Are you ready to build a future that works for you? Launching to coincide with National Scholarships Week (20 - 26 April 2026), applications are now open for the Social Housing Scholarships Programme, a unique opportunity to turn your ambition into a rewarding career that makes a real difference.
Open to residents of any age, you will receive financial support, paid internships, mentoring, and a clear pathway into meaningful careers that support homes, communities and local services across a wide range of professional roles.
Whether you are finishing school, changing careers, or returning to study later in life, this programme offers financial support, valuable real-world experience, and a network of people invested in your success. Plus, if you want to boost your confidence before applying, you will have access to online workshops offering practical guidance and support.
Housing is about much more than repairs or customer-facing roles. It is a dynamic sector with opportunities in development, sustainability, finance, digital services, community engagement, and leadership.
Apply nowWhat the scholarship offers
Successful applicants will receive:
- £6,000 per year to support living costs and study materials throughout your degree.
- Paid internships with partner organisations to gain hands-on experience and build professional networks.
- One-to-one mentoring, workshops and networking opportunities to support your academic progress and career goals.
- Optional volunteering opportunities linked to your interests.
Application support
We’ll also be running a series of online workshops, delivered by our partner Blackbullion. These sessions are designed to help you better understand the programme and give you the support you need to put together a strong application.
The workshops will include:
- Live Q&A sessions: a chance to ask your own questions and get helpful answers.
- How to write a strong application: practical tips to help you highlight your strengths and stand out.
Missed a previous workshop? Don’t worry, you can catch up anytime by watching the recordings.
In these sessions, Blackbullion takes you through everything you need to know about the Social Housing Scholarship Programme, including how to approach your application and what assessors are looking for. They’re a great starting point if you’re thinking about applying, or a useful refresher if you’ve already begun.
Whether you’re just getting started or putting the finishing touches to your application, these workshops can help build your confidence and understanding.
Start by watching the recording, then sign up for a live session to make the most of the support on offer.
Led by Clarion Futures and Blackbullion, in partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH), Peabody, L&Q, Riverside, Places for People, The Hyde Group, and the Fusion21 Foundation, the programme supports residents of any age to succeed at university and build careers across the housing sector and related professions. These include community-focused roles, managing and developing homes, professional pathways in IT, sustainability, finance, development and digital services that keep homes and communities thriving.
Who can apply
You can apply if you:
- Are a social housing resident in England.
- Have accepted a confirmed place on an undergraduate degree starting or continuing in September 2026.
- Show motivation, potential and commitment.
- Are interested in careers linked to homes, communities and local services or the professional roles that support them.
- You do not need perfect grades. We are looking for drive, ambition and a willingness to learn and grow.
“The scholarship has transformed my student experience, easing financial pressures so I can fully immerse myself in my architecture degree. Mentorship provides valuable insight into the profession, whilst work experience will connect me with industry experts and broaden my understanding of different practices. Funding for materials and study trips will help expand my skills and expose me to global perspectives, enriching my emerging practice.”
Isata Kamara
William Sutton Prize scholar and architecture student at The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at UCL.
Degrees and career pathways supported
This programme supports people like you who understand their communities and want to build meaningful careers that make a positive difference locally and across the housing sector. It focuses on careers linked to housing, homes and communities, and while some paths, such as medicine, fall outside its scope, a wide range of degrees and related career routes are supported. Examples include:
- Housing and property
- Construction and building safety
- Sustainability and environmental management
- IT and digital services
- Finance, procurement and project management
- Community engagement and customer services
- Business management and leadership
- Social policy and community development
- Asset management and surveying
- Architecture and urban planning
- Real estate and development
Why apply
Whether you are the first in your family planning to go to university, balancing study with work or other responsibilities, or unsure whether traditional scholarships are for you, this programme is open to residents of any age and recognises that lived experience is a strength, not a disadvantage.
Apply now
Applications open Friday, 24 April 2026 and close on Sunday, 5 July 2026 at midnight.
If you are not ready to apply on this occasion, please register your interest to be notified about future opportunities by email.
For full programme details, eligibility and information about what you will receive as a scholar, visit our dedicated Social Housing Scholarships Programme webpage.
Get personalised support with your application
To get one‑to‑one support throughout your application journey, you can also register with our Jobs and Training team for tailored guidance. The team can also support you with your wider career aspirations, helping you plan your next steps and move towards your goals.
