Exciting news for three talented Queen's University Belfast students! Orlaith Kelly, Alexandria McNamara, and Oisín Brown have been named recipients of the prestigious Choice Housing Scholarship, each receiving a generous bursary of £1,500.
This vital scholarship is designed to support undergraduate students from Widening Participation (WP) backgrounds, helping them to achieve academic excellence and successfully complete their studies. Now in its seventh successful year, the initiative, launched in 2019, underlines a strong commitment to fostering local talent and removing barriers to higher education.
Orlaith Kelly, currently studying Maths and Physics, is part of the Engineering and Physical Sciences faculty. Alexandria McNamara, from Medicine, Health & Life Sciences, is pursuing a career in Adult Nursing. Oisín Brown, representing Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, is working towards a degree in Music and Audio Production.
To be eligible for this crucial financial support, students must have participated in either the Pathway Opportunity Programme or the Senior Academy Programme – both key initiatives coordinated by Queen’s University’s Widening Participation Unit. These programmes are specifically designed to increase student numbers from under-represented groups and raise awareness of higher education among post-16 students, developing their academic skills and supporting their attainment. They focus on young people who might be the first in their family to attend university, those receiving Free School Meals or Education Maintenance Allowance, or individuals from disadvantaged postcode areas.
Michael McDonnell, Choice Group Chief Executive, expressed his delight, saying, “Choice is thrilled to congratulate Orlaith, Alexandria and Oisín on being named this year’s Choice Prize winners. Their dedication, talent, and determination are truly inspiring, and we are proud to support them as they continue their academic journeys. At Choice, we are committed to investing in future talent and helping to remove barriers for students from Widening Participation backgrounds. Together with Queen’s University Belfast, we are ensuring that young people locally, with ability and ambition, are given every opportunity to thrive, succeed, and shape their future careers.”
Barbara Wallace, Pathway Programme Outreach Officer at Queen’s University Belfast, added, “The Pathway Opportunity Programme at Queen’s changes lives in ways that go far beyond financial support. It does not just ease the burden on underrepresented students working towards a degree; it also helps them to unlock their potential and explore what they can contribute in their chosen career fields and communities. We are incredibly grateful to Choice, whose continued support makes this impact possible for this year’s winners. I would like to congratulate each of them on their incredible achievements to date, and I look forward to seeing their journeys progress throughout their time at Queen’s.”
Choice Prizes are specifically awarded to Pathway Opportunity Programme or Senior Academy students who achieve the highest overall mark in Level 1 and are continuing on to Level 2, recognising their outstanding initial academic success.
For North Belfast residents interested in learning more about the invaluable Widening Access programmes at Queen’s University, you can visit www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/wpu/. If you'd like to discover more about how students are supported at Queen’s, feel free to contact Sorcha MacLaimhin at [email protected].