News9th July 2026

Ark students celebrate bursaries worth more than £1.1m

Dozens of students from Ark schools across the country are celebrating after being awarded university bursaries worth more than £1.1 million, helping them take the next step towards higher education.

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Bursary recipients at the Marshall Wace offices

A total of 53 students have been offered support through the Ark bursary programme this year, providing them with vital financial assistance as they prepare to begin university studies in subjects ranging from psychology, medicine and engineering, to law, computer science and music production.

Since its launch in 2014, Ark’s bursary programme has supported more than 650 students to access higher education, helping to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent talented young people from pursuing their ambitions.

Bursaries are awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, make a positive contribution to their school and community, and have a financial need. The funding can help cover the costs associated with university life, reducing financial barriers and enabling students to focus on their studies.

This year’s awards have been made possible thanks to the continued generosity of Marshall Wace, The Reuben Foundation and Urbanest, whose support is helping young people from across the Ark network achieve their potential.

To mark their success, bursary recipients attended a celebration event at Marshall Wace’s headquarters in central London. The gathering gave students the opportunity to meet fellow recipients from across the Ark network, build professional connections, and develop their networking skills ahead of the next stage of their academic journeys.

Sarah Taunton, Ark’s Head of Destinations, said, “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s bursary recipients and everything they have achieved. These bursaries are about much more than financial support. They give our young people the confidence to pursue ambitious goals and make the most of the opportunities available to them at university and beyond.

“We are enormously grateful to our partners and donors, whose continued generosity is opening doors for hundreds of Ark students. Their support is helping to ensure that it is talent and hard work, rather than financial circumstances, determine a young person’s future.”

Can you help support Ark students to access university?

We would love to hear from individuals or organisations interested in supporting exceptional Ark students through the bursary programme. For more information, please contact the fundraising team at fundraising@arkonline.org