Clean sweep for Psychology – All 3 Bangor University Postgraduate Access Bursaries awarded to Psychology students

Left to right: Louise Brown, Jodie Colk and Sarah-Jane Farrant Three new Bangor University Masters students have each been awarded a £5,000 bursary by the University’s Widening Access Centre as part of its commitment to postgraduate learning. All three recipients are from economically-deprived areas and have shown considerable fortitude in gaining their undergraduate degrees. The Widening Access bursaries will now allow these individuals to continue with their education.

Louise Brown, 22, from Rhyl, graduated with a 2:1 degree in Psychology over the summer and will now start work on an applied project with the Wales Centre for Behaviour Change as part of her MSc Psychology degree. Louise, a former student of Rhyl High School, said:

‘Being awarded this bursary has allowed me to enrol onto my dream course here at Bangor without the need for a loan. Without this bursary, my progression on to a MSc course would not have been possible. I now have the freedom to immerse myself fully in my studies and work towards realising my potential.’

Jodie Colk, 26, from Abergele, is also a graduate of the School of Psychology, graduating with a 2:1 degree in July. She has been accepted onto a MSc Psychological Research course and aims to study the effects of social media on academic performance. Jodie said:

‘This bursary has enabled me to continue with my education and increase my employability after I graduate. Without it, there’s no way that I could have gone ahead with the course so it was an all-or-nothing application. As a result, I didn’t quite believe it when the call came through telling me that I had been chosen for the award. It was a wonderful call to take!’

The final recipient, by sheer coincidence, is also a Psychology graduate. Sarah-Jane Farrant, 22, from Peacehaven in East Sussex has been accepted onto an MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology course, having graduated with a 2:1 degree in 2014. Sarah-Jane, an active volunteer with local charities in the Brighton area, said:

‘I am overjoyed at having been chosen to receive this bursary. It means that I can now take another step towards my long-term goal of conducting doctoral research and gaining clinical training experience. I’m sure that I’ll look back on this in years to come as the all-important leg-up that allowed me to realise my potential and for that, I am extremely grateful.’

All three recipients were handed their cheques by Delyth Murphy, Head of the Widening Access Centre, who said:

‘The standard of the applications received this year was very high and goes to show that providing postgraduate financial opportunities in a Widening Access context is justified. By awarding these bursaries, we are enabling our three very worthy recipients to advance towards fulfilling their ambitions. As all three are driven and determined individuals, I’ve no doubt that they will succeed in gaining excellent Masters qualifications and in their chosen careers. The Widening Access Centre will follow their progress with great interest.’

Publication date: 4 November 2014