Imperial College launches new support for Black students

@ImperialCollege Funding for a new set of scholarships for Black-heritage students has been announced.

Following a period of consultation, the College’s President’s Board has approved funding for the Presidential Scholarships for Black Students.

We want to attract the very best applicants from all backgrounds, and ensure they go as far as their talents can take them. Professor Maggie DallmanVice President (International)

The initial funding is the first step in the College’s £10 million commitment to scholarships and studentships for Black and underrepresented students over the next five years.

More initiatives will follow in the coming months and years.

The funding will support one Master’s scholarship and one undergraduate scholarship for Home students per academic Faculty each year for the next five years. The Master’s scholarships will be particularly focused on programmes that lead to PhD study. Each scholarship would also come with appropriate wrap-around support and mentoring for the scholar. The scholarships will be open to students applying for autumn 2022 entry and onwards.

Research opportunities

Imperial will also increase funds for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) opportunities for Black students, as well as a mentoring/buddying scheme for new Black scholars.

UROP is a research opportunities programme available to students from within and outside the College, allowing them to participate in real research and appreciate the environment in which it takes place.

“The start of a journey”

Professor Maggie Dallman, Vice President (International) said: “The new Presidential Scholarships for Black Students are the start of a journey for the College on increasing the number of Black students, whom it has identified as underrepresented at all levels. The College has committed to doubling the number of Black home undergraduate students by 2025 and to encouraging more Black students into postgraduate study. We want to attract the very best applicants from all backgrounds, and ensure they go as far as their talents can take them.

“We know that students from some backgrounds are less likely to take up places here, and we want to fix that. Understanding what barriers exist, and how we can dismantle them, is essential.”

The news comes after Imperial’s President Alice Gast announced a multi-million pound investment in student scholarships as the College seeks to further diversify its community.