Postgraduate scholarship scheme massively over subscribed

The largest postgraduate scholarship offer ever made in the UK has been massively over subscribed with five applicants for every place. Over 1,700 people applied for the 350 places on offer, the flagship initiative of a joint project by six research-intensive Russell Group universities to widen access to taught postgraduate study and professional careers. The University of Sheffield-led consortium has secured a £3m Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) grant to look at innovative ways of removing barriers to, and improving the take-up of, taught postgraduate programmes. With match funding, - Scholarship offers made by the universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Warwick and York were targeted at under-represented groups, including those from low-income backgrounds, mature students and those with caring responsibilities. At Sheffield over 300 applications were submitted for the 90 scholarships on offer. Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, said: "It is very telling that the University of Sheffield is massively over-subscribed for what is the biggest postgraduate taught scholarship offer the country has seen. The message of this is clear.