The University of Roehampton has announced that any student on any course, at any level, undergraduate or postgraduate within the university can apply for a £1500 esports scholarship fund.
Students applying for the scholarship will need to demonstrate aptitude in the field and in common with other sports scholarships available at the University, successful applicants over the coming years will be required to display their commitment to eSports alongside successful academic progression.
There’s two ways to look at this story. You could decide that the University of Roehampton is progressive and forward thinking, looking to the future when esports are just as mainstream as football. Alternatively, you could argue that £1500 is a small price to pay for an awful lot of coverage, outrage from the Daily Mail, blanket coverage from esports sites, and countless opinion pieces all of which mention the university.
Source: Press release
Tony Cawley
That’s the uni I went to, 1999-2002, it was called the Roehampton Institute back then and was affiliated with the University of Surrey.
I have very fond memories of the place, brilliant university, met my Mrs there, was 3rd best in the country for my course at the time.
Well done them, this is very positive for both the university and for gaming.
Aran Suddi
No way. My old uni too from 2007 to 2010. Important question, which college were you part of?
Tony Cawley
Whitelands. Not sure it was still there during your time, amazing place but got sold off and turned into flats.
My Mrs was at Froebel.
What about you?
Aran Suddi
Yes, mate. Whitelands for me too. I heard about the old Whitelands campus, but I was in the new one just off Danebury Avenue. I hear now that Froebel is biggest of the colleges now since they moved the union from Digby.
Tony Cawley
Magnificent stuff.
Did you drink in the fez club in Putney by any chance?
I was bar manager there for 2 years!
So many fond memories!
Aran Suddi
Fez was essentially my Wednesday night home for all 3 years. What a small world.