Margaret Rankin Pitt Scholarship

The Margaret Rankin Pitt Scholarship has been established thanks to the generous support of a US-based alumni donor. The scholarship is intended to support a female undergraduate Physics students in overcoming financial challenges during their university studies.

Each 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 Margaret Rankin Pitt Scholarship is available for 2025/26.

Eligibility

To be considered for a Margaret Rankin Pitt Scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be currently studying at the University of Leicester for your first undergraduate Physics degree course (either BSc or MPhys), and be in Year 1 of your course in the current academic year (2025/26). Eligible courses include:
   • Physics BSc; Physics MPhys
   • Physics with Astrophysics BSc; Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
   • Physics with Climate Science BSc; Physics with Climate Science MPhys
   • Physics with Data Science BSc; Physics with Data Science MPhys
   • Physics with Space Science BSc; Physics with Space Science MPhys
2. Be studying full time and campus based
3. Have been assessed for fee status as a 'Home' student
4. Identify as female, as indicated by information held on MyStudentRecord
5. Have been permanently resident in the UK for the past three years in an area of low participation in higher education (POLAR 4, Quintile 1), or, have been permanently resident in the UK for the past three years in an area of socio-economic deprivation (IMD Decile 1-2)
6. Have a household income of £30,000 or below, as confirmed by the Student Loans Company, or alternative evidence produced upon request.

Awards may be withdrawn if we later become aware that successful applicants have not met eligibility criteria or have provided false information.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 will receiving the scholarship make to 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.

The deadline for applying for this scholarship is 10.00am GMT on Monday 26 January 2026. Applications made after this date will not be considered.

Apply for the Margaret Rankin Pitt Scholarship

Notification

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

Questions

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