FORMER BURY STUDENT AWARDED £30,000 SCHOLARSHIP

A recent Bury College alumnus, Muhammed Bittaye, 20, has been awarded a £30,000 scholarship by Emmy-nominated cinematographer, Fabian Wagner.

Wagner is best known for his work on Game of Thrones, The Crown, and Jack Snyder’s Justice League, and is a patron of the Screen and Film School in Manchester where Muhammed studies.

Muhammed is studying in his first year, and has been awarded the life-changing scholarship after impressing Wagner with his commitment to his studies and his determination.

Muhammed says that his studies at Bury College have helped prepare him for university study in filmmaking. Muhammed joined Bury College from The Derby High School, and progressed on from a Level 2 in Media to a Level 3, completing his studies last year. He said, “I really enjoyed the course at Bury College, and gained a lot of graphic design skills. I worked on movie posters and video skills, and right now I’m using all this on my film course. I got much better at time management and meeting deadlines while I was at Bury College.”

Originally from The Gambia, Muhammed arrived in the UK with his mother and younger brother seven years ago. He said, “It feels great to have won the scholarship. I haven’t fully grasped it yet. I’ve already learned a lot on my course and I can’t wait to learn more from Fabian.”

The scholarship will cover the three years of tuition for Muhammed’s Film Making degree, and will also provide the opportunity to be mentored by Wagner. Muhammed has already had the opportunity to attend a masterclass hosted by Wagner and James Bridger, who has worked as a gaffer on The Theory of Everything, Avengers: Infinity War and BBC’s Gentleman Jack, among others. Muhammed, along with other students from the School, were able to reshoot a battle planning scene from a Game of Thrones episode.

Once he finishes university, Muhammed wants to pursue a career in filmmaking or screenwriting. He said, “I want to be able to give someone else the opportunity I have had.”