Recruiting its eighth intake of Television Production and Journalism bursary scholars, with the schemes running since 2014, the RTS hopes to award 35 scholarships to individuals studying Television Production or related subjects, with an additional 10 scholarships for the Technology Bursary.
The visit celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Society, of which the prince has been patron since 1997, and took place at ITV Studios in London.
A reception was attended by some of the leading figures from the UK television industry including BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore, Secretary of State Matt Hancock, Chief Executive of Channel 4 Alex Mahon and Chief Executive of ITV Dame Carolyn McCall.
The RTS is delighted to announce that British television presenter AJ Odudu will be an Ambassador for the scheme, which will see her meeting and mentoring the scholars and attending bursaries events, as well as using her platform to highlight the importance of the RTS bursary schemes for up-and-coming talent in the television industry.
Across the 44 recipients, 34 were selected for the TV Production and Journalism Bursary (TVPJ) and 10 for the Digital Innovation Bursary (DI). Two TVPJ recipients were also awarded named scholarships. Amelia Nicola, receiving the Steve Hewlett Scholarship, and Cerys Horner the Beryl Vertue Scholarship, introduced by the RTS in 2022 for a candidate with an interest in producing.
In late June, Fremantle UK hosted the RTS’s annual summer networking session, welcoming past and present RTS Bursary scholars to their London office. Alongside their personal mentors, the attendees connected and exchanged contacts with each other and industry professionals.
Watch the 2022/23 RTS Bursary scholar video diaries below:
One of the core goals of the RTS is to support the television industry in reflecting the exciting and diverse voices of Britain today which starts by changing the industry from the inside, championing and helping talented students to consider the creative industries.
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.
The prestigious RTS bursary schemes support young people from lower income backgrounds who are interested in working in the television industry, from production or related subjects through to technology roles.
For 2022, a total of 45 bursaries have been awarded across TV Production and Journalism and the newly created Digital Innovation Bursary. The new Digital Innovation Bursary is in place to support students specifically in the digital space who are pushing boundaries and innovating, and for 2022 eight students have received the inaugural bursary.
The RTS runs three pioneering schemes – the TV Production and Journalism Bursary, the Digital Innovation Bursary and the Steve Hewlett Scholarship.
