A key priority of the York Unlimited Campaign is to enable every student to shine. We want to help students overcome barriers by offering scholarships to talented students who may otherwise struggle.

The York Opportunity Scholarship provides financial support to students who have faced significant challenges in their personal, social and domestic life. We are currently receiving record high numbers of applications for the York Opportunity Scholarship, a number which is growing each year. Thanks to the kindness of our alumni, friends and supporters, we were able to offer 96 students a York Opportunity Scholarship in the 21/22 academic year, more than ever before. The effects of Covid-19 and the current economic climate have meant that many students from less advantaged backgrounds have had to face the difficult decision as to whether or not to enrol at university. These scholarships help to level the playing field, ensuring that students from all backgrounds are able to access a York education and reach their potential.

We were delighted to partner with the Aziz Foundation to offer the Aziz Foundation Scholarships. These postgraduate scholarships support exceptional students from British Muslim backgrounds, who wish to advance in their careers and bring positive change to their communities and beyond. The first Aziz Scholars began their studies in the 22/23 academic year. We are honoured to partner with Aziz to support the leaders of tomorrow.

In the 21/22 academic year, over 350 students were being supported by scholarships across the University, all of which were funded by kind gifts from individuals, businesses and charitable donations. We are so grateful to all of our supporters who are helping to build a brighter future for our students. 

The University of York was founded on the belief that opening up the opportunity to go to university matters more than almost anything else. The University is deeply committed to encouraging talented young people, regardless of background, to meet their full potential. This year, we partnered with IntoUniversity and the University of Hull to establish three new learning centres for children growing up in East Hull, Bridlington and East Marsh Grimsby. These learning centres will support low-income students to defy the odds stacked against them, and realise the futures they may never have dreamed possible. This will be achieved through academic support, enrichment, mentoring and workshops to encourage young people to think about their future. The Hull East Centre opened in September 2022, and we are so thankful to our supporters who have helped to make this possible.

Leaving a gift in your will can help to support students and fund life-changing research, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come. Thanks to a generous legacy gift from Thomas Gordon Reid, the Reid Scholarship was established to support students in their study, research and travel in the field of worldwide archaeology. The scholarship is in memory of Thomas and his brother, David Julian Reid.

The first Reid Scholarship was awarded to first year PhD student, Leila, in the 21/22 academic year, who was “incredibly excited for this opportunity to contribute to our understanding of field-based digital recording techniques and their impact on our perceptions and dissemination of archaeology.”

We are also incredibly grateful to Mark Stevens, whose thoughtful and generous legacy gift will support History students during their studies here at York and champion their college participation. The first scholarship was awarded at the start of the 22/23 academic year.