FIRST PERSON: ‘The Stormzy Scholarship genuinely transformed my life’

Joel Asare was an Economics student at Trinity, 2022-2025. He shares his experience of Trinity and Cambridge, and being a Stormzy Scholar.

I studied Economics because it’s a subject with real-world impact, rooted in mathematical and interesting theoretical frameworks to think about problems in a structured way. At its core, economics is the study of decision-making. We are constantly weighing up costs and benefits, whether in policy, business, or daily life, and the subject gives you a lens to see the world more critically and clearly. The Cambridge Economics course stood out for its unique Supervision system, world-class professors, and deep historical role in developing the subject itself. The Tripos is structured to give a rounded understanding from theory to applied policy and is enriched by guest lectures. It felt like the perfect place to challenge myself and grow.

My experience of the studying at Cambridge was intense, but in the best possible way. Economics at Cambridge teaches you how to think, not just what to think. The pace is fast, the workload is heavy, and you’re constantly pushed to go beyond your comfort zone.

Supervisions were a key highlight of my university experience: sitting across from experts who have written the papers you are studying, and having to defend your ideas sharpens you in ways few experiences can. I learned to question my assumptions, use evidence precisely, and approach problems from multiple angles. By the end, I felt I had not only gained knowledge, but a new way of seeing the world.

Trinity gave me the best three years of my life. I met incredible people, from lifelong friends I made through sports, societies, and general university life, to the staff and Fellows who guided and challenged me in my studies.

Trinity is also just a beautiful place to be – the old courts, the green lawns and the river flowing on the Backs. You meet people from so many different backgrounds and walks of life, and those encounters open you up to perspectives you might never have considered.

Trinity is not just academically excellent, it is a place with a sense of community you cannot find anywhere else. Some of my favourite memories are of late-night conversations that ranged from the deeply philosophical to the downright hilarious, of formal dinners that felt like something out of history, and of the everyday sense of belonging that grew over time. As someone who didn’t always picture themselves here, that feeling was powerful.

The Stormzy Scholarship has genuinely transformed my life. It lifted the financial pressure, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and embrace everything Cambridge had to offer. It gave me a sense of belonging and opened doors I would never have imagined, including meeting Stormzy on a few occasions, a key reminder of how much he cares about the programme. I will always be grateful for the confidence, opportunities, and support the scholarship has brought into my life.

The Stormzy Scholarship scheme matters because it changes lives in a lasting way. For those of us who receive it, it lifts the financial weight and lets us make the most of Cambridge. But it also challenges the idea that this place is out of reach for certain people. When others see scholars here, it makes the possibility feel tangible and I have seen that spark in people – it is one of the most powerful parts of the programme.

My message to sixth form students is this: don’t rule yourself out before you have even tried. With the pressures of exams, choosing a subject to study, and everything else going on, you also need to decide which universities to apply for.

The biggest barrier for many students is not ability, it is belief. I have been in those shoes, wondering if places like Cambridge were “for me,” and I learnt that they are, if you want them to be. Work hard, back yourself, and go for opportunities even when they feel out of reach. You belong in the rooms you aim for, and your background can be your strength, not your limitation.

I look forward to applying what I learnt at Cambridge to the real world: I am joining JP Morgan as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Technology team.

The Stormzy Scholarship provides financial support for UK Black students to study at Cambridge. Since the launch in 2018 the scheme has supported more than 50 students and in 2021 a partnership between Stormzy’s #Merky Foundation and HSBC expanded the initiative. In October 2025 12 new Stormzy Scholars will begin their undergraduate degrees at Cambridge.

Main image: Lloyd Mann/University of Cambridge