ALMOST 70 students at the University of York have received scholarships to study Masters degrees - as part of a multi-million pound scheme to encourage under-represented groups into postgraduate education.

York is a member of a consortium of six universities which secured £3m from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to develop innovative ways of attracting and supporting disadvantaged students into postgraduate study.

At York, the grant was used to promote access to taught Masters programmes starting in 2014/15.

Each of the 68 students awarded a York Masters Opportunities Scholarship will receive £10,000 in the form of a full fee waiver combined with a stipend.