Bursaries

Thanks to our generous partners and donors, we can offer a range of financial bursaries to Ark students. For Year 13 leavers going onto higher education, there are bursaries ranging in value from £9,900 to £50,000 to assist with the financial costs of university life.   

Aurum    

Aurum is a hedge fund investment specialist. In 2021, Aurum sponsored two Ark students. The bursaries included tuition fees, £22,500 for living costs, work experience and mentorship.  

“Thanks to the bursary I’ve been stress free in the financial sense and have been able to focus solely on my education and social life as opposed to having to work or worry about funds.”    

The Reuben Foundation   

Formed in 2002, the Reuben foundation is a charitable arm of the Reuben Brothers. It is committed to the betterment of society in the UK and around the globe, through focused charitable giving in the areas of education, health and the community. The bursary includes £22,500 for living costs. 

“I want to express my gratitude for the support throughout my time at university, which I have greatly appreciated and has made a big difference to my university experience. Coming from a background where neither of my parents have been to university and from an area where progression onto higher education is low, I am extremely grateful for the chance to go to university to study medicine and for the role the bursary has played in that.”   

Marshall Wace 

Marshall Wace is a global alternative investment management company that is committed to achieving positive social and environmental impact. Each year Marshall Wace supports 40 students with bursaries worth £9900. 

“I’d like to give a massive thank you to all the donors because without you, nothing over the past three years would’ve been possible and none of the goals that I have set myself for the new year and the years to come would be possible.”   

Urbanest    

Urbanest is a student accommodation provider with locations in Aldgate, Vauxhall, Hoxton, Kings Cross, Westminster, Tower Bridge, St Pancras and Victoria. Their state-of-the-art buildings offer safety and security, flexible work spaces and a wide range of facilities. Each year Urbanest supports five students, providing them with student accommodation in one of their sites worth £55,000.

“I could not have come to this point without the persistent support I have received, something for which I will always be grateful”   

Spencer Steadman Trust    

The Spencer Steadman Trust was established in the memory of Spencer Steadman and its charitable purpose reflects Spencer’s own strong belief in the importance of education and equality of opportunity for all. Each year the Spencer Steadman Trust supports three students with bursaries of £15,000 and additional careers support.  

Umar, a former Ark St Alban's Academy student and Marshall Wace Scholar, studied BEng Mechanical Engineering degree at Aston University. He graduated in Summer 2020 with a 1st class degree and has started training to be a teacher with Ark Teacher Training at Ark Kings Academy. Umar will be teaching Maths.  

Advice that Umar would give to a student considering their options: "When picking A-Level/BTEC subjects ensure you are passionate about the subject and be mindful of future career goals."  

The biggest lesson Umar learnt when he was in school was that “it's okay not to know what you want to do in the future so long as you keep exploring your options." 

I, again, thank you for being given the Marshall Wace bursary as it has helped a great deal with me getting involved at university as well as outside university without letting costs become a huge factor in holding me back. I hope to continue to put the bursary to good use throughout the summer as I seek out possible placements or volunteer camps abroad.

Zareen, a former Ark Globe Academy student and Reuben Scholar, graduated in Summer 2020 from Cambridge University with a degree in Human and Political Sciences. Zareen was the first Ark Globe student to attend an Oxbridge University.    

After graduating, Zareen began an internship with the Ark Ventures Team as a ventures analyst. Zareen is now a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance law firm one of the world's largest law firms and a member of the ‘magic circle’. 

Throughout university Zareen pioneered movements to promote equality for people from various walks of life. She was the first president of 'FUSE' a society for black and ethnic minority LGBTQ+ students.    

The bursary has meant that I could spend my holidays working on developing my writing skills for better grades, rather than working a substantial number of hours at a temp job to support myself. As the first person from my school to h​ave gotten into Oxbridge, I am keen to return with the news that I have excelled academically and to inspire future generations that Oxbridge is possible. The scholarship has been instrumental in my journey to achieving this goal.