Churchill has a long tradition of welcoming students from non-traditional Oxbridge schools and regions.

Our proportion of UK state-educated entrants stands at 75%, exceeding the University’s target of 66.1%. Contrary to other institutions, students from this group excel at Churchill – a College that has been placed 4th/29 across the last decade in the Tompkins Table. Our most disadvantaged students thrive here because of the individual support and targeted bursary funding they receive. These bursaries have only been made possible because of generous alumni support:

  • 104 undergraduate students currently receive a means-tested Cambridge Bursary.
  • 68% of these students qualify for the maximum £3,500 per year as their annual family income is below £25,000.
  • The College also awards these students a Winston Churchill Top-Up Bursary of £1,000-£2,000 because they are in the greatest financial need.
  • Double the number of Home undergraduate students qualified for a Winston Churchill Top-Up Bursary  in 2022 compared with 2021 (from 15 to 29 students).
  • The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust no longer funds this scheme so the College is reliant on philanthropic support from alumni and friends to ensure that this vital additional support can continue.

Why are top-up bursaries needed at Churchill?

The Cambridge Bursary is an essential part of our package of support but it does not go far enough.

  • Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds still face the acute need to secure paid work during vacations with the knock-on effect that opportunities available to their more privileged peers – such as unpaid or expenses only internships, overseas travel or further study – are constrained.
  • Top-up bursaries provide relief from the pressure of immediately having to find work in the holidays to pay rent to their parents or allow them to stay in College to study.

In short, the additional sum takes considerable pressure off our most disadvantaged students and gives them choices, academic and otherwise. This is why at Churchill students in the greatest need are awarded a top-up bursary of up to £2,000 per year.

Why we need your help

As a matter of urgent priority we would like to continue to fund the top-up bursaries as the funding previously received from the WCMT for this initiative has now ended. We need around £75,000 per year to maintain the level of support required, which is why we set up the Winston Churchill Top-Up Bursary Fund.

Those choosing to make a an annual gift of £1,960 in support of the Fund will be invited to join the 1960 Club.