Rehabilitation through Higher Education
Our scholarships are designed to support young serving and former prisoners to continue their rehabilitation by studying for degree in a subject of their choice at a university of their choice that will open doors to future careers and a second chance. We offer around 70 new scholarships each year, the majority under our Longford Scholarships programme. It offers financial support, a one-to-one trained mentor, and an Employability project designed to ensure that our award-holders, like every other student who gets a degree, can move forward into graduate-level employment. These awards continue throughout the duration of a degree. In addition, for applicants planning to study Law, there are our Patrick Pakenham Awards and, for those studying Computer Science, our Nat Billington Scholarships. There is also our The Frank Awards that are available for serving prisoners who want to use their time in prison to start studying with the Open University but cannot access the funds to pay tuition fees.
What level of support is available?
Our scholarships (except Frank Awards) range from £300 to £3,000 a year depending on individual circumstances. They can be awarded at any point during your degree course and help with studying and living costs but can in some circumstances be used to pay tuition fees. The Frank Awards are for the tuition fees of one full Open University module.
What and where could I study?
Since 2005, more than 600 scholars have studied at universities up and down the country, including Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each year we commission an independent report on how effective our programme is, compiled by our current scholars and mentors answering, anonymously, a set of questions. To read the latest version, click here.
- Financial support to study for a university degree
- Help from a trained mentor
- Support in finding graduate-level jobs
- Specialist awards if you’re studying Law or Computer Science