Bristol University has announced a new scholarship program. It is aimed at helping disadvantaged local students.
Local source Bristol Post reported that the university has developed a program called the Bristol Scholars. The scheme will allow the higher education institution to choose five students each from every post-16 school and college in the area that is covered by Bristol City Council.
The university will make lower offers to the five pupils from each school. This means that they can enroll to a course of their choice at the university even without meeting the usual grade requirements.
It was noted that this type of initiative is the first of its kind in the U.K. This comes amidst calls for top universities to improve social mobility.
The program is still in its pilot year. Bristol University is expected to review its boundaries and may be able to include neighboring local authorities if the initiative proves to be a success.
The program is being run by the university with Bristol Learning City, which is a partnership that aims to promote educational opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds. It is intended to improve social mobility in the area where one in four children live in poverty.
The eligibility of students will be determined by head teachers' assessments of potential and progress instead of just examination results alone. Priority will be given to students who are proven to have overcome educational or domestic disadvantages.
According to BBC, the school wants more diversity in its student body. It was found that children from wealthy backgrounds are about four times more likely to apply to university.
The initiative is expected to encourage applications from disadvantaged students like those who have been in care, eligible for free school meals as well as those who will be the first in their families to go to university. The Bristol Scholars program will be launched at St. Bede's Catholic College in Bristol.
Colleges and universities in the United States also joined the American Talent Initiative. It aims to expand access and opportunity for talented, low- and moderate-income students.
