To mark National Scholarships Week [w/c 20 April], Riverside has joined forces with Clarion Housing Group and five other leading housing associations to unveil a major new scholarships programme designed to transform pathways into housing‑related careers for under‑represented groups. 

Coordinated by Clarion’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures, the Social Housing Scholarships Programme is supported by Riverside, Hyde, L&Q, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), Peabody and Places for People, with match funding provided by the Fusion21 Foundation.  

By joining forces on this sector‑wide initiative, the programme will deliver greater reach and potential for long‑term impact than any organisation could achieve alone, aiming to break down barriers and create meaningful, lasting change for social housing residents across England. 

Managed by Blackbullion, the home of student money and the UK’s largest hub of scholarships and additional funding, the programme will fund 14 scholarships over two years, with each scholar receiving £18,000 paid in three annual instalments to help with living costs while at university. Alongside financial support, scholars will gain access to mentoring, paid work experience and networking opportunities.   

The Social Housing Scholarships Programme supports a wide range of degree and career pathways connected to housing, homes and communities, including property, construction, sustainability, social policy, urban planning and business management. 

There are more than 200 different roles to choose from in social housing alone, from frontline housing management to corporate service roles including business admin, HR, IT, finance, health and safety, governance, marketing and communications. 

Some roles require specialist skills and qualifications, but underpinning every job in housing is a desire to work in an organisation that aims to make a positive difference to people’s lives. 

Open to social housing residents of any age in England, the programme is aimed at those beginning an undergraduate degree in 2026. Priority will be given to applicants from lower-income households or who are the first in their family to attend university, with selection based on attitude, determination and enthusiasm with less emphasis placed on academic performance than is typical in standard scholarship programmes. 

The initiative builds on Clarion’s William Sutton Prize scholarships launched in 2025, which supported six young people – four of whom were social housing residents – to study at leading institutions including the University of Oxford, UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and Ravensbourne University London. 

Paul Dolan, Group Chief Executive of Riverside, said: “We are incredibly proud to support the Social Housing Scholarships Programme which will help residents to realise their full potential.

“Across the country, social housing offers a diverse range of rewarding career paths and we are excited to see this programme unlock new opportunities for the customers and communities we all serve.

“This initiative is perfectly aligned with our values of care, inclusivity and trust. We look forward to playing our part in bringing it to life this year.”

Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, added: “At Clarion, we believe that talent exists in every community, but opportunity doesn’t always follow. That’s why we’re proud to be leading the way with the new Social Housing Scholarships Programme, working with other leading housing associations to help level the playing field for social housing residents through financial support, mentoring and paid work experience to break down barriers.

“By opening up pathways into meaningful careers in housing, we’re investing in a more diverse generation of future professionals who will help shape stronger, thriving communities.”

Commenting on the impact of her William Sutton Prize scholarship, Isata Kamara, who is studying architecture at The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at UCL, said: “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.”

Applications for the Social Housing Scholarships Programme are open from 24 April until midnight on 5 July. Scholars will be selected following the publication of A-level results in August.

To find out more about the Social Housing Scholarships Programme or to apply, visit www.myclarionhousing.com/scholarships.