University of Derby launches £1,000 Derbyshire Bursary

The University of Derby has launched a bursary to encourage more people in the county to participate in higher education and develop the necessary skills to help grow the local economy.

Derbyshire residents and students from eligible schools across Derbyshire, who apply to study first year full-time undergraduate courses starting in September 2018 at the University, will receive the £1,000 Derbyshire Bursary to help support them through their first academic year of study.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “I am delighted to announce our Derbyshire Bursary. This significant investment will support school leavers in Derbyshire in making the transition from school to higher education, and people considering a return to higher education study.”

The government’s Industrial Strategy, the Midlands Engine initiative and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Strategy for Growth 2013-2023 have identified that skills need to be nurtured in order to address national skill shortages, and the bursary aims to address this to provide the region’s businesses with ‘work-ready’ graduates.

Professor Mitchell added: “We are proud to be the only University in Derbyshire and recognise the role we have to play in raising aspirations and boosting skills across our county.

“Studying a degree is a big decision and financial commitment, but the benefits of higher education are well known and we have seen so many examples at Derby where it has genuinely transformed people’s lives. Through this bursary we want to open up the opportunity to as many people as possible, including school leavers and mature students, so that they can develop the technical and professional skills required for their careers after graduation.”

To qualify, students need to apply for a first year undergraduate place on a full-time course with University of Derby by 15 January 2018. Providing they meet the requirements of the entry offer, the bursary will be paid into their bank account during the first academic year of study.

In addition to bursaries, the University provides a range of additional financial assistance for students including a £100 study resource e-voucher to spend at Blackwell’s bookstore and free bus travel on the Derby Unibus services.

For more details about the eligible schools, courses and for full terms and conditions visit www.derby.ac.uk/derbyshire-bursary.

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