Community Scholarships 2012-2013

At Oxford Brookes we recognise the different qualities and talents of individuals. The Community Scholarship rewards those students who have shown commitment to studies, overcome personal or social difficulties and/or have been an excellent role model within their school, college or community.

The Scholarships are worth £1,000 for the first year and £500 per year for two subsequent years. This money does not have to be paid back as long as you complete your course.

Please note: The Community Scholarship is undergoing review for 2013-14. Details should be confirmed in July 2012.

Who is eligible?

You must be at a state-maintained secondary school or college in Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire or Berkshire. If you are at Bridgwater College, Somerset, Brooklands College, Surrey, Solihull College, Swindon College or New College, Swindon then you are also eligible.

One Scholarship will normally be available to each school or college. The school or college will be responsible for nominating or refereeing self-nominated students. 

You must firmly accept a place on either a full time three or four year degree or a foundation degree at one of our partner colleges and demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

• Successful role model to other students
• Commitment to study
• Potential to succeed
• Overcoming of personal or social difficulties
• Engagement in the community

Condition of the Scholarship

If you are successful in receiving the Scholarship we would expect you to help with one of the projects we run to raise awareness about the opportunities there are in Higher Education. This may include, for example, returning to your school/college to encourage others to aspire to seek a place at university, supporting an event on campus or writing a profile about your experience.

How do I apply?

To apply for a Community Scholarship, you must either be nominated by your school/college or complete a nomination form, which includes a reference from your school/college.

Please send this form to:
The Community Scholarship Administrator,
UK Marketing,
Directorate of Corporate Affairs,
Oxford Brookes University,
Headington Hill site,
Oxford,
OX3 0BP.

Nominations must have reached the university by  18th April 2012. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by 27th April 2012.

Download the nomination form (Word document).

When will I receive my scholarship?

The Community Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments on 6th November 2012 and 6th February 2013.

We will pay your Scholarship directly into the same bank account that you receive your Student Loan and / or Brookes Bursary. In order for us to be able to award your Scholarship, you must be eligible for student finance and have consented to share your information with us when you apply to Student Finance England.

Does the money have to be paid back?

No, this money does not have to be paid back as long as you complete your course.

Terms and Conditions

The following applies to 2012-2013 entrants only:

1. Community Scholarships are only available to applicants who are currently studying, or applied for deferred entry, from a qualifying school or college. Applicants must firmly accept a place on either a full time degree or a foundation degree at our partner colleges.
2. One Scholarship will normally be available to each school or college. The school/college will be responsible for nominating or refereeing self-nominated students for the award following firm acceptance of the University's offer. The nomination is entirely at the discretion of the school/college. Schools may seek advice from the University on individual cases and/or use discretion in assessing the eligibility of potential candidates depending on personal circumstances.
3. If we receive more than one nomination from the same school/college, the University will liaise with the school/college for a decision. In circumstances where there are equally deserving applicants from one school or college the University may award additional scholarships. The University will therefore reserve a small number of Scholarships for this purpose each year.
4. Scholarships are available to students studying their first degree. Applicants who have already studied at another University will not be eligible.
5. The scholarship will be awarded at a rate of £1,000 for the first year and £500 per year for two subsequent years.
6. Nominees must hold UK citizenship (a UK passport).
7. Scholarships will be terminated in cases when students are found to be in breach of the Student Conduct Regulations and have been subject to, and found guilty by, a disciplinary process which in the judgement of the University would warrant withdrawal of the Scholarship.
8. Normally Scholarships will be terminated if students fail or resit elements of their programmes without evidence of mitigation, presented to and accepted by, the relevant academic school. 
9. Payment of the Scholarship will cease from the date the student leaves the University. 
10. In circumstances when a student changes his/her mode of study or programme to one which falls outside the eligible criteria, the University will reserve the right to seek repayment of the scholarship in full.
11. Students must be in attendance on the 1 December and 1 March to be entitled to each instalment.