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The Stormzy university effect: 'I feel more represented' | The Stormzy university effect: 'I feel more represented' |
(2 days later) | |
Stormzy has been credited with changing the intake at one of Britain's top universities. | Stormzy has been credited with changing the intake at one of Britain's top universities. |
Cambridge University says the "Stormzy effect" means that more black students are applying and being admitted than ever before. | Cambridge University says the "Stormzy effect" means that more black students are applying and being admitted than ever before. |
It says the rapper's scholarship has been part of the change in culture. | It says the rapper's scholarship has been part of the change in culture. |
According to new figures, for the first time, black students make up more than 3% of new undergraduates. | According to new figures, for the first time, black students make up more than 3% of new undergraduates. |
But how much has Cambridge University life changed for those students? Two years ago Radio 1's Newsbeat spoke with some of the "Cambridge 14". | But how much has Cambridge University life changed for those students? Two years ago Radio 1's Newsbeat spoke with some of the "Cambridge 14". |
They're a group of black, male students who uploaded several photos on Facebook, in a bid to encourage more ethnic minority students to apply there. | They're a group of black, male students who uploaded several photos on Facebook, in a bid to encourage more ethnic minority students to apply there. |
Joseph Adiwku was one of them. He's now in his fourth year at Cambridge University studying Medicine. | Joseph Adiwku was one of them. He's now in his fourth year at Cambridge University studying Medicine. |
He tells Radio 1's Newsbeat, he's seen an increase in diversity on campus: "Each year we've seen a steady rise in the community, so we're on the right tracks." | He tells Radio 1's Newsbeat, he's seen an increase in diversity on campus: "Each year we've seen a steady rise in the community, so we're on the right tracks." |
Joseph says although it remains a predominantly white university, he doesn't feel it's "divided". | Joseph says although it remains a predominantly white university, he doesn't feel it's "divided". |
"I wouldn't say Cambridge is cliquey. I really think people make an effort to be aware of diversity." | "I wouldn't say Cambridge is cliquey. I really think people make an effort to be aware of diversity." |
The 21-year-old says he would like to see even more black students on campus. | The 21-year-old says he would like to see even more black students on campus. |
"I've been feeling a lot more represented but there is progress still to be made. These things don't happen overnight." | "I've been feeling a lot more represented but there is progress still to be made. These things don't happen overnight." |
Peter Fashola, who was also in the Cambridge 14, graduated from the university last year. He now works in finance. | Peter Fashola, who was also in the Cambridge 14, graduated from the university last year. He now works in finance. |
He reckons Stormzy's made Cambridge cool for some people: "People come to me and they're like 'wow' you went to Cambridge - not the place where prime ministers go, but the place Stormzy relates with." | |
Since 2018, the grime artist has funded the tuition fees and living costs of two students each year - currently four students in total. | Since 2018, the grime artist has funded the tuition fees and living costs of two students each year - currently four students in total. |
Peter says the influence of Stormzy's scholarships is noticeable. "By the time I was in third year there were a lot more black freshers starting." | Peter says the influence of Stormzy's scholarships is noticeable. "By the time I was in third year there were a lot more black freshers starting." |
"I go on social media platforms now and see so many black people in a room in Cambridge, and I think 'is that our Cambridge?' It's different now." | "I go on social media platforms now and see so many black people in a room in Cambridge, and I think 'is that our Cambridge?' It's different now." |
Although Peter "loved his time at Cambridge", he says it wasn't always easy. | Although Peter "loved his time at Cambridge", he says it wasn't always easy. |
"At times I felt quite secluded because statistically there aren't many people who came from the same background and have the same history [as me]." | "At times I felt quite secluded because statistically there aren't many people who came from the same background and have the same history [as me]." |
"In my college, in my year, there were only two other black people and that made social aspects difficult but there are societies which help." | "In my college, in my year, there were only two other black people and that made social aspects difficult but there are societies which help." |
Joseph and Peter are part of the The Cambridge University African Caribbean Society (CUACS). | Joseph and Peter are part of the The Cambridge University African Caribbean Society (CUACS). |
Peter says society "needs more Stormzy's". | Peter says society "needs more Stormzy's". |
"Stormzy's a G, he's realised there are barriers to entry for people who look like him and finance is a massive one." | |
Peter says CUACS and Stormzy share the same goal. | Peter says CUACS and Stormzy share the same goal. |
"We're reshaping the perception of what a Cambridge student looks like." | "We're reshaping the perception of what a Cambridge student looks like." |
"I think a lot of people don't apply, not because of their grades, but because they think they don't belong." | "I think a lot of people don't apply, not because of their grades, but because they think they don't belong." |
For Peter, it's really important universities are diverse, because that has a knock-on effect on society. | For Peter, it's really important universities are diverse, because that has a knock-on effect on society. |
"When you think of Cambridge, you don't think of black men like me who were raised in a council estate in Hackney." | "When you think of Cambridge, you don't think of black men like me who were raised in a council estate in Hackney." |
"The reason why it's important to have people like myself at these institutions is because we live in a society where positions of authority, are still firmly reliant on institutions you came from like Cambridge." | |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |
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