A new funding scheme in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences has awarded 21 students with grants of £1,000 or £500 to help support them during their placement year.

Placements in the humanities and social sciences are often unpaid or lowly paid; this funding provides practical assistance enabling students to make the most of the personal, academic and career development opportunities provided during their placements.

Supporting students

Recipients from across the Faculty will be undertaking placements across the globe and in a variety of different sectors and roles. These include:

BSc (Hons) Social Work and Applied Social Sciences student and funding recipient Sharon King said: "It has been a difficult but very rewarding journey back into education and one I was not expecting to do, especially whilst being a full-time carer as well. I am thrilled with the award! I hope I will be able to achieve the degree I have worked so hard for and your financial award will make things easier for me and my family."

There were 74 applications for funding from across the Faculty. Awards were given based on the placement having a social or charitably beneficial focus, its ability to complement Faculty research interests and identifiable opportunities to develop academic or international connections.

Applications from students from a widening participation background - including mature students, student carers and Bath Bursary - were also prioritised, as these students particularly struggle with funding their placement year.