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Finding scholarship opportunities can sometimes feel like what the Akama Fund describes as the 'academic hunger games'.

The good news is that there are many organisations, networks, and programmes specifically designed to support underrepresented students, helping you understand your options and navigate the process with confidence. The real challenge is simply knowing where to look and how to stay informed.

Below are five practical strategies to help you navigate the funding landscape and discover opportunities that may be right for you.

1. Explore our resources for underrepresented students

Start with our Geography for All resources for underrepresented students, a curated hub of programmes, scholarships, internships, and career pathways. Use the search filters to find scholarships by funder, institution, or area of support.

It’s a great way to get a sense of what’s available and to learn from organisations working toward more equitable futures.

2. Subscribe to relevant newsletters and blogs

Newsletters are one of the easiest ways to stay on top of new opportunities.

Our Geography for All newsletter highlights upcoming funding rounds, deadlines, and useful resources for students, teachers and educators in a quarterly round up.

Other platforms, such as the Akama Fund and My academic family, also regularly share insights, personal experiences, and practical tips, for instance:

Seek out mentorship

A mentor can be a game changer, helping you identify opportunities, strengthen your applications, and build confidence in the process.

Recognising that teachers and educators often play an invaluable role in supporting students, whether as formal or informal mentors, The Sutton Trust regular share opinion pieces and guides to support teachers and students across all post-18 pathways.

Attend funding workshops

Universities, professional networks, and student organisations frequently run workshops on funding and scholarships. These sessions often include Q&As with experts, former awardees, or admissions staff giving you valuable insights into what panels look for and how to make your application stand out.

You may also want to connect with some of the featured social mobility organisations in the Geography for All resource directory who regularly host events and networking sessions.

Connect with university support services

Your university’s widening participation, careers, or student support teams can provide tailored advice. They often maintain up-to-date lists of scholarships and can help you strengthen personal statements, prepare references, or navigate interview processes.

If you’re interested in studying at degree level, a university taster day may be the best option to explore what your next steps may be.