Grime artist Stormzy has announced a commitment to support an additional 36 black students studying at Cambridge University over the next three years.
Each of these students will receive an annual scholarship of £20,000 as part of the ongoing collaboration between HSBC UK and Stormzy's charity, #Merky Foundation.
The partnership, known as 'Stormzy Scholarships', was launched five years ago, and by 2026, a total of 81 students will have received this assistance.
Stormzy said that the opportunity for black students to thrive at Cambridge University is now within their grasp.
The 'Stormzy effect' has been credited with a rise in applications from UK black students, leading to a doubling of admissions to undergraduate courses, with 141 students admitted in 2022, up from 61 in 2018.
HSBC has pledged £2 million to support 30 new 'Stormzy Scholarships' in the next three years, while the #Merky Foundation will continue to fund two additional students each year.
These scholarships are specifically aimed at easing financial burdens for students from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
The pro-vice-chancellor for education, Prof Bhaskar Vira, expressed his delight at the continuation of this collaboration and praised the transformative opportunities it provides for recipients.
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