Bursary helps North East students reach Cambridge

A North East education initiative is helping more young people access opportunities at one of the world’s leading universities.

The University of Cambridge is marking the second anniversary of the Jabad Jaigirdar Bursary, which provides financial support to students from underprivileged backgrounds in the region. 

The bursary covers living costs and other expenses, ensuring recipients can fully take part in academic and extracurricular life at Cambridge.

Jabad Jaigirdar, founder of the bursary and senior partner at London and Newcastle-based law firm JLF, said: “This bursary demonstrates a scalable model of philanthropy that directly addresses structural inequalities and promotes social mobility for bright students from the North East, who may not always see Cambridge as an attainable destination. 

“Already, I’ve been inspired by the drive and achievements of our inaugural bursary recipient. 

“They remind us that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not – and it is our responsibility to change that.”

Students from the North East remain the most underrepresented of any English region at the university. 

By reducing financial barriers, the bursary is helping to address these inequalities and create new pathways into higher education. 

The scheme has already supported talented students whose potential might otherwise have been limited by socio-economic circumstances.

Dr Senara Eggleton, director of studies in law at Jesus College said: “Jesus College is hugely proud of its links in the North East. 

“We are grateful that Jabad’s generosity will facilitate the studies of an eligible student from the region for the second year running. 

“Bursary funding like this helps to ease the financial pressures of students who are academically deserving of their places to study at Cambridge but who face challenges due to the cost of higher education and student life. 

“Bursaries make a real difference by ensuring that capable students with talent and potential can study here, irrespective of their background.

“They enhance our entire community.”

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