Buckingham Palace Scholarships Dinner
Two University of Edinburgh undergraduate bursary recipients had the opportunity of a lifetime when they represented the student body at a dinner hosted by HRH The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University.
The dinner, at Buckingham Palace, was attended by scholarship and bursary supporters and was a chance for the students to communicate what their bursary meant to them.
Mark Tait, a third-year medical student, was encouraged to apply to Edinburgh by the Pathways to the Professions project, which reaches out into schools where few pupils progress to higher education. It encourages students into professional courses such as Law, Medicine and Architecture.
Coming from a school with a low progression rate and a family where I am the first generation to attend university the Pathways to the Professions scheme was invaluable in giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream of a career in medicine.
Megan McGregor also benefited from this programme and a bursary. She was delighted to be invited to the Palace.
I was honoured to get an invite to the London event and the whole experience was something I’ll never forget. I met so many interesting individuals who help to provide the support that myself and many other bursary recipients are so grateful for. It was such an exciting opportunity- I certainly never imagined I’d be dining at Buckingham Palace!
Kathleen Hood, Head of the University’s Widening Participation Dept. oversees the Pathways Project.
We work with all 46 local schools, targeting prospective students who will be the first generation of their family to enter higher education. Since the project was launched, we have helped almost 3000 students progress through the programme in pursuit of their professional aspirations.
Over the last two years, the University has committed substantial funds towards student support programmes. As a result Edinburgh offers students the most generous bursary options of any University in the UK.