The RTS Bursary scheme was launched in Autumn 2013 by our Royal Patron, the Prince of Wales. Since its creation, the scheme has gone from strength to strength; expanding not only in size and number, but in the depth and breadth of scholars and the courses they study.

RTS Bursaries are awarded to students from less-affluent backgrounds who demonstrate potential and determination. They must be studying TV Production and Journalism or related subjects, or degrees such as Physics, Maths, Computer Science and VFX. We encourage both current first-year students and those about to start a degree or HND Level 5 or 6 course in September to apply.

As well as providing free RTS membership; industry mentoring; and access to the latest events and lectures, we support bursary students financially, awarding £1000 per academic year of study. We will award one to two exceptional applicants from the TV Production Bursary submissions a ‘Steve Hewlett Scholarship.’ This entitles the scholar(s) to all the perks of the TV Production Bursary, but with a financial contribution of £2000 per academic year and additional support, mentoring and opportunities from the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund.  

What sets our Bursary scheme apart from similar programmes is its emphasis on networking. Being an RTS Bursary Scholar opens up a wealth of opportunities and contacts: from attending exclusive RTS events and being paired up with mentors our students have gone onto secure not only work experiences and year-long placements, but also full-time jobs. Approximately 80% of our graduating cohorts have secured employment within the television broadcast industries since the schemes creation.

The RTS wants the television industry to reflect the exciting, diverse and talented voices of the Britain of today. We want to change the television industry from the inside out and that starts with getting more socially, economically and culturally diverse voices making and creating television programmes.

The RTS Bursary Scheme submission window is now closed for 2021 and will re-open in March 2022.