Scott Trust Bursary available for underrepresented journalists

Aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds have the chance to study at Goldsmiths thanks to The Guardian Foundation’s Scott Trust Bursary.

The Guardian Foundation, an independent charity supporting the diversification of the media, has partnered with Goldsmiths and five other UK universities to offer bursaries, allowing those underrepresented in the media to study for a postgraduate qualification in journalism. 

Graduates from any background underrepresented in the media who achieved a 2:1 in their undergraduate degree can apply for Goldsmiths MA Journalism or the MA/MSc Digital Journalism course starting in September 2023. Applications to the scheme are open until Monday 15 May 2023 at 5pm.

Terry Kirby, Joint convener, MA Journalism at Goldsmiths, University of London said: “Goldsmiths is very proud to have been able to offer a place for Scott Trust Bursary students for many years now. We have seen how Scott Trust students thrive on our intensive and challenging programme where they are taught news and feature writing, online news and magazine production and data and video skills;  they also work in a newsroom environment on our innovative public-facing live news website, Eastlondonlines. Applicants can now also be considered for the MA/MSc Digital Journalism programme, which offers intensive digital and coding skills.''

For 35 years the bursary scheme has assisted students who come from backgrounds underrepresented in the media, offering funding and experience to help kickstart their journalism career.  In particular, it aims to support those from a lower socio-economic background, Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and those with a disability.

Successful applicants receive tuition fees, living expenses, mentoring and work placements at the Guardian.

Many recipients have gone on to successful careers in the industry, working for news outlets such as the Guardian, BBC, New York Times, Financial Times and the Mirror. The scheme’s alumni include Gary Younge, Samira Ahmed, Tariq Panja, Simon Murphy, Pippa Crerar, Lanre Bakare, Mustafa Khalili and more.

Goldsmiths Scott Trust Bursary student 2022-23, Morgan Ofori said: “Studying the MA in Journalism at Goldsmiths has genuinely been a life-changing experience. I feel like I truly have gained skills that will benefit me after the course has finished. The guidance of my lecturers on the course has been invaluable and has helped me to be critical of myself and develop my practice. This is a course that sets you up for the real world and a real newsroom.”

The bursary covers all course tuition fees and provides an allowance of £6,741 minimum towards living expenses. In addition, candidates take part in up to six weeks of work experience at Guardian News & Media and are paired with a Guardian mentor. The opportunity also provides the possibility of a paid fixed-term contract at the Guardian, following the successful completion of the scheme.

The six universities involved in the scheme are Goldsmiths, University of London, City, University of London, University of Sheffield, Birmingham City University, Leeds Trinity University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

The deadline to apply for the Scott Trust Bursary is Monday 15 May 2023. More information on eligibility and the application process is available on The Guardian Foundation’s website.

You can find out more about the MA Journalism and MA/MSc Digital Journalism at Goldsmiths on the course pages.