We often get asked why is it that it is considered acceptable to offer scholarships only open to students from specific ethnic minority groups? If you were posting a job offer, it would be illegal to specify that it is only open to applicants from a specific ethnic minority as this would be considered discriminatory.
Scholarships for minorities are usually offered by charities or foundations that have been established with the 
specific charitable purpose of widening participation or encouraging diversity and therefore it is not considered discrimination. Universities might offer minority scholarships to encourage applications from particular groups in order to meet their widening participation targets.
Research has shown that outcomes for students from ethnic minority backgrounds often lag behind their white peers. Non-white students are less likely to achieve a first or upper second class degree. The differences exist at all levels of entry qualifications, so are even apparent among students who enter higher education with very high prior attainment.
What do these scholarships offer?
Scholarships for ethnic minorities usually offer students, additional support and mentoring as well as financial awards. The objective is to provide the additional help that might be needed to ensure you achieve your full potential. The connections you might make as a result of being offered a scholarship will also help to open doors on graduation in to particular professions, where people from BME groups are often under represented.
If you are thinking about setting up a scholarship, find out how we can help.
What ethnic minority scholarships are there in the UK?
Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Applicants must be from a Black Asian or Minority Ethnic Background; between the ages of 14 and 21, attending school or university full time in the UK and proven academic excellence. You will be required to submit a CV and 100 words on “What does diversity mean to me?”
Claire Prosser Diversity Award
Open to students from socially or ethnically diverse backgrounds who have secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course. Must be able to demonstrate a genuine commitment and potential to be a successful journalist through a range of journalism-related work experience
Townsend Scholarships
Open to residents of Lambeth who have lived in the borough for at least one year, come from a low income household, are from a black or minority ethnic background and have accepted a place at a Russell Group University
George Viner Memorial Fund
Open to Black or Asian (BAME) students who are in receipt of a formal offer of a place on a course within the fields of print, broadcasting, photographic or online journalism; be resident and planning to continue in education or start a professional career within the UK or Ireland, within the media industry.George Viner Memorial Fund
Stormzy Scholarship
Open to UK students of Black African or Caribbean descent who have a confirmed offer to study at Cambridge University, who have applied for and have been assessed by Student finance for the full amount of support.
Bank of England Scholarship
Open to students from a Black or Mixed African/Caribbean background looking to start your first full time undergraduate degree at university. You must be eligible to work in the UK and have a household income of below £50,000 and achieve 104 UCAS points or above.
Amos Bursary
A programme to support British students of African and Caribbean descent, who have excelled at school and have not allowed their environments, personal circumstances, or the pressures of living in London, to cloud their vision or to hamper their dreams. Student in Yr 12 can apply and will receive support and mentoring throughout their university studies
Akindole Medical Scholarship
UK medical students from a minority ethnic background, who demonstrate academic ability and a track record of giving back to their community
To find out more about these and other scholarships, start searching for free on our database of scholarships.
