Surrey continues work with The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation to support talented Black students
Surrey is delighted to be working with The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation again for the 2025/26 academic year.
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation was set up in June 2020 to allow talented economically disadvantaged Black students to attend UK universities. As part of their work, The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation partners with UK universities to cover tuition fees alongside businesses and donors to cover living and maintenance costs.
“Access to university should not be limited by race or social class, but unfortunately, this is not the case for all in our society. I believe, higher education has the power to transform lives and with the generous support of universities like the University of Surrey we can make a difference and impact on students’ lives.Professor Richard Oreffo, Founder of Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
We all have a collective responsibility to make a positive difference for the society we want. While many issues are at play in why more Black British students do not enter our high tariff UK universities, The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation seeks to address a key part of the jigsaw, the financial cost of university education” Professor Richard Oreffo; Founder
Cowrie Scholarship at Surrey
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation and the University of Surrey partnered in Autumn 2022.
“We are delighted the University of Surrey have partnered with The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, supporting our vision and belief in the transformative power education can have on an individual’s life, their families, community and ultimately the world.”Professor Richard Oreffo, Founder of Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
Currently, two students at Surrey have received the Cowrie Scholarship. Jake, a final year student in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, reflects that “getting that acceptance email changed my life and now I have the money to get a laptop, pay rent, buy food and afford a social life” and that “the best of my year was going to Cardiff to meet my mentor!”.
International Hospitality Management student Monica explains that “without financial support of my scholarship, I would never have been able to afford things essential for my course such as my laptop”.
Apply now
The Cowrie scholarship is now open to Black British students beginning at Surrey in September 2025. Two students will receive a full fee waiver and £8,000 per year for up to three years to support with living costs.
For more information on the Cowrie Scholarship, please see the University of Surrey’s scholarships and bursaries page.