English Literature Student Receives Malcolm Bradbury Trust Scholarship

Kirstie Marfleet, BA (Hons) English Literature with Creative Writing student of University Centre Peterborough (UCP), part of Inspire Education Group (IEG), has been crowned as the University’s first-ever undergraduate recipient of the Malcolm Bradbury Trust Scholarship.

In memory of the late author, screenwriter and academic, Sir Malcolm Bradbury, the Malcolm Bradbury Trust is a registered charity that seeks to advance and promote the literary arts through educational initiatives. Since Malcom’s passing in 2000, the Trust has awarded a number of scholarships, bursaries and grants, to those with exceptional artistic and literary merit.

Despite a challenging journey through primary and secondary school, Kirstie persevered, and the natural progression from here seemed to be applying to university. Feeling the pressure, Kirstie did what was expected of her, enrolling on an English Literature and Linguistics course, but unfortunately found herself struggling again. Steered away from the literature she loved and pushed into linguistics as a more viable career path, Kirstie felt the degree pulled her further away from her interests.

A break from study and a pandemic put things into perspective. Kirstie was ready to return to study with a greater understanding of her passions and career goals. Daunted by the idea of returning to a bigger university, research led Kirstie to University Centre Peterborough. Offering small classes with on-demand one-to-one support, and timetabling that would enable Kirstie to work part-time alongside her studies, the £10 million campus in the heart of Peterborough seemed like the perfect fit.

Now in her second year, Kirstie shared, “Studying at University Centre Peterborough has been such a wonderful experience so far. The size of the University doesn’t at all limit the amount of exciting opportunities that are available to its students. The course is fascinating and the lecturers do an amazing job of delivering the subject material. Studying here has provided me with the space to really grow and reflect as a writer and equipped me with the skills needed to hone my craft”.  Thriving in the environment she chose for herself, she has proven her capabilities. She may not have been ready the first time, but she is more than ready now. 

Kirstie’s tutor, Kat Beeton, who also holds the title of Peterborough Poet Laureate 2022, articulated why Kirstie is such a worthy recipient of the scholarship, “Kirstie is driven and passionate, always willing to take on new opportunities and rise to the challenge. She has gone from strength to strength during her time at UCP and I am excited to see where this path takes her”. Kirstie herself, shared, “Receiving the scholarship was an incredible honour. It has opened up so many doors for me, allowing me to work with schools and be involved in other exciting projects. It has also enabled me to make strong connections with other successful writers and creatives, which has proven to be invaluable”. Grateful for the support she has received from both UCP and the Malcom Bradbury Trust, Kirstie is excited to embrace all the experiences that follow.  

Congratulations Kirstie, on behalf of University Centre Peterborough and the wider Inspire Education Group.