News / UWE Bristol
Bursaries for disadvantaged students having ‘dramatic impact’ on outcomes
Aspiring designer and care leaver Josephine Gyasi was discouraged from pursuing a career in product design as it was considered too “academically rigorous”.
The 24-year-old followed her aspirations regardless and has now graduated with a first class degree from UWE Bristol, a coveted place at the prestigious New Designers exhibition in London to showcase her work and promising career prospects.
Josephine said her drive came from a desire to prove to herself, and others, that she could succeed, as well as changing preconceptions of a white male-dominated industry,
is needed now More than ever
As a teenager in foster care, it was the offer of financial support from the university that made pursuing her dreams a viable option.
This is a key goal for UWE, which is taking a leading role in improving inclusivity and preventing a disadvantaged background from being a barrier to higher education, through investment in its bursary scheme.
The financial support is proving effective at reducing disadvantage according to the latest research, which finds recipients are just as likely to earn a good degree or progress into a job as peers from middle income families, and are less likely to drop out because of financial worries.
UWE Bristol is working to improve inclusivity and prevent a disadvantaged background being a barrier to success. Photo by Dave Pratt
“It’s enormously pleasing to learn that our bursaries, which benefit students from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds in society, are having such a dramatic impact on outcomes,” said Suzanne Carrie, head of student inclusivity at UWE.
“The results of this study show very clearly that bursaries are effective in reducing the disadvantage that students from low income households and other difficult backgrounds might face in succeeding at university.
“This represents a huge validation of the sector-leading approach we are taking at UWE Bristol and its long-standing commitment to boost social mobility, improve inclusivity and ensure students from all sections of the community can reach their full potential. There’s still more to do but this is an important step forward.”
Bursaries are offered to under-represented groups – including care leavers and those from low income families – who are traditionally at greater risk of financial hardship and withdrawing from their studies.
UWE invested £4m in its bursary scheme last year to help 1,530 new undergraduates and a further £1m has been pledged for 2018-19.
Under the scheme, students from low income backgrounds are offered £1,500 over three years, while care leavers or those estranged from their families can receive enhanced bursaries worth up to £5,000.
Josephine showing part of the product that earned a Degree Show Project of the Year 2018 award
Josephine says she chose to study at UWE Bristol, in part, due to bursaries it offers care leavers.
“I definitely needed it,” she said. “Having the bursary coming in every three months was a lifesaver each time. It doesn’t seem like a lot but it was really important.”
For her final year project, Josephine created a natural beauty and skincare kit inspired by her African roots. Bearing Josephine’s middle name, ABENA is aimed at helping people make skin care products at home in a fun and educational way.
Josephine urged prospective students from underrepresented groups to do their homework on the financial support on offer in higher education before making a choice.
Josephine’s final project – ABENA, an all-natural inspired beauty brand that aims to aid users to home-make their own skincare products
The study was conducted with a statistical analysis using data from 2011-12 and 2014-15 UWE Bristol entrants, a survey of ‘funded’ and ‘unfunded’ second year students and interviews with second year students.
Read more: ‘We must have boundless ambition for the people in our care’
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
