RTS Announces 2015 Undergraduate Bursary Recipients

The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the recipients of its undergraduate bursaries for 2015.

This year, the RTS has invested £75,000 in two schemes; 20 bursaries have been offered for Television Production and Broadcast Journalism students and, for the first time, five bursaries for Computing and Engineering undergraduates.

The bursaries aim to increase participation in media and related industries, as well as support students from lower income backgrounds who seek to pursue a career in television. During their studies, each recipient will be given £1,000 per year to assist with their expenses. In addition, each beneficiary will receive mentoring and free membership of the RTS and The Hospital Club – a private members club for those in the creative industries – while studying, and one year's free membership of the RTS after they graduate.

Theresa Wise, CEO at RTS, said: "The RTS is proud to be providing crucial support to talented individuals seeking to work in television and its related fields. We are committed to increasing diversity in the industry and safeguarding its future by giving a helping hand to the next generation of rising stars, some of whom might not have otherwise considered a career in TV. The response we've had to our two schemes has been fantastic, but following an exacting selection process I'm excited to say we have 25 beneficiaries – all of whom stood-out and demonstrated real ambition and commitment to learning. We wish them all the best for the next three years and look forward to following their progress."

Graeme Thompson, Chair of the RTS Education Committee and Dean of Arts, Design and Media at Sunderland University, added: "We were so impressed this year with the calibre of RTS Undergraduate Bursary applicants. It's hugely exciting to see such a high number of talented individuals seeking to work in the TV industry. The bursary definitely makes it easier for them to contemplate university education, but the mentoring and support they'll receive from the RTS throughout their studies is priceless."

Simon Pitts, Chair of the RTS Technology Bursaries and Managing Director, Online, Pay TV, Interactive and Technology, ITV, commented: "It's vital we attract more engineers and computer scientists to the TV industry so our aim with these bursaries was to encourage students with these interests to consider a career in television. We were extremely pleased with the response and I'm delighted to say we have selected five outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a real interest in and commitment to succeed in the industry."

The 25 recipients were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK students applying for courses at accredited universities. The 2015 Television Production and Broadcast Journalism bursary recipients are:

• Thomas Bartley from London, studying BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production at Ravensbourne
• David Birt from Southampton, studying BA (Hons) Television and Video Production at Southampton Solent University
• Joseph Cassidy from London, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at Bournemouth University
• Christopher Chapman from Gloucestershire, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at University of Westminster
• Zahra Clembintson from Norfolk, studying BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism at University of Leeds
• James Cordell from London, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at University of Westminster
• Abigail Freeman from Hertfordshire, studying BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism at University of Leeds
• Louis Garner from London, studying BA (Hons) Media / Film Production at University of Staffordshire
• Victor Hampson from Dorset, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at University of Gloucestershire
• Connar James Mills from Essex, studying BA (Hons) Media / Film Production at University of Staffordshire
• Cassie Nunn-Price from Berkshire, studying BA (Hons) Sports Journalism at University of Central Lancashire
• Zoe Phillips from Aberdeenshire, studying BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism at Glasgow Caledonian
• Maxine Sibanda from Sheffield, studying BA (Hons) Film and Television Production at University of York
• Stephen Small from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at University of Westminster
• Rhys Stacey from Hampshire, studying BA (Hons) Scriptwriting for Film and Television at Bournemouth University
• Josh Stevenson from London, studying BA (Hons) Television Production at Bournemouth University
• Jed Stoker from Tyne & Wear, studying BA (Hons) Broadcast Media Production at University of Sunderland
• Luke Tapley from Hereford, studying BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production at Ravensbourne
• Lucy Thomas from Pembrokeshire, studying BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University
• Paula Ugochukwu from Middlesex, studying BA (Hons) Journalism Studies at University of Sheffield

The five 2015 Technology bursary recipients are:

• Henry Hargreaves from Cornwall, studying BSc Hons/MSci Computer Science at University of St Andrews
• Abigail Howell from London, studying BEng/MEng Computing at Imperial College
• Bede Kelly from Essex, studying BSc Hons/MSc Computer Science at University of Birmingham
• James Martin from Leicester, studying MEng Engineering at Durham University
• Owen Matthew McGowan from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, studying MEng Engineering Science at Oxford University.

Image credit: RTS/Paul Hampartsoumian.

www.rts.org.uk

(JP/LM)