Leeds Beckett students awarded scholarships to support their studies

Each year a number of students are awarded our Bright Futures Scholarship, which is funded by regular donations from our alumni community and friends of the university. The scholarship is awarded to first-year students to support them throughout their studies.

This year, Hibah Khan studying Data Science, Nina Travis studying Social Work, and Orlagh Capper studying History and English have been selected for the award. Orlagh said: “I'm in my first term of university at Leeds Beckett and already I’ve learned so much. I chose History and English as I believe they are subjects that inspire us to grow and learn as a society.

“The Bright Futures Scholarship will go towards providing software that will help me to overcome the challenges I face with my academic writing. Having access to this kind of technology will allow me to keep up with my peers and manage academic expectations from my lectures. More importantly, this support will also encourage my own development and growth as a student and will help to build my confidence in my studies.”

For students studying subjects with the prestigious Carnegie School of Sport, we award two scholarships generously funded by alumni from the Carnegie Class of 75-77 and Carnegie Class of 78-82. This year’s recipients are Oliver Limburn, Elsbeth Innes and Jamieleigh Neale-Wright, all of whom are studying Physical Education.

Gursevak Singh and James Manders have been awarded The Andrew Platten Scholarship and The Paul Wilmott Scholarship, respectively. Paul and Andrew were both colleagues who made an outstanding contribution to the university in their respective schools, and the scholarships are awarded in their memory.

Two Law students with aspirations of making a difference have been awarded the Halifax Law Society Scholarship. Both Charlotte Cox and Syeda Begum have received the award that will support them throughout their studies. Syeda has said that her motivation to study law comes from a position of making positive social change: “I do not believe that people should be discriminated against for their gender, race and socioeconomic status, and I will make it my mission to encourage my friends and family to achieve great careers and to dream big.

“I will use this Halifax Law Society Scholarship to help aid my studies so I can pursue a career that makes a difference.”

The Halifax Law Society were so struck by the calibre of applicants to their scholarship this year that they decided to increase their scholarship amount for each scholar. Their scholarship aims to support Leeds Beckett students from the Calderdale area and to provide opportunities for those who have excelled in their entry qualifications.

Mental Health Nursing student Jessica Alton’s is the recipient of this year’s Professor Bligh Scholarship. Jessica hopes to have a career that will make an impact. She said: “I see this scholarship and mentoring programme as an extension of my university course and feel as though it will provide me with extra support to help me see things from a professional perspective. I have always excelled when I’ve been guided on a one-on-one basis, and it is a privilege to work alongside someone who is dedicated to helping me experiment and to enhance my way of thinking.”

The scholarship is awarded by alumnus Professor Bligh to a student who has an intellectual passion for their subject. The scholarship and mentorship programme is awarded to a first- or second-year student who has excellent in their studies.

Supporting our students studying finance related courses is the Sir Bob Murray CBE Scholarship. First awarded in 2012, this award is generously supported by the Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University. This year, two BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance students and one BA (Hons) Economics and Finance student have received this award.

Sir Bob, who himself graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 1972, said: “Now more than ever I hope that this scholarship will help and inspire these students to find the self-confidence to overcome barriers and understand that they too can succeed through hard work and determination.”

Hoping to make an impact in their respective fields of computer science and occupational therapy are Olivia Emms and Laura Yeardley. Olivia is our 2022/2023 recipient of the Cognni BSc Computer Science Scholarship, and Laura is our Soroptimist International of Leeds scholar. Both scholarships are given to students with outstanding potential, with the former seeking to support starters in the field of computer science, and the latter empowering women in STEM-related subjects.

Leeds Beckett is grateful to its alumni community and friends of the university for their dedicated support to our students.