ARKWRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST
The Arkwright Scheme
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust is a registered charity (1091988) which was established in 1991. Our aim is to encourage and stimulate high ability 15/16 year old students to take up
engineering and/or technological careers by offering scholarships to those about
to enter ‘A’ Level courses. In the process we will raise the profile and status
of engineering and technology as an attractive option for further study.
The Trust believes that young people who are interested in engineering
and technology need more encouragement and support to develop careers in these
areas and that lack of support has led to a decline in the number of engineering
and technology degrees being taken.
Teachers are often unaware of the pathways available so we work closely with our member schools.
In the long term we believe that this decline will be detrimental to the future prosperity of the
economy and we work to nurture the talent of our promising young people to
redress this balance.
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust works with schools and scholars in England, Scotland and Wales. We work closely with our industry partners many of whom are keen to provide our scholars with valuable
work experience as part of our Adopt a Scholar scheme. Each scholar is adopted
by an industrial sponsor who will mentor the student and hopefully provide
opportunities for practical experience. The funds needed come from these
sponsors and other charitable organisations.
The Industrial Careers Foundation is now one of our principal sponsors.
We strive to promote open access in terms of background, culture, gender and ethnicity.
The scholarships are not awarded solely on merit and ability to school
students from all types of school and college. The selection process for an
Arkwright scholarship is rigorous and successful scholars must sit an aptitude
paper and be successful at interview in order to gain a scholarship.
The Trust keeps in touch with all past scholars and many help in the interviewing
process. They are also used to encourage potential applicants.
Timing of the application process
September. Accredited schools put forward pupils from
their year 11 for consideration
December. Schools draw up a list
of applicants who then send in their application forms.
January. Deadline.
February. All candidates sit a two hour aptitude paper
under exam conditions. These are then marked and graded. About one third are
then called to interview.
March/April. Interviewing takes place
at various university locations. The interviewing day will include a team
exercise running over several hours.
May/June. Successful scholars are matched with sponsors and they are notified of their results.
September. Their two-year scholarship begins.
October. The annual Arkwright Award Ceremony takes place in
London.
Contact address
Arkwright Scholarships Trust
Holly House
74 Upper Holly Walk
Leamington Spa, Warwicks CV32 4JL
Tel: 01926 333210
Fax: 01926 333212
Website: www.arkwright.org.uk
GCS/RG/03.05.08