Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.
Thanks for sending your response.
Your input will help us improve your experience.
Thanks for sending your response.
Your input will help us improve your experience.You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.
British rapper Stormzy today announced he will fund two black British students to study at the University of Cambridge, with a new scholarship.
The ‘Stormzy Scholarship’ will cover the students’ full tuition fees, as well as providing a maintenance grant for up to four years of an undergraduate degree. There will be two awards in 2018, and two more in 2019, worth a total of £18,000 each. This will significantly reduce the need for the winners to take out government or commercial loans in order to fund their studies.
It’s not the first time Stormzy’s supported students, having previously donated £9,000 to a student’s crowdfunding campaign so she could study at Harvard University in the US.
‘Shocking’ lack of diversity at Cambridge
The news follows recent criticism for what’s been called a ‘shocking’ lack of representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students at Cambridge, with some colleges not admitting any black students at all between 2012 and 2016. Statistics from Cambridge, which were highlighted by the university’s African Caribbean Society (ACS), showed that only 15 black male undergraduates were accepted in 2015.
There are small signs of progress, as 58 black students commenced courses in 2017, which the university’s Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope called “the largest number ever”, “but not nearly as many as we would like.”
Stormzy said: "There are so many young black kids all over the country who have the level of academic excellence to study at a university such as Cambridge - however we are still under represented at leading universities.
“It's so important for black students, especially, to be aware that it can 100 percent be an option to attend a university of this caliber."
He added that he hoped the scholarship serves as a reminder that the opportunity for black students to study at one of the best universities in the world “is (theirs) for the taking - and if funding is one of the barriers, then we can work towards breaking that barrier down.”
Have a confirmed place to study an undergraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, commencing in October 2018
Be classed as a Home student in terms of fee status
Have applied and been accepted for the usual student loan and maintenance grant from Student Finance England
If you’re applying, you’ll need to be quick, as the closing date for applications for the 2018 round is August 30. Those who want to study at Cambridge in 2019 need to apply by the regular October 15 deadline. The winner will be decided by a selection panel of university staff who will consider your household income, socio-economic background and personal statement. Full application details can be found here.
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
Views
Stormzy Launches New Cambridge Scholarship for Black Students
Sabrina Collier
Updated Jun 07, 2019Save
Share
Share via
Share this Page12
Table of contents
Table of contents
British rapper Stormzy today announced he will fund two black British students to study at the University of Cambridge, with a new scholarship.
The ‘Stormzy Scholarship’ will cover the students’ full tuition fees, as well as providing a maintenance grant for up to four years of an undergraduate degree. There will be two awards in 2018, and two more in 2019, worth a total of £18,000 each. This will significantly reduce the need for the winners to take out government or commercial loans in order to fund their studies.
It’s not the first time Stormzy’s supported students, having previously donated £9,000 to a student’s crowdfunding campaign so she could study at Harvard University in the US.
‘Shocking’ lack of diversity at Cambridge
The news follows recent criticism for what’s been called a ‘shocking’ lack of representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students at Cambridge, with some colleges not admitting any black students at all between 2012 and 2016. Statistics from Cambridge, which were highlighted by the university’s African Caribbean Society (ACS), showed that only 15 black male undergraduates were accepted in 2015.
There are small signs of progress, as 58 black students commenced courses in 2017, which the university’s Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope called “the largest number ever”, “but not nearly as many as we would like.”
Stormzy said: "There are so many young black kids all over the country who have the level of academic excellence to study at a university such as Cambridge - however we are still under represented at leading universities.
“It's so important for black students, especially, to be aware that it can 100 percent be an option to attend a university of this caliber."
He added that he hoped the scholarship serves as a reminder that the opportunity for black students to study at one of the best universities in the world “is (theirs) for the taking - and if funding is one of the barriers, then we can work towards breaking that barrier down.”
Testimonials
How to apply
To apply for a Stormzy Scholarship, you should:
If you’re applying, you’ll need to be quick, as the closing date for applications for the 2018 round is August 30. Those who want to study at Cambridge in 2019 need to apply by the regular October 15 deadline. The winner will be decided by a selection panel of university staff who will consider your household income, socio-economic background and personal statement. Full application details can be found here.
+ 5 others
saved this article
+ 6 others saved this article
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
Recommended articles Last year
Top universities for environmental and social sustainability
QS ImpACT Women’s Scholarship: 2024 winner
From tackling sustainability with Future17 to working on space exploration