Undergraduate Support
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, a total of £280,923 was raised this year in support of our undergraduates.
Rising economic pressures continue to make life especially challenging for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the demand for bursary support at Keble grows each year. We remain firmly committed to widening access and ensuring that every talented student has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Hannah Sandhu
2023 Biomedical Science
“My experiences at Oxford have solidified my ambition to apply my knowledge in clinical settings, where I hope to make meaningful contributions to patient care and innovative medical research. Your bursary has been instrumental in supporting these aspirations. It has allowed me to participate in activities such as travelling to research institutions, attending medical events and engaging in training programs that have broadened my understanding of the field. For this I am deeply grateful.”
Aryeh Tysman
2023 Computer Science
“Your generous contribution has really helped to alleviate the financial strain I would have otherwise had this year. Receiving this bursary reinforces my commitment to learning and inspires me to make the most of the opportunities I now have. I am deeply grateful for all your support which not only has an effect on my education, but also shapes my future.”
Bursaries
With the growing need for bursaries to ensure that financial circumstances are never a barrier to academic opportunity, this year, we were fortunate to receive the generosity of two Keble alumni: Naveen Baid (2005 Economics and Management) and Max Jaderberg (2008 Engineering Science).
Their remarkable gifts have made possible the creation and endowment of two new undergraduate bursaries — The Baid Family Bursary and The Jaderberg Bursary. These bursaries represent not only an investment in the future of our students but also a powerful statement of solidarity and commitment from our alumni community. For generations to come, they will enable deserving undergraduates to access the full benefits of a Keble education, without being held back by financial constraint.
Max Jaderberg
2008 Engineering Science
“I first became aware of the valuable help Keble alumni provide to current students when I received funding, in the form of an Engineering Prize, during my time as an undergrad. In turn, I wanted to give something to Keble that would make a lasting difference for students. The Jaderberg Bursary supports students studying Engineering and STEM subjects, helping them to focus on their studies and their time in College with fewer financial worries. I hope this bursary gives others the chance to learn, grow, and discover their potential, and contribute to the next generation of science and technology.”
In addition to these endowed bursaries, we have taken further steps to secure long-term financial resilience for our student support programmes. At the recent 1980s Reunion, we were delighted to launch a new initiative — the Talbot Bursaries. This fund has been created to provide a sustainable source of bursary support, ensuring that Keble can continue to meet the needs of future generations. The Talbot Bursaries reflect the enduring spirit of generosity within our alumni network, and we look forward to seeing the fund grow in the years ahead.
You can read more about the new fund here.
Preclinical Medics Research Award
Alongside bursary support, targeted funding for academic opportunities is also transforming the student experience at Keble. A new research fund for Pre-Clinical Medicine students in their third year has recently been established, ensuring that our aspiring doctors can fully engage in one of the most formative stages of their degree.
As part of their programme, third-year medics are required to complete an eight-week research project following their exams in Trinity Term. This vital project means that they remain in residence for up to two weeks beyond the end of term — incurring additional living costs at a time when many are already financially stretched.
Thanks to the generosity of Angus Lund (1990 Mathematics), and Zina Etheridge (1990 Modern History), Keble is now able to offer financial support for these costs. This means that students can focus on their academic development, rather than worrying about how to meet the expense of staying on. The impact has been immediate and deeply appreciated by those undertaking their projects.
Adam Bosompem
2023 Preclinical Medicine
“The help from your donation has enabled the medical students at Keble, such as myself, to concentrate fully on the Final Honours School project without financial worries.”
The Robin Geffen Award in memory of Professor Vincent Gillespie
Many in the Keble community will already be aware of the sad news that Honorary Fellow Professor Vincent Gillespie (1972 English) passed away earlier this year. Vincent was not only one of Keble’s most distinguished alumni but also a great friend of the College throughout his life. He will be remembered with deep affection and admiration by all who knew him.
In recognition of his remarkable legacy, and to ensure that his memory continues to inspire future Keble undergraduates, Robin Geffen (1976, Philosophy and Theology) has generously endowed a new academic award: The Robin Geffen Award in memory of Professor Vincent Gillespie. This annual prize will be awarded to the student who achieves the best performance in the First Public Examinations (Prelims) in English.
The creation of this prize honours Vincent’s memory but also strengthens Keble’s tradition of recognising and rewarding academic achievement.
You can read Vincent’s life story here: Life Stories - Vincent Anthony Gillespie (1972) - Keble College