What will you do with your degree?
Is the question we've asked students up and down the country for the second year running.
At stake were four bursaries, worth £30,000 each.
Our judges have now looked at all the applications and have chosen the four students who, in their opinion, plan to get the most from their degree.
Who don't just dream of graduating, about making a difference.
These bursaries will pay their way through university – and on to an exciting future.
We're proud to support their drive and ambition.
Congratulations!
Meet this years bursary students:
After much deliberation, our judges have chosen four students out of thousands of applications. Meet the successful students here and stay tuned to find out more about their plans and how they’re doing in their first year of university.
Claudia Titley
Architecture
Portsmouth University
I grew up in Africa witnessing such desperate poverty but I knew that there had to be a way to help such people. I believe that my opportunity to bring about this change is through qualifying as an architect, mastering in sustainability. No matter who we are or where we are in life everyone deserves a home.
Nadine Richards
Nutrition & Food Science
Reading University
I want to open a nutritional clinic for teenagers, either as part of the NHS or as my own business. I really want to help teenagers who struggle with body image. I want to be able to offer them nutritional advice and reassurance that they are fine just the way they are, or offer them help in becoming healthier.
Samuel Williams
Creative Computing & Neuroscience
Keele University
By specialising in how computers and the nervous system both function, I aim to revolutionise how we interact with technology. I feel that the next technological breakthrough will be in perfecting the interface between brain and computer, by processing and analysing brainwave patterns. The medical applications of such technology are massive.
Elise Gilbert
Sports Therapy
University of Gloucestershire
I compete and coach in a sport, rhythmic gymnastics, which is little known and not very well supported. Therefore I appreciate how hard it is for athletes in unpopular sports to successfully compete at international level, and understand what sacrifices both athlete and family make to get them to this stage. I would like to use my degree to volunteer to help these athletes and any others to achieve their best at these Olympics.
Meet last year's bursary students
In 2008 we chose four HSBC bursary students from a wide range of disciplines. Meet them here, and find out more about their aspirations and their first year at university. You can find tips on university life from them and others on our Talking Money website.
Mira Athanassouli
German & Modern Greek,
Kings College London
I had a really great year, I'm really pleased with my grades, and everything else I've been able to achieve. The bursary really helped a lot, as it took of the pressures of having to work on top of studying, and it also meant I could do all those cultural things that you can't normally afford, such as going to talks, exhibitions and concerts. My main extravagance was a keyboard, which is absolutely brilliant, as it now means that I can practice my singing and piano, whenever I like. Apart from that I have been keeping my head down studying, as there is so much to do.
Zac Imam
MSci Geophysics,
Imperial College London
In the first year, I have learned new, interesting things and I'm more familiar with my subject. I went to Spain for a fieldtrip which was really fun, in addition to a lot of exams. Living in halls was great because I met a lot of new friends which I couldn't have done without the HSBC bursary paying for it since London is so expensive. Also, some of the equipment I had to buy for the fieldtrip wasn't cheap so I was glad that I could pay for it without raiding my overdraft.
Chandni Patel
Medical Genetics,
Queen Marys' College, University of London
The first year was great and it seems to have passed really quickly. It has definitely been great fun meeting new people and settling into university life. I went away to Swaziland early in the summer for a month where I worked in childcare centres and taught in a school. There were a large number of schools that were under-staffed and their facilities were in need of more attention so it was great helping out. The experience meant a lot to me and I will definitely love to go back again. I went on a holiday to Cyprus after that with my friends and it was a fantastic way to do something relaxing after a long year.
Imogen Cornick
Sports Science & Material Technology,
Birmingham University
The money made a massive difference to me. It has opened the door to many opportunities, as I have been able to not worry about paying tuition fees etc. I have put some of the money in savings so I can have some money left at the end of Uni. The money has also enabled me to take part in more of the trips the university has to offer. For example, I am going on netball tour again this Easter and hopefully going on the universities ski trip! Before, all my money was going on fees and I didn't have any extra money to spend on making the most of Uni life.
This years Student Bursdary Awards judges are:
Aaron Porter, Vice President NUS (National Union of Students)
Joe Garner – Group General Manager HSBC Bank plc
Emerson Osmond – Commercial Manager yougofurther.co.uk brought to you by UCAS.
Those wishing to apply for the 2010 Bursary should check this page for opening dates.
