A student bursary award has been created in honour of journalist Nick Sheridan who died suddenly last year at the age of 32.

UWS is part of a group of organisations Nick was associated with since moving to Scotland from his native Ireland, who have jointly launched the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary.

BBC Scotland, where Nick most recently worked, STV, and UWS where he was a part-time lecturer, have created the commemorative bursary scheme.

The award will be made to a final year student studying either the BA (Hons) Television, Radio & Podcast Production course or BA (Hons) Journalism/Sport Journalism course at UWS.
 
The bursary will be jointly funded by BBC Scotland and STV, and UWS will select the winning candidate from their third year course work as well as administering the commemorative scheme.

The first award is due to be made for the start of the next academic year in autumn 2025. The successful applicant will be granted £1,500 plus a week’s paid work experience at both BBC Scotland and STV after graduation.

Alongside an outstanding journalism career at BBC Scotland and STV, Nick also taught on the Television, Radio & Podcast production course at UWS, and he was passionate about supporting the development of future talent in the industry.

Professor Kasim Sheikh, Dean of the School of Business and Creative Industries at UWS, said: “Nick Sheridan made a huge impact on the lives of UWS students during his time with us. He was generous with his expertise, his time, and his humanity. The University has an excellent track record of producing work-ready graduates and it is wonderful that this award, made in his name by the BBC and STV, will support the next generation of students as they consider careers in the Broadcast industries.”

Nick Sheridan made a huge impact on the lives of UWS students during his time with us. He was generous with his expertise, his time, and his humanity.

Professor Kasim Sheikh, UWS

Hayley Valentine, Director, BBC Scotland, said: "Nick was the heart and soul of the BBC Scotland newsroom, and we miss him every day. I’m delighted we’re able to announce this bursary in his name with our partners at STV and UWS."

"It’s a fitting tribute and I hope it helps students capable of matching Nick’s considerable talent realise that potential. I look forward to meeting the first recipient of the Nick Sheridan Memorial Bursary later this year."
 
Linda Grimes Douglas, Head of News and Current Affairs at STV, said: "Nick was a highly skilled broadcaster and an impeccable journalist with a natural flair for storytelling. His talent and warm sense of humour made him a pleasure to have in the newsroom. 

‘We are so pleased to be partnering with BBC Scotland and the University of the West of Scotland in the creation of this special bursary, to support new broadcast and published journalism talent in his name."
 
On behalf of Nick’s family, his brother Brian said:  “We are humbled and truly grateful to the BBC, STV and the University of the West of Scotland for coming together to develop this bursary in Nick's name, of which he would be so proud. Nick was hugely passionate about developing the talents of future journalists, and this bursary offers a wonderful opportunity for a young person to honour this passion for media in his name.”

UWS's involvement in the creation of a bursary scheme aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including Goal 4: Quality Education; Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure.