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Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Appeal

The University of Bradford has launched an Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Appeal to support students who are struggling to pay for essentials as a result of the pandemic.

Students are increasingly unable to cover the costs of basic living needs such as rent, food, and heating for their homes.

The donations and support of staff, alumni, and friends will help struggling students get through these difficult times and continue their education.

Total raised for our students so far: £31,748.33 (last updated 14th May 2021).

Thank you to all of our donors.

Why are our students facing increased hardship?

Many of our students rely on family support and part-time work to ensure they are financially stable.

With two national lockdowns and the restrictions imposed by the government's tier system, many job opportunities have been taken away. Our students and their families are being impacted.

Our students tell us they are increasingly struggling to cover basic living needs such as rent, food, and heating for their homes.

A student walking in the rain holding a small red box and pulling luggage.

Which students are most affected?

The University of Bradford is proud to provide opportunities that are denied to so many elsewhere:

  • More than half of our students come from the four poorest socio-economic groups
  • Two-thirds of our students come from families where their parents did not attend university
  • 40% of our students are adult learners, studying a degree many years after leaving school

Sadly, these are the students most likely to be placed under immense financial strain at this time. They are more reliant on part-time work and less able to rely on family support to cover living expenses.

Several students walking up the hill towards Richmond Building, with a bright sun in the sky.

Testimonials from our students

Michael Westfield

PHD Design and Technology

Head and shoulders image of student Michael, standing outside with trees in the background.

The student support fund has been an invaluable resource that has definitely helped my academic progress.

By providing financial support through a challenging transitional phase between work and alternate sources of funding for further study (during lockdown), I consider the student support as an integral factor for my recent success in transferring to Ph.D.
Head and shoulders image of student Michael, standing outside with trees in the background.

PHD Design and Technology

Ahmedsafi Abduselam Hajiali

BA International Relations, Politics and Security Studies

BA International Relations, Politics and Security Studies student smiling for the camera wearing a pinstripe shirt with tie

As one of the beneficiaries of this grant, I would like to thank the University and its donors and the government for their efforts to support me and my family in this difficult time.

The support was a big relief during a financially difficult time. It helped me to focus on my studies and assignments.  Again, thank you very much for your support.  
BA International Relations, Politics and Security Studies student smiling for the camera wearing a pinstripe shirt with tie

BA International Relations, Politics and Security Studies

Laiba Zaman Rehman

BSc Biomedical Science

BSc Biomedical Science student wearing headscarf and glasses

I am one of the students that received the fund grant. Just wanted to explain how thankful I am, I don't have enough words to express it. 

I lost hope thinking that I probably have to quit university because of the changing circumstances of my family, both of my parents lost their jobs. Thanks to the grant I finally could pay for my accommodation and have some extra money, so I can stay until May and finish my academic year.  

I would just like to say that I and my family are very thankful.
BSc Biomedical Science student wearing headscarf and glasses

BSc Biomedical Science

Nika Figat

BA, Graphics for Games

Nika Figat, BA Graphics for Games student, sitting in woodland

When my family was suddenly hit with my father's job loss, my mother's sickness, and the passing of a close family member, it was especially hard to find funds for my rent and food. I was considering leaving university to return to my home country and support my family through the hard times. 

Because of the help that I have received, I can pursue my goals. I hope that every student that finds themselves in a similar position will be able to count on The Student Fund.

 
Nika Figat, BA Graphics for Games student, sitting in woodland

BA, Graphics for Games

Muhammad Jawad Nazeer

MSc Project Planning and Management

MSc Project Planning and Management student, wearing a blue shirt

I want to say thank you to the University of Bradford and its supporters who helped me in this difficult situation. My family faced a loss in our business in my home country due to Covid-19 and lockdown, and I lost my part-time job due to lockdown after 3 days of joining. I hadn't enough money to purchase a laptop to continue my studies or even to buy food. 

Thank you Bradford. 
MSc Project Planning and Management student, wearing a blue shirt

MSc Project Planning and Management

A message from the Vice-Chancellor

"At the University of Bradford, we recognise that we are living in unprecedented times, but we will not allow the COVID-19 pandemic to jeopardise our students' learning and their futures.

Unemployment and poverty in Bradford has risen drastically since March. This is having a direct impact on our students, many of whom depend on part-time work to cover the cost of basic needs like food and accommodation for themselves and their families.

As lockdowns and tiered restrictions continue to affect the city and region, we are responding by launching this appeal to enable students who are facing financial hardship get the support they need.

I encourage you to support our students and their families by making a gift to our Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Appeal."

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor

Head and shoulders profile image of Shirley Congdon smiling at the camera.

Donate to our Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Appeal

Make a donation to the Hardship Appeal