Scholarship Success Boosts Former Halesowen College Student’s Confidence

A former Halesowen College student says earning a £1,000 scholarship has restored his confidence and proved to him what he is capable of achieving.

Daniel Emms, 19, and in the second year of his Business and Marketing degree at the University of Worcester, received the prestigious Academic Scholarship for excellent performance in his studies.

“My A-levels didn’t go the way I’d hoped, so for a while I felt like my results didn’t reflect what I was capable of,” he said. “Coming to university and building up my grades has been a way of proving that to myself, and this award is real recognition that the work is paying off. It’s a big motivator.”

Thanking his former teachers at Halesowen College for their belief and support, he said: “My college supported me in far more ways than just academically. Teaching mattered, but they also helped me think about life beyond the classroom, guiding me on my choices after A-Levels, building my confidence and teaching me skills like time management, communication and resilience.”

Daniel added: “Even when my A-Level results fell short of what I’d hoped for, that support meant I still had a clear path forward and the belief that I could build on it. Those are the sort of skills I use every day at university and I know I’ll carry them for the rest of my life.”

Daniel plans to invest the money in his future. He said: “I’d like to put it towards things that grow in value, like building my skills and my content and marketing work and saving or investing sensibly so it keeps working for me beyond university.”

Collecting his award has given him the opportunity to reflect on his time at the University of Worcester. He said: “The best thing about my time at university has been the friends I’ve made. Having people around me who motivate me, share the highs and lows, and make the whole experience just more enjoyable.”

Daniel is studying at the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs 2027 in the Daily Mail University Guide, with judges describing a performance that “leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade”.

The University of Worcester is this year shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students in the Times Higher Education Awards for the efforts of staff to raise money for student scholarships and hardship funds.

Professor David Green CBE, DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, said: “Every year, thanks to the generosity of alumni, philanthropists and friends of the University, we are able to award academic scholarships to students who perform outstandingly well – typically gaining straight As across their studies. Achieving such excellent results consistently requires dedication, ability and sheer hard work.”

“All of us at the University are very proud of all our scholarship winners who come from across the range of our courses and from many backgrounds,” he added. “Every year this includes scholarship winners who are students who did not particularly excel at school but find that the intellectual and professional challenge of university combined with the expert education provided at Worcester brings out the very best in them.”