The University Student Financial Support team is providing financial support to Black and mixed Black heritage students with a household income of up to £27,000. To qualify, students must have a home address in an area with low higher education participation () or in a generally disadvantaged area (Indices of Multiple Deprivation quintile 1 or 2), as recorded on their RISIS student record. This support is part of our Access and Participation Plan commitments.
Why have we introduced this Bursary?
Research shows that students from minority ethnic backgrounds face unique challenges which make it harder to receive top grades at university. This is true even for students with the highest entry qualifications.
Our data tells us that our minority ethnic students are more likely to experience financial hardship and less likely to complete their course. Minority ethnic students who do stay on their course are less likely to get a good result from their degree, even if they receive the bursary. These problems affect Black students the most.
Financial awards aren’t designed to address the root causes of these systemic problems but they are a form of support to help ‘close the gaps’ and level the playing field.
Am I eligible?
A new student starting their studies in 2024/25 will need to meet each of the following eligibility criteria to be awarded the Reading Equity Student Bursary:
- Come from a Black African, Black Caribbean or mixed Black African, Black Caribbean ethnic background. The ethnicity data used to assess eligibility for this bursary is taken from the personal details confirmed by students during online enrolment on their RISIS student record. This data cannot be changed once online enrolment has been completed.
- Be registered on a full-time undergraduate programme with an assessed household income of up to £27,000 that is confirmed by their Student Finance Authority in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland entering in 2024/25 for year 1 of study, and;
- Have a home address recorded on their RISIS student record that falls within an area of low participation of young people progressing into higher education (POLAR4 or TUNDRA quintile 1 or 2) or be considered to be from an area of general disadvantage according to the governments Indices of Multiple Deprivation quintile 1 or 2. Please note that if you are a recipient of the University Care experienced and estrangement bursary the requirement to meet this eligibility criteria will not apply.
Applying for the Reading Equity Student Bursary
Eligible students do not need to apply for this funding. It will be awarded automatically to eligible students who meet the criteria above and give consent to share their financial information as part of their Student Finance Authority means-tested application. Eligibility will be assessed on an annual basis according to the eligibility criteria in place for that particular academic year.
Call 0300 100 0607 (England), 0300 200 4050 (Wales), 0300 100 0077 (N. Ireland) or 0131 244 5341 (Scotland) to check that you have given consent to share, you will need to state your Customer Reference Number.
Allocation Deadline
Any eligible student may be able to receive this funding. Bursary payments will be made in May 2025 after the allocation deadline of 31st March 2025. Any student who has not made their finalised household income information available to the University at this point will not be considered for this bursary. Please note that the University will not award bursaries after this cut-off date or for previous academic years.
Cash Bursary
The cash bursary of £500 will be paid to eligible students in one instalment in May 2025. Payments will only be made to students who are enrolled as current students at the time the payment is due to be made.
Receipt of the Reading Equity Student Bursary funding will not prohibit you from applying for other University funds but please remember that the amount of cash bursary you receive may be taken into account as income for funding applications and in benefit calculations.
Further information
For further information please contact the Student Financial Support team in the Carrington Building.
Telephone +44 (0) 118 378 5555 or email studentfunding@reading.ac.uk