1. Eligible students

1.1 The financial bursary is an award of up to £2,000 per year, for a period of up to 3 years, and is open to students who meet all of the following criteria:

  • A family income of £35,000 per year or less
  • Accepted an offer from the University as your firm choice to study BSc (Hons) Earth Science, starting in September 2024
  • Be embarking on your first undergraduate degree and entering Higher Education for the first time in September 2024
  • Be a UK student who is liable for the UK rate of tuition fees (EU, International and Channel Islands students are not eligible to receive the bursary)
  • Be willing to act as a champion for the University to encourage future students to progress to Higher Education. This may involve sharing your story or experiences of studying at Portsmouth to use in our promotional materials
  • Provide evidence to the satisfaction of the University that you meet the criteria for the bursary
  • Agree that your details will be shared with the donor who is funding this bursary in order to establish the mentoring relationship

1.2 There is only one bursary, so student eligibility does not guarantee that the student will receive an award. Students will need to apply for the bursary and the successful applicant will be selected by the awarding panel. 

2. Eligible courses

2.1 This bursary is available to students who are studying BSc (Hons) Earth Science.

2.2 Students must have completed their registration onto year 1 of their course to receive the bursary.

2.3 It is the intention that the student will receive a £2,000 bursary in the first taught year, £2,000 in their second taught year and £2,000 in their final taught year.

3. Academic criteria

3.1 Applicants must meet specific course entry criteria for their course.

3.2 Bursary payments will not be made in repeat years.

3.3 Attainment, attendance and engagement will be reviewed annually to ensure retaining the bursary.

4. Application process

4.1 Applicants will need to complete the bursary application via the University of Portsmouth Student System in order to be considered. 

4.2 As part of the application, students will need to answer 5 written questions outlining the impact the bursary will have on you, your education and your future aspirations. 

4.3 Decisions on the award of the bursary will be made by a University panel. Decisions will be based on the eligibility criteria and the bursary application.

4.4 The panel’s decision is final and the panel shall not be obliged to provide reasons for their decisions.

4.5 The bursary payment is subject to students registering onto each year of their course and providing their bank details. The University of Portsmouth will inform the successful applicant of how and when these payments will be made at the earliest available opportunity. It is expected that bursary payments will be awarded in 2 instalments at the start of teaching block one and two.

5. Operational terms and conditions

5.1 The bursary will be paid into a bank account chosen by the student and payment is subject to the student providing their bank details. 

5.2 The successful applicant will be notified by email within 2 months of the closing date for applications, including details of when payments will be made.

5.3 The successful applicant will be required to fully register onto each year of their course to remain eligible for the bursary. This entails completing the online registration form and providing original evidence of their personal identity in accordance with University regulations, and paying the residual balance of any fees. Any extension to become fully registered onto the course will need to be requested through the late registration process. If this does not happen students will become ineligible to receive the bursary.

5.4 Students who withdraw from their studies before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the bursary. No extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.

5.5 Students who transfer to a different course before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the bursary.

5.6 The applicant who receives the bursary will still be entitled to apply for student loans, other bursaries and scholarships, subject to their eligibility.

5.7 The University’s decision on the allocation of the bursary in accordance with these terms and conditions is final. There is no appeal process.