Surrey Scholars

Surrey has a proud history of providing support to young people, tracing back to our predecessor, Battersea Polytechnic. Over 50 years later, Surrey is dedicated to providing scholarships to create opportunities from young people from all backgrounds and financial circumstances.

Over the last 3 years, we have invested in over 40 different scholarships across disciplines at Surrey – supporting the University’s first medical students alongside future stars of musical theatre. Every scholarship aims to give young people a fair chance. To pursue their academic goals, free from financial pressure and empower them to make a difference.

Every scholar brings their own unique experiences and skills to our diverse Surrey community. Read on to find out their stories and why they’re Proud to be Surrey.

Lilli, Actor Musician BA, Shining Star scholar

"With the support of this scholarship, I have been given the chance to study my passion and further myself in my career ambitions that would've been impossible if it weren't for the scholarship. The University has been a continually supportive and nurturing environment to do this, whilst pushing me to build in all areas of my skills and build upon my existing talents."

Reuben, Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc, AIR Diversity scholar

"A scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and pursue my goals without financial stress. It has allowed me to fully engage in my education, as well as provide access to music lessons and software I could not have afforded otherwise. It has made a huge difference."

Anjali, Civil Engineering BSc, Michael Schenker scholar

"I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship, which has provided financial relief and invaluable encouragement in my Civil Engineering journey. It has strengthened my confidence and determination to create meaningful infrastructure and community changes. This support has allowed me to focus on my studies and future aspirations without financial burden, and I deeply appreciate the donor’s generosity, which has impacted my education and career path."

Jake, Actor Musician BA, Sean McGrath scholar

"Having a scholarship at GSA has made such a massive difference to my training — I’m able to focus so much more with a little of the financial stress of being a non-English student in England being alleviated. It's made my experience at GSA feel so much more secure."

Elle, Actor Musician BA, Shining Star scholar

"Having the scholarship has been indescribably helpful when it comes to funding my course. Performance was something I’d not considered due to the lack of funding for scholarships vs traditional academic degrees. This money has allowed me to study something I love and have an experience I never would have had otherwise."

Karyn, Paramedic Science BSc, Paramedic scholar

"The scholarship that has so kindly been donated to me has made an enormous difference in my journey at University. Being a single parent has been tough financially over the years.

I can't explain the joy and excitement I felt being offered a place at one of the best Universities in the country for Paramedic Science, something I had dreamt about for over 15 years. As we live on the south coast, I knew I needed to create a tight budget and gain financial support to support us both and afford the fuel costs of University and placement.

I was therefore, absolutely overjoyed to recieve this scholarship. I knew that this would help to make the struggle so much easier, and I could focus on my daughter and our studies without the stress and anxiety of financial hardship. This has made such an impact on our lives and that's exactly what I intend to do once I am a qualified paramedic - to make a difference in as many lives as I can."

Ellie-Mae, Medicine BMBS, Sam and John Dawson scholar

“Not feeling accepted, represented or a sense of belonging in higher education is a familiar experience for me and I know is one that prevents young people like me from accessing and excelling at university and from pursuing medicine. Your absolute belief in us is invaluable. To have people believe in me is the most powerful motivator to do good”

Rahim, Civil Engineering BSc, Michael Schenker scholar

"The scholarship has been instrumental in advancing my academic and professional journey in civil engineering. It has provided me with the financial support needed to invest in my studies, allowing me to focus more on my coursework and explore my field in greater depth. Beyond the financial benefits, it has also served as a source of motivation, encouraging me to strive for excellence and fully immerse myself in my education"

Margaret, Musical Theatre BA, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholar

"I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship for my training at the Guildford School of Acting. It has not only helped me financially but has given me the opportunity to fulfil my passion with the confidence and support I've been kindly blessed with. I feel honoured and motivated to keep working hard, especially knowing people around me, believe in me. It is an absolute privilege to have so much support around me and I am truly ecstatic for what's ahead in my career."

Elham, Chemical Engineering BSc, Fluor Diversity scholar

"I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship as it has eased financial pressure, allowing me to fully engage in my studies and explore opportunities that will shape my future, both academically and personally."

Cameron, Musical Theatre BA, Sean McGrath scholar

"I was very humbled to receive the McGrath scholarship for my 2024/25 school year and have been tremendously grateful for the support it has provided me whilst studying. It has alleviated pressures I faced in my First Year, allowing me to focus solely on my training and development inside of GSA, making progress at a faster rate than before."

Indrajit, Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BSc, AIR Diversity scholar

"I’ve found an instant source of joy knowing I’ve been awarded this scholarship. Thinking about how my ethnic background influenced my interest in my course was a challenging and introspective process, but it revealed to me that I’ve had a rather unique journey into sound engineering, with one of the main causes being my ethnic background. The scholarship will help me to secure valuable opportunities in the music industry, enhancing my prospects in the recording-based career I choose to pursue."

Scholarships create opportunities for young people that go far beyond their time at University. The video below tells Anwar’s story.