Scholarships at Solent University

We recognise that for many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students, the playing field for entry into university isn’t always level and this can be a barrier to students from these under-represented backgrounds reaching their potential.

For students applying for 2024 entry to our undergraduate courses, Solent University is offering the BAME Student Scholarship.

These scholarships provide eligible first year undergraduate students, from specific ethnic backgrounds, £1,000 each to use towards their university tuition fees or the cost of student living.

How the scholarship is awarded

The scholarship is awarded in the form of £1,000 which can be used by first-year undergraduate students in the following ways:

• A £1,000 reduction of tuition fees for the first year of study.

or

• A £1,000 balance credit applied to the student's Solent University Everyday catering app account. The Everyday app is used to purchase food and drink consumables from any of the University's catering outlets, including Costa Coffee and Starbucks.

The scholarship is non means tested, non-repayable and available in addition to any other funding that you may also be eligible.

Successful applicants for this one-off scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Have applied for and hold a firm acceptance, full-time undergraduate course offer from Solent University.

• Are a UK national with ‘home’ fee status who identifies as having one of the following categories of ethnicity:

  • Asian or Asian British

    • Indian.

    • Pakistani.

    • Bangladeshi.

    • Chinese.

    • Any other Asian background.

  • Black, African, Caribbean or Black British

    • African.

    • Caribbean.

    • Any other Black, African or Caribbean background.

    • Other ethnic group.

  • Mixed multiple ethnic groups

    • Mixed White and Black Caribbean.

    • Mixed White and Black African.

    • Mixed White and Asian.

    • Any other Mixed or Multiple ethnic background.

  • Other ethnic groups

    • Arab.

    • Gypsy or Irish Traveller.

    • Any other ethnic group.

Solent University, Southampton is one of 30 English universities chosen to share an £8.1 million fund to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science scholarships. The funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Office for Artificial Intelligence (OAI) is being awarded by the Office for Students (OfS) to support the delivery of 27 scholarships to home students (£10,000 each) from eligible underrepresented groups, in order to increase diversity. Additionally, Solent University is to offer 6 scholarships to home and international students who meet the criteria.

Scholarship funding will be delivered to eligible students from the following underrepresented groups, with priority being given to the first four groups:

• Women,

• Black students,

• Students registered disabled,

• Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (Index of Multiple Disadvantage quintiles 1 and 2, low household income - UK students only) You can check if you live in Q1 or Q2 here.

• Care experienced students (UK students only),

• Estranged students (UK students only),

• Gypsy, Roma, Traveller student (resident in the UK),

• Refugees (resident in the UK),

• Children from UK military families, veterans, and partners of UK military personnel.

The scholarship can be used towards tuition fees or stipend (towards cost of equipment, living costs etc) required for the course, or a combination of both and you will be asked to specify this when applying for the scholarship.

Scholarships will be paid to the University to distribute to students who are in receipt of the scholarship. The University will pay the monies in four instalments over the duration of the course with the first payment being made at the start of the course.

Key dates

May 2024 intake:

• Deadline to apply: Friday 19 April 2024.

Solent University is committed to be a fair, diverse and cohesive University that challenges and tackles social inequality. We aim to foster a community with a culture of welcome, mutual trust, fairness, harmony and respect.

Our vision is to transform the lives of people from all backgrounds, through learning that is relevant to the real world. Our values create a university that is open to all, which celebrates different, and demonstrates a commitment to social justice and equality of opportunity.

In support of our vision and values, each year Solent University awards one Solent Sanctuary Scholarship consisting of a full yearly fee waiver and a £3,000 grant to a person seeking sanctuary studying on a three-year undergraduate programme.

To be eligible for the Solent Sanctuary Scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Seeking asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK, or the partner/dependant of someone seeking asylum or humanitarian protection; OR

• Someone, or the partner/dependent of someone, who has been granted Discretionary or Limited Leave to Remain, or some other form of temporary status.

AND

• Have a conditional or unconditional offer from Solent University.

• Be attending a school, college or voluntary group which can provide a reference in support of your application.

• Be unable to access mainstream funding for higher education ie, Student Finance.

• Not have a 'no study' immigration bail condition.

• Live within easy commuting distance of Solent University.

• Not require additional support for living expenses or accommodation, other than that provided through the Solent Sanctuary Scholarship.

All undergraduate programmes are open to Solent Sanctuary Scholarship applicants except BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Practice, BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing, foundation years, and apprenticeships.

Scholarships can be applied for by student-athletes competing at, or have the potential to compete at, national or international level.

Support package

The support package is delivered by a dedicated team who are fully committed to our student-athletes' development and sporting success. This includes:

• Strength and conditioning.

• Dual career and lifestyle services.

• Access to sport therapy support.

• Access to sports science laboratory testing support.

• Psychology support.

• Nutrition support.

• Athlete workshops.

• Bursary up to £5,000 and an additional funding pot.

Application criteria

New students

New students who wish to apply for a sport scholarship must:

• have accepted an offer for a full- or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate course,

• have competed at a minimum of national level (junior or senior) in the past 12 months, or show strong evidence of the potential to do so.

Current students

Current students who wish to apply for a sport scholarship must:

• be enrolled full- or part-time on an undergraduate or postgraduate course,

• have competed at a minimum of national level (junior or senior) in the last 12 months, or show strong evidence of the potential to do so.