Bangor launches Pounds 1,000 scholarships

The University of Wales, Bangor, is to introduce Pounds 1,000 scholarships next year at the same time as the government's new tuition fee payment scheme comes into operation. But the timing is entirely coincidental. David Roberts, academic registrar, said: "We had decided to do this anyway, before the Dearing report was published. "We feel it will help us judge the suitability of candidates.

At the moment we only get projected A-level scores and a reference. Inviting them to submit an essay or other assignment will give us more idea." Eight scholarships - one per department - will be offered for the first time in 1998, to be paid in three termly instalment's during the student's first year. The university, drawing on its own funds, will continue the scheme for at least three years.