Former student creates scholarship for next generation of physicists

A new endowment has been set up in memory of Dr Edward Ward.

Black and white photo of Edward Ward and fellow students stood in front of Weston Park Museum at Weston Park, next to the University of Sheffield campus
Edward Ward, centre, at Weston Park, next to the University of Sheffield campus.

Physics undergraduates at the University of Sheffield will benefit from a new set of scholarships created in memory of a student who studied physics in Sheffield 70 years ago.

Currently, undergraduate applicants to the University of Sheffield can apply for an Experience Sheffield Scholarship of £1,200 for each year of their degree.

Thanks to a legacy gift in memory of Dr Edward Ward, a new endowment has been set up so that a number of these scholarships can be allocated to undergraduate students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.


He always appeared grateful for what he had gained from the University and this no doubt was the basis of his legacy

Professor Geoffrey Greenwood

Fellow student


Dr Ward completed his BSc Physics course in 1950, followed by a PhD in Metallurgy which he completed in 1955. He spent his career working in government laboratories. In later years, he gained a passion for restoring Morris Minor cars and died in 2012, aged 84.

In 2010, Dr Ward sent the images on this page to the University, in response to a request for photos from former students. In an accompanying letter, he described being one of the first people to live in student accommodation at Ranmoor, where now 1,100 students live in a refurbished student village.

Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Greenwood, who was at the University of Sheffield at the same time as Dr Ward, wrote in a separate letter to the University: "Edward was always clear in what he wanted to do and liked to set his own timescales.

He was not particularly ambitious but always liked to ‘do a good job’. He never sought recognition for what he did.

"He always appeared grateful for what he had gained from the University and this no doubt was the basis of his legacy."

Black and white photo of Edward Ward and friends sat on a wall at the Forge Dam
Edward Ward, right, at Forge Dam in Sheffield
REF 2021 illustration showing University building and subject areas

Research Excellence Framework 2021

We have been rated 1st in the UK in terms of the quality of our research. In the latest REF, 100 per cent of research and impact from our department has been classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

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International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.