Rani scholar aims to empower more future women in tech
A student hopes to inspire more young women to pursue careers in technology as she benefits from a scholarship backed by University of Bradford Chancellor Anita Rani, which is returning for its third year.
Anum Ayub, 22, a second year BSc Computer Science student, is enrolled on the Rani Scholarship, which supports women who would not otherwise be able to access higher education without financial support and who want to study a subject in which women are under-represented.
New opportunities
Originally from Pakistan, Anum is the first in her family to attend University and moved to the UK with her parents in 2019, learned to speak English through watching Horrid Henry cartoons and studied for her GCSEs using online resources.
She said: “The scholarship has had a really big impact on my life. It’s opened doors and new opportunities for me. It gives me independence and motivation to face my studies.
“My family have been my biggest supporters, and they wanted me to get the biggest opportunities.
“I want to give back to the community in a positive way. I want to get a graduate role and encourage other young women from diverse backgrounds that they can have a career in tech and achieve their goals. They just need to get out there and ask for help.
“It’s a really good University. The support system is amazing. I feel like I truly belong in this University.
“When I found out I had received the scholarship, I was really happy and emotional. It has been incredibly empowering to be truly seen and valued as someone with potential. It has made me feel very motivated.
“Anita Rani is very strong and supports women who have come from diverse backgrounds.”
The scholarship, launched in the 2024-25 academic year, is partly supported by TechnologyOne, a London-based firm, which provides software products to governments, businesses and the education sector.
Anum Ayub is studying BSc Computer Science at the University of Bradford as part of the Rani Scholarship supported by the University’s Chancellor, Anita Rani. Images credit: University of Bradford
More on the scholarship
The Rani scholarships supports female students who face the biggest challenges in studying at University, with a range of support including fee reductions or cost of living help. Those eligible include refugee and asylum seeker and disabled (for both home and international students) and be a care leaver, from a low participation background and socio-economic disadvantage (for home students).
Home scholarship students receive an annual £6,930 bursary, increasing by five per cent each year, paid for by donors (including TechnologyOne), and international students will receive a 50 per cent tuition fee reduction each year, paid for by the University.
How to apply
Applications are open for next year’s Rani Scholarships, available for new students joining the University of Bradford for the 2026/27 academic year.
Go to bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rani-scholarship-2026-27 to apply before 1 May 2026.
Those who wish to support the scholarship can also donate at: https://intouch.bradford.ac.uk/alumni/public/donate or https://www.bradford.ac.uk/giving-to-bradford/scholarships/about-rani-scholarship/