How to get £2,000 to play computer games at university
Roehampton University has introduced an annual esports scholarship worth £2,000 for undergraduate and postgraduate students who can demonstrate both academic progress and competitive gaming ability. The scheme, which has already awarded more than 100 scholarships this year, requires recipients to compete in weekly university tournaments and represent the institution at external events, with eligibility based on minimum rankings in major games or, alternatively, strong streaming followings. Former registrar Mark Ellul highlighted the award as recognition of talent in a rapidly growing field, while past scholar Cameron Dray, who benefitted from the increased funding after the university raised the amount from £1,500, described the money as essential for affording study in a costly city without needing part‑time work.
The scholarship aims to address a broader issue of unclaimed financial aid, as millions of pounds in scholarships and bursaries across UK universities go unused each year due to low student awareness. Experts such as Tom Allingham of the Save the Student website note that many students are unaware of eligibility for such funds, contributing to high graduate debt levels—averaging over £47,500 in England. By offering targeted support for esports enthusiasts, Roehampton hopes to reduce financial stress, encouraging students to pursue both academic and gaming excellence without compromising either pursuit.
Early reactions suggest the initiative is resonating with the student community. Thomas Cole, an esports player known as “Pac,” praised the scholarship for alleviating monetary pressures and motivating gamers to improve their performance, while Dray urged peers to explore every available scholarship and bursary. Save the Student continues to promote awareness of diverse funding opportunities, emphasizing that many students could benefit from similar programmes if they were better informed about the options their universities provide.
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