To date, the RTS has invested more than £1m to support almost 300 bursaries.

The 2022 intake includes eight students who receive a new RTS Digital Innovation Bursary, in addition to those studying TV production and broadcast journalism. STV continues to back the scheme by providing 10 of the bursaries, with a further two supported by the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund, started in honour of the late journalist.

New for this intake of scholars, is the Beryl Vertue Scholarship, supported by Hartswood Films. Vertue, who died earlier this year, founded the indie, which made the hugely popular Men Behaving Badly and Sherlock.

One television production scholar will be chosen each year by Beryl’s daughters, Sue and Debbie Vertue, from among the top-scoring applicants for an RTS bursary. “Beryl was a huge advocate for supporting the next generation of television production talent, so it’s a fitting tribute to be awarding a bursary in her name,” they said.

The bursary schemes support young people from lower-income backgrounds wanting to work in the television industry.

Scholars receive £1,000 a year to assist with their expenses and living costs, as well as free RTS membership during their studies and for a year following graduation. In their final year of study, the RTS aims to provide mentor- ing opportunities. The Steve Hewlett and Beryl Vertue scholars receive £2,000 a year.

More than 80% of graduates from the first five years of the scheme are working in TV or related industries. 

Find out more about the RTS bursary scheme here: https://rts.org.uk/bursaries