Student Story: Yusuf Akram
Yusuf is a final-year Accounting and Finance student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He was awarded the Queen Mary Performance Scholarship, which helped ease financial pressures and allowed him to focus on achieving his goal of graduating with a first-class degree.
My name is Yusuf, and I am the eldest of three siblings in a close-knit family. Alongside my studies, I help care for my grandmother, which brings a rewarding element to my daily routine. My parents work hard to support our education, and their encouragement has been a major motivation for me throughout university.
Queen Mary is a Russell Group university with an exceptional reputation. This, paired with the fact that my grandma is elderly, was a key reason I chose Queen Mary as my university. I am now in my final year studying Accounting and Finance. The course is intense and contains a mixture of exams and coursework. I have tried to stay focused throughout and ensured that I allocate sufficient time for self-study and revision, which has allowed me to stay on track for a first-class classification.
I have taken on two part-time jobs to cover various expenses throughout my time at university. One job involves scanning and filing at a GP practice, and the other tutoring 11+ students at a local tuition centre.
I felt surprised and honoured upon receiving the scholarship. My parents were proud, and it was a great feeling for them to know their hard work supporting my education was paying off. That motivated me even more in my final year. Financial worries are especially burdensome for students amidst the current cost of living crisis. Rising expenses for education and basic necessities add significant stress and can impact many students’ overall well-being and academic performance. The Performance Scholarship has allowed me to focus on academics and personal growth and has alleviated financial pressures.
I am excited for the future and cannot wait to begin my career at PwC. During my second year at university, I applied for several internships and secured a place on their summer audit programme. After completing the four-week placement, I was offered a graduate job, where I’ll be training to qualify as a chartered accountant.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the generous donors who made these awards possible. Your support inspires students who face financial challenges and empowers us to achieve our dreams and create a brighter future. Thank you for your kindness and belief in our potential.