Undergraduate scholarship winners for 2023-24
Congratulations to undergraduate students Beth Hillerby, Olivia McDermott and Sarah Touami, who have all been awarded scholarships by the Department of English in recognition of exceptional performance.
Beth Hillerby and Sarah Touami received the Brian Nellist English Attainment Scholarship, which is awarded annually to the two year one students with the best performance in Single Honours or Major (75%) English programmes. It takes the form of a full tuition fee waiver for the second and third years of study, and is named after Brian Nellist MBE, a much-loved member of staff who taught at the University of Liverpool from 1959 until his retirement in 2000.
Sarah, a BA English Literature student from Manchester, said: “I’m still in utter disbelief but so grateful that I received this award. It’s a reminder to keep doing what I love and share that passion with others”.
BA English Language student Beth, from Crewe, commented: “When I received the letter about the scholarship, I was stunned and I still can’t wrap my head around it! I am so incredibly grateful to be the recipient of this award and am eager to continue my studies”.
Beth Hillerby pictured with Professor Peter Buse, Dean of the School of the Arts
Meanwhile, Olivia McDermott was awarded the Dame Patricia Routledge Award – worth £3,500 – for the best performance in BA English Literature with Drama Studies at year two. An alumna of the University of Liverpool, Dame Patricia graduated with a BA in English Language and Literature in 1951, and has since enjoyed a long, illustrious career on stage and screen.
Olivia McDermott is pictured with Professor Peter Buse
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the benefactor, Dame Patricia Routledge, for this scholarship”, commented Olivia, from Widnes. “When I first received the email notifying me that I had been awarded the scholarship, I honestly thought that it was some sort of scam message attempting to hack into my back account!
“I feel so lucky to be in the first cohort of students on the English Literature with Drama Studies programme, as the modules have been immensely engaging and creative. To have my academic work acknowledged in this way is something that I am beyond grateful for.”