RTS Launches Undergraduate Bursary Schemes For 2017

The Royal Television Society (RTS) has launched its Undergraduate Bursary Schemes for 2017.

More than £75,000 is being invested to support UK students from lower income backgrounds. In total, the Society is offering 20 bursaries to students studying accredited Television Production and Broadcast Journalism degree courses, while a further five technology bursaries – aimed at encouraging some of the most talented students to consider a career in television – are available to students studying Computing and Engineering on some of the top courses at British universities.

The bursaries are aimed at students in less affluent circumstances with the goal of helping to widen participation and skills in media and its related industries.

Bursary recipients will receive £1,000 per year of their studies, as well as free membership of both the RTS and affiliate membership of The Hospital Club – a private members club for those in the creative industries – while studying, plus one year's free membership of the RTS post-graduation. They will also have access to mentoring from RTS members as well as partners including BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky.

Theresa Wise, CEO, RTS, said: "As an educational charity, the Royal Television Society is committed to helping young people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those who display a real passion to work in TV, realise their potential and get a foothold on the careers ladder. The television industry is a fast moving and varied one offering many different opportunities, and we are keen to hear from students wishing to pursue careers in all areas of the industry – from researcher and producer to camera operators, sound recordists and script-writers to news reporters and potential directors. In the four years since we first launched the bursary programme we have had the honour of supporting so many genuinely talented and ambitious students, many of whom I've no doubt will go on to succeed in the industry."

Graeme Thompson, Chair of the RTS Education Committee and Pro Vice Chancellor at University of Sunderland, added: "We now have almost 60 students on the production bursary scheme and we are looking forward to our first cohort graduating in the summer. The scheme enables students to stand out from the crowd. They get unparalleled access to industry leaders and employers which means they have a great contacts book and invaluable insights into the industry by the time they graduate. It gives them a real advantage in the jobs market."

Simon Pitts, Chair of the RTS Technology Bursaries and Managing Director, Online, Pay TV, Interactive and Technology, ITV, commented: "Competition to recruit highly skilled graduates in the fields of computer sciences and engineering is strong, and many may be unaware of the career opportunities that television has to offer young technologists. Our Technology Bursary programme provides a unique opportunity to get to know more about the world of television whilst studying – with some of the top companies in the industry offering placements and support to recipients to encourage them to consider a career in TV."

For details of the accredited courses eligible for the scheme, bursary guidance notes, or to submit an application visit here. The deadline for submitting applications is 30 June, 2017.

Image: Previous bursary recipients with RTS CEO Theresa Wise and Armando Iannucci.

www.rts.org.uk

(JP/LM)