News

“Largest ever” scholarship gift to help County Durham students study at Durham University

(16 December 2009)

Councillor Young and Vice-Chancellor Prof Higgins sign the scholarship agreement

Durham University will tomorrow (Wed December 16) launch a scholarship fund for County Durham students thanks to a £1million donation from local entrepreneur and councillor Bob Young.

The donation is the largest scholarship gift in the history of Durham University. The fund - known as The Robert Young Scholarship Fund for County Durham at Durham University - will support local students who meet Durham’s entry requirements, but are unable to secure funding for their university education from other sources and whose parents or near family are unable to fund their education. Robert Young Scholarships will be used to pay undergraduate tuition fees, course costs, and living expenses. The scholarships will be up to a maximum of £10,000 per year. Depending on satisfactory academic progress and continued financial eligibility, the University will renew a student’s scholarship for every year they study towards an undergraduate degree at Durham University. Scholarship recipients can choose to read in any of the University’s 191 undergraduate degree programmes. At least one student each year for the next 32 years will benefit from a Robert Young Scholarship. The scholarships will be advertised to all state school Sixth Form providers within County Durham and awarded on a competitive basis. Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins said: “This is an historic occasion, as Bob’s donation represents the largest scholarship gift in the history of Durham University. “A Durham University education is transformative and I’m confident Bob’s gift will permanently and positively impact the lives of those students in County Durham who qualify for these scholarships.” Councillor Young, who represents Delves Lane, Crookhall Consett South, & Consett East on Durham County Council, was the entrepreneurial head and founder of the Hargreaves group of Companies Councillor Young said: “My greatest regret is that I did not pursue higher education. “I would like to instil in every County Durham student who has aspirations to go to university a belief that they can go to a world-class university like Durham University and that this is not beyond their reach.” County Durham MP Kevan Jones said: “The gift Bob is making is tremendously generous. It shows Bob’s determination and commitment to help young people from the area and also underscores his recognition of the importance of Durham University to the future of County Durham.”

• Durham Times
• Sunderland Echo
• The Journal