Rees Jeffreys Road Fund opens transport studies bursaries

The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund is hoping to encourage more applications to study for a transport-related MSc, both from people who are new to the transport sector and people who are currently employed in the sector

Rees Jeffreys Road Fund MSc Bursary recipient Steven Currie who was awarded a bursary to study Transport and City Planning MSc at University College London in 2020, with Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Roadside Rest at Duncton Hill, West Sussex off the A285. Photo Credit: Steven Currie

The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Trustees are pleased to announce that applications are open for the Transport MSc Bursary programme for the academic year 2023-24. People interested in studying for a transport related MSc should initially speak to one of the 13 universities who run transport related MSc programmes. 

The trustees are hoping to encourage more applications to study for a transport related MSc – both from people who are new to the transport sector and people who are currently employed in the sector who may wish to add to their professional skills or knowledge.

All enquiries from potential students should be made via the university, rather than students contacting Rees Jeffreys Road Fund directly. The deadline for universities to apply for a bursary on behalf of students is 10am on Monday 3 July 2023.

Bursaries are available for a wide range of transport-related topics and are aimed at students who would not be able to afford to study without the bursary.  There will be up to eight bursaries of £10,000 each awarded for the academic year starting 2023-24. The bursaries are released in stage payments over the period of study.

The fund is looking to provide financial support for people with a strong commitment to developing a new career or further developing their existing career centred in the Transport Sector in the UK, who would not normally be able to undertake the course due to financial circumstance. Applications are welcome from students of any age and background, including applicants who are mid-career. Bursaries are available for both full and part time studies and are intended to cover course fees

The fund’s founder, William Rees Jeffreys (1872-1954), was passionate about supporting people working in the roads and highways sector to have access to professional education. 

Chairman of the trustees David Tarrant said, “As trustees of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund we believe roads really matter to all of us, whether we’re making journeys as drivers, passengers, pedestrians or cyclists. The professionalism, knowledge and expertise of those working in the highways sector is therefore vital to ensure that roads work well for everyone.

“We are keen to continue the life work of William Rees Jeffreys by supporting today’s highways professionals to have access to high quality professional education.  We are delighted to be offering our programme of MSc bursary funding once again and look forward to hearing how this supports people to progress their careers.”

Steven Currie, who received a bursary in 2020 to study at UCL said: “The Transport & City Planning MSc combined my enthusiasm for business, my knowledge of user experience and service design, with physical planning and development of spaces; alongside the interaction with transport and city systems. The bursary has helped me to realise that longstanding dream and facilitated a career progression that would have otherwise been unattainable as a ‘mature student’.”

Further case studies are available on the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund website.