DMU launches scholarships with Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

A new scholarship programme to encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at university has been launched by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

The Trust was founded by Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence, now Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, who became Chancellor of DMU this year.



Initially, the Trust helped disadvantaged students into careers in architecture – the profession which Stephen wanted to enter. Since then, it has been expanded into other professions including law and journalism.

The new DMU scholarships will be offered to students wanting to study law, journalism and architecture. Applications for the scholarships can be made from now until 1 July 2016.  

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust aims to transform the career opportunities of aspiring, talented people from disadvantaged backgrounds.  It has so far helped more than 100 students to become architects and created opportunities for scholarships with leading media and law companies.

Baroness Lawrence, who was invested as Chancellor of DMU in a ceremony in January said:  "I am proud that the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust has enabled talented outstanding students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to begin careers in architecture, the law and media. 


"Since becoming Chancellor of DMU I have been impressed with its commitment to diversity and to nurturing and supporting its talented students to succeed. By providing gifted young people at the beginning of their career with a scholarship, we will establish a rich talent pool and help increase diversity and achievement, supporting ambitious students to be the best they can be."

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Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said: “As a university committed to the public good, we support wholeheartedly the mission of Stephen’s family to support and inspire young people who may not otherwise go to university or achieve ambitious careers or professions because of disadvantage, discrimination or lack of opportunities.

“It is our hope that these scholarships will help transform lives and inspire students who will become part of Stephen’s growing legacy.”

DMU is one of the first universities, and currently one of only eight, to achieve a Race Equality Charter award acknowledging its work.