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School of Modern Languages & Cultures
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The Helen Sharp Undergraduate Scholarship in Modern Languages

Notes to Applicants

  • The Helen Sharp Undergraduate Scholarship in Modern Languages provides up to £4,000 annually, per scholar, for up to four years of studying European Languages in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (or MLAC for short).
  • One scholar is selected from each first-year intake. This scholarship is generously funded by Helen Sharp, a graduate of MLAC.

Am I eligible to apply?

You are eligible for these Scholarships if:

  1. You are commencing your studies at MLAC in October 2025; and
  2. You wish to study one or more of the following languages: French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, and Russian; and
  3. Your official fee status is that of a Home student; and
  4. Your household income has been, or will be, assessed by Student Finance England (SFE) (or equivalent) as below £42,875; and
  5. You have been educated at a state-maintained UK school, college or other education provider for the whole of your education.
  6. This scheme is not applicable for those students taking only Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.

How can I use the Scholarship?

The Scholarships are intended to help you get the best out of your time at MLAC and Durham University more generally. The funding awarded to you is yours and does not need to be repaid.  You can use the money to pay for the things that would help you most. Typically, students find it helpful to use such awards to purchase their own learning resources such as text books, laptops and related devices; membership and other costs relating to clubs, societies, sports and activities that interest them, and to help build skills which may transfer into the workplace; and/or to enable participation in activities that support personal development and employability – perhaps volunteering, or attending employer insight days.

How and when do I apply?

To apply for one of these Scholarships, please complete and submit the application form and email a copy of your Student Finance England (or equivalent) assessment letter, once it is available to you, with the subject "The Helen Sharp Undergraduate Scholarship 2025" to mlac.hos@durham.ac.uk.

The information you provide will be treated in strict confidence, and will only be seen by members of the selection panel.

Applications must be received before midnight (no later than 23:59 BST) on 26 March 2025. Late applications cannot be considered.  

Successful applicants will be notified by the end of April 2025.