Financial help for more of Cranfield’s Motorsport post-grad students
The Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust is to double the number of bursaries it offers to students working towards an MSc qualification in Motorsport Engineering and Management at Cranfield University in the forthcoming academic year. Two applicants for the one-year postgraduate degree, which starts in September 2006, will be awarded substantial bursaries to help subsidise their studying and living expenses.
The Trust’s chairman Sir Jackie Stewart OBE said: “The postgraduate course that Cranfield provides attracts high calibre individuals, some of whom have come straight from their first degree in engineering and others who have spent some time in industry since graduating. Either way, potential candidates usually have some serious financial commitments by that stage in their career and receive little or no funding to encourage them to continue to study.
“With their education completed, they are likely to play a significant part in the future of the motorsport industry in the UK, so it is appropriate for the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust to offer support in the form of a bursary to help sustain the quality of applicants.”
Jamie McWhir, from Manchester, was the first student to be awarded a Motorsport Bursary funded by the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust, which is supporting his study during the academic year 2005-06. The Bursary has allowed Jamie to pursue his MSc in Motorsport Engineering and Management at Cranfield.
Jamie, pictured with Sir Jackie in the attached photo, commented: “Being a more mature student, not only did I struggle to ensure I had the funds for doing the course and supporting myself and family, but I also had to consider how I would continue to contribute to a mortgage and bills that are associated with having your own home to support away from college.
“The bursary will make a huge difference to my financial situation for the coming year, allowing me to focus on my studies and not worry about whether I will get through the year financially.”
Applications for the 2006-07 course are now being received by Cranfield University, in Bedfordshire. Interested parties should visit motorsport.cranfield.ac.uk. Cranfield’s post-graduate level education programme has led to careers for ex-students with WilliamsF1, Honda Racing F1, McLaren Racing, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, ToyotaF1, M-Sport, Prodrive and Xtrac.
