Top students have been announced for the 2026-27 Nicholl Scholarships to the tune of $30,000 per year, covering studies in an array of fields from medicine to business.

The awards are named after Lieutenant Albert Nicholl, who came to Bermuda from Britain during the First World War as chief examination officer for the Royal Naval Reserve, and took a deep interest in supporting education on the island.

He ultimately willed the bulk of his estate to the scholarship fund set up in his name.

James “Oslo” Adamson, 21, said the Nicholl Scholarship caught his eye because there were few scholarships available for postgraduate degrees, which are “significantly more expensive than undergraduate degrees”.

Mr Adamson, from Pembroke, will embark next month on a Masters in Law and Finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science, to finish in June 2027. He finished his undergraduate degree in law at Durham.

“What stood out to me about the selection process was the personal statement element,” he said.

Sharing “everything” on his academic journey entailed “thinking about how different and unrelated areas contributed to my development as a whole, and, in weaving together my journey and taking stock of my academics and extra-curriculars together, it made me appreciate all those who have helped me along the way”.

Mr Adamson was “honoured and humbled” to learn he had been selected. Bermuda is full of so much talent and intellect, so I knew the other applicants would be incredibly impressive.”

He said the support would be especially valuable in his move to London, where “everything is additionally more expensive”.

Mr Adamson said he hoped to “begin my career off-island and see what path I can carve out early on, before I return home”.

He added: “I would certainly love to live and work in Bermuda one day.

“There is so much opportunity on island and I am very aware of how you can get your teeth into higher level opportunities much earlier in your career, so I am grateful for that avenue as a possibility.”

He said Bermudian students enjoyed an abundance of internships and “generous scholarships and bursaries”.

He added: “I think young Bermudians should make the most of all our home has to offer by applying to as much as they can.”

Gabriella Medeiros, 23, also from Pembroke, is pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Warwick Medical School in Britain.

Ms Medeiros, a previous winner of the scholarship in 2021, said: “The Nicholl Scholarship first caught my attention because of its strong reputation for supporting Bermudian students pursuing higher education, and for the legacy of Albert Nicholl, who contributed enormously to the opportunities available to Bermudian university students.”

A former Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School pupil, she completed a bachelor’s degree in cognitive neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, graduating in June 2025 with a first-class honours.

Ms Medeiros started graduate-entry medicine through the accelerated medical programme at Warwick last September, finishing her first year with a distinction.

She said she was “incredibly grateful” to be awarded the scholarship again after an “exciting and nerve-racking” selection process.

Ms Medeiros described “a rush of gratitude and relief” at her success.

“The journey to become a doctor is a lengthy one, which comes with an immense financial burden, particularly while studying away from home,” she added.

Due to graduate as a medical doctor in June 2029, she said she aimed to gain clinical experience overseas before ultimately returning to Bermuda.

“I hope to build in a career in which I cannot only provide excellent medical care, but also be an advocate for my patients and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the wider Bermudian community.”

Ms Medeiros advised others to “put yourself forward, even if you are unsure whether you will be selected — you have nothing to lose by applying”.

A third postgraduate winner is Sancho Smith, who will be pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at Clayton State University in the US.

Eva O’Connor, 20, from Warwick, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in art history at University College London.

Ms O’Connor said the Nicholl Scholarship stood out for “its emphasis on well rounded students who pursue a wide range of career paths”.

Hearing of her success, she said “the first thing I wanted to do was tell my family”, who supported her “wholeheartedly” throughout her educational journey.

“I am anticipating my third year at UCL and will be concentrating on impressionist and modern art,” she said.

“I am also the president of the Art Business Society at my school, so I am looking forward to spending the next year developing my knowledge of the art market.”

After graduating in September 2027, she hopes to pursue a master’s in art business, or art and finance.

“I would love to build an international career in the art world while ultimately using that experience to create greater opportunities and exposure for Bermudian artists, connecting local talent with the wider international art market.”

Ms O’Connor advised would-be applicants “not to focus too much on the outcome, but on the experiences and opportunities that come from putting yourself forward”.

Rhys Swift, 18, of Devonshire, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of North Carolina in the US.

He graduated from Warwick Academy, where he was head boy, in 2025.

Mr Swift heard of the Nicholl Scholarship from family and friends but said it stood out on the bermudascholarships.com site, which he commended as “very easy to navigate”.

He added: “I particularly liked that this award is very much merit-based.”

Mr Swift admitted finding the interviews “intimidating at first” but quickly enjoyable, thanks to a welcoming atmosphere.

He advised any applicants to “try to stay calm”, stay light hearted and keep in mind that “most of the people who are interviewing you for these opportunities and scholarships have been in your position”.

As Mr Swift heads into his second year at UNC, he said the success was “a great relief, because university in the US can be quite expensive”.

“I remember opening the e-mail later in the evening and my dad had already gone to sleep so I had to shake him awake.”

Mr Swift said the scholarship relieved “some of the underlying stress” and that he had “greatly enjoyed branching out and trying new courses that I haven’t had any exposure to in the past”.

Along with the bachelor’s programme, he has begun studying minors in risk management and music.

He added: “I am confident my course of study at the University of North Carolina will prepare me well for a variety of careers in finance back in Bermuda.”

Isis Tucker, a 17-year-old Saltus graduate, will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, with a concentration in marketing.

Ms Tucker, from Smith’s, said: “As someone preparing to study overseas, I understood how valuable financial support and the opportunities that come with a scholarship like this could be.”

She found that the selection process was “exciting” and tense.

“The process was competitive, so I tried to approach every stage by being genuine about who I am, what I have worked towards and where I hope my education will take me,” she said.

“When I found out I was successful I was very shocked and it took a while for the news to really sink in.”

She called it “a really special moment” and a chance to reflect on her hard work and long hours.

Ms Tucker added: “My biggest piece of advice would be to put yourself forward, even if you are unsure whether you have a chance.

“It can be easy to look at a competitive scholarship and assume that someone else is more qualified, but you never know what can happen unless you apply.

“I would also encourage students to be genuine throughout the process.

“Your grades and achievements are important, but so are your experiences, your character and the goals that motivate you.”

Renée Oliveira, of the scholarship committee, said the applicants stood out not just for their achievements, “but the thoughtfulness, determination and sense of purpose they brought to the application process”.

She added: “Each of them has a different path ahead and we are genuinely excited to see where those paths lead.”