Meet our Scholars
The thing I like the most about the Scholarship is how personal it is... I’ve been able to connect with the other Uggla Scholars, forming strong bonds with them... It’s also helped me gain confidence in reaching out to professionals in industry and gain an insight into the work they do.
Arifuzzaman, Uggla Family Scholar
A major aim of the Uggla Family Scholars Programme is to build a cohort of Uggla Family Scholars from across the world, creating a strong support network that will benefit each Scholar during their time at LSE and after they graduate. Therefore, you’ll be able to become an alum of both LSE and the Uggla Family Scholars Programme.
So, if you’re wondering what it’s like to be part of the scholarship Programme, hear from current LSE students about their journey at LSE and as an Uggla Family Scholar.
Year 1 Uggla Family Scholars
Emma is interested in the legal exclusions shaped by colonial and systemic legacies. Volunteering at her local museum inspired her commitment to preserving narratives overlooked in dominant discourse. Motivated by the resilience of marginalised communities, she aims to uplift their voices within and beyond the legal sphere. Emma’s goal is to contribute to a legal system that is more responsive, accountable, and attuned to those it continues to exclude.
Emma loves a good book, most recently Demian by Hermann Hesse. She’s excited to join a community of like-minded individuals at LSE who share her curiosity and drive to make meaningful change.
Like many students, Jasmine is unsure of the exact career path she want to pursue, but is exploring many areas of interest. Currently Jasmine is researching insight days and going to various careers events. Outside of academic life, Jasmine is involved in sports societies that help her to stay active and build friendships with new people. Jasmine has found the scholarship to be more than simply financial support, and has been instilled with a sense of community that may be harder to find as a student from a low-income background. There are always great opportunities to get to know other scholars through social events and workshops. Overall, Jasmine has enjoyed her time at LSE so far, and is really looking forward to seeing what opportunities lie ahead!
Having established a salient interest in understanding power inequalities, Joseph is keen to analyse these within the law and their reproduction. Through participation in the Debate Society, The Beaver, and Bar & Chambers, he hopes to amplify his knowledge and key skills to develop a critical voice for advocacy, and utilise this to support marginalised communities.
With a unique perspective and ambition, his primary career aspiration is to qualify as a barrister, specialising in public and human rights law. Already, he has begun to solidify this path through overseeing the Social Sciences column of his Sixth Form newspaper, winning subject awards for academic excellence in Politics and Sociology, and placing 2nd in the University of Law (2023) debate competition. Whilst at LSE, he plans to participate in mooting competitions and mock trials, run an independent media website ‘The Gay Agenda,’ to explore freelance journalism, and undertake work experience at leading non-profits, namely the Good Law Project & the Transgender Law Center.
Joseph believes his lived experiences act as a driving impetus to create impactful societal change, and hopes to be an inspiration to others from similar backgrounds.
Khaliunaa is very passionate about economics and knew that it was what she wanted to pursue since her first IGCSE class. At LSE, she is eager to explore different career paths and hopes to thrive as an entrepreneur one day. She is currently a subcommittee member of Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE).
Outside academics, Khaliunaa enjoys a range of activities, with pilates and vlogging being her current interests. She began playing chess competitively at the age of five and has represented Mongolia in numerous tournaments, including winning the Asian Youth Championship twice. She is always open to new experiences and hopes to continuously learn, grow, and broaden her perspectives.
Nayem was first drawn to economics for its ability to formally address issues that are philosophical in nature, seeing in it a real potential to change the world we live in. Coming from East London, he feels strongly about educational inequality, recognising that, throughout history, the divide between freedoms and unfreedoms has often been drawn along educational lines. He aspires to complete postgraduate studies in economics but remains open to exploring other career paths — hoping to continue engaging in research in some capacity, regardless of the sector he pursues. Ultimately, his goal is to make education more equitable globally.
Rhys is interested in current British political affairs. Driven by the current decline of Britain over the last few decades, he seeks to understand how social change and migration have reshaped Britain. Rhys wishes to explore how historical lessons can help inform a more self-reliant and cohesive Britain, one that better reflects the wishes of the British people.
At LSE, Rhys wishes to explore the range of societies, one being the Israel Society, where he has enjoyed hearing talks from the likes of Camera UK and StandWithUs, which have provided thoughtful discussion on Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism.
Outside of academia, Rhys is serving as a Young Ambassador for the Kings Trust, an organisation which he was presented an award by King Charles in 2024. In this role he helps inspire young people to overcome barriers to education and employment.
Salma is passionate about international development and driven by a belief in the power of law to promote justice, equality and lasting global change. Born and raised in London to Somali parents, she embraces both her heritage and her city as sources of inspiration. Salma loves spending time outdoors, she also looks forward to joining the many societies LSE has to offer, and taking part in experiences that challenge and inspire her. Above all, she hopes to be a positive role model, showing other young people from similar backgrounds that with determination and drive, they too can achieve their goals and make a meaningful impact in the world.
Shrey, from Jaipur, India, aspires to be a polymath and is on a journey of constant exploration and learning. He has competed and won on international stages such as the Harvard Student Agencies’ Investment Competition. Shrey has also led India’s largest ongoing wellness campaign, and developed his own apps and startups. At LSE, he hopes to explore his interests more deeply across finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship through societies and connecting with fellow Uggla Family Scholars. A pre-national badminton player, Bollywood lover and passionate Barcelona supporter, Shrey enjoys spending time with friends and discovering new experiences.
Year 2 Uggla Family Scholars
Originally from Kurdistan, Aban was born and raised in London. He has many interests that include playing football and going out with friends. He is extremely passionate about the field of finance as he currently studies accounting and finance.
Aban wishes to work and become successful within this sector hoping to be an inspiration for those of disadvantaged backgrounds to not feel restrained by their circumstances. He hopes to change lives and meet many new people along the way.
Anna is a member of the Law Society at LSE and a Junior Bar Officer for Bar and Chambers. She has a particular interest in criminal Law, however thus far she has really enjoyed learning contract law.
While at LSE Anna hopes to continue to academically challenge herself and work hard to be able to pursue the requirements needed for her future career. Anna loves LSE as it offers an environment that is diverse and welcoming, a wonderful place to study and learn.
Anna is also an LSE student blogger. Read through her blogs about her LSE experience, being on the Programme and advice for future LSE students:
Arushi has been recognised for her academic excellence in both sociology and psychology by earning the titles of "Topper in the Form for Psychology" and "Subject Excellence in Sociology".
Currently serving as the Academic Representative for Sociology at LSE, she acts as a bridge between the students and faculty by communicating the interests and concerns of students to faculty members.
Arushi is interested in understanding how social structures influence individual experiences, examining social norms and cultural values across different societies and investigating the impact of social media on society. She aspires to pursue a career in either law or media in future.
Cewkie is a passionate social justice advocate, blending an interest in zemiology with commitment to debate and community service in order to drive positive change.
She founded the debate society of her sixth form, earning awards at prestigious Model United Nations conferences, including WIMUN and Oxford Schools. Now at LSE, Cewkie serves as a student ambassador and is an active member of the Law Society, Amnesty International, and Bar and Chambers.
Alongside her studies, Cewkie is pursuing self-taught skills in data science, aiming to bridge law and technology to promote social mobility and make a meaningful, lasting impact on society.
Read through Cewkie's blogs about the Programme, such as:
Hani has a vast range of interests, largely within the domains of data science. As she progresses building her proficiency through her technical studies at LSE, she hopes to also deepen her understanding of the systematic challenges facing our societies with the goal of one day making a purposeful and perhaps tangible contribution to their navigation. With the speed of evolution in AI and the overwhelming influx of new data sources, she believes that addressing these problems will only be more feasible down the line.
Hani also hopes she will one day be able to use her journey to inspire and support young girls like herself to pursue what brings them happiness and or to see themselves represented in the spaces they aspire to.
Hailing from Pakistan, Ibrahim has been particularly driven to consider how politics can affect communities in multi-dimensional ways. His desire to holistically analyse concurrent issues and seek the philosophies behind the politics that govern us today has led him to his course of choice.
Working for the affectees of Pakistan’s volatile political climate, he has collaborated with Princeton University to promote civic and computer education in Lahore whilst spearheading the largest student-run NGO in the country.
At LSE, Ibrahim seeks to lay the foundations for a socially-equitable career to eventually give back to the communities closest to him. He strives to combine his academic interest in Politics and Philosophy with his professional interests in political investment, private equity and consulting; aiming to hone in on the points where the two converge.
Iman is from Lahore, Pakistan, and has a strong academic background, gaining the highest mark in the world for O Level Sociology and winning the National Debate Championship back home.
At LSE, she is expanding her perspectives and exploring new fields. As a consultant with 180 Degrees Consulting and a Student Ambassador, Iman is deeply involved in both academic and community initiatives. During her time at LSE, Iman hopes to remain an authentic, curious, joyful, and dedicated person, staying true to her principles and growing wiser with each experience.
A passionate film enthusiast, she spends her free time connecting with herself through storytelling.
Read through Iman's blogs about the Programme, such as:
Joseph is a massive fan of two things, Chelsea (best team in London) and Chinese food. Joseph wishes to take on a career within the financial services. But aside from that, Joseph also has ambitions to make a meaningful impact later in the future, to be a person who can facilitate voices of change, to represent those whose voices aren’t listened to. Which is why, contrarily to his career paths in finance, he would has made it a goal to set up a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to the wrongly convicted.
Marc is from North Wales and enjoys hiking which he balances out with his love for food, using London’s vast diversity of restaurants to explore this further. He has aspirations to study intellectual property and competition law and eventually explore a professional career in pharmaceutical patents fuelled by his love for chemistry and environmental sustainability. This led him to organise and take part in litter-picking events at his school and local area.
Marc is also a student ambassador and wishes to use this role to further support students from low socio-economic and disadvantaged backgrounds in gaining access to LSE.
Matt is a highly motivated and ambitious individual with a clear vision for a career in Investment Banking. Having ranked among the top 50 fastest swimmers in the UK, Matt’s competitive spirit and resilience have defined his pursuits in and out of the pool. During his gap year, he gained invaluable work experience at several bulge-bracket investment banks, including J.P. Morgan and Citi.
Outside his professional interests, Matt is an avid F1 fan and an adrenaline seeker. From exploring the landscapes of Colombia to scuba diving and parachuting, he embraces new adventures and challenges with enthusiasm, driven by a curiosity to understand diverse cultures and perspectives.
Steven is interested in macroeconomics. He has researched the role of financial institutions such as commercial banks. He is currently expanding his knowledge in areas such as philosophy, programming, history and mathematics to become a well-rounded economist with a holistic view. By gaining an understanding of the economy, he aims to utilise his knowledge to reduce poverty around the world.
Steven hopes to explore his options during his time at LSE. He has expressed interest in joining different societies, applying to various internship schemes and taking part in volunteering for various charities.
Year 3 Uggla Family Scholars
Having been a double scholar in a boarding school for sixth form, Ana is acutely aware of the need for financial stability to be afforded to young people wanting to access education. As such, she has worked extensively with several charities and is passionate about care-experienced, orphaned and estranged students accessing education. She has hopes of starting her charitable trust to help young people impacted by these circumstances.
Ana has already completed several internships in commercial law firms, an area she hopes to continue exploring further, alongside gaining experience within private equity. She hopes to use her career as a tool for further philanthropic endeavours for her charitable work to gain further traction. Outside of academics, Ana is also a huge foodie, enjoys working out, and watching true crime documentaries.
Antonia is a student with a wide range of interests, particularly in digital entrepreneurship and fashion. During her gap year she explored financial trading technologies and began an online clothing business. During university she is building a strong foundation of knowledge that will pave the way into a successful entrepreneurial career.
Ateeq has a unique background, having worked in various roles, including leading front-of-house operations in an award-winning coffee shop. Recognising the importance of education for social mobility, he enrolled in an access course at night school, earning an offer to study Economic History at LSE.
His studies focus on the origins of inequality, a topic he is passionate about. Growing up and working in Middlesbrough, Ateeq is acutely aware of the effects of economic stagnation. As a Student Ambassador, he led events for LSE Springboard, a programme with LSE's Widening Participation team which supports students from underprivileged backgrounds in the pre-university process, increasing their participation at top universities.
Hardworking and determined, Ateeq views finance as an industry where his skills can align, allowing learning and growth. His main aim is to use finance to decrease societal inequality, whether by working in private equity to support educational initiatives or community development projects that bridge regional disparities.
Student life at LSE - Virtual Undergradute Open Day
Hear from current LSE students sharing about why they applied to LSE and their student experiences during their studies - including Uggla Family Scholar Ateeq!
Cici was born in Beijing, China, and later lived in Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the UK. These experiences of living in different places have made her aware of the variations in peoples' values across regions, which inspired her passion for breaking gender stereotypes and advocating for equal rights.
She is currently majoring in Mathematics, Statistics, and Business, with plans to specialise in quantitative analysis. Outside of her academic pursuits, Cici loves surfing and chocolate.
Instagram Reels:
- December 2023: End of year Scholars social at Bounce, Farringdon
YouTube:
- March 2024: Vlog - Applying for scholarships as an LSE undergraduate offer holder
- July 2024: Vlog - Studying in London as a Canadian Student
- March 2025: Vlog - A Day the Life of an Uggla Family Scholar
Emily stands out due to her transition from a successful fashion and editorial hairdressing career to now pursuing her fervour for law and justice. She has volunteered at Citizens Advice Bureau, excelled in an Access to Law course, and is now pursuing her legal education at LSE.
Her diverse background and commitment to her academic and career goals make her distinctive. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and recently climbed Ben Nevis.
Francisco is particularly interested in International politics with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He is the founder of the “Politik with Cisco” podcast which digs deeper on the impact of political events on Sub-Saharan African countries' socio-economic landscape.
At LSE he has joined societies such as the LSE United Nations Society and the Political Risk and Investment Society, where he was recently appointed to the subcommittee as a Global Affairs Officer. Additionally, he has also been selected to serve as an LSE100 student academic representative on the Student Staff Liaison Committee for the government department.
Francisco aspires to become a parliamentary legislator in his home country of Mozambique, where he hopes to advocate for better provision of education to low income communities and for improvement in the allocation of income generated from the natural resource extractive industry in Mozambique.
Ibrahim’s interests are in sales and trading, private equity and asset management. He is actively seeking to augment his knowledge of these divisions by building commercial awareness and pursuing various insight programs.
He is currently dedicating his time to becoming more proficient in Excel and Python to further understand how they can be used in data analysis and visualisation.
Isabella has aspirations of working in a commercial law firm. She aims to gain further experience in the sector as well as experience in surrounding sectors. She also aims to engage in volunteering to increase access to education and training for women and children.
Outside of her academics, she enjoys travelling and keeping healthy.
Jia Ren is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and sustainable development. Her past experiences include volunteering to provide free tuition to underprivileged students, raising environmental awareness among Malaysian youth, and helping Malaysian students with their UK university applications.
She has maintained a scholar status since college and is enthusiastic about exploring opportunities in the banking and finance sector, with a particular focus on green finance, to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Jia Ren is also an LSE student blogger. Read through her blogs about her LSE experience, being on the Programme and advice for future LSE students:
- Beyond the classroom with the Uggla Family Scholars Programme
- My exciting journey at LSE as an Uggla Family Scholar
- How to write an amazing personal statement: a simple guide to stand out!
- My LSE journey: growing personally and globally aware
- Unlocking opportunities at LSE: exploring part-time work for undergraduate students
- An international student’s scholarship experience at LSE
- Spreading the word about LSE and the Uggla Family Scholars Programme
- And more!
Jonathan is originally from East London. He harbours a fervent aspiration for a career within the finance sector, with a particular focus on investment banking. Jonathan has graduated from LSE's Pathways to Banking & Finance programme and was a member of the SEO London Empower programme, whilst continuing his journey as a dedicated SEO London Candidate.
In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, he maintains a keen interest in football and actively engages in volunteer activities.
Having completed work experience at Silver Circle and international commercial law firms during her gap year, as well as working for multiple sustainability start-ups, Niamh advanced her interest in exploring careers that combine both commercial awareness and legal skills at their foundation. Niamh has an intrinsic passion for promoting equality and safety for women, and her vast amount of proactive volunteering experience reflects this: During sixth form she created 'Kent Girl Support' - a website curating a community network for women in her county to feel safe when walking alone.
Furthermore, Niamh went on to apply such values to feminist volunteer work within the legal profession in particular. This led to volunteering for FemLegal / This Ends Now Ltd, a non-profit tackling misogynistic language usage in court cases and police reports.
Besides the highly respected and rigorous legal curriculum, what drew Niamh to studying at LSE was the international network and vast opportunities it provides. She plans on utilising these to build on her existing passions, as well as constantly developing new perspectives.
