The University of Liverpool has announced a new scholarship fund to support languages, cultures and film students from under-represented backgrounds in undertaking a transformative year abroad, thanks to a generous legacy gift.
The Ruth Cannell Scholarships Fund has been established through a donation from the estate of Ruth Hildegard Cannell, a University of Liverpool alumna whose lifelong passion for languages, travel and learning continues to inspire future generations. Applications for the scholarship are now open.
About the scholarship
The Ruth Cannell Scholarships will support undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds who are preparing to undertake a year abroad. The award aims to enable recipients to fully engage with the experience, enhancing language proficiency, intercultural awareness and future career prospects.
The scholarship will be available to a cohort of students in the 2025/26 academic year who are due to begin their year abroad in September 2026.
A year abroad offers students the opportunity to develop vital interpersonal and professional skills. Through this fund, the University hopes to ensure that more students can benefit from international exposure, improving intercultural competence and confidence.
Languages expert continues to inspire today’s students
Ruth graduated from Liverpool in 1948 with a BA (Hons) in German, later describing her time at the University as among the happiest years of her life. She went on to complete an M.Phil in Russian at SOAS London before working in Hull alongside poet Philip Larkin.
She then moved to Oxford, where she is listed in the 1971 Reader’s Guide under G.G. Barber as Miss R.H. Cannell, specialising in Slavonic and Eastern Europe studies. A gifted linguist, Ruth built a career as a librarian, cataloguing French, Italian and Spanish works.
Beyond her professional life, Ruth had wide-ranging interests. A committed socialist, she enjoyed hill walking, folk music and reading, with a particular love for Leo Tolstoy and J. R. R. Tolkien. Remarkably, she continued reading War and Peace in Russian well into her nineties. She also travelled extensively, an experience that shaped her worldview and which the scholarship seeks to make accessible to others.
In 2022, Ruth further supported the University by donating a selection of valuable books to its libraries after completing the cataloguing of her personal collection. These materials are now held within Special Collections and Archives at the Sydney Jones Library.
Professor Sophie Fuggle, Head of Department, Languages Cultures and Film said: “Through this legacy, the University honours Ruth Cannell’s enduring belief in the power of education, languages and cultural exchange—ensuring her story continues to inspire students for years to come.”
How to apply
Applicants must be current second-year students in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film at the University of Liverpool and must be:
- Undertaking a year abroad from September 2026
- Classified as a ‘Home’ student for fee purposes
- In receipt of full financial support from Student Finance England or an equivalent body
Applicants must also meet at least one widening participation criterion, including participation in recognised access schemes, receipt of certain financial support during school, or belonging to specific under-represented student groups.
For enquiries about the scholarship, applicants can contact: wpscholarships@liverpool.ac.uk
Photo credit: Millie Delaney – Languages, Cultures and Film student finalist in 2025 George Crust Year Abroad photo competition. Llamas crossing the Miscanti Lagoon in the Atacama Desert, Chile