Students Jordanna Murray and Corrie Young – who have just started a BA (Hons) in Television and a BA (Hons) in Journalism degree respectively at the University – have both been awarded £1,000 each from
The Royal Television Society.
The Royal Television Society is Britain’s leading forum for television and related media and aims to promote the art and science of television.
Its 2017 undergraduate bursary scheme aims to widen participation in media and related industries and looks to support students from lower income backgrounds pursue a career in these creative fields.
Alongside the funding – which have been awarded to assist with expenses and living costs - both Jordanna and Corrie will also each receive free membership of the RTS and The Hospital Club while studying, alongside one year’s free membership of the RTS after they graduate. In their final year of study, the RTS will also aim to set-up mentoring opportunities for the pair with one of its industry members.
Corrie Young said: "Honestly one of the best things about the bursary is that it's unexpected; the extra finance will help immeasurably throughout my time at Edinburgh Napier and I at no point thought I'd actually be chosen by the Royal Television Society - so to them I'm very thankful. In the immediate future it'll help me finance the numerous trips available from the Journalism course during out-of-uni hours which in turn will help me get more out of the course as a whole. In addition I'm also looking forward to the numerous events within the society and the abilities and experiences it will give me."
The 2017 bursary scheme offers 22 bursaries for Television Production and Broadcast Journalism students and seven bursaries for Computing and Engineering undergraduates, bringing the total amount invested in the two schemes this year to £87,000. The schemes are funded by the RTS with support from All3Media, which has sponsored two places.
Theresa Wise, CEO of the Royal Television Society, says: “The RTS has supported 101 inspiring and talented individuals towards their educational goals via our bursary schemes. The schemes are important as they offer those from lower income backgrounds not only financial support, but access to mentoring and a network of contacts within the broadcasting industry.
“It is great to see the schemes continue to grow and such a high calibre of applicants seeking to being their journey within the industry.”