'I thought it was a joke' - Edinburgh University student receives 'bizarre' £300 bursary because of his surname

A student at the University of Edinburgh who received a 'bizarre' £300 bursary spoke of his shock at learning he was only given it because of his surname.

Edinburgh University.

Cameron Gillies, who is in his fourth year studying for a degree in Health, Science and Society, was astonished when he learnt he would be given cash from the university's Gillies-Carmichael Bursary last year.

The bursary is bestowed on students who have the surname Gillies or Carmichael, and the amounts awarded vary.

Another student, Ross Carmichael, was given £600 last year from the kitty, and is set to receive the same amount next year.

'I thought it was a joke'

Physics student Mr Carmichael said he was 'shocked' to be given the sum - but Mr Gillies questioned whether it was a good use of cash and described it as 'bizarre'.

Speaking to student newspaper The Tab, Mr Gillies said: "I received the rather bizarre 'Gillies-Carmichael' bursary last summer.

"I didn't know anything about it until I received an email from the university making me aware of my eligibility through nothing more than my name and 'good academic standing'.

"I thought it was a joke until the bursary landed in my account.

"The fact I got anything at all is astonishing, and I do think the money could be used to help those who deserve it more."

The Gillies-Carmichael Bursary is awarded annually regardless of degree of study or socio-economic status.

According to the university's website, "the level of the award is dependent on academic progress in the previous year".

The origins and benefactors of the Gillies-Carmichael bursary are unclear.

Third year student Mr Carmichael said: "I had no idea about the bursary until I got an email from the uni around last April saying they had processed the payment.

"I was very shocked - nice way to end the semester"

A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: "This is one of a very small number of awards with quite restrictive conditions that were set up, with funds from benefactors, hundreds of years ago.

"The University is currently looking at whether the legal terms of these awards can be amended to focus more broadly on students experiencing hardship."