A student from City, University of London has been declared the recipient of a highly competitive Fintech scholarship.
Sabrina Abdow, a second-year International Political Economy student, secured the scholarship after winning a blog contest on the challenges faced by students in higher education.
Scholarship Details
Sabrina Abdow will receive a £1,000 bursary to support her studies. Alongside the financial award, she will also participate in industry-related work experience with fintech leader Seopa, a key player in the UK’s price comparison market.
The winning blog by Abdow highlighted the transformative power of financial technology and how it can open doors for students who embrace it.
Fintech Industry Challenges
The scholarship aims to address several pressing issues within the fintech sector. These include a lack of gender diversity, stringent job criteria for graduates, and insufficient funding for relevant university courses.
Historically, the fintech industry has been male-dominated. Women represent only 26% of the technology workforce in the UK. Currently, only 27% of female students consider a career in technology.
Encouraging Women in STEM
The Fintech Scholarship aims to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers after graduation.
A recent study revealed that 73% of UK students were shocked by the high cost of university. Additionally, 76% had to work part-time to afford their education, impacting their studies.
Graduate Job Criteria
Students face tougher criteria when seeking their first graduate job. Around 51.3% of entry-level roles require prior work experience, averaging 2.7 years.
To address these issues, the Fintech Scholarship provides financial support and vital work experience, raising awareness about career opportunities in the UK’s fintech sector.
Quote from Quotezone.co.uk Founder
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, commented on the challenges faced by students in the UK due to stretched finances and tougher job criteria: “We want to help alleviate some of that pressure for students while also raising awareness of the potential for graduates from all industry backgrounds.”
Wilson highlighted the competitive starting salaries, strong long-term career prospects, and diverse opportunities available within fintech. He congratulated Sabrina Abdow for her powerful blog and expressed optimism about female graduates exploring fintech.
The Push for Diversity
The fintech sector has historically struggled to attract female employees. Women constitute just 28% of the UK’s fintech workforce.
This year, both winners of the Fintech Scholarship across Northern Ireland and Great Britain were women. This marks an encouraging trend towards greater gender diversity in the field.
Wilson emphasised the importance of helping all students realise their potential and recognise the diverse benefits of a life in fintech.
Sabrina Abdow’s scholarship win underscores the opportunities available within the fintech sector, particularly for women.
The Fintech Scholarship not only supports students financially but also highlights the broader challenges and opportunities within the industry.
