The University of Roehampton is offering esports scholarships worth £2,000 a year to undergraduate and postgraduate students. These scholarships are for those who can balance academic progress with video-gaming excellence, with over 100 awarded to date.
Mark Ellul, University of Roehampton registrar, stated that the scholarship recognises talent in a field with growing global and student popularity. Scholars are required to compete in weekly university tournaments and represent the university at in-person events.
While minimum rankings in major games are required, applications from those close to the threshold who meet other criteria, such as having large followings on streaming platforms, will be considered. The scholarship amount was increased from £1,500 to £2,000 due to team performance and rising popularity.
Former esports scholar Cameron Dray noted the scholarship was crucial for him to study in an expensive city without needing part-time work. Student money expert Tom Allingham from Save the Student advises incoming first-year students to seek out available scholarships, highlighting that much funding goes unclaimed.