Alumnus Jim Tyrrell died in June 2022. He was only 60 – his death was premature and unexpected, and a tragic loss for his two daughters, his partner, his many friends and all who loved him. Jim studied French at St Chad’s between 1984 and 1990 and had maintained a connection with St Chad’s for much of his working life.
Jim wanted to support deserving students and fund scholarships for students in financial need. These included a series of Jim Tyrrell scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, a Student Support Fund to help students in unexpected financial need, and a variety of funds that will ensure that students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds are able to participate fully and fairly in all that Chad’s and university life has to offer.
Thanks to Jim’s generosity, St Chad’s College will award two Jim Tyrrell scholarships, worth £3000 for each year of a three or four year degree programme, to an undergraduate 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. Students from Gloucestershire, Jim’s own county, are especially welcome to apply for this scholarship.
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 Jim Tyrrell Scholarships 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