Ravensbourne University London partners with PROPER to award MacBook bursaries to foundation students
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Three pre-degree students at Ravensbourne University London have recently received new MacBook Air 13” laptops through a digital equipment bursary supported by PROPER.
The laptops were issued as part of a scheme set up to help students who do not have consistent access to suitable digital equipment for their specific courses. The funding came from PROPER, the popular UK-based snack brand, which was established by former advertising professional, Cassandra Stavrou MBE.
PROPER became involved in this work following a one-off creative collaboration with fast food chain KFC, which resulted in the creation of a limited-edition ring inspired by popcorn chicken, with proceeds donated to support the cause. This initiative helped raise funds to assist students facing financial barriers to accessing essential digital equipment.
Mimi quote
I’m really grateful to have received a laptop through the PROPER initiative. Having access to my own device makes a huge difference to how I work and organise my projects. It allows me to work more flexibly, both at university and at home, and makes it much easier to access course materials, edit work and stay on top of deadlines.”
The bursary has helped students Angela Irumbe Goncalves, Aurel Kouassi and Mimi Ibrahim – who are studying on the Foundation Diploma and Access to Higher Education routes – ensuring they have the tools needed to fully engage with their studies and creative practice.
This isn’t the first time PROPER has worked with Ravensbourne, having previously supported the Rave LATE programme, which is run by Creative Lab.
Angela quote
I am forever grateful to be a part of this opportunity, and I am ecstatic to achieve my full potential with the help of my MacBook.”
PROPER was founded in 2011, and seven years later, they became the UK’s first B Corp-certified snack brand, reflecting its wider commitment to balancing commercial success with social and environmental responsibility.
Students were identified for the bursary by FE staff working closely with Ravensbourne’s Creative Lab. All selected students are from groups that are currently underrepresented in higher education.
Staff involved in coordinating the funding said the bursary was designed to respond to immediate learners’ needs, rather than as a long-term infrastructure investment. This also aligns with Ravensbourne’s broader work around access, digital inclusion and industry engagement.
By focusing on access to tools rather than facilities alone, the initiative highlights the role that targeted, thoughtful industry partnerships can play in supporting widening participation and inclusion.
Nat quote
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Too often, we assume young people are ‘digital natives,’ yet without access to the right equipment and software many learners never get the chance to discover what they’re capable of. In truth, when you can’t practice with the tools used in industry, you start your journey already behind. As educators, we see the potential every day. We believe our industries are strongest when they reflect all voices, backgrounds, and experiences. Equity shouldn’t be a choice; it should be a right. By supporting digital access, you’re not simply providing resources, you’re opening doors and helping to shape a future workforce that is diverse and representative of the communities we live in.”
For Ravensbourne, the bursary forms part of wider work to support students progressing from further education routes, where we will continue to develop partnerships that help reduce practical barriers and support a more inclusive pipeline from education into industry.
We welcome conversations with industry partners, charities and organisations who are interested in supporting digital access, widening participation and progression into the creative industries. If you would like to explore how your organisation can partner with us to help remove barriers for young people, please contact our communications team or visit our website to find out more.
To find out more about Ravensbourne’s foundation and access routes into higher education, visit the course pages.
