The Russell Kane Scholarship (applications are now closed)

The Russell Kane Scholarship will support 3 learners through their GCSEs and A levels.

NEC alumnus and comedian Russell Kane is working with us to offer 3 scholarships to students who would otherwise be unable to complete their GCSEs or A levels.

Russell Kane, now a multi-award winning comedian, TV and radio presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter, is a former learner at NEC. After leaving school without A levels, he enrolled with NEC to study A level Sociology. He studied for two hours every evening while living with his grandmother in her housing association flat and working in a Rolex store during the day.

Kane received the fastest ever A grade from enrolment to completion and received a special award from Betty Boothroyd, then Speaker of the House of Commons, for his incredible success. As a result of his studies with NEC, he was able to embark on a degree at Middlesex University London.

Now an advocate for widening participation in education and combating the socio-economic attainment gap, Kane has been outspoken about the need to improve options for working class students.

The Russell Kane Scholarship will provide learners the opportunity to study up to five GCSEs or three A levels, plus exam costs.

The scholarship will cover:

• Up to five GCSEs or up to three A levels
• Exam fees for each subject

 ‘It was the moment that changed everything. If I had not been able to do that A level then nothing else would have followed.’ – Russell Kane

Click here to apply.

Applications close September 16th.

In conversation: Russell Kane and Kit de Waal

In an exclusive video to launch the Scholarship Russell and award winning author Kit de Waal (My name is Leon) discuss the current state of education and what changes need to be made in order for people of all different backgrounds and circumstances to access education.

If you have any questions about any of our scholarships, or are an individual looking to support a future scholarship, please email scholarships@nec.ac.uk.

See our Scholarship terms and conditions please Click here.

Meet the recipients of the 2022 award

Find out more about the recipients by clicking here.

The perfect partnership

The National Extension College work with a wide range of partners to offer exclusive opportunities to our students.

To see who we work with Click here.

To find out more about opportunities for NEC students Click here.