Queen’s students each receive bursaries to support academic endeavours
Three undergraduate students from Queen’s University in Belfast have been named recipients of the Choice Housing Scholarship, aimed at supporting students from Widening Participation (WP) backgrounds to achieve academic excellence and to complete their studies.
A cheque for £1,500 has each been presented to Orlaith Kelly (Engineering and Physical Sciences) who is currently studying Maths and Physics; Alexandria McNamara (Medicine, Health & Life Sciences) who is aiming for a career in Adult Nursing; and Oísin Brown (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences), who is pursuing a Music and Audio Production degree.
Launched in 2019, and now in its seventh year, the initiative is designed for students from Widening Participation backgrounds by supporting them in their studies. To be eligible for financial support, students must either have participated in the Pathway Opportunity Programme or the Senior Academy Programme, both key Queen’s University initiatives that are co-ordinated by the University’s Widening Participation Unit (WPU).
The Pathway Opportunity Programme aims to increase student numbers from under-represented groups who go to study at Queen’s, whilst the Senior Academy Programme raises awareness of higher education amongst post-16 students by developing their academic skills and supporting attainment. Working with young people who are first in family to enter higher education, these programmes provide insight into studing and life at University.
Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive, said: “Choice is delighted to congratulate Orlaith, Alexandria and Oisín on being named this year’s Choice Prize winners. Their dedication, talent and determination are truly inspiring, and we are proud to support them as they continue their academic journeys.
“At Choice, we are committed to investing in future talent and helping to remove barriers for students from Widening Participation backgrounds. Together with Queen’s University Belfast, we are ensuring that young people locally, with ability and ambition, are given every opportunity to thrive, succeed, and shape their future careers”.
Since 2013, the Widening Participation Unit has consisted of a range of initiatives including the Junior Academy, Senior Academy and Pathway Opportunity Programme, with eligible students including those who are care experienced, those who receive Free School Meals, Education Maintenance Allowance or those from disadvantaged postcode areas as defined by NISRA.
The Senior Academy and Pathway Opportunity Programme target young people from groups who are underrepresented in higher education. Its key objective is to provide the necessary support to enable these individuals to fulfil their potential.
Choice Prizes are given to Pathway Opportunity Programme or Senior Academy students who achieve the highest overall mark in Level 1 and are continuing to Level 2.
Barbara Wallace – Pathway Programme Outreach Officer at Queen’s University Belfast – said: “The Pathway Opportunity Programme at Queen’s changes lives in ways that go far beyond financial support. It does not just ease the burden on underrepresented students working towards a degree, it also helps them to unlock their potential and explore what they can contribute in their chosen career fields, and communities.
“We are incredibly grateful to Choice, whose continued support makes this impact possible for this year’s winners. I would like to congratulate each of them on their incredible achievements to date, and I look forward to seeing their journeys progress throughout their time at Queen’s,” she added.
For more information about Widening Access programmes at Queen’s University, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/wpu/ – or to discover more about how students are supported at Queen’s, please contact Sorcha MacLaimhin (s.maclaimhin@qub.ac.uk).
