Bursaries
The Broadcast option has received and allocated the following bursaries.
2010 / 2011
BBC Cymru Wales Bob Humphrys Bursary
A bursary from BBC Wales in memory of former sports correspondent Bob Humphrys. This year's recipient was Beth Edwards.
Beth Edwards
About Beth
Beth Edwards attended Ogmore Comprehensive in Bridgend, South Wales, before studying Journalism, Media and Cultural Criticism Joint Honours at Cardiff University.
Beth’s first taste of the broadcast industry came at the age of 16 with a placement at Bridge FM which resulted in her staying for the whole summer. Both of her editors were to influence her choice of postgraduate training as both were alumni of the Cardiff Diploma and strongly recommended the course.
After work experience with the Bridgend Gazette and Media Wales, Beth worked for several South-Wales commercial radio stations as well as community radio station Afan FM where she was responsible for presenting, producing and editing a show.
“Broadcast Journalism is becoming more interactive than ever before. The audience are able to participate using email, text or social media - which brings a lot of energy to broadcasting. I think giving people a voice is one of the most powerful aspects of journalism.”
The diploma and bursary
“Bob Humphrys was a hero for me. His passion for sport was clear. Wales expresses itself through Sport, in particular rugby, so I want to be able to communicate the hopes and all too often the frustrations of the Welsh public by giving them a voice in much the same way as Bob did.
“Being awarded the bursary removes a number of financial pressures, which means I can focus entirely on my nine months of journalism training at Cardiff, and that, for me, is priceless.”
BBC Cymru Wales Postgraduate Journalism Training Bursary
The award is intended to support an individual who wants to pursue a career in journalism but who may be deterred from applying for the course because of financial difficulties or constraints. This year's recipient was Sophia Seth.
Sophia Seth
About Sophia
Sophia Seth attended Thornden secondary school in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and completed A-Levels in English Language, Biology and Business Studies at Peter Symonds College in Winchester before studying Law at Reading University.
“My personality is naturally very inquisitive, I always want to know what’s behind a story and ask why is that happening? Journalism felt a natural choice for me, I find it very rewarding.
“I like getting out of the office, meeting new people and networking. Working to deadlines certainly gets the adrenaline going.”
Sophia gained experience across both magazine and newspaper industries before concentrating upon radio broadcasting. A presenter for Play Radio’s Breakfast show in Southampton for six months and Bournemouth’s community station, Forest FM for twelve months, gave Sophia considerable first hand experience. Sophia also spent brief periods at Heart, Galaxy and Wave 105 stations.
The diploma and bursary
“Changing careers has been stressful but also financially costly, so the BBC Wales Cymru Bursary is a tremendous help with my course fees.”
Sophia will receive support and a mentor from BBC Wales Cymru during her studies at Cardiff.
“I currently help with the Good Morning Wales radio programme at weekends, which is giving me both radio and online experience. During the year I am aim to move into television to get a taste of all three fields.
“I was pleased and proud to receive the bursary on merit, for me, the BBC’s decision reinforced that I had made the right career decision.”
2009 / 2010
BBC Cymru Wales Bob Humphrys Bursary
A bursary from BBC Wales in memory of former sports correspondent Bob Humphrys. This year's recipient was Tomos Morgan.
Tomos Morgan
About Tomos
Tomos Morgan attended Ysgol Gyfun Cymraeg Glantaf, before studying Music at Cardiff University. Even though he broke his leg playing rugby ten weeks before completing his degree, Tomos successfully graduated with a 2:1.
After work-experience with BBC Wales, BBC News 24 and Setanta Sports News where he carried out research for the Steve Bunce boxing hour, Tomos applied to study journalism at Cardiff where he became the first recipient of the BBC Cymru Wales Bob Humphrys Bursary.
"I wanted to get involved with broadcast journalism, as you have a greater connection with the viewer and listener. I think it’s hard to create that connection with other media.
The diploma and bursary
"Bob Humphrys was really passionate about Sport and I’ve always wanted to be a sports journalist. Similar to Bob’s career, I want to develop my journalism skills and experience before specialising in sport in order to broaden my knowledge of the industry."
Part of the bursary is a placement with BBC Wales. "I’m really looking forward to spending time with BBC Wales as it’s the largest newsroom outside London so there’s plenty for me to get my teeth into. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be."
BBC Cymru Wales Postgraduate Journalism Training Bursary
The award is intended to support an individual who wants to pursue a career in journalism but who may be deterred from applying for the course because of financial difficulties or constraints. This year's recipient was Nejra Cehic.
Nejra Cehic
About Nejra
Nejra Cehic attended Howells School in Llandaff, before studying French and Latin at Oxford University.
Nejra has worked at several major broadcast organisations including the BBC (Paris bureau), Associated Press Television News (APTN) and France 24 and has had shorter placements at the Wales News Service, AFP and ITV West. Before joining the diploma, Nejra worked as a researcher for BBC Radio Berkshire’s breakfast and mid-morning programmes and as a freelancer in Newsgathering for the BBC World Service.
"The first broadcast journalist I became aware of was Martin Bell during his coverage of the conflict in Bosnia. I was born there so it struck a chord. His reporting was my first real impression of journalism; it inspired me to become a journalist.
"As a result I have a particular interest in conflict reporting and hope to become a foreign correspondent. My particular areas of interest are East and West Africa."
The diploma and bursary
"The bursary from BBC Wales Cymru is of enormous benefit to me, it’s the reason I’m able to take the course. Having worked in the industry I’ve realised how important it is to have a qualification in order to progress in such a competitive field."
Part of the bursary is a placement with BBC Wales, "I’m looking forward to working in Wales again and gaining experience from the journalists there."
The S4C T. Glynne Davies Journalism Scholarship / Ysgoloriaeth Newyddiaduraeth T. Glynne Davies S4C
Awarded to a Welsh-speaking candidate who has won a place on the broadcast course, in memory of the journalist and broadcaster T. Glynne Davies. This year's recipient was Elliw Hughes.
Elliw Hughes
About Elliw
Elliw Hughes attended Ysgol Uwchradd Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda, before studying Joint Honours English Literature and Welsh at Cardiff University.
Elliw has previously worked for various S4C magazine shows such as Uned 5, where she was a current affairs reviewer. She has also produced and scripted shows for BBC Radio Cymru, and in particular it’s C2 programme as a film and music reviewer.
After launching her career as a presenter, aged eleven, reviewing "Babe pig in the city" for the then children’s show Uned 5, and later appearing in the S4C drama Amdani for several years, Elliw decided to combine here love of writing and the media and become a broadcast journalist.
The diploma and bursary
"As my career progresses I’d like to be cover the arts, particularly the Welsh arts but also politics and current affairs. The Cardiff diploma is the next step for me to achieve that"
"The financial aspect of the bursary is key but I’m also really looking forward to the working closely with Rhian Gibson and her team, and the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience working on varied reporting assignments across Wales."