The new RTS bursary scholars have been announced
The RTS has this year invested £75,000 in two schemes – offering 20 bursaries for Television Production and Broadcast Journalism students and, for the first time, five bursaries for Computing and Engineering undergraduates. The bursaries aim to widen participation in media and related industries and support talented students from lower income backgrounds seeking to pursue a career in television. During their studies, each scholar will be given £1,000 per year to assist with their expenses.
In addition, each beneficiary will receive mentoring and free membership of the RTS and The Hospital Club and one year’s free membership of the RTS after they graduate.
Theresa Wise, RTS CEO, says “The RTS is proud to be providing crucial support to talented individuals seeking to work in television and its related fields. We are committed to increasing diversity in the industry and safeguarding its future by giving a helping hand to the next generation of rising stars, some of whom might not have otherwise considered a career in TV. The response we’ve had to our two schemes has been fantastic but following an exacting selection process I’m excited to say we have 25 beneficiaries – all of whom stood-out and demonstrated real ambition and commitment to learning. We wish them all the best for the next three years and look forward to following their progress.”
Graeme Thompson, Chair of the RTS Education Committee and Dean of Arts, Design and Media at Sunderland University, adds “We were so impressed this year with the calibre of RTS Undergraduate Bursary applicants. It’s hugely exciting to see such a high number of talented individuals seeking to work in the TV industry. The bursary definitely makes it easier for them to contemplate university education, but the mentoring and support they’ll receive from the RTS throughout their studies is priceless.”
Simon Pitts, Chair of the RTS Technology Bursaries and Managing Director, Online, Pay TV, Interactive and Technology, ITV, says: “It’s vital we attract more engineers and computer scientists to the TV industry so our aim with these bursaries was to encourage students with these interests to consider a career in television. We were extremely pleased with the response and I’m delighted to say we have selected five outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a real interest in and commitment to succeed in the industry.”
The scholars were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK students applying for courses at accredited Universities.
Full list of Television Production and Broadcast Journalism bursary scholars in 2015:
Thomas Bartley from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production course at Ravensbourne.
David Birt from Southampton is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television and Video Production course at Southampton Solent University.
Joseph Cassidy from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at Bournemouth University.
Christopher Chapman from Gloucestershire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at University of Westminster.
Zahra Clembintson from Norfolk, is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism course at University of Leeds.
James Cordell from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at University of Westminster.
Abigail Freeman from Hertfordshire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism course at University of Leeds.
Louis Garner from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Media / Film Production course at University of Staffordshire.
Victor Hampson from Dorset is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at University of Gloucestershire.
Connar James Mills from Essex, is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Media / Film Production course at University of Staffordshire.
Cassie Nunn-Price from Berkshire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course at University of Central Lancashire.
Zoe Phillips from Aberdeenshire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism course at Glasgow Caledonian.
Maxine Sibanda from Sheffield is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Film and Television Production course at University of York.
Stephen Small from County Tyrone is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at University of Westminster.
Rhys Stacey from Hampshire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Scriptwriting for Film and Television course at Bournemouth University.
Josh Stevenson from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Television Production course at Bournemouth University.
Jed Stoker from Tyne & Wear is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Broadcast Media Production course at University of Sunderland.
Luke Tapley from Hereford is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production course at Ravensbourne.
Lucy Thomas from Pembrokeshire is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism course at Bournemouth University.
Paula Ugochukwu from Middlesex is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BA (Hons) Journalism Studies course at University of Sheffield.
Full list of Technology bursary scholars in 2015:
Henry Hargreaves from Cornwall is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BSc Hons/MSci Computer Science course at University of St Andrews.
Abigail Howell from London is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BEng/MEng Computing course at Imperial College.
Bede Kelly from Essex is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the BSc Hons/MSc Computer Science course at University of Birmingham.
James Martin from Leicester is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the MEng Engineering course at Durham University.
Owen Matthew McGowan from County Tyrone is awarded £1,000 per year towards studying the MEng Engineering Science course at Oxford University.
The photographs are by Paul Hampartsoumian.
