The Varsity Trust is a unique venture, created by a deed dated 1 July 1992, with the principal object of furthering the education of students in journalism by the provision of funds in the form of scholarships, bursaries or grants to students attending Universities in Cambridge.

Varsity provides a unique learning opportunity for those interested in journalism and photojournalism to experience the elements of the trade in a professionally-run environment, with the same pressures of deadlines, accuracy and quality to be met as at any other publication. The Trust seeks to reward those with a passion for journalism by assisting them with their first steps into the professional world.

The Trust awards scholarships to make substantial contributions to the cost of tuition fees for one-year postgraduate courses in journalism at approved institutions. The trust will also consider contributing to the cost of full and part-time diploma courses provided by The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

The award of Trust Scholarship recognises excellence in student journalism and the potential of the recipient to succeed in the profession. Normally,  one award is made each year, further bursaries of lower value are sometimes awarded depending on need and merit.

How to Apply

Applications for the academic year 2024/2025 are now closed.

Eligibility

Students may apply before any offer to study has been received, but any award will be conditional of the applicant being successful in receiving an offer of study from their chosen institution and taking up a place on an approved course in journalism.

The Trustees hope to be in a position to make an election/elections in the early part of the Cambridge Easter term.

While experience of student journalism is a prerequisite, it is not a requirement for applicants to have experience writing, taking pictures or broadcasting for Varsity or any of its associated publications.

Applications will be accepted from members of the University of Cambridge and associated institutions, including Anglia Ruskin University.

Trustees

Dr Mike J Franklin: (Chairman)

Quondam Fellow, Hughes Hall, formerly Admissions Tutor, Tutor, Praelector and Director of Studies in History and in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, Hughes Hall, former Fellow of Wolfson College, Chairman of Varsity Publications Ltd.

Dr Raphael Lyne:

Reader in Renaissance Literature in the Faculty of English, Fellow and Director of Studies in English, Murray Edwards College.

Alan Bookbinder:

Graduate of St Catherine's College, Oxford. Former Master of Downing College and previously a journalist and producer for the BBC.

Peter Davies:

Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, University of Michigan, USA, formerly Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, University of Oregon, USA and former Business Manager, Varsity Publications Ltd.