Last night, scholars and alumni of the UCL East London Scholarship gathered at London Stadium to celebrate three years of a programme that is opening doors across east London and beyond.
The UCL East London Scholarship, which last night celebrated its third year, is a core expression of UCL East’s academic vision and its long-term commitment to expanding opportunity in East London. Built into the project from the outset, the scholarship fund ensures that UCL’s presence on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is not only about physical expansion but about meaningful local inclusion.
Underpinned by a significant financial commitment, the academic vision set out a pathway to secure a steady-state scholarship budget of £1 million over five years. By prioritising access for residents of the Olympic boroughs, the scheme helps remove financial barriers to higher education, enabling talented local students to benefit directly from UCL’s world-leading teaching and research.
In doing so, the scholarship embeds social value within UCL East’s growth, strengthening the university’s civic mission and supporting more equitable pathways into higher education for east London communities.
Three years on from its establishment, last night’s celebration event was evidence of its impact.
Professor Paola Lettieri, Vice-Provost (Strategy) at UCL, opened the event with a warm welcome. She reflected on the founding vision of the scholarship and the importance of sustained investment in local talent, stating:
The UCL East London Scholarship has been at the heart of UCL’s academic vision for UCL East from the very start of the planning of our new campus in Newham. It is a key part of UCL’s commitment to widening participation in the four Olympic Boroughs, and it is thrilling to see the diversity of experiences and successes that it has enabled as proof of the positive impact of the project." "
The scholarship also affirms UCL’s broader commitment to London and Londoners as outlined in the London Framework , a key strategy document developed by the Pro-Provost (London) office to set goalposts for how we engage with this global city we call our home and improve the lives of its citizens.
Professor Alan Thompson, Pro-Provost (London) said:
Our ongoing commitment to our place in London and those around us reflects UCL’s belief that sustained partnership, inclusive opportunity and long-term investment in local talent are essential to shaping a fairer and more prosperous city for all."
Before the dinner, a panel discussion brought together alumni at different stages of their journeys: Chantal Romain, who completed the MA in Audio Storytelling for Radio and Podcast in 2023; Afsana Ali, who finished her MSc Management in 2024; and Tosin Adegoke, who is currently studying for an MFA in Creative Documentary by Practice.
They shared insights on how the scholarship shaped their sense of identity and possibility while at UCL, as well as discussing how scholarship opened professional doors, and prepared them for the industry.
Yewande Adeniran, a former scholarship recipient who is now completing her fully funded PhD at UCL in anthropology reflected in detail about some of her experiences under its auspices:
During the MA, I directed and edited 3 films, all’of which have now been shown at festivals here in the U.K., in Estonia and have screened at the Turner Gallery. Experimental film is often at the margins but with the support of the brilliant studio leads, edit tutors and personal support from the scholarship convener, I accomplished more than I ever thought I would."
Following a short break, guests sat down to a delicious three-course meal. Around each table, conversations moved easily from research projects to career plans, from lab experiments to creative work in progress.
Jamilla Kabir, a former scholar and current UCL staff member, who was spotlighted this week for her work, reflected:
During my time as a student, I was a recipient of the UCL East London Scholarship. That support was transformative and allowed me to fully engage with the course. It gave me freedom to experiment and develop ambitious projects, take risks, collaborate across disciplines, and build a strong professional network - all’of which shaped the foundation of my practice today."
Professor Anne Preston, who facilitates the scheme, reflected on the significance of the evening:
This scholarship was created to ensure that potential is never limited by circumstance. Seeing our alumni return to share their journeys with current scholars reminds us that access is only the beginning - what truly matters is the confidence, networks, and sense of possibility that grow from it and we’ve already seen this happen for many of our talented east London-based graduates."
As the evening drew to a close, the energy in the room was unmistakable. Students who are just beginning their journeys exchanged details with graduates already established in their fields. Ideas were shared. Plans were sketched out. Encouragement was offered freely.
The UCL East London Scholarship is more than financial support. It is a community built on belief in local talent, a commitment to widening access, and a shared optimism about what education can unlock. Last night was a celebration of three years of progress: 36 east Londoners have already benefited from the scholarship, and the scheme is still in its infancy. It’s proof of the talent you can unlock when you unblock barriers to entry.
If you wish to learn more about the UCL East London Scholarship and how it could help you achieve your academic goals, take a look at these case studies , or read more about eligibility requirements.
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