HEFCE and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to identify and advise on the emergent findings from the portfolio of 20 projects funded by HEFCE under the Postgraduate Support Scheme.

 

Meet some of the York Masters Opportunities Scholars:

For Heather Aspinall the Masters scholarship will help further her career ambitions of working in the postproduction side of the film and television industry.

Heather, 23, from Swindon, graduated in 2013 with a BA in Film and Media Studies (2:1) from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, but has found it difficult to find a permanent job.

Heather says: “I have been repeatedly told a permanent position would require further education or experience and that I needed to specialise my skills. Studying at York will therefore greatly improve my career prospects.”

Heather, who has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder (ADD), will study towards a Masters in Postproduction with Visual Effects. “I really enjoy editing and postproduction, as well as animation,” says Heather. “I might possibly open my own business editing videos in the future as I want to keep a connection with the customer.”

She chose York because of the quality of the facilities offered by the Department of Theatre, Film and Television, and because of the city’s proximity to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

She says: “I’m looking forward to the networking opportunities through Careers and Alumni events and to group working as part of my course.” 

Daniel Mitchell, 22,is no stranger to York having graduated from the University this summer with a First Class Honours degree in Economics and Politics.

But his time at York as an undergraduate was not without its challenges: in his second year he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which caused problems with concentration and exams.

Despite this, he not only achieved an excellent degree, but worked as a vacancy assistant for the University’s Careers team and completed internships with Deloitte and the Government’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The experience at BIS has confirmed Daniel’s interest in econometrics and he will study for an MSc in Econometrics and Economics. Afterwards, he hopes to either work in government or pursue a PhD. He has been invited to attend a Civil Service Fast Stream Assessment Centre this term.

Daniel, who is from Birmingham and is the first person in his family to attend university, says: “The specialised Masters degree will definitely help me achieve my ambitions. Specialisation helps you to find a job you enjoy and can do well, and opens up careers in industry and further academic study. I wouldn’t be doing the Masters without the funding as I couldn’t have afforded it.” 

During her undergraduate studies, Leigh Whitlie was fascinated by Renaissance literature, choosing to study as many modules in this area as she could.

Without the York Masters Opportunity Scholarship, she would not have been able to follow the MA in Renaissance Literature 1500-1700 at York.

Leigh, 22, from Newcastle upon Tyne, says: “I would have had to have taken a year or two out to raise the money, which would have been a massive upheaval. I was so happy and relieved when I heard I had got the award as it meant so much to me. I’m very grateful and hope I can prove that I deserve it.”

Leigh graduated from Queen Mary, University of London in July 2014 with a BA Honours Degree in English (2:1). She hopes the Masters at York will lead to a PhD or to a job in publishing. “The Masters will give me better proof-reading and editing skills which can be transferred to publishing and other jobs,” she says. “I have completed work experience with two publishing houses and know how competitive it is and that you have got to be very persistent. The Masters could give me the extra edge.”

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