Media release: Creative industries bursary scheme moves into second year

STV and the Royal Television Society (RTS) have announced this year’s recipients of their joint under-graduate bursary, which aims to broaden access to the media industry by supporting talented students from lower income backgrounds to pursue careers in television.

The bursary scheme was launched by the RTS in 2014, with STV partnering in 2019, and sees each bursary scholar being awarded funding of £1,000 for each year of their course at universities and colleges across Scotland.

Scholars are also offered a range of paid work experience placements and mentoring opportunities at STV, as well as access to networking and industry insight sessions, to help develop a stronger, more diverse pool of creative and digital talent in Scotland.

Furthermore, each beneficiary of this year’s scheme will receive free membership of the RTS while studying, with an additional year after they graduate.

STV is sponsoring nine students on a Television Production and Broadcast Journalism bursary, and one additional student on a Technology bursary.

Eligibility this year was extended to include students taking Higher National Diplomas at level 5 or 6 in related subjects. The recipients were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to students applying for courses at accredited colleges and universities.

The recipients of the STV/RTS partnership bursary programme for 2020 are:

· Cole Baigent, from Dumfries, who is studying Media and Communication at Glasgow Caledonian University;

· Francesca Dewart, from Dumbarton, who is studying HND Creative Industries: Media at West College Scotland;

· Robbie Gaynor, from Inverness, who is studying Creative Industries Television at City of Glasgow College;

· Molly Gracey, from Glasgow, who is studying English and Creative Writing and Journalism, Media and Communication, Politics and International Relations at the University of Strathclyde;

· Maia Howitt, from Bathgate, who is studying Media, Film and Journalism Studies at The University of Stirling;

· Mary Olaleye, from Glasgow, who is studying Computer Science at the University of St Andrews;

· Skye McCord, from Arbroath, who is studying Journalism at The Robert Gordon University;

· Iona Shanks, from Edinburgh, who is studying Television at Edinburgh Napier University;

· Michelle Smith, from Edinburgh, who is studying Television at City of Glasgow College; and

· Ronan Smith, from Glasgow, who is studying Creative Industry HND television at New College Lanarkshire Cumbernauld.

STV has made a multi-year investment in the bursary scheme – with an ambition to see a total of 50 bursary scholars ultimately benefiting from the initiative.

Simon Pitts, STV CEO, said: “After a successful first year, in which we helped to support an exceptional group of bursary scholars from across Scotland, we’re delighted to be moving into year two of our bursary partnership with the RTS. This has been a particularly challenging year for students, and it’s never been more important for employers to support their journeys into the job market.

“As a public service broadcaster, it’s vital that we improve diversity and inclusion within the media industry, and this scheme is a further step towards ensuring that Scottish media truly reflects the audience it serves. We’re really looking forward to continuing to support our existing scholars, as well as providing our ten talented new students with a wealth of experience, mentoring and financial support to help them achieve their ambitions.”

Theresa Wise, Royal Television Society CEO, said: “We hugely appreciate the continued support from STV, sponsoring an additional 10 bursaries for students in Scotland for 2020.

“Across both schemes the talent shown across the applications consistently impresses us and the standard increases year after year, and we are very much looking forward to working closely with the STV team and supporting this passionate set of students on their entry into the industry.”

For more details on the STV/RTS bursary scheme, go to rts.org.uk/bursaries.

ENDS

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Contact: Stephen Innes

Email: stephen.innes@stv.tv