A university has announced a new scholarship to help students from under-represented groups get into journalism.

City, University of London, has unveiled the launch of the Stephen Lawrence Daily Mail Scholarship, which will see two students receive a full fee scholarship for a postgraduate degree course starting in September 2017.

The successful applicants will also receive support from City journalism academics and exclusive access to relevant work experience placements at the Daily Mail, as well as mentorship from senior Daily Mail journalists and financial support for living expenses, rent and other costs.

On completion, they will be offered a place on the Daily Mail or MailOnline editorial graduate trainee scheme, where they will receive a 12-month paid contract.

The scholarships are supported by the Daily Mail and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, set up in memory of the black teenager murdered in London in 1993.

Professor Suzanne Franks, head of the department of journalism at City, said: “City, University of London is a world-class university and is widely recognised as one of the top universities globally for training journalists.

“Our graduates go to on work in newsrooms across the UK and around the world, as broadcasters on national and international television and radio, and increasingly in digital roles in London, and worldwide.

“We have always done our utmost to support our students, however, we are very mindful of our responsibility to increase diversity in journalism, and to ensure that the cost of a university degree should not be a barrier for students from lower-income households.

“We are delighted that the Daily Mail, which has long been a strong supporter of promoting new talent in journalism, has partnered with us on this most important initiative.”