The Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026 at the University of Sussex provides a £5,000 cash award to one eligible female undergraduate student beginning their studies at Sussex in 2026.
The scholarship is designed to support women from lower-income backgrounds studying subjects within the University of Sussex Business School, School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, or School of Engineering & Informatics. Priority is given to BAME students.
Unlike many scholarships that require students to submit an application independently from the beginning, eligible students will be contacted and invited to apply after registering at the University of Sussex. The application includes a personal statement of up to 500 words.
Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026 – Quick Summary
| Scholarship | Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026 |
|---|---|
| University | University of Sussex |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Award | £5,000 cash |
| Award type | Maintenance award |
| Number available | 1 |
| Eligible applicants | Women who are UK nationals |
| Entry year | Students joining Sussex in 2026 |
| Eligible schools | Business School; Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Engineering & Informatics |
| Family income | Below £30,000 per year, verified by the Student Loans Company |
| Priority | BAME students |
| Deadline | 1 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT |
| Application method | Eligible students will be invited to apply after registration |
| Decision | Before the end of November 2026 |
The information above is based on the University of Sussex’s current 2026 scholarship listing.
What Is the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
The Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship is a donor-funded undergraduate scholarship at the University of Sussex.
It was established by Tosin Akinluyi, a Sussex alumna, and is named after her paternal grandmother, Emily O Akinluyi. Sussex says the scholarship was created to support female students from more challenging socioeconomic backgrounds who are studying science, mathematics or business-related degrees.
The scholarship has supported students studying subjects including economics and computer science. In a 2024 Sussex profile, scholarship recipient Cymone Geddes described how the funding helped with textbooks, course expenses, an economics trip to Belgium, summer school expenses and other costs during her studies.
What Does the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship Cover?
The successful applicant will receive a £5,000 cash award.
Sussex classifies the scholarship as a maintenance award, meaning it is intended to help with the costs associated with supporting the student during their studies rather than being described as a tuition-fee waiver.
Only one scholarship is available for the 2026 intake.
Who Can Apply for the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
To qualify for the 2026 scholarship, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set by the University of Sussex.
You must:
- Be an undergraduate student in your first year.
- Have joined the University of Sussex in 2026.
- A Foundation Year may count as the first year for eligibility.
- Be a woman.
- Be a UK national.
- Be registered in the University of Sussex Business School, School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, or School of Engineering & Informatics.
- Have family income below £30,000 per year, with the income verified by the Student Loans Company.
Sussex also states that priority will be given to BAME students.
Is the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship open to international students?
No. The current 2026 eligibility requirements specify that applicants must be UK nationals. Therefore, international students who do not meet the UK-nationality requirement should not treat this scholarship as an available funding option.
This is particularly important for students searching for scholarships to study in the UK because the University of Sussex offers other scholarships that may have different nationality requirements.
Which Courses Are Eligible?
The scholarship is available to students registered in one of three areas at the University of Sussex:
Business School
Students studying eligible undergraduate programmes within the University of Sussex Business School can be considered.
School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Students studying subjects within mathematical and physical sciences can be eligible, provided they meet all other scholarship conditions.
School of Engineering & Informatics
The scholarship also covers eligible undergraduate students registered within Engineering & Informatics.
Sussex’s current scholarship listing identifies these three schools as the eligible academic areas.
What Will the Scholarship Application Ask For?
Eligible students will be contacted by the University of Sussex and invited to apply after they have registered at the university.
Applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
The personal statement will be assessed on three main areas:
1. Career aspirations: Applicants should explain their career goals and how those goals connect with their undergraduate degree.
2. Leadership experience: Applicants can discuss leadership experience gained through professional work or extracurricular activities.
3. Voluntary or community involvement: Applicants should explain any relevant involvement in voluntary work or community projects.
Because the statement is limited to 500 words, applicants should focus on specific experiences and explain what they learned from them rather than simply listing activities.
How to Apply for the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026
The application process is different from scholarships where students simply complete an online form.
According to the University of Sussex, eligible applicants will be contacted and invited to apply once they are registered at the university.
Eligible students should therefore:
- Join the University of Sussex in 2026.
- Make sure they are registered on an eligible undergraduate programme.
- Ensure their family income information has been verified by the Student Loans Company.
- Watch for communication from the University of Sussex inviting eligible students to apply.
- Prepare a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
- Explain their career aspirations and connection to their degree.
- Highlight relevant leadership experience.
- Include relevant voluntary or community involvement.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Official scholarship page: University of Sussex – Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship
Official application and scholarship information:
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/undergraduate-scholarships/view/1942-Emily-O-Akinluyi-Scholarship
Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026 Deadline
The application deadline is 1 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Sussex states that eligible applicants will be considered after the deadline, with a decision expected before the end of November 2026.
Students should not wait until the final day to prepare their personal statement, particularly because the scholarship application is invitation-based.
Who Funds the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
The scholarship is funded by Tosin Akinluyi, a University of Sussex alumna.
Sussex identifies Akinluyi as an Economics graduate from 1996 and a senior professional at Morgan Stanley. She is also listed as a member of the University of Sussex Business School advisory board.
According to Sussex, the scholarship was named after Akinluyi’s paternal grandmother, Emily O Akinluyi.
Selection Criteria
The University of Sussex states that the personal statement will be assessed based on:
- Career aspirations and their relationship to the applicant’s undergraduate degree
- Leadership experience through professional or extracurricular activities
- Participation in voluntary or community projects
The university also states that priority will be given to BAME students.
Since only one scholarship is available, applicants should make their personal statement specific and demonstrate clearly how their experiences, academic direction and future goals connect.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
There are several points applicants should understand before considering this scholarship.
- It is for UK nationals. The scholarship is not currently open generally to international students.
- You must be joining Sussex in 2026. Existing students who joined in an earlier year should not assume they qualify.
- It is limited to specific academic schools. Being an undergraduate student at Sussex alone does not make a student eligible.
- Only one award is available. Applicants should therefore pay close attention to the personal statement requirements.
- The application is invitation-based. Eligible students will be contacted after registration rather than simply applying through a general public application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
The Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship provides a £5,000 cash award. The University of Sussex classifies it as a maintenance award.
Who is eligible for the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
The 2026 scholarship is for women who are UK nationals, are first-year undergraduate students joining Sussex in 2026, study in one of the three specified academic schools, and have verified family income below £30,000 per year. Priority is given to BAME students.
Can international students apply for this scholarship?
No. The current eligibility criteria require applicants to be UK nationals.
What is the deadline for the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship 2026?
The deadline is 1 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
How do I apply for the Emily O Akinluyi Scholarship?
Eligible students will be contacted and invited to apply after registering at the University of Sussex. Applicants will then be asked to submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
When will the scholarship decision be announced?
The University of Sussex says eligible applicants will be considered after the deadline, with a decision expected before the end of November 2026.
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