Henderson Scholarships and Bursaries
Apply for an eligible degree by 13 January 2027 to be considered
The Henderson Programme provides scholarships, bursaries and opportunities for students studying Computing, Engineering and Built Environment degrees at Birmingham City University.
Established by BCU Software Engineering alumnus Cal Henderson, Co-Founder and former Chief Technology Officer of Slack and an early engineer behind Flickr, the Henderson Programme is designed to remove financial barriers and help talented students reach their full potential.
Through the Henderson Family Foundation, Cal has donated $3.31 million to BCU since 2023, including a $2.75 million investment to expand student support between 2026 and 2028. The Henderson Programme is focused on widening participation, supporting students from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education, succeed at university and progress into rewarding careers in technology, engineering and the built environment.
Support for new students
The Henderson Programme offers a range of funding opportunities for new students.
If you’re applying to study an undergraduate degree in Computing, Engineering or Built Environment at Birmingham City University, you may be eligible for a £10,000 scholarship to cover your tuition fees or a £2,000 bursary in your first year to help with start-up costs.
£10,000 Henderson Scholarship
- £10,000 per year for up to three years to fund tuition fees
- Awarded to outstanding students who may face financial barriers to succeed
- Be part of a thriving community of Scholars with access to exclusive networking and development opportunities
£2,000 Henderson Access Bursary
- £2,000 paid to students in their first year of study
- Designed to remove financial barriers for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds
- Support with start-up costs such as accommodation, travel and course materials
Support for current students
The Henderson Programme also offers a range of funding opportunities for current students.
Students studying a degree in Computing, Engineering or Built Environment have a range of bursaries and funding available to support their studies.
£2,000 Henderson Award
- £2,000 one-off award paid to 25 students at the end of each academic year
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This award recognises students who have achieved exceptional grades and demonstrated a strong commitment to their studies
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Students are selected for this Award based on their attendance, engagement and grades across the year
£500 Henderson Opportunity Fund
- A one-off grant of up to £500 is awarded to 100 students
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The fund can be used for course-related costs, placements, study materials, as well as travel opportunities, such as Go Abroad or Semester Abroad
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Students can apply for this in Autumn and Spring each year
Henderson Innovation Seed Fund
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Funding of up to £5,000 is awarded to final-year undergraduate students
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Available for students with innovative projects and entrepreneurial ideas who will be exhibiting their work at Innovation Fest
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Students can apply or be nominated for this by their Supervisors
What degrees are eligible?
For the full list of eligible courses please see the specific award you would like to apply for
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Computing
Study in our £70 million STEAMhouse facility with access to cutting-edge technology and industry projects. Courses range from Computer Science, Software Engineering and Cyber Security to Games and Sound Engineering.
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Engineering
Our hands-on, block delivery approach allows you to focus on one module at a time, working on real-world engineering challenges and being assessed through practical competency rather than traditional exams.
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Built Environment
Prepare for technology-based careers in property and construction with courses in areas such as Architectural Technology, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying and Real Estate.
Eligible courses for Scholarship and Bursaries
If you apply for one of the below degrees by 13 January 2027, you will automatically be considered for a £10,000 Henderson Scholarship or £2,000 Access Bursary.