At Exeter we are working hard to make sure the University is open to everyone with the academic ability, irrespective of their background or financial circumstances. This includes both support to come to Exeter, and opening up opportunities to fulfil their potential while here.
We believe that all students should have equal and fair access to Higher Education. More affluent pupils are still significantly more likely to go to university than their more disadvantaged peers and the gap between the two groups – 19.1 percentage points – is the widest it has been since 2005.
A donation to our Scholars Fund will help to make sure everyone can benefit from an Exeter education, supporting those who would otherwise struggle to attend, as well as those facing financial hardship during their studies.
Last year, 117 new students received scholarships and bursaries thanks to donations from our alumni and supporters. We are also supporting asylum seekers to undertake ‘Sanctuary Scholarships’ at Exeter.
These programmes have immediate impact:
• They help us to attract students from diverse backgrounds (we work with hundreds of students every year through our ‘Pathways’ programmes – offered to school pupils from year 10 onward)
• They offer financial support which enables students to focus on their studies, and diminishes the fear of debt
• Support from alumni and friends gives recipients a feeling of working in partnership, which is vital to a sense of belonging. They give students a sign that they belong at Exeter, and that an individual from the Exeter community believes in their potential.
Without these programmes, many gifted students would be put off applying to Exeter or may be forced to drop out due to financial pressures once they are here. But with donations from our alumni and supporters, these students are now on track for the future they’ve always dreamed of.
They can make the most of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities such as taking part in a sports club or society, participate in a field trip or join a theatre group, enabling them to enjoy the whole Exeter experience.
Scholarships and bursaries are truly life changing. For many of our students, they can mean the difference between continuing with studying or dropping out:
“I never imagined I would have the opportunity to attend a prestigious University like Exeter and in reality, I would not have been able to do so without the bursary that I receive. It has meant that I am financially secure and can fully concentrate on my studies without worrying about how I am going to afford to get by.”
Together, we can support students through the difficult years to come and make sure that Exeter remains a place where all students can thrive despite their financial circumstances.
When you make a monthly gift, you’ll be joining a wonderful community of more than 1,400 loyal supporters. Together, you’ll make sure that students from all backgrounds will be able to thrive.
Thank you for helping us to ensure a fairer future by donating to our Scholars Fund.
