Ethan Sharpe, aged 19, is the proud recipient of the JN Bank UK and Nottingham Trent University scholarship award.

The JN Bank UK and NTU scholarship was set up to support talented students who have exceptional academic potential and need help with meeting the costs of studying at university. The award was open to students starting a full-time undergraduate degree and lasts for three years. The bursary award is £2,000 for each year of study (excluding any placement year) consisting of a £1,000 cash bursary provided by Jamaica National Bank UK, and £1,000 tuition fee waiver provided by NTU.

Ethan, who was born and raised in Croydon, South London, spoke to The Voice about his experience at NTU and his career aspirations.

Tell us a little about your background and what you are studying at NTU?
I grew up in South London, Croydon. I studied Business and Media at Sixth Form but Maths was one of my favourite subjects. I live with my mum and my sister, and we are really close, so leaving home has not been easy! However, I chose NTU because I wanted a new experience outside of London and Nottingham offered this more than anywhere else!

I’m studying BA Hons Accounting and Finance – so my modules include the Accounting Environment, Financial Accounting and Data Analysis – and all of these subjects are quite intricate and require a lot of analysis – but I am applying myself and learning a lot every day.

I’m really enjoying first-year and I love my professors – they are helpful and have made me feel very welcome as a first-year student. The atmosphere on campus is great – everyone is positive; the students are friendly and I’ve made a lot of new friends.

When I finish my degree I would love to go straight into an accounting or even an auditing job. My mum would love me to get into the Foreign Exchange side of financial accounting, so there are many options for me to explore. I’m still undecided. However, I would love to do a work internship while I am here at Nottingham Trent University so that is something I am actively looking to achieve.

If you keep your head down and remained focus then getting through university is definitely achievable and its worth it!

What advice for other young people thinking about university?
My advice for other young people is that getting into university is not as hard as you think. A lot of young people see university as quite a big challenge, but if you keep your head down and remained focus then getting to university is definitely achievable and its worth it! Even though I know it will not be an easy road ahead, I am happy to be here, happy for the opportunity and I do my best. It is important that everyone, no matter where they come from, gets a chance to attend university. My mum achieved a lot in her career, and my sister is a university graduate so I want to prove to myself that I can do the same, I want to make them proud.

On campus recently Ethan Sharpe met with representatives from NTU and the JN Group and was presented with a JN gift package. Olivia Wood, Development Manager in the Development and Alumni Relations team said “ We are delighted to have created this scholarship with JN Bank UK, to support a talented student coming to us from a Caribbean heritage. We are grateful to JN Bank UK and all our supporters who help us open our doors to students from all backgrounds. We look forward to continuing the relationship with JN Bank for years to come.’

The Jamaica National Group, a mutual organisation based in the Caribbean and parent company of JN Bank UK, has held a long-standing relationship with the University.

Paula Dyke, JN Group Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs said ‘The Jamaica National Group is delighted to support talented and deserving students such as Ethan and we wish him every success. We remain committed to working with dynamic, forward-thinking institutions such as Nottingham Trent University who are creating positive change in their industry”.

Nottingham Trent University, an award-winning university, is one of the largest and most influential higher education institutions in the country. It is committed to driving forward meaningful change and has been recognised as a university that opens its arms to all.

Around a third of its students come from households with a combined income of £27,500 or less, and it was the first university to sign up to the Government’s social mobility pledge, demonstrating a commitment to improving the prospects of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

For more information on Nottingham Trent University visit www.ntu.ac.uk

For information on JN Bank UK, visit: https://portal.jnbank.co.uk/