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Bursary Applicant Information

The application for the bursary is now closed.
 

1. Eligibility Criteria

This programme is funded by Designventure Academy. It aims to support students from backgrounds under-represented in higher education. We are looking for applicants who attend non-fee paying schools in the UK and who meet at least one of the following criteria. The more of these criteria that you meet, the more likely you are to be offered a place.
 

We require:
 

  • You can attend one of our taster sessions (9th or 15th of June) - Register from here 

  • You can attend one of our summer internships (Week 12th or 19th of August) - Details are available from here
     

We will prioritise your application if: 

  • You are currently or have previously been in care


We will also assess whether:

  • You are entitled to receive free school meals or pupil premium

  • Your family income is below £50,000 per year

  • Your parents/guardians do not have a university degree

  • Your school has a high percentage of students receiving free school meals

  • Your school has below-average attainment

  • You live in a neighbourhood with low overall progression rates to higher education (we use POLAR4 and IMD data to assess this)

  • You are a young carer*
    * A young carer is someone under 18 years of age who helps look after a relative who has a condition such as a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol dependency. They do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone to get dressed and move around.

  • You or/and your family have a BAME background*
    *BAME stands for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, including but not limited to Black British, Asian British, mixed-race individuals, and individuals from other minority ethnic groups.
     

2. How to Apply

Applications for summer 2024 closed on the 12nd of May. Late applications cannot be considered. 

Email info@designventure.org to apply with information with:
 

  • A date of  taster session you are going to attend

  • A week of summer Internship you can attend

  • School you attend

  • Subjects you are currently studying

  • The course(s) you plan to study for further education if it is applicable

  • Future aspirations after school or higher education 

  • The eligibility criteria you meet  

  • A contact email address and number of a parent/guardian and a teacher at your current school

  • A short personal statement* 
    *Tell us more about why you are applying for this programme and what you hope to get out of the experience.
     

As part of the application process, we will seek references from a parent/guardian and a teacher at your current school. Please speak to the individuals you would like to provide these references in advance, so you can check you have the correct email address and contact numbers for them and that they are happy to support your application.
 

Once you have successfully submitted your application and the application is short-listed, we will email your parent/guardian and teacher referees, asking for more information to support your application.
 

The reference forms ask similar questions about the eligibility criteria and include the opportunity to provide a supporting statement. These statements can be used to let us know about other challenges you may have faced and/or what you might get out of participating in the programme. 

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3. Decisions

We will release decisions via email by 16 June 2024. If you are offered a place on the programme, or on the waitlist, you will have a limited amount of time to accept this offer and send back your conditional documents. Successful applicants will receive details on the next steps.
 

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