About the Bursary
William Hills studied Mechanical Engineering at Woolwich Polytechnic – what the University of Greenwich was known as since 1970 – and was dedicated to the support and education of a new generation of engineers.
The William Hills Bursary offers six students £2,000 each year of their 4-year Mechanical Engineering degree. An additional two awards are available for two students on year two of their BEng Mechanical Engineering degree.
William’s philanthropy and ambition to remove barriers to education followed in the footsteps of our founder, Francis (Frank) Didden, who believed that reforming education would improve the lives and prospects of the local poor. Frank fundraised for the country’s second Polytechnic, and we opened as Woolwich Polytechnic in 1891. The generosity of individuals such as Willian Hills continues this legacy of philanthropy, enabling the University of Greenwich to transform lives through our research and our teaching.
A recipient's story
For one recipient, the bursary enabled them to plan for their future after Greenwich and learn new skills which wouldn’t have been available otherwise.
“I really enjoyed my course and working with a wide variety of people from different engineering backgrounds. I liked the culture and the history of the university and also enjoyed that the university played the backdrop to films such as Thor!
“I first came across the bursary following an email from Dr Mark Bingley, programme leader for Mechanical Engineering. I knew it would help if I could have extra money to afford my own books, especially the ones that I would not be able to find in the library.
“Because I was a recipient of the bursary and didn’t have to worry as much about my finances, I had one less barrier to learning. I also had more the time and opportunity to try new things, including taking new courses such as Python on Codecademy which has been beneficial to my studies.
“I am currently looking for a placement in the aerodynamic or robotics industries which the bursary has helped me with. I developed an interest in robotics thanks to the Codecademy courses I took which happened because the financial freedom gave me more time.
“I am hopeful that my future at Greenwich will turn out to be exciting as I use the resources here to develop myself into a better engineer.”
Bursaries at Greenwich
Choosing to go to university can be a daunting decision. And we know that it is difficult to make important life decisions when you feel restricted by financial worries – a bursary can help make this decision easier and change the course of a student’s life.
Students must consider how they will pay for their accommodation and living costs. They may also be the first in their family to go to university and not feel confident that they are making the right choice.
When bright, capable people miss out on university and other life-changing opportunities, there is a much higher cost to society – which is why we need your help. Your donation helps outstanding students access education and recognises their achievements along the way regardless of financial constraints.
The William Hills Bursary is one of a number of scholarships and bursaries established by former students to support Greenwich students to succeed.
Thank you to all our alumni and friends who support Greenwich by giving to a Scholarship or one of our other Funds.
If you would like to establish a new scholarship or extend one of our existing scholarships to additional students, please consider making a donation or contacting fundraising@gre.ac.uk.
