THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has announced it is making a major investment into fostering green leadership talent through a new scholarship programme.
The university is set to instate a new scholarship programme aimed at helping students become part of the new generation of leaders in global sustainability.
The course will offer the opportunity to up to 400 high-achieving students who have shown passion and commitment to addressing climate change and environmental challenges.
It will represent an investment of £34m from the institution, the latest initiative to continue its work in tackling the climate crisis.
The scholarship programme will be open for 2025 entry, when it will provide successful applicants with £6,000 annual maintenance funding, specialised sustainability leadership development opportunities, careers support focused on sustainability sectors, and access to industry networks and sustainability experts.
Successful applicants will need to achieve AAA at A-level or equivalent, but requisites will feature slightly adjusted criteria for students from more disadvantaged backgrounds, in order to encourage wider participation to the scheme for high-achieving students of all backgrounds.
It will be open to up to 250 UK students and up to 150 international students across all undergraduate programmes at Reading’s UK campuses, but will run with slightly reduced numbers in its first year.
Half of the scholarships for UK students for 2025 entry (100) will be earmarked for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The announcement comes as research shows sustainability increasingly influences students’ university preferences; according to the QS Sustainability Student Survey, 68% of students prefer a sustainable university over one ranked in the top 500, while 78% favour sustainability over a top 1,000 ranking.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “At a time when some parts of the world are going backwards on the environment, we are going forwards.
“This ambitious scholarship programme is a natural progression for the UK’s Sustainable University of the Year, and reflects our continuing commitment to tackling the defining challenges of our time – climate change and environmental degradation.
“We are looking for the brightest minds across all disciplines, from arts to sciences, who share our vision for a sustainable future.
“This provides generous financial support and also seeks to create a community of future leaders who will drive positive environmental change in whatever career they choose.”
Professor Dominik Zaum, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Resources and Planning, said: “This scholarship programme represents a step-change in how universities approach sustainability education.
“We’re seeking to create the next generation of sustainability leaders who will tackle global challenges across every sector of society.
“Whether you’re studying art or zoology, or from ancient history to computer science, this scholarship will equip you with the skills and knowledge to drive positive environmental change in your chosen field.”
Applications for the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship are open.
More information is available via the University of Reading’s website: reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study
