In our first-round bursary programme for 2019, we awarded two new bursaries of £10,000 per year to two educational institutions.
Open all
Close all
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham are using a £10,000 annual grant for three years to create a new National Express scholarship for local students from the most financially disadvantaged backgrounds. This award, designed with the values of the National Express Foundation in mind, will widen access to both Higher Education and employment by actively supporting students through internships and work experience.
George Reeves, Development Executive at University of Birmingham, said
“We would like to thank the National Express Foundation for funding a new scholarship that will seek to overcome the barriers to both a university education and postgraduate employment, by supporting both living costs and a short-term internship or period of work experience. This programme will be a unique and much-needed award that will help to provide a rigorous education and meaningful employment opportunities to young people in the West Midlands region, thus changing lives and promoting social mobility.”
Halesowen College
Halesowen College, based in the Black Country, will use an award of £20,000 over two years to support around 100 students completing level one and two programmes. The bursaries will be made to allow recipients to participate in activities that will increase their awareness of and progression to higher education. The wider Dudley area, from which the college draw a large percentage of their student numbers, has one of the lowest progression rates to higher education in the country.
John Murray, Director of Organisational Development said:
“This funding is specifically geared to address sections of our student body that current funding streams miss. It will give level one and two students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of career opportunities and HE pathways. We are committed to giving all our students the best possible chance for their future and trust that they will ultimately boost the prosperity of the Black Country. National Express share that vision and we are grateful for their support”