Arkwright Scholarship

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
Founded1991
TypeNon-Profit Educational Organisation
FocusEngineering & Technical Design
Area served
United Kingdom
ProductEngineering scholarships for selected students studying 'A' levels, Scottish Highers and International Baccalaureate
Parent organization
Smallpeice Trust
Websitewww.arkwright.org.uk

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is an engineering award given to engineering students within the United Kingdom and Channel Islands. It has been running since 1991 and, as part of The Smallpeice Trust, has awarded over 6,000 scholarships to date.[1][2] Arkwright is the largest and most prestigious Scholarship scheme of its type in the UK.[3] The scholarship is named after Sir Richard Arkwright, an 18th-century industrialist and inventor, often credited with being one of the founding figures of the Industrial Revolution.

Selection

The scholarships are awarded through rigorous selection to the highest-calibre students from all educational backgrounds to support them through their A Levels, Scottish Highers or International Baccalaureate.[4][5] Students apply during year 11 (England and Wales), S4 (Scotland) and year 12 (Northern Ireland) before taking their GCSE or Scottish [National 5] Standard Grade exams. Scholarships begin at the start of year 12 (England & Wales) / S5 (Scotland) / year 13 (NI). Scholarships consist of an annual financial award to the Scholar and to their school, and a range of enrichment activities that increase a Scholar's understanding of their chosen field of engineering, such as mentoring and industry visits.[6][7][8] The scholars are encouraged to study engineering, and the most common destinations for scholars are the University of Cambridge, Loughborough University and Imperial College London (in order).

Eligibility

Selection process

To be awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, student applicants must go through a three-stage selection process.[9] The first stage is an extended online application form, where students have to describe a technical project they have done and explain how engineering is an interest in their lives. This online application must include a reference from a relevant teacher at the applicant's school. Stage two has been updated for 2024/5 candidates and is now an online aptitude test.[10] The final stage is an interview hosted online [11]

Trust & sponsors

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are a programme of The Smallpeice Trust. The Smallpeice Trust is an independent charity that provides programmes to promote engineering careers to young people aged 10 to 18 through residential courses, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Days and Scholarships.

Sponsors include Imperial College London, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and other industrial companies.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Arkwright Engineering Scholarships". www.arkwright.org.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Arkwright Engineering Scholarships". The Law Society Gazette. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Arkwright Scholarships". Reece Foundation. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Prestigious Arkwright scholarships". northyorkshirenews.com. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  5. ^ Burns, Judith (11 April 2019). "I was the only girl in A-level electronics". BBC News. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Bucks student secures prestigious scholarship with HARIBO". Bucks Free Press. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  7. ^ McCarthy, Alex (23 December 2019). "Arkwright Scholarship students celebrate at the IET". Electronics Weekly. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  8. ^ McCarthy, Alex (20 November 2019). "Arkwright Scholarship students focus on climate and autonomous vehicles". Electronics Weekly. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Cambridgeshire school pupil earns Arkwright Scholarship". Education Technology. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Aptitude Exam". www.arkwright.org.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Interview". www.arkwright.org.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Imperial sponsors our first Arkwright Scholarship | Imperial News | Imperial College London". Imperial News. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2020.