Dr Joe Cassidy was Principal of St Chad’s College from 1997 until his death in 2015. He was passionate about St Chad’s being able to offer students the support – both pastoral and financial – they need to succeed. He believed that anyone with aptitude and promise should have the opportunity to become part of an academic community like St Chad’s, whatever their background.
These Bursaries which bear his name and are funded through gifts from St Chad’s alumni, fellows and friends, are intended to reflect Dr Cassidy’s personality and principles, and celebrate his achievements. Applicants should ideally be able to demonstrate a commitment to social justice and a proven appetite for intellectual curiosity and academic and community engagement.
The Bursaries are intended to encourage applications to Durham and St Chad’s from students from less affluent economic backgrounds and under-represented communities in the UK and EU.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, St Chad’s College will award one Dr Joe Cassidy Memorial Bursary, worth £3000 for each year of a three or four year degree programme, to a student entering the College in the 2025-26 academic year.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025
EXPECTED INTERVIEW DATES: THURSDAY 1 AND FRIDAY 2 MAY 2025
ELIGIBILITY
Recipients will be able to demonstrate ‘financial need’ – defined as a household income below £40,000. Additional consideration will be given to applicants from neighbourhoods with low participation in higher education and from applicants who are a first generation scholar.
Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of financial need through presentation of their student finance company’s household income assessment before receipt of the scholarship payment.
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Domicile: UK/EU
College: Applicants must specify St Chad’s College as their first choice College when asked for their College preferences by Durham University
Year of Entry: New applicants for the academic year 2025-26
Mode of Study: Full-time
DETAIL
Duration: up to 4 years of consecutive study.
Value: successful recipients will receive £3000 per year for a maximum of four years. Funding can be used as either maintenance support or payment towards tuition fees. This is a grant rather than a loan, and does not need to be repaid.
HOW TO APPLY
Prospective applicants must:
Stage 1: submit an academic application to Durham University via UCAS.
Stage 2: applicants must specify St Chad’s College as their first choice College when asked for their College preferences by Durham University.
Stage 3: submit to St Chad’s College via email (chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk):
- an application including a personal statement of not more than 1,000 words describing how your personal circumstances make you eligible for this award, how the bursary would help you to study at Durham University, and why you want to study at Durham University and St Chad’s College.
- a character reference from one of your teachers in support of your scholarship application to be sent by email to chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk. Please ensure your referee submits the reference on letter headed paper which contains their name, position, contact details and your full name.
Successful applicants will also be required to share with the College a copy of their student finance entitlement before receipt of the scholarship.
Scholarship applications accepted from: 1 October 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025
EXPECTED INTERVIEW DATES: THURSDAY 1 AND FRIDAY 2 MAY 2025
SELECTION PROCESS
All eligible applications for the Dr Joe Cassidy Memorial Bursaries will be considered on the basis of their personal statement, reference and academic status by two members of College staff at St Chad’s College. The financial and personal information you provide will be treated with strict confidentiality by members of the selection panel.
Other scholarship awards may be taken into account when considering scholarship allocation.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short informal online interview in April/May 2025. This interview will be with two members of College staff.
CONTACT
For further information or advice:
Email: chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)191 334 3357