| Type | Non-profit Educational Organisation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Location | Holly House, 74 Upper Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4JL |
| Key people | Dr. Gary Vanstone FREng (Chair), Dr Martin Thomas FIET (National Director) |
| Area served | Great Britain |
| Focus | Engineering and Design |
| Website | www.arkwright.org.uk |
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are awarded to students in Great Britain who aspire to a career in engineering and related areas of design. The Scholarships are awarded through rigorous selection to high-calibre students from all educational backgrounds to support them through their A Levels or Scottish Highers. Students apply during year 11 (England and Wales), S4 (Scotland) before taking their GCSE or Scottish Standard Grade exams. Scholarships begin at the start of year 12/S5. Scholarships consist of an annual financial award to the Scholar and to her/his school, and a range of enrichment activities that increase a Scholar's understanding of engineering and the world of work, such as mentoring and industry visits.
To be awarded an Engineering Scholarship, student applicants must go through a three-stage selection process. The first stage is an extended application form, where students have to describe their GCSE or Standard Grade technology project and explain how engineering is an interest in their lives. Stage two is a two-hour exam, which focuses on the design stage of a system. The final stage is an interview at a university renowned for engineering.
The Engineering Scholarship scheme is administered by the Arkwright Scholarships Trust. This is a charitable organisation that seeks to create future leaders in engineering and related areas of design by increasing the number of outstanding young people who pursue higher education and careers in the sector. The Trust was named after the famed 18th Century engineer Sir Richard Arkwright, inventor of the water frame and the 'father' of the modern factory system. The Trust was founded in 1991 and became a registered charity in England and Wales in 1993 under the name "Arkwright Scholarship Trust". It was re-registered as the "Arkwright Scholarships Trust" in 2002. It shares premises with The Smallpeice Trust in Leamington Spa, England.
The Trust was led from 1991 to 2001 by Mr Tony Pickering, former Head of Pocklington School. From 2001 to 2011 the Trust was led by Mrs Linda Scott OBE FRSA, former National Director of the Engineering Education Scheme in England. Dr Martin Thomas CEng MIMMM MInstLM FIET became National Director on 1st September 2011. Dr Thomas was previously a Director at EngineeringUK.
In 1991, the Trust awarded 5 Scholarships. In 2004 it awarded 166. And in 2011 it is awarding 298 Scholarships. In 2011, the Trust is launching a new scheme that offers a small number of undergraduate Scholarships in engineering at UK universities.