Update on the Talbot Bursaries
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 experiencing the greatest financial pressure. These new bursaries supplement the existing Oxford Bursaries, which provide essential help but 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.
Current student Aimee Blades (2025 Jurisprudence) comments on the impact the Talbot Bursary has had for her: “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.”
Through their Reunion Gifts, alumni are enhancing the level of bursary support available to Keble students. 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 (Gift Aided) for three years, we can provide Talbot Bursaries to all eligible students (approximately 100) each year.
The scheme was launched at the 1980s Reunion in September 2025 to great success: the 1980s alumni crossed the finish line just last month, bringing their Reunion Gift total to £90,943!
Duncan (1984 English) and Jayne (1983 Modern Languages) Lewis, who have contributed as part of their Reunion Gift, write: “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.”
The 1990-1994 cohort, whose Reunion was held in early July, have already raised £49,981, and their total is still climbing daily: only 89 donors to go to reach their target! We are also grateful to the many alumni from other cohorts have chosen to give ahead of their Reunions in future years.
This has meant that 90 Keble students are currently in receipt of a Talbot Bursary (2025-26), across 31 different subjects. Thanks to alumni generosity, these students are able to participate fully in College life with less financial worry. The Talbot Bursaries reflect the enduring spirit of generosity within our alumni network.
If you’d like to join in with your peers and make a real difference to Keble’s students together, please visit the website or contact Rachel Page.
