The University of Buckingham’s School of Computing is excited to announce the availability of the Diversity in Computing Bursary, a financial award of £2,000, established to encourage and support female undergraduate students pursuing studies in Computing and Information Technology.
The University of Buckingham was established in 1976 and is the only independent university in the UK, meaning it is not funded by the government. It was founded with the aim of providing high-quality, flexible education and has since built a strong reputation for its focus on student satisfaction, employability, and innovative teaching. Known for its small class sizes and personalized approach, Buckingham offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and it prides itself on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for its students.
Table of Briefs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Diversity in Computing Bursary |
| Value | £2,000 |
| Eligible Applicants | Female students applying to undergraduate Computing programmes |
| Application Prerequisite | Must apply and be accepted into an eligible course before bursary application |
| Eligible Start Dates | September 2025 (open), January 2026 (not yet open) |
| Course Types | BSc (Hons) degrees in Computing and Computing combined with other subjects |
| Funding Provided By | Donation from alumnus Mr. Weiyou Cui |
| School Reputation | Recognised for advancing women in STEM; multiple awards |
Background
The technology sector continues to face a significant gender imbalance, particularly in fields like computing and artificial intelligence. While women are increasingly pursuing higher education—with recent UCAS data indicating they are 35% more likely to attend university than men—only a small fraction choose to study subjects categorized under “Mathematical and Computing Sciences. According to Times Higher Education, fewer than 20% of these women apply to computing-related programmes, highlighting a critical gap in gender representation within the tech workforce.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Diversity in Computing Bursary, applicants must:
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Identify as female
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Have applied for and been accepted into one of the eligible undergraduate Computing programmes at the University of Buckingham
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Be commencing studies in either the September 2025 or January 2026 intake (application for Jan 2026 not yet open)
Eligible Courses
The following courses qualify for the bursary:
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Business Management with Applied Computing BSc (Hons) – 2 years and 1 term
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Computing (AI and Robotics) BSc (Hons) – 2 or 3 years
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Computing (Cyber Security) BSc (Hons) – 2 or 3 years
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Computing BSc (Hons) – 2 or 3 years
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Computing with Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons) – 2 or 3 years (incl. integrated Foundation)
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Computing with Business Management BSc (Hons) – 2 years and 1 term or 3 years (incl. integrated Foundation)
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Computing with integrated Foundation BSc (Hons) – 3 years
Benefits
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Amount: £2,000 per student
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Form: Bursary or scholarship
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Purpose: To ease financial burdens and empower more young women to enter the field of computing
This financial support is often in addition to other scholarships or bursaries available at the University, increasing its impact.
Application Process
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Apply to a Qualified Course
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You must first submit an application to one of the eligible Computing courses.
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Upon application, you will receive an Application ID.
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Use Application ID to Apply for Bursary
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After receiving your ID, fill out the bursary application form.
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Submit Before Deadline
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Ensure your application for the course is submitted well before applying for the bursary.
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Important Dates
Application Deadline: Open
Conclusion
The Diversity in Computing Bursary is more than just financial support—it’s an investment in the future of women in tech. If you’re a female student passionate about computing, take advantage of this opportunity to join a forward-thinking academic community that values diversity and innovation.