Worcester Woman Earns Academic Scholarship

The Edward Elgar building on St Johns Campus

A Worcester woman who moved to the city from Ukraine has won a prestigious £1,000 Academic Scholarship for excellent performance during her studies.

Veronika Ivankova, 28, is in the second year of her Cyber Security degree at the University of Worcester.

“It is a pleasure to get this award,” said Veronika. “It confirms that all of the hard work I put into my studies last year was noticed. The award helped me believe in myself more and increased my confidence.”

Veronika said she was looking to upgrade an essential piece of university kit and spend a little on her pastime.

“I will spend the money on a small laptop that’s easy to take to lectures, and I will spend the rest on fencing gear because it’s my new hobby,” she said.

Veronika, who aspires to work with the police combatting cybercrime, is studying at the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the Daily Mail University Guide 2027, with judges describing a performance by the University of Worcester that ‘leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade’.

She said: “The best thing about Worcester has been the lecturers. I have never experienced so much support and attention in my studies before.”

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.”