Scholarships and Bursaries
Thanks to the generosity of University College alumni, we are able to offer financial support to recognise our students’ extraordinary work and achievements and help them reach their full potential. The support available is broadly divided into help for current and prospective University College students.
Access & opportunities support, awards and bursaries help to address any unexpected financial difficulties and create co-curricular and academic engagement opportunities. They also help to recognise our students’ achievement and involvement in College life.
We are also delighted to be able to offer a small number of competitive scholarships, which are open to incoming students and those wishing to continue their education.
Past recipients of these awards share their stories in our annual publication, Non Nobis Solum which can be found at: https://www.castlealumni.uk/giving/impact
Current Students
Access Fund helps to address unexpected financial difficulties our students find themselves facing during their time at University College. Its aim is to redress challenges which would prevent current Castle students from participating in their course or continuing their education. Hardship funds have been provided to assist students with textbook purchases, accommodation fee shortfalls, and essential travel (for example to and from lectures and academic placements).
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, and in addition to the support available from the college office, we are able to provide a small number of named awards for students in the most dire circumstances. These include:
- The Worswick Hardship Fund
- The Eva Schumacher-Reid Fund
Eligibility: The Hardship Fund is open to current University College students who had a sound financial plan in place at the beginning of the academic year, but who found themselves facing unexpected financial hardship thereafter.
Award Range: Up to £300. Additional named funding of up to £500 may be available in extraordinary circumstances.
Frequency of Award Panels: Once every academic term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students each academic term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College Student Support Office representatives.
Founded in 1844 in memory of John Pemberton to support University College students. Pemberton bursary is an opportunity fund which assists University College students who do not receive financial support or have a household income below £42,000pa to access opportunities in College and beyond and reach their full potential. The award has broad eligibility criteria and supports employability, travel or academic research in the broadest sense, as long as these would make a considerable difference to the applicant.
Award Range: We will invite applications for grants up to £500, higher awards may be considered at the discretion of the panel in extraordinary circumstances
Frequency of Award Panels: There are up to five awards available each term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
Established through generosity of Canon Geoffrey Williams in 1986/87 to support student academic advancement. The bursary is open to University College postgraduate students seeking support for the costs of academic research or conference attendance.
Award Range: Two awards of up to £400
Frequency of Award Panels: Usually awarded during the Epiphany Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
The Michael McCarthy Memorial Fund at University College was established by Michael and Mary McCarthy in memory of their son, Michael. The fund supports travel bursaries for University College students to visit the USA as a means of enhancing their academic development. During the selection process, preference will be given to postgraduate applicants.
Award Range: Up to £500 towards the costs associated with travel; higher awards may be available in extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of the panel
Frequency of Award Panels: Usually awarded during the Epiphany Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
Established by an alumnus of University College, John Crowther, to support a University College undergraduate student in their final year of a Maths degree, on track for graduating with a First-class degree, and who is involved in college sport.
Award Range: One award of £750 available
Frequency of Award Panels: One award made annually in the Easter Term. Students should apply in their penultimate year of study.
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
Set up by University College alumnus, Hunter Davies, the award recognises the best piece of investigative journalism in the Palatinate over the course of the academic year. Award is open to all Durham University students. We accept one submission per student journalist. We are also happy to receive nominations and recommendations from current students who are not involved in writing for the palatinate, but who find any articles published particularly insightful.
Award Range: One award of £100 available
Frequency of Award Panels: One award made annually in the Easter Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
Founded in 1962/63 by David Loveday, Bishop of Dorchester, in memory of his brother, John Loveday, an alumnus of University College (1900-1904). There are two awards one each to:
- Support a University College Student who is reading Classics and who can demonstrate a strong academic record in the subject.
- Recognise a University College student who has served the College community with distinction
Award Range: Two awards of £300 each
Frequency of Award Panels: Usually awarded in the Easter Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
The Bythell Travel Bursary is a monument to Duncan Bythell, long time SCR member and Castle resident serving as Senior Tutor until 1996. The fund supports student travel for a wide range of purposes including, research, conference, cultural exchange and enhancing their academic development.
Award Range: Up to £500 towards the costs associated with travel; higher awards may be available in extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of the panel
Frequency of Award Panels: Usually awarded during the Easter Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
This bursary commemorates the lives of Godfrey Stephen Thomis, student of Music at University College who graduated in 1956, and Marjorie Cecille Thomis. It supports student travel to any destination outside of the UK to enrich their university experience through research, volunteering, sport, music, theatre, language learning or other cultural exchange. This award would be well suited to students pursuing a year abroad. This award is open to all University College undergraduate and postgraduate students with a preference for undergraduates studying Music or History.
Award Range: Two awards of up to £1000 towards the costs associated with travel; higher awards may be available in extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of the panel
Frequency of Award Panels: Usually awarded during the Easter Term
Application Process: Information relating to the application process will be sent out to all current University College students during the relevant term. Applications will be assessed by a panel of University College staff and, where relevant, representatives of the college’s external bodies (such as the University College Durham Trust, Durham Castle Society or the College Advisory Board). Please note that for some of the awards above, we may take your academic achievements into consideration. We will request any information we require from your academic department.
Prospective Students
Dunkley Scholarships were set up thanks to a generous legacy from the estate of a University College alumnus, Paul Dunkley. Paul read Philosophy in the 1950s and was passionate about the subject. He was an avid hockey player, playing for the University and county and at one point he was even considered for the England team. Paul served as a sergeant in the Education core as part of his national service. After graduating he taught in the FE setting including, at one point, in a residential set up for adult students.
Eligibility:
- Applicant is a first generation student or
- Is a northeast resident or
- Comes from a different background which is currently under-represented at Durham University
Award Range: £5,000 per year for the duration of a 3 year undergraduate degree (or a 4 year undergraduate degree, where awardees are taking an additional foundation or undergraduate masters year of study/year abroad)
Application Process:
Details of the application process will be shared in January 2026.
Selection:
Applications will be assessed by a panel made up of University College Officers, on the basis of applicants' ability to meet the eligibility criteria, academic potential, and a personal statement. In addition to the information supplied on the scholarship application form, the College will gather contextual information to support the assessment of scholarship applications.
Please note that the panel will only be able to consider any supporting documentation that you wish to be include in your application and which is attached to your submission. The panel will not be able to accept documentation or evidence which is submitted after the application deadline. This is to ensure that the process runs to time and is fair to all applicants.
Reporting:
Bursary recipients will be required to adhere to the University College Bursaries and Awards Terms and Conditions.
Our undergraduate and postgraduate Bell Scholarships, set up thanks to the generosity of a former University College student Colin Bell, allow us to make the vast enrichment and development opportunities offered by Castle open to everyone, irrespective of their household income.
Eligibility:
- New University College undergraduate students who are due to commence their studies in October 2026 and whose household income is below £58,253.00 per annum as determined by Student Finance England. Recipients will be expected to get involved in the College/University life. or
- New University College doctoral research students. The scholarship will be open to students from backgrounds currently under-represented within University College and/or Durham University. Recipients will be expected to get involved in and contribute towards College/University Life.
Award Range:
£4,000 per year for the duration of a 3 year undergraduate degree (or a 4 year undergraduate degree, where awardees are taking an additional foundation or undergraduate masters year of study/year abroad)
Application Process:
Details of the application process will be shared in January 2026.
Selection:
Applications will be assessed by a panel made up of University College Officers, on the basis of applicants' ability to meet the eligibility criteria, academic potential, and a personal statement. In addition to the information supplied on the scholarship application form, the College will gather contextual information to support the assessment of scholarship applications.
Please note that the panel will only be able to consider any supporting documentation that you wish to be include in your application and which is attached to your submission. The panel will not be able to accept documentation or evidence which is submitted after the application deadline. This is to ensure that the process runs to time and is fair to all applicants.
Reporting: Bursary recipients will be required to adhere to the University College Bursaries and Awards Terms and Conditions.