Britain’s Leading Forum For TV And Related Media The Royal Television Society Awards Its 2020 Undergraduate Bursary Scholars

The prestigious scheme aims to widen participation in, and access to, the media industry by supporting talented students from lower income backgrounds who are pursuing careers in television.

For 2020, 10 Technology bursaries were awarded, including one sponsored by STV and one sponsored by YouView, with the scholars studying a STEM subjects ranging from Engineering and Computer Science, to Mathematics and Robotics.

The TV Production and Journalism bursaries have been awarded to 30 undergraduates at 25 different universities, across a range of courses including Television Production, Business of the Creative Industries, and Animation Art and Design. One of the bursaries was provided by the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund, with a further nine sponsored by STV.

40 RTS Bursary Scholars across Television Production and Broadcast Journalism and Technology

The Royal Television Society (RTS), Britain’s leading forum for television and related media, has named the recipients for its 2020 undergraduate bursaries. The prestigious scheme aims to widen participation in, and access to, the media industry by supporting talented students from lower income backgrounds who are pursuing careers in television. STV, All3 Media and the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund also provide funds and support for the TV Production/Journalism bursaries.

For 2020, 10 Technology bursaries were awarded, including one sponsored by STV and one sponsored by YouView, with the scholars studying a STEM subjects ranging from Engineering and Computer Science, to Mathematics and Robotics. The TV Production and Journalism bursaries have been awarded to 30 undergraduates at 25 different universities, across a range of courses including Television Production, Business of the Creative Industries, and Animation Art and Design. One of the bursaries was provided by the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund, with a further nine sponsored by STV.

The Television Production and Broadcast Journalism bursary awardees are: Rima Ayoubi, Pia Barley, Cole Baigent, Maria Bartucca, Adam Bolt, Ishavishali Chandrakumar, Chloe Bush, Isabel Cresswell, Francesca Dewart, Eleanor Gascoigne, Robbie Gaynor, Molly Gracey, Katy Guyatt, Maia Howitt, Ben Ledsham, Meg Maguire, Skye McCord, Maddi Scharmann, Iona Shanks, Ronan Smith, Michelle Smith, Beathriz Souza, Kaitlyn Stuart, Izaak Thorn, Nicole Tomkins, Daire Villa, Samantha Whelan, Lewis Wolstenhulme and Nerea Zambrano.

Those students receiving a Technology bursary are: Brooklyn Adeola, Hetal Barai, Molly Clifford, Josephine Cowley, Delilah Hague, Tanitia Moore, Mary Olaleye, Younis Roble, Rebekah Scrimger and Maya Tetteh.

This year the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund scholar is Khadija Uddin.

Theresa Wise, RTS CEO, said “Across both schemes the talent shown across the applications consistently impresses us and the standard increases year after year, and for 2020 we are delighted to see more female technology scholars on the scheme than ever before. We are very much looking forward to supporting this passionate set of students on their entry into the industry. Congratulations to all the scholars!”

Ashley John-Baptiste, RTS Bursary Ambassador, added “With students starting their studies during such difficult and unique circumstances, supporting them is more crucial than ever.  I look forward to joining the RTS in lifting up the future of our industry and supporting these talented students.”

During their studies, each recipient will receive £1,000 per year to assist with their expenses and living costs. In addition, each beneficiary will receive free membership of the RTS while studying, with an additional year after they graduate. In their final year of study, the RTS will also aim to set-up mentoring opportunities with one of their industry members. One undergraduate has also been awarded the Steve Hewlett scholarship and will also receive £2,000 per annum from the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund supported by the RTS and The Media Society.

Eligibility this year was extended to include students taking Higher National Diplomas at level 5 or 6 in Television, Film Production, Journalism or other related subjects for the Television Production and Journalism bursary, and for relevant subjects such as Computer Science, Engineering, Maths or Physics for the Technology bursary. The recipients were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK students applying for courses at accredited colleges and universities.

Full List of Television Production and Broadcast Journalism Bursary Scholars:

Rima Ayoubi from Warwick is studying Digital Film Production L6 at Warwickshire College.

Pia Barley from Lincoln is studying Film and Television at the University of Hertfordshire.

Cole Baigent from Dumfries is studying Media and Communication at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Maria Bartucca from Swindon is studying Computer Animation Art and Design at Bournemouth University.

Adam Bolt from Brixham is studying Filmmaking at University of the West of England.

Ishavishali Chandrakumar from Hayes is studying Film and Television at the University of Arts, London.

Chloe Bush from Telford is studying Journalism at Liverpool John Moores University.

Isabel Cresswell from Norwich is studying Film at The University of Westminster.

Francesca Dewart from Dumbarton is studying HND Creative Industries: Media at West College Scotland.

Eleanor Gascoigne from Swindon is studying Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire.

Robbie Gaynor from Inverness is studying Creative Industries Television at City of Glasgow College.

Molly Gracey from Glasgow is studying English and Creative Writing and Journalism, Media and Communication, Politics and International Relations at the University of Strathclyde.

Katy Guyatt from Southampton is studying Television Production at Southampton Solent University.

Maia Howitt from Bathgate is studying Media, Film and Journalism Studies at The University of Stirling.

Ben Ledsham from Wrexham is studying Film Production at The University of Salford.

Meg Maguire from Northants is studying Business of the Creative Industries at University of York.

Skye McCord from Arbroath is studying Journalism at The Robert Gordon University.

Maddi Scharmann from Blackpool is studying Film & Television Production at Edge Hill University.

Iona Shanks from Edinburgh is studying Television at Edinburgh Napier University.

Ronan Smith from Glasgow is studying Creative Industry HND television at New College Lanarkshire Cumbernauld.

Michelle Smith from Edinburgh is studying Television at City of Glasgow College.

Beathriz Souza from Swindon is studying Journalism at the University of Gloucestershire.

Kaitlyn Stuart from Newcastle upon Tyne is studying Television Production at The University of Westminster.

Izaak Thorn from Salisbury is studying Television Production at Bournemouth University.

Nicole Tomkins from Ludlow is studying Journalism: Broadcast at The University of Salford.

Daire Villa from Derry is studying Screen Production at Ulster University.

Samantha Whelan from York is studying Media Production: Film and Television at York St John University.

Lewis Wolstenhulme from Beauly is studying Filmmaking Top-up at BIMM Screen and Film School.

Nerea Zambrano from Croydon is studying Journalism at The University of Leeds

Steve Hewlett Memorial Scholar:

Khadija Uddin from Port Talbot is studying Journalism, Communications and Politics at Cardiff University.

Full List of Technology Bursary Scholars:

Brooklyn Adeola from Gravesend is studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Warwick.

Hetal Barai from Pinner is studying Theoretical Physics at UCL.

Molly Clifford from Belper is studying Design Engineering at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.

Josephine Cowley from Camborne is studying Engineering at The University of Cambridge.

Delilah Hague from London is studying Mechatronics and Robotics at the University of Leeds.

Tanitia Moore from Chesterfield is studying Computer Science at The University of Nottingham.

Mary Olaleye from Glasgow is studying Computer Science at the University of St Andrews.

Younis Roble from London is studying Robotics at the University of the West of England.

Rebekah Scrimger from Durham is studying Physics at The University of York.

Maya Tetteh from Maidenhead is studying Mathematics at The University of Birmingham.

About The Royal Television Society
From glamorous award ceremonies to lively debates, the RTS embraces all aspects of television, and is open to anyone with an interest in the medium.

As an educational charity, we encourage and celebrate work in television and its related fields, from finding out how the nation’s favourite shows are made in our Anatomy of a Hit series, to celebrating burgeoning talent at our annual Student Awards.

The industry’s most talented individuals give us an insight into the work that goes into making cutting edge contemporary TV. From Government ministers and CEOs to workshops with great runners, our events look at every part of the business. 

Our annual Television Journalism, Programme, Craft and Design, and Student Awards celebrate achievements across the broadcasting industry. 

Each year, we offer Television Production and Technology bursaries to help those from less affluent backgrounds get a foothold in the industry, and Masterclass sessions bring together students, academics and industry heads.

Global television leaders gather to discuss what the future holds for television at our London Conference or the RTS Cambridge Convention.

Alongside our engaged community of over 5,000 full members, the Society is supported by Britain and the world's biggest broadcasters, producers and consultants, including Principal Patrons BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Sky.

Originally founded as the Television Society in 1927, the Society was granted its Royal title in 1966 and HRH The Prince of Wales became Patron of the RTS in 1997.

Today, 15 regional and national groups curate lively events and awards around the UK and Ireland, from Glasgow to Galway. 

RTS Futures, which is aimed at those in their first two years of employment, organises an exciting roster of discussion, training and social occasions. Recent events have included workshops on learning how to format shows and how to survive as a freelancer, and expert panels explaining how to be the best researcher and how to make it on-screen.