The Deputy Chief Executive of The Royal Bank of Scotland, Mr. Benny Higgins, will be presenting bursaries to fifteen University of Glasgow students who have progressed into undergraduate degree programmes from Department for Adult and Continuing Education Access courses and from GOALS schools participating in the widening access programme.

The students are following a wide range of courses in Engineering, Education, Arts and Social Sciences. Each student will receive a bursary of £1,000 for four years.

The programme began last year when The Royal Bank of Scotland committed funding of £240,000 to help 15 new students in each year of a four-year degree course. This is in addition to the generous support already given by the Royal Bank to the GOALS summer schools.

Three of last year's students will join the new bursary holders at Monday's ceremony, which will also be attended by the Principal, Professor Sir Graeme Davies.

Benny Higgins, Chief Executive, Retail Banking at The Royal Bank of Scotland congratulated the bursary students and said, 'The Royal Bank of Scotland supports access to university because it believes that social background and money shouldn't be the deciding factors when it comes to getting a higher education. Many talented people are unfairly missing out on the experience of a lifetime and on an education, which will help them get on in life. We hope that the Royal Bank Bursaries will encourage the brightest students - from whatever background - to apply to university.'

Professor Sir Graeme Davies added, ' The continuing support from The Royal Bank of Scotland enables the University to admit more students each year through Access courses, allowing the University in turn to strengthen its commitment to widening participation'.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The award ceremony will take place on Monday 2 December at 12.30pm in the Randolph Halls.

Graduates who receive a bursary have been guaranteed a job interview with the Royal Bank of Scotland. They will also be given the opportunity to apply for casual work during University holidays.

GOALS stands for Greater Opportunity for Access and Learning with Schools.

For further information contact Sarah Barclay, Royal Bank of Scotland Media Relations Manager, 0131 523 5659 or the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535

First published: 29 November 2002