Discover the Here East Scholarship Programme

Current and former beneficiaries of this educational support initiative for East Londoners describe just what it means to them and their families

Did you know that East Londoners have the opportunity to study on a full scholarship for tuition (with supporting loan supplements too) at world-class universities based on the campus at Here East?

The programme is aimed at students from the growth boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest who are facing financial barriers in attending university.

It offers undergrad tuition places at LMA, Teesside University London, and University of Staffordshire London.

“This scholarship is going to help me to excel in an industry where women are not commonly in the room,” says Sarays-Jhyvre Beckford-Pierre, who is attending Staffs on the programme. “I was taught that your goals and ambitions, and how we move to try and achieve them, are what makes us individuals. That is power. That is what creates movements and change.”

The scholarship programme offers full tuition fees, a maintenance loan supplement worth £2,700 per year, relevant work experience placements within the Here East business community and mentoring opportunities during the course of the degree.

“Being able to do a degree in something I love so much with support is amazing and I’m so grateful that Here East have given me the opportunity,” adds Nyla Rawlings, studying at LMA.

“This enables me to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burden,” says Olivia Leonida, also attending Staffs. “As a neurodivergent female in the IT field… I’m determined to become a successful cybersecurity pen-tester and a positive role model.”

Meet the 2025/26 Cohort

Here East recently announced the latest recipients of its Scholarship Programme, now entering its fifth year of nurturing the next generation of talent, from across East London’s four Olympic growth boroughs.

The 2025 cohort includes three ambitious students (pictured above). Madison Scarlett is pursuing Music Performance at LMA, viewing the scholarship as an investment that removes financial worries, allowing her to focus on her music. “This scholarship means the world to me as it is an investment towards my future and I am eternally grateful for receiving it. I am now able to fully immerse myself in my studies without financial worries and make my family proud.”

Kotryna Zeciute, studying Game Art and Design at Teesside University London, seeks to use the scholarship as a springboard to achieve her aspiration of becoming a senior game artist. “I believe that university will provide the perfect environment to further my skills and deepen my understanding of the process behind game art,” she says.

Olasubomi Akande, studying Cybersecurity at the University of Staffordshire London, emphasised what career opportunities this could unlock: “It helps with my future ambitions because after completing my undergraduate degree I won’t need to pay back the loan, so I can focus on my future career aspirations to become an ethical hacker.”

The Here East Scholarship Programme is continuing to actively unlock the full potential of some of the area’s best future creatives, entrepreneurs and innovators.

Find out more about next year’s Here East Scholarship programme