Teesside University game design scholarship supported by major games studio

As part of Bdaily’s coverage of National Video Games Day, we hear from Teesside University, whose scholarship supported by a major games studio is inviting applicants for the third consecutive year.

For the last two years, the Creative Assembly Scholarship programme has supported under-represented and disadvantaged students to begin a career in the games industry. Currently, there are four students at Teesside University under the CA Scholarship Programme, representing two years of successful cohorts.

The first students to benefit from this scholarship programme will shortly be entering their final year of study. These students benefit from financial support each year (£3,000 per student per year of study), and expert mentoring with a game developer.

The scholarship is specifically open to under-represented or disadvantaged individuals to address existing cultural and socio-economical barriers which may limit their chances of success.

Applicants must enrol on Teesside University’s BA (Hons) Game Design and meet at least one of the following criteria: demonstrate clear financial need in their application, identify as female, identify as being from a minority ethnic background.

Giselle Stewart, studio director at Creative Assembly North, commented: “To be able to offer financial support and mentorship to future game development talent, especially considering the economic environment we are in, is life changing.

“Social mobility and diversity are so interwoven that we need to look at a range of factors that act as barriers to higher education, and therefore potential industry careers. We believe that careers in the games industry should be accessible to everyone no matter socio-economic status, gender or ethnicity.”

Siobhan Fenton, Associate Dean (Enterprise and Business Engagement) in Teesside University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, added: “Creative Assembly has been involved with several modules on our computer games degrees this year, providing feedback sessions and specialist industry talks which have been greatly received by our students.

“One of our joint aims was to explore ways to encourage more under-represented groups into the games industry, and to have this scholarship available is a fantastic endorsement of our commitment to widening participation.

“There should be no barriers to a career in the games industry and we are looking forward to helping students from under-represented groups reach their ambitions.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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