The First 500 Scholarships

The University of Kent offers The First 500 Scholarship with a stated value of one scholarship worth £2,000 per annum (or pro-rata for part-time students) for the duration of the recipient's degree programme. The page describes the scholarship’s purpose as assisting applicants whose full potential has yet to develop or whose talents are not recognised by current assessment methods.

The scholarship accepts home and overseas applicants and is open to both full-time and part-time students. It is for applicants who will be entering Stage 1 of their undergraduate degree programme, and it covers applications to the University of Kent made via UCAS.

To apply, applicants must meet the listed criteria, including attainment of A*AA from three A Levels (or a specified equivalent) and required UCAS and Kent acceptance actions. The page also states that applicants may be shortlisted and called to an interview via Microsoft Teams if the panel deems it necessary.

Support is stated as £2,000 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) for the duration of the recipient's degree programme, with the scholarship not paid during a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry placement.

• Full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply.
• Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have attained A*AA from three A Levels or a specified equivalent.
• Applicants must be entering Stage 1 of their undergraduate degree in September 2025.
• Applicants must have made their application to the University of Kent via UCAS.
• Applicants must have made a firm acceptance to study at Kent by 31 August 2025.
• Applicants are not eligible if they have attained any qualification higher than A Level or equivalent.
• Applicants are not eligible if they are in receipt of need-based financial aid.
• Applicants are not eligible if they are current students at The University of Kent.
• Applicants are not eligible if applying to Medway School of Pharmacy.
• Applicants are not eligible if applying to Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS).
• Applicants are not eligible to receive scholarship payment during a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry placement.

• One scholarship worth £2,000 per annum (or pro-rata for part-time students) for the duration of the recipient's degree programme.
• The scholarship will not be paid during a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry placement.

1. Check that you meet the criteria as shown above.
2. Write an essay of 750-1,000 words on the prompt provided in the scholarship application section.
3. Save the essay as a Word document.
4. At the top of the document, include the essay title, your full name, and your University of Kent identification number.
5. Submit the essay via an application on KentVision by the stated deadline.
6. If shortlisted, expect that you may be called to an interview via Microsoft Teams if the panel deems it necessary.

• A Word document containing the essay (750-1,000 words) with the essay title, your full name, and your University of Kent identification number at the top of the document.