Aspire Award 2022 Scholarships: Encouraging Underrepresented Black Communities to Computer Science

Aspire Awards 

The awards were launched last year, to reduce financial barriers and create opportunities for students from Black or mixed Black ethnic backgrounds who are currently underrepresented in our department. We made a commitment to three fully-funded scholarships a year. 

Following internal research, it was recognised that students from these backgrounds are greatly underrepresented amongst our student cohorts in the department and across the subject area in general. This leads to lack of representation in the sector. We hope the awards will help to go some way to address this gap and encourage interest in the subject area. Additional academic and career support is provided during the course of the recipients' studies. 

2022 Aspire Awardees

Three fully-funded scholarships with living and studying expenses for the duration of the programme were awarded at the start of the autumn term 2022. 
Two of our scholars have shared their thoughts on receiving the award:

Scholar one

“I am deeply honoured to be receiving the Aspire Award. The support being offered to me means I am able to dedicate myself to my studies in a way I never thought possible.

Removing the financial stress that commonly affects students like me when entering university is liberating; I can pursue my passions and take a more active role in university life.

The cascading effect will benefit me even beyond my time here, as mentoring provides me assistance with making crucial career decisions.

Furthermore, receiving the award feels like recognition of my efforts, which is touching. I am grateful for the support and encouragement provided by the scholarship, and will endeavour to make the most of this opportunity.”

Scholar two

“This scholarship had just saved me from a tough financial situation I recently been placed in. Not only did it alleviate my finances and fully relieve the financial stress affecting my studies, but in doing so it also mended my relationship with my family, some of whom need me now more than ever.”

Applications for 2023

Applications for the UCL Computer Science Aspire Award will open in June 2023 and prospective and eligible students are encouraged to apply by 1 September 2023. 

We will again be awarding three fully-funded scholarships for 2023 entry, covering full-tuition fees and living expenses (£18,062). Additional academic and career support is provided during the course of the recipients' studies. Further details on Aspire Awards 2023.