York partners with Martingale Foundation to break down financial barriers to postgraduate STEM research
Posted on Thursday 18 June 2026
Supported by Martingale's founding donor XTX, the new partnership will provide fully-funded Masters and PhD scholarships within York’s Department of Mathematics.
Data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies reveals a significant gap in postgraduate participation, with students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds up to eight times less likely to pursue a Masters degree and 15 times less likely to undertake a PhD. A combination of rising living costs and increasing tuition fees mean the cost is prohibitive to many, with the average cost of a one year masters degree rising £2,000 in three years to £12,700.
University of opportunity
Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at the University of York, said: “Through this partnership with Martingale Foundation we are tackling the socio-economic and financial barriers that prevent brilliant minds from entering postgraduate study and research. The collaboration directly supports our ongoing work to ensure higher education is accessible to all, ensuring the next generation of innovators will be defined by their potential and not their background.
“At York our ambition is to be a true University of Opportunity because we know that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.”
York is one of three world-leading institutions joining Martingale partnership network this year alongside the universities of Glasgow and Warwick. The expansion brings the foundation's network to 13 of the UK’s leading research-intensive institutions.
York will welcome up to three Martingale PhD Scholars and up to four Masters students to its Department of Mathematics per year.
Vision of mathematics
Professor Martin Bees, Head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of York, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Martingale Foundation to provide studentships that will expand access to Masters and PhD programmes in mathematics at the University of York. The Department shares Martingale Foundation’s appreciation and vision of mathematics as an indispensable catalyst for innovation and economic development.
“Joining a select number of research-intensive institutions, we are deeply committed to ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of talented students wishing to pursue world-leading postgraduate research.”
In August, Martingale and its university partners will launch a nationwide recruitment campaign for its next cohort of Masters and PhD scholars.
Reputation for research
Cassandra Hugill, Martingale Foundation Chief Executive, commented: “We are delighted to be announcing our new partnership with the University of York. York’s department of Mathematics is hugely respected both in the UK and internationally and has an excellent reputation for research. Working together, we will be providing maths postgraduate scholarships to more talented students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and expanding the Martingale community further across the UK.
“We will be launching our recruitment campaign this summer for our next cohort of Martingale Scholars and I hope this new partnership encourages more talented students, who may have thought that postgraduate study was out of reach for them, to consider applying for a Martingale Scholarship. Good luck to everyone who applies!”
Applications will open on 12 August 2026 for Martingale PhD and Masters Scholarships in Maths for courses starting in 2027. Applications are open to all talented STEM students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds with a passion for research.
For more details about the recruitment campaign and Martingale Scholarships visit www.martingale.foundation.
