Update on the Talbot Bursaries
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Keble was founded on principles of increasing access to Oxford, and today we continue to reduce financial barriers so that everyone, regardless of circumstances, can fully engage in College life.
Our latest step in this mission is the Talbot Bursaries, targeted, means-tested support for our students facing the greatest financial pressure. These bursaries supplement the University’s existing bursaries, which often aren’t enough to cover the costs facing students today. The Talbot Bursaries provide an additional £1,500 package towards two significant expenses: a rent rebate and a subsidy for meals in Hall.
“After receiving my Oxford offer, I was anxious that I would not be able to afford life in Oxford. However, the help from the Talbot Bursary towards my rent and meals has been a massive weight off my shoulders. Thank you so much for this contribution to help me achieve my goals.”
Aimee Blades (2025 Jurisprudence)
We are enhancing the fund’s other streams of income with Reunion Gifts. At each Reunion, cohorts of alumni work together to raise a target of £30,000 per year. If just 200 alumni from each group give £10 per month, we can provide Talbot Bursaries to all eligible students (approximately 100) each year.
The scheme was launched at the 1980s Reunion in September last year to great success: so far, we’re only 9 individuals short of our goal of 200! This has meant that 90 Keble students are currently in receipt of a Talbot Bursary (2025-26), across 31 different subjects. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, these students are able to participate fully in College life with less financial worry.
“We both enjoyed our time as undergrads at Keble and are aware of both how fortunate we were to be there and what an advantage it has given us since. Now we are in a position to be able to give something back, we are pleased to do so in the hope that someone who might otherwise have been forced by financial constraints to pass up on the opportunity we enjoyed will instead be able to grab it and benefit as much as we did.”
Duncan (1984 English) and Jayne (1983 Modern Languages) Lewis
More than 60 alumni from the 1990-1994 cohorts have already given ahead of their Reunion in July, and many alumni from other cohorts have also chosen to give before their Reunions in future years. The Talbot Bursaries reflect the enduring spirit of generosity within our alumni network, and we look forward to seeing the fund grow in the years ahead.
