Warwickshire Student Earns £1,000 Scholarship for Academic Excellence

A Warwickshire woman has earned a £1,000 scholarship in recognition of her consistently excellent academic performance.

Madelaine Bayliss, 21, from Alcester, who is in the third year of her Special Educational Needs, Disabilities & Inclusion degree at the University of Worcester, said she was grateful and surprised to receive the prestigious Academic Scholarship.

“I really appreciate that the University of Worcester offers opportunities such as this,” she said. “It has shown me that my hard work is recognised and has given me greater confidence in my academic abilities as I begin my final year.”

Madelaine said she plans to put the money towards a new laptop to help her complete assignments and her dissertation.

As she receives the award for her academic excellence, Madelaine has been reflecting on her time at Worcester.

She said: “My experience on this course has been shaped by the support and knowledge of my lecturers, who are always approachable and willing to help. I am also grateful to the friends I have made, who have made every lecture more enjoyable and kept me motivated throughout university.”

Madelaine is studying at the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the Daily Mail University Guide 2027, with judges praising 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.”