Undergraduate Support
The Keble community is very proud of its origins as one of the only Oxbridge colleges which was founded to broaden access to the University. Over 150 years later, access has never been more important. This year a total of £183k was raised in support of Bursaries and £34.6k for Student Hardship funding.
Bursaries
The number of undergraduates needing bursary support at Keble is steadily growing, in part due to the success of our Access & Outreach programmes. Around 20% of current students (over 90 students) receive some form of bursary support at present. Grants (usually between £500 and £3,500) are awarded to students according to the means-testing process completed upon application (bursaries are available on a sliding scale to students who have a household income below £42,875).
The cost of bursaries to College totals c. £150,000 per year. Our Bursary Endowment Fund sits at £2.2m, which releases £77,000 p.a. (based on 3.5% ROI). The shortfall of £73,000 (49%) is covered by a combination of cash donations specifically for bursaries, and the rest has to come from the Academic Account (a cost to the College). The Academic Account supports excellence in teaching: costs include the tutors’ and lecturers’ salaries, and, crucially, maintaining the tutorial system which underpins the excellence of an Oxford education for our undergraduates. Inevitably there are fluctuations from year to year in the number of students in need of bursary support and the scale of that need. To be financially robust and to minimise the impact on the Academic Account, the Bursary Endowment Fund needs to grow in value through further donations.
Usman Ahmed
2022 Mathematics
Coombe Bursary
“The support provided through your bursary has been extremely helpful during challenging times. Before receiving the bursary, I balanced my rigorous academic schedule with tutoring for up to nine hours weekly to support myself financially. Your generous bursary has alleviated much of the financial pressure I faced, allowing me to dedicate more time to my studies. This has led to an enriched academic experience, greater involvement in societies, and an ability to fully embrace the opportunities available at Oxford.”
Adam Trevett
2022 Biomedical Sciences
Coombe Bursary
“Thanks to your generous donation I have been able to apply for residence in college during the vacation, allowing me to return to Oxford ahead of my exams and so putting me in the best position to prepare. Additionally, your award has enabled me to attend meals in hall more frequently. For me, eating in hall is an important part of my experience at college, both for the opportunity to socialise and to appreciate the spectacular hall we are so lucky to have access to at Keble.”
Gabrielle Slater
2022 Modern Languages
Coombe Bursary
“Your generous bursary has lifted the weight of financial strain and allowed me to fully immerse myself in University life. The positive effects have been remarkable, not only in terms of financial relief but also in the enhancement of my academic performance. There has been a discernible improvement in the quality of my work and I do strongly believe that the bursary has contributed to this”
Becky Ye
2023 Philosophy and Theology
Dent Bursary
“With the financial help, I have been able to engage with university life much more deeply, going beyond just academics. …I have started doing judo and competed in the judo varsity (which we unfortunately lost — but there’s always next year). I have also managed to secure a Keble Ball ticket having heard many great stories about the balls at Oxford.”
Hardship
It is harder than ever for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend university today. Keble’s modest endowment means that we have limited resources to dedicate to student hardship, but we continue to prioritise student support as an area of fundraising so that no student misses out on the opportunities which make studying at Keble a unique and transformative experience.
This year we raised a total of £34,628 for Student Hardship. This sum will help support students who are in receipt of a bursary — i.e. those in most need — by giving them sufficient funds to cover the cost of three meals in College every week. This works out as ‘one free day of meals per week of term’, for all three terms for all students on a bursary. Eating in Hall with friends from different disciplines is an integral part of College life, from which no student should be deterred due to lack of funds. This scheme costs the College c. £33,000 per year.
In addition to the funding of meals, a small number of students who find themselves under extreme financial strain are awarded a grant of £1,000. Last year this funding was made available to 20 students.
“Even students who budget carefully and plan their time at Keble can run into unexpected financial difficulties.”
Ali Rogers, Senior Tutor
Theo Sergiou
2020 PPE
“I am a 4th year PPE student — I say 4 years, for a 3 year course, because I had to take an extra year out because of quite bad health. When I was younger I had a form of eye cancer, which means that I am visually impaired and occasionally have constant stints in hospital. Taking the extra year I needed so I could get on top of my health without having to sacrifice the opportunity of studying at Oxford would not have been possible without the constant generous donations to the Hardship Fund. I’d love other students to be supported the way that I have and want to thank you all. I’ve just graduated with an upper 2:1 and am going on to hopefully work within the civil service.”
“I believe that it’s incredibly important and incumbent on my generation to try and give back to thank the College for what it’s done for me.”