Ghanaian-British rapper Stormzy has pledged to support 36 black students studying at Cambridge University over the next three years.
Each will receive a £20,000 annual scholarship in a continuing partnership between banking group HSBC UK and the musician’s charity, the #Merky Foundation.
It has been five years since the Stormzy Scholarships were launched. By 2026, 81 students will receive one.
Stormzy said black students had the opportunity to take.
The university said the “Stormzy effect” had seen applications from UK black students rise, with those admitted to undergraduate courses doubling, from 61 students in 2018 to 141 students in 2022.
HSBC has pledged £2 million to support 30 newly-established Stormzy Scholarships over the next three years. The #Merky Foundation will continue to fund two additional students each year.
The musician said: “For a further 30 black students to have the opportunity to study at Cambridge University—the same year we celebrate five years of the scholarships’ launch—feels like a remarkable landmark moment.
They are aimed at alleviating financial worries for students from “less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds”, the university said.
Prof Bhaskar Vira, pro-vice-chancellor for education, said he was “delighted” the collaboration was continuing.
“We know these scholarships are truly transformative for the opportunities they provide. We look forward to welcoming more Stormzy scholars to Cambridge over the next few years,” he said.
