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The Helen Sharp Undergraduate Scholarship in Modern Languages

Are you considering starting your undergraduate study with us in 2025?

Thanks to a generous gift from our alumna Helen Potts, we have a scholarship to offer for a talented student from a low-income background. This a fantastic opportunity for you to pursue academic excellence and enhance your career prospects within our School of Modern Languages and Cultures.

To apply, you will be embarking on an undergraduate degree programme in Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University. The scholarship award may be used to cover tuition, living costs and any other associated costs of study, and is a maximum of £4,000 per annum for up to four years.

The scholarship will be available to a student beginning their undergraduate studies in the 2025-26 academic year. To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Be in need of financial assistance at the time of application
  • Have been educated at a state-maintained UK school, college or other secondary education provider for the whole of your education

We invite all eligible candidates to apply for this opportunity. Applications from students of Black Heritage, care-leavers, refugees and asylum-seekers are particularly warmly welcomed.

The closing date for applications is 26 March 2025. Applications will open soon.

The Helen Sharp scholarship has been invaluable in allowing me to study Modern Languages the way I've always wanted. Finances were by far my biggest worry about going to university and because of this scholarship I've been able to devote myself to exploring francophone language and culture. Modern Languages at Durham is fantastic because it has a little something for everyone. It opens up a completely new world to you. Whatever aspect of a language interests you (the literature, the history, the film, anything), you’ll find it! It's a wonderful course for curious minds because you're constantly learning new and interesting things – even in grammar classes!

Clare Grieve
Awarded 2022 Scholarship
I loved my time at Durham - the teaching, the city and the lifelong friendships I formed and still maintain. It was also a great springboard to opportunities after university. I am funding this scheme as I want the same experiences to be available to everyone.

Helen Sharp, Trevelyan College
BA Hons French & Spanish, 1977-81