We're backing the next generation of social housing leaders professionals
A new scholarship programme powering careers in social housing.
To mark National Scholarships Week, we’ve teamed up with Clarion Housing Group and five other leading housing associations to unveil a major new scholarships programme designed to transform pathways into housing related careers for under represented groups.
Coordinated by Clarion’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, the Social Housing Scholarships Programme is supported by L&Q, Hyde, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), Peabody, Places for People and Riverside, with match funding provided by the Fusion21 Foundation.
By joining forces on this sector wide initiative, the programme will deliver greater reach and potential for long term impact than any organisation could achieve alone, aiming to break down barriers and create meaningful, lasting change.
Managed by Blackbullion, the home of student money and the UK’s largest hub of scholarships, the programme will fund 14 scholarships over two years, with each scholar receiving £18,000 paid in three annual instalments to help with living costs while at university.
Alongside financial support, scholars will gain access to mentoring, paid work experience and networking opportunities.
The Social Housing Scholarships Programme supports a wide range of degree and career pathways connected to housing, homes and communities, including property, construction, sustainability, social policy, urban planning and business management.
There are more than 200 different roles to choose from in social housing alone, from frontline housing management to corporate service roles including business admin, HR, IT, finance, health and safety, governance, marketing and communications.
Open to social housing residents of any age in England, the programme is aimed at those beginning an undergraduate degree in 2026.
Priority will be given to applicants from lower-income households or who are the first in their family to attend university, with selection based on attitude, determination and enthusiasm with less emphasis placed on academic performance than is typical in standard scholarship programmes.
Fiona Fletcher-Smith, CEO at L&Q, said:
“When someone starts at a disadvantage, their opportunities are limited. That leaves little room for inspiration, creativity, or dreams – the very things essential to achieving our potential.
“The Social Housing Scholarships Programme shows the power of partnership in tackling the inequalities that close doors.
It also gives our sector an opportunity to define itself in the eyes of talented people, many of whom know little about what we do.
“We’re very proud to be part of this initiative, helping young people kick-start their careers in housing and build brighter futures.”
Applications for the Social Housing Scholarships Programme are open from 24 April until midnight on 5 July. Two residents will be selected following the publication of A-level results in August.