Your impact through Gold Scholarships
A Gold Scholarship is so much more than just financial support: it’s a real sense of belonging at Bath.
Established in 2017 as part of our Look Further campaign, the Gold Scholarship Programme (GSP) provides bursaries, mentoring and skills training to up to 50 promising young people per year.
“The Gold Scholarship Programme enabled me to develop softer skills and I feel like a much more confident and well-rounded individual,” explains Will Manley, who was part of our first GSP cohort to graduate last summer. He has now gone on to further study at the University of Oxford. He continues:
I will look back at the Programme as a highlight of my time at Bath.
A helping hand
Mature student Mason Excell thought university wasn’t possible after missing his A-levels due to illness. However, after exploring his options, he completed an Access course to secure a place to study Sport & Exercise Science. A Gold Scholarship, funded by alumnus Eur Ing Dr Brian Nicholson QC, meant that support was on offer.
“I would like to thank you for kindly providing the scholarship and facilitating my continued development,” says Mason. “The volunteering opportunities I’ve participated in have enabled me to develop skills, as well as giving me a great sense of satisfaction in being able to pass on the knowledge and experience I have for the benefit of others.”
Driving force for good
The National Express Group has granted £36,000 to fund four Gold Scholarships for the next three years. Then Group CEO and alumnus Dean Finch has also made a personal donation to support a fifth scholarship.
“Your scholarship has opened a door and the prospect of a brighter future and will play a key role in shaping me into a successful person,” says one recipient. “I can only hope that one day, I too will be in a position to bring a smile to another student.”
Opportunity beckons
Last year, 23 donors gave a total of £5,116 to our Gold Scholarship Opportunities Fund appeal. The Fund levels the playing field by enabling Gold Scholars to undertake activities that will support their future careers, such as volunteering work, attending conferences or elite sports camps, and taking professional qualifications.
The Fund was established in 2019 by Kate Aldridge, who was herself a recipient of an Alumni Fund Scholarship, and 15 Gold Scholars have benefited from grants so far.
Learn how the Opportunities Fund helped Ghazala
Read about her time spent volunteering in a Greek refugee camp