St Hilda's College
Applications for the Rosalind Jane Bairstow Bursary 2027 are hereby invited from any undergraduate member of St Hilda’s College currently in the final year of their studies for a B.A. in English Language and Literature or one of the related joint schools taught in the College. Applicants must have a good academic record; be in good standing with the College and the University; and have proven themselves capable of undertaking academic study in a manner that will reflect well on St Hilda’s College. In any given year, the Rosalind Jane Bairstow Bursary will be awarded only when it is deemed that a proposal of sufficient merit has been submitted by a suitable candidate in advance of the publicised closing date.
The annual award was established in memory of Miss Rosalind Jane Bairstow, an undergraduate at St Hilda’s College in the early 1960s who died tragically young. Its purpose is to assist a current undergraduate of St Hilda’s College who wishes to embark on further academic study in the year following graduation from their B.A. degree. The intention is to support study, whether inside or outside of the United Kingdom, which might otherwise seem beyond an individual’s immediate financial means. It is presumed that the Bursary will assist primarily with the payment of fees on an agreed academic course. Assistance with subsistence and travel may also be made available if funds allow but in any given year the published upper value of the Bursary will not be supplemented.
The Bursary will assist with up to one year of further study. It is therefore likely to appeal to students looking at one-year taught graduate courses but eligible applicants are encouraged to make the case for whatever further academic study is the best fit for their specific interests. It is hoped that the generous bequest made by Mrs Lucie Bairstow in honour of her daughter’s memory will encourage all students within the English School at St Hilda’s College to think purposefully and positively about their potential: how they might best build on their undergraduate experiences here at Oxford, how they might set themselves further academic and personal goals, and also where in the world these goals might best be realised. The College is also extremely grateful for the support of Rosalind’s cousin, Mrs Hurst, who helped set up the Bursary Fund. Mrs Hurst lived and worked overseas for many years, and showed a keen interest in furthering the education of young people and the development of their confidence and horizons through travel and learning.
Applicants may propose any field of academic study, including the further study of literature or languages, and also creative writing. Applicants should note that the award will not be given for assistance with professional training unless it relates in some way to the creative arts (i.e. applications for professional training in, e.g., accountancy, or for a legal conversion course will not be considered but a course in theatre directorship or the like would be admitted as would a course in journalism which led to an academic qualification).
Applicants are reminded that they must budget carefully and consider the full costs for subsistence, travel and study. They should also be aware of any extra requirements and the time needed to meet such obligations as the obtaining of a student visa, where required. They should further note that admission for study at an American university is often predicated upon a good score having been achieved in the G.R.E. and that that examination may well require preparation.
The Bursary is a generous bequest. It is awarded on financial need, and on the quality of an individual’s application towards pursuit of specific goals. Applicants should identify the best course for their academic and personal goals, and should explain the relevance of their proposed studies. Study outside of the U.K. is encouraged, and the award shows no preference to any institution per se nor to any single subject area.
Only one Bursary will be awarded in any given year and the decision of the College is final. The successful applicant must take up the award after the successful completion of their B.A. degree course and in the academic year subsequent to the application. The award is not transferable from one course to another except in exceptional circumstances nor is it deferrable from one year to another except in exceptional circumstances. Were the successful candidate also to secure sufficient funding for their course from another external source or were a successful candidate to fail to be accepted onto their proposed course, then the College may choose to consider re-assigning the Rosalind Jane Bairstow Bursary to one of the other applicants from within the year’s previously gathered field.
In the event that the award holder does not undertake or does not complete the chosen course of study for which the Bursary was given, they agree promptly to repay the College the full amount of any payments made to them. Confirmation of the acceptance of these terms must be given in writing before funding will be released. If an individual is prevented from completing the course of study by an unforeseen reason, the College may exercise its discretion and not seek to recover the full amount of any payments to that individual during the year of study. If the holder of the Bursary does not commence the agreed course of study or fails to complete the course once started, they must contact The Principal of St Hilda’s College in writing immediately to explain in full the circumstances preventing commencement or completion of the agreed course of study.
The successful applicant agrees to act as an ambassador for St Hilda’s College during their studies; to work to the best of their ability; to remain in good standing with the academic institution to which they become affiliated; and to complete a short written record of their experience within three months of completion of the course for publication by St Hilda’s College.
Value of the award: up to £15,000
Notification will be given to the successful candidate by: 2 February 2027 (Tuesday, week 3, Hilary Term)