Former Kidderminster College Student Scoops Academic Scholarship

A former Kidderminster College student turned aspiring software engineer has earned a £1,000 academic scholarship.

Ryan McDermott, 23, a third-year Computing student at the University of Worcester received the prestigious Academic Scholarship award in recognition of his consistently excellent academic performance.

“I am often very hard on myself,” said Ryan. “Receiving this kind of recognition brings me great joy and relief, cementing in my mind that with enough effort, something will always happen.”

He paid tribute to his former college for their support in helping him get where he is today. “Kidderminster College was extremely kind and passionate in helping accommodate the personal struggle I experienced during my time with them,” he said.

He added: “I would especially like to thank Zara Sharma, a previous member of staff at Kidderminster College, who is now a lecturer at the University of Worcester. Without her help I would never have started college, let alone University.”

Ryan said he plans to use the scholarship money to continue to learn and grow: “I often complete extra courses to assist me in my education, so this money will help greatly with this, along with travel and living costs.”

Ryan, who hopes to pursue a software engineering career after he finishes his studies, 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’.

He said: “My lecturers have been some of the best teachers I’ve had in any form of education. I’ve also been able to meet friends I hope to have for a long time.”

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.”