Thu 8th December, 2011
The University of Bedfordshire will offer high performing students up to £3,000 each a year.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE DL launched the University’s 2012-13 £3m programme of student financial assistance at a special event at Luton Sixth Form College.
Professor Ebdon was speaking to more than 60 students, many of whom are preparing to apply to university in 2012 or 2013.
Professor Ebdon’s speech highlighted the new Centenary Scholarships, which will be launched at the University next month. The Centenary Scholarship, named after the first such scholarship to benefit the people of Luton in 1903, will be available to students from next year, who achieve AAB grades (340 UCAS points) or higher in their studies in 2012 prior to entering the University. It is worth a total of £9,000 (£3,000 per year) provided students maintain a 2:1 average throughout their studies.
Professor Ebdon told students at the launch: “When I first came to the University we talked about how important it was that this was the University of Choice for local students.
“We are investing £180m in new facilities, because we know people are making a significant decision by going to university.”
He said that in spite of the rise in tuition fees next year, university would remain the “best career move” in terms of the potential for increased earnings over a lifetime and choice of jobs.
“There is a substantial return on the investment that you make” he said, going on to explain that students would not have to pay up front for tuition and would only start to repay once they were earning £21,000 a year or more.
Principal of Luton Sixth Form College Simon Kitchener said: “Helping students progress to higher education is one of the main aims of the College. We think it’s very exciting that the University has chosen to launch its new scheme here.”
Around 150 students from the College go on to study at the University of Bedfordshire every year, and Mr Kitchener said he had seen no sign that the £9,000 tuition fees being brought in in 2012 were having an impact on the number of applications.
But he said it was more likely that in the current economic climate, students would choose to study closer to home.
“The University has a national and international reputation for its teaching and for the percentage of students who go on to employment.
“I know a number of AAB students at Luton Sixth Form have already applied to study at the University of Bedfordshire and hope the scheme will encourage more to do that.”
For more information about the Centenary Scholarships and other bursaries and scholarships schemes available at the University visit: www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Latest news» 2011» December» Vice Chancellor launches £3m bursaries and scholarships programme
