Eight bursaries worth at least £5,000 each are up for grabs in an annual awards scheme.

The Scott Trust, which owns local and national newspaper publisher the Guardian Media Group, is now accepting applications for its post-graduate bursary scheme.

The bursaries are available on five print journalism courses, one web-only journalism diploma and two broadcast qualifications.

The grants are run in conjunction with universities and colleges in England, Wales and Scotland and each comprises a £5,000 living allowance along with the first year's tuition fees – normally costing around £4,000.

The aim of the awards is to assist students who face financial difficulties in studying for qualifications required to work in the media.

The Trust says it particularly wants to encourage applications from graduates from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds.

The bursaries do not offer employment within GMG once a course is completed but they do involve work experience within one of the company's newspapers or media organisations such as the Manchester Evening News.

Applicants should be a graduate, permanent resident within the UK and ideally have already undertaken some basic paid or unpaid journalism work.