May 29, 2024
by Amber Wilson
Receive Engineering Scholarships in the UK as a Home Student
The UK government has always stepped up to offer unique opportunities to help UK students with their financial struggles. They offer scholarships, rewards, and bursaries.
All the initiatives aim to provide a helping hand to engineering students. However, these aren't just about financial assistance. The scholarship programmes also recognise talent and give students a chance to shine.
These scholarships and bursaries can be a helping hand for students from underprivileged backgrounds. They allow students to continue their struggle and achieve their dreams of becoming engineers without having to give up.
Plus, for those students who've been putting in the hard work but might not have had the recognition they deserve, these rewards and merit-based scholarships are a chance to display their abilities.
It is more than just money. It is about giving students the support and recognition they need to reach their full potential. By investing in these bright minds, the UK government is ensuring a brighter future for engineering and developing a more inclusive and diverse field.
Engineering Scholarships in the UK for Home Students
From the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship to the Whitworth Scholarship Awards, there are many options that home aspiring engineers can consider. These home students have to be the citizens of UK and are also referred to as domestic students.
The government and various organisations have made efforts to allow students not to worry about money, making it easy for them to chase their dreams in the engineering world without any problems.
Some of these initiatives are:
- Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
- The Institute of Mechanical Engineers
- QUEST Undergraduate Scholarships
- Whitworth Scholarship Awards
- Engineering Horizons Bursary
1. Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
The Diamond Jubilee Scholarship is funded by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Students studying engineering and technology-related degrees can apply for it.
Furthermore, the scholarship is available for all students across the United Kingdom. Over 40 scholarships, each worth £1,000, are awarded each year.
Eligibility Criteria
- You have to be from the UK.
- You must have a high grade in secondary education (E.g., 3 'A's at A Level)
- You must have secured admission to an IET-accredited course.
2. The Institute of Mechanical Engineers
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers offers three different types of scholarships for undergraduate students:
- IMechE Undergraduate Scholarship
- IMechE Eaton Undergraduate Scholarship
- IMechE Land Rover Spen King Sustainability Award
IMechE Undergraduate Scholarships by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers
IMechE Undergraduate Scholarship
IMechE Undergraduate Scholarship is offered to undergraduate students pursuing an engineering degree accredited by IMechE. Students awarded this scholarship are granted a total of £8,000, i.e., £2,000 for each academic year.
IMechE Eaton Undergraduate Scholarship
Undergraduate students who receive the IMechE Eaton Undergraduate Scholarship can also secure a place in Eaton. Hence, successful award holders can get a place in Eaton. Moreover, the institution's selection committee selects students during the award period.
If you have this scholarship, you will receive a total grant of £8,000, with an equal division of £2,000 each year.
IMechE Land Rover Spen King Sustainability Award
The institution's selection committee also chooses successful recipients of the IMechE Land Rover Spen King Sustainability Award. These students have a chance of getting placements in companies like Jaguar and Land Rover. Lastly, the placement discussions will take place directly between the students and the sponsoring company.
Like the other two scholarships, this scholarship also offers a grant of £8,000, i.e., £2,000 for each academic year.
Eligibility Criteria
All these three scholarships have the same eligibility criteria:
- You must be a UK resident
- You must respond to questions 9a or 9b on your application for the first two scholarships.
- You must be interested in sustainability to apply for the third scholarship.
- You must answer question 9b on your application to apply for the third scholarship.
IMechE Postgraduate Scholarships by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers
Postgraduate students can also apply for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers scholarships. The Postgraduate Masters Scholarships are for students who:
- Have completed an undergraduate IMechE-accredited degree
- Want to pursue a masters IMechE accredited degree
- The purpose of completing the academic requirements is to be registered as a chartered engineer (CEng).
You are awarded a total of £6,500 for a full-time, one-year postgraduate programme. However, if you are pursuing a part-time postgraduate degree, the grant of £6,500 will be divided equally between the years of your degree.
Please note that as a part-time postgraduate student, the following year of your scholarship is conditional. Hence, your scholarship can be revoked if you fail to display satisfactory academic progress.
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for the postgraduate scholarship offered by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers if:
- You are living in the United Kingdom
- You have received an offer from a university
- You are going to get or have already gotten 2:1 honours in an IMechE-accredited degree
- You are applying for instruction or research-based programmes
- You have three different referees. The first referee must vouch for your academic excellence. The second referee must confirm your potential and suitability for a postgraduate degree. The third referee must testify for your character. It is highly encouraged if the referees are members of the institution.
3. QUEST Undergraduate Scholarships
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) organised the Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship Trust (QUEST) in 1977. The scholarship's prime goal is to support and promote education in the civil engineering sector.
Since 1977, QUEST has continued supporting civil engineering students through the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship. Over 200 students in the UK receive this scholarship every year.
Students must display excellence and outstanding potential as civil engineers to be selected as QUEST scholars.
Benefits
As a QUEST scholar, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- An annual payment of £1,500 - through the funding from QUEST and its sponsor companies
- £2,000 from a sponsor company if you commit to taking up its employment offer after graduation.
- A complete sponsorship throughout your degree by a renowned civil engineering or construction company
- Opportunity to do paid work for around eight weeks every summer for the sponsor company
- Constant support and guidance to encourage growth as a professional and qualified civil engineer
- Chance to take up a free training agree with a worth of around £406.
Duties of the QUEST Scholars
Towards their sponsor company:
- Must work for at least eight weeks annually with their sponsors during the summer break.
- Have keep in touch with their sponsors by joining meetings and engaging in site visits
- Must follow the terms of employment that they signed at the start of their employment period
Towards QUEST:
- Must become a student member of ICE
- Have to submit an annual report to QUEST that discusses their grades from the previous year.
- Must participate in at least three regional activities organised by QUEST to promote scholarship and civil engineering.
4. Whitworth Scholarship Awards
The Whitworth Scholarship Awards apply to both new and currently enrolled undergraduate students. The scholarship aims to help students have a bright future as young engineers.
Students from various engineering disciplines can apply for the scholarship. Some of these fields are mechanical, civil, electrical, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
If you meet the basic requirements for the Whitworth Scholarship Awards, refer to the section below to check its eligibility criteria.
- You are starting an undergraduate engineering degree or graduate MSc course.
- You are already enrolled in the abovementioned programmes, i.e., undergraduate or postgraduate.
- You have pursued a vocational route for a minimum of two years
- You must submit two to three references.
Criteria for Undergraduate Students
- The applicant must be a citizen of Britain, the Commonwealth or the European Union.
- Before pursuing studies in the UK, the applicant must have resided in the country for at least three continuous years.
- The applicant must have taken the vocational route for at least three years after leaving full-time education.
- The applicant for undergraduate programmes must submit three referral contacts. One reference must be from a professor. The second referee must be a senior representative from the company where they gained their practical experience. The third referee must be the head of the department.
Criteria for Postgraduate Students
- The applicant must be a citizen of Britain, the Commonwealth or the European Union.
- The applicant must be a UK resident for a length of three years
- The applicant must have recently graduated with two years of apprenticeship or field experience.
- The applicant starting their degree-level programme must submit two potential referees’ names. The first referee has to vouch for the applicant’s academic and theoretical achievements. The second referee has to provide insight into the applicant’s practical and training.
Conditions for the Whitworth Scholarship Awards
- Students can get only one Whitworth Award at a time
- Short-listed applicants have to be interviewed for selection
- Applicants can have other scholarships, too, alongside the Whitworth Award
- Students must submit their annual progress reports. In case of low performance on the report, the award can be terminated immediately.
Benefits of the Whitworth Scholarship Awards
- Full-time students' annual grants will amount to £9,000 for four years.
- For sandwich degree students, the award will be given on a pro-rata basis
- For part-time students, an annual grant of around £3,000 will be awarded
- For postgraduate full-time students, the annual award amounts to £9,000
- For postgraduate part-time students, the yearly award will be £3,000
- No award winner will be given more than a total of £36,000.
5. Engineering Horizons Bursary
The Institute of Engineering &Technology introduced the Engineering Horizons Bursary. The bursary is offered to students who have taken the vocational route for engineering. Students who have tackled personal or academic challenges to continue their education are also preferred. Lastly, students with the following attributes can apply:
- Mature students
- Part-time students
- Apprentices
Benefits
- A grant of around £4,000
- A free membership of IET
- Professional Development Growth
How do you receive engineering scholarships as a home student in the UK?
Managing financial responsibilities alongside academic and personal responsibilities can be very difficult. In such cases, students opt for scholarships that help them reduce their financial stress and focus on their studies.
However, acquiring these scholarships can be challenging for students if they do not have the proper guidance. For this reason, expert consultation is recommended. Where can you find experts in admissions and scholarships? CounsellingX has highly qualified admission counsellors who can help you handle your admissions and get scholarships.
Key Takeaways
- These scholarships provide financial aid, recognition for academic achievements, and opportunities for professional development.
- Eligibility criteria vary but generally include UK residency, academic excellence, and commitment to engineering studies.
- Benefits range from financial grants to free memberships in professional organisations.
- These initiatives aim to encourage diversity, support underprivileged students, and promote excellence in engineering.
Conclusion
The UK government and various engineering institutions offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to support students pursuing engineering degrees. These include the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), various scholarships from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), QUEST Undergraduate Scholarships from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Whitworth Scholarship Awards, and the Engineering Horizons Bursary from the Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET).
