Bursary bonanza for Shrewsbury undergraduates

The £2,250 award will be split into three instalments during the 2015/16 academic year, which begins this September.

University Centre Shrewsbury governors will not yet say precisely where the money is coming from, only that it is being "awarded by trusts which provide grants and scholarships for research and education".

Further details will be released at a later date.

Around 100 undergraduates and post-graduates are expected to begin their studies at the university, although the final figure has yet to be announced.

Paul Kirkbright, Deputy Provost, said the university was delighted to be able to offer the extra assistance.

He said: "We are marking this moment in the establishment of University Centre Shrewsbury by awarding the Foundation Bursary to all full-time undergraduates starting with us in September.

"Securing new funding for aspects of the university centre has meant that we have been able to look at an existing bursary available to some of our students, and extend the support to all undergraduates studying full-time with us, during the first year."

Mr Kirkbright added: "Wherever we can we are passing on the benefits that the University Centre brings directly.

"Now, in addition to high-quality teaching, with the University of Chester's strong learning tradition behind the institution, unique opportunities for practical experience, and the beautiful setting, students will have this further support to excel.

"We're looking forward to welcoming our first undergraduate students and are delighted to be able to offer this extra help during their studies with us."

The new bursary does not affect students' eligibility for the Excellence Scholarship and the Care Leavers Bursary and there is no application process to receive it.

Undergraduates who are not studying on a full-time basis can be considered for the Chester Part-Time Bursary.