The University of Roehampton provides £2,000 scholarships to students who balance academic progress with competitive video gaming.
Key facts
- •The University of Roehampton scholarship provides £2,000 to students who maintain academic standards while competing in esports.
- •Recipients are required to participate in weekly university tournaments and represent the school at in-person events.
- •The scholarship amount was increased from an initial £1,500 due to the team's success.
- •The average student debt for graduates in England is reported to be more than £47,500.
- •Experts note that many university scholarships remain unclaimed due to a lack of student awareness.
The University of Roehampton is offering esports scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students who demonstrate excellence in gaming alongside their academic studies. The program, which provides £2,000 in funding, requires recipients to compete in weekly university tournaments and represent the institution at in-person events.
By the numbers
Scholarship Requirements and Growth
The university initially offered £1,500 for the scholarship, but increased the amount to £2,000 following the team's improved performance and rising popularity. Applicants must meet minimum rankings in major games, though the university may consider those with large followings on streaming platforms like Twitch if they are close to the required threshold.
Financial Impact for Students
Former esports scholar Cameron Dray noted that the funding allowed him to focus on his studies in an expensive city without needing part-time employment. Experts suggest such scholarships can help mitigate the financial burden for students in England, where the average graduate leaves university with over £47,500 in debt.
Awareness of Available Funding
Tom Allingham, a student money expert at Save the Student, stated that many scholarships go unclaimed because students are unaware of their eligibility. He encourages incoming students to actively research the various bursaries and funding opportunities offered by their universities.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Technology.
