Scholarships and Bursaries

At St John’s College, we offer the following range of scholarships and bursaries for current students. Applications forms are shared with current students at the beginning of the academic year.

St John’s Student Opportunities Fund

This fund can provide relief of hardship and monies to enable participation in the full range of opportunities that might otherwise be closed to students with limited means, so as to enable enrichment of their university experience.

Limited funds are available for distribution each year to assist current St John’s students with travel, education, research, and other costs involved in College, charitable and outreach projects. Awards are typically made in the region of £100 – £250, though higher amounts may be awarded on occasion for outstanding applications. Applications open in Michaelmas Term.

St John’s Postgraduate Scholarship

Currently, one scholarship of £1000 in the form of a contribution towards tuition fees is awarded annually to a prospective/new St John’s postgraduate student. The scholarships are intended to provide some additional financial support for applicants who have partial, but not full funding from other sources. Applications open at the start of the academic year.

The Leadbeater College Accommodation Award

The Leadbeater College Accommodation Award was launched in 2018, established through a generous contribution to the College in memory of Gordon Leadbeater. The purpose of the award is to promote widening participation and access by supporting new undergraduate students from lower-income families to live in St John’s College in their first year, and to encourage innovative contributions to College life. It is expected that 1000 GBP is awarded annually to one scholar, and used to offset their College accommodation fees. Applications open in Michaelmas Term.

The Million Shilling Fund

The purpose of the Million Shilling Fund is ‘the religious education of evangelical students at St John’s College, having particular regard to benefiting the children of clergy.’ Awards are typically made in the region of £200 – £400 depending on the number of applicants and funds available. Registered full time home, EU or overseas students in John’s Hall or Cranmer Hall, who have a parent who is a member of the clergy, Anglican or otherwise are eligible to apply. Applications open at the start of the academic year.

Friends of Cranmer Hall Fund

This award is funded by generous contributions from local churches in order to help Cranmer Ordinands who find themselves in financial hardship during their time in training. Awards and loans are typically made in the region of £100 – £400. Members of Cranmer Hall who wish to be considered for the Fund should contact their Tutor.

The Bowron Bursary Fund

The Bowron Bursary Fund is a travel bursary funded by David and Helen Bowron, to be used for Christian overseas relief work by members of St John’s College, Durham. Interested applicants should send an expression of interest with an outline of their proposed project to johns.secretary@durham.ac.uk.

Choral and Organ Scholarships

St John’s College offers 16 choral scholarships each year with a flexible balance between the four voice parts, alongside one senior and one junior organ scholarship. Importance is attached to vocal quality, musicianship and good sight-reading skills, as well as a willingness to be challenged by different types of music. This year, there are vacancies for organists and all voice parts. The choral scholarships are for one year and attract an honorarium of £300 each, and the Wallis Organ Scholarship £420, paid in termly instalments.

Auditions for next year’s scholarships will take place at the start of the academic year. Please sign up at the Freshers Fair or email johns.chapelchoir@durham.ac.uk indicating your voice part and any relevant experience you might have. The Director of Chapel Music is Louise Reid.

The Evangelical Graduate Scholarship

The new Evangelical Graduate Scholarship has been established in honour of Professor Walter Moberly with the aim to support postgraduate research students in the Department of Theology and Religion. In line with the donor intent funds up to a total of £1500 may be awarded on a competitive basis.