John Stuart Day Scholarship

The John Stuart Day Scholarship has been established thanks to the generous bequest of the late University supporter Olga Day. The scholarship is intended to support a mature undergraduate Physics student in overcoming financial challenges during their university studies.
 
The successful applicant will receive up to a maximum of £12,000 over three years. The scholarship will be paid in equal instalments in February of the first, second and third years of undergraduate study.
 
One John Stuart Day Scholarship is available for 2026/27.

Eligibility

To be considered for the John Stuart Day Scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be in receipt of an offer from the University of Leicester to study your first undergraduate Physics degree course (either BSc or MPhys), and start your course in September 2026. Eligible courses include:
   
   o Physics BSc; Physics MPhys
   o Physics with Astrophysics BSc; Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
   o Physics with Climate Science BSc; Physics with Climate Science MPhys
   o Physics with Data Science BSc; Physics with Data Science MPhys
   o Physics with Space Science BSc; Physics with Space Science MPhys
   
   In addition, applicants on the Physics with Foundation Year BSc course may apply if they are completed their Foundation Year in academic year 2025-26 and are progressing into Year 1 in academic year 2026-27.
   
   
2. Be studying full-time and campus-based
   .
3. Have been assessed for fee status as 'Home' student.
   
   
4. Be classed as a mature student, meaning you will turn 21 on or before Monday 21 September 2026, the first day of Term 1 of the 2026-27 academic year. You can still apply if you are currently 20 but will turn 21 by the deadline given.

Awards may be withdrawn if we later become aware that successful applicants have not met eligibility criteria or have provided false information.

How to apply

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide a personal statement of up to 350 words, which should explain:

• What difference receiving the scholarship will have towards your university experience.
• What barriers have you already encountered or overcome in pursuit of your education.
• What ambitions do you have for your time at university and/or the future beyond university?
• What achievements, academic and/or personal, are you most proud of. There is no right or wrong answer; we are just keen to hear your own story.
• Applications will open for this scholarship from late August 2026, at which time a link to our application form will be added to this webpage.

Notification 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome for their applications by mid-November 2026.

Questions

If you have any questions about this scholarship, please contact the Advancement Team by email at stewardship@leicester.ac.uk.