As university-bound students gear up for the academic year, many overlook scholarship opportunities that could ease financial burdens. Notably, the University of Roehampton is offering a unique opportunity with its esports scholarship, which has awarded over 100 students so far. These scholarships aim to support students who can excel both academically and in the competitive world of esports—digitally-based athletic competitions that draw in audiences similar to traditional sports events.
Details of the Esports Scholarship
The esports scholarship at Roehampton is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. To qualify, candidates need to demonstrate a balance between academic achievement and proficiency in video gaming. According to Mark Ellul, the university’s registrar, the scholarship recognises emerging talent in a rapidly growing field globally and among students.
Recipients are involved in weekly university esports tournaments and also represent Roehampton at other events. Although there are minimum game ranking requirements, students who have a substantial following on platforms like Twitch may also be considered, even if they fall short of the gaming rankings.
Scholar alumnus Cameron Dray discovered Roehampton due to this scholarship. Interested in similar programs found in the United States, he explored options within the UK. Initially valued at £1,500, the scholarship amount increased to £2,000 owing to team popularity and performance improvements. Dray stated the funding was pivotal, enabling him to study in London without the burden of part-time work, and lauded the scholarship’s clear requirements.
Financial Aid and Student Encouragement
With university graduates in England leaving with average debts exceeding £47,500, scholarships like Roehampton’s present a crucial means to cut down student debt and offer further financial aid. Former esports competitor Thomas Cole, known in the gaming world as Pac, noted that scholarships could lower financial stress, allowing students to focus on their academic pursuits. He emphasised that, as long as academics aren’t compromised, such scholarships motivate students to improve their gaming skills.
Tom Allingham, a student finance expert at Save the Student, advises incoming university students to explore available scholarships. He expressed concern about the lack of awareness, leading to many scholarships going unclaimed. Allingham highlighted the diversity of reasons for which additional funding could be secured and noted that Save the Student disseminates information about various available funds on their website.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.