A business school in London has announced a new £5 million scholarships drive to increase black representation in higher education and business.

The Black Student Scholarship Programme is being coordinated by the Bayes Business School, part of City, University of London, and will run for an initial ten years.

Scholarships will be awarded to British students from black ethnic backgrounds and lower-than-average income households. They will cover tuition fees and living costs and each scholar will receive coaching and mentoring support.

The announcement follows a number of changes at the business school, which was originally called the Cass Business School, named after the philanthropist and merchant Sir John Cass. The school changed its name in June 2020 after Sir John Cass’s historic links to the slave trade were revealed.

The business school claimed the scheme reflected “a strong desire” to increase the number of students from minority backgrounds.

Professor Caroline Wiertz, Deputy Dean at Bayes Business School, commented:

Since we first embarked on the process to find a new name for our business school, we have always said we are committed to backing up our words with actions to improve diversity, equity and inclusion at Bayes.

To be eligible to apply for the Scholarship, students must satisfy the conditions for ‘home fee’ status, be of black ethnicity and come from a household with an annual net income of £30,000 or less. Applicants must also satisfy Bayes Business School’s offer condition for the chosen course.

Professor Paolo Volpin, Dean of Bayes Business School, said:

These scholarships will give talented young people, who might find it otherwise hard to access a Bayes education, the opportunity to study with us, develop their potential and become business leaders of the future.

For details of how to apply or to find out more information, visit the Bayes Business School website.

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