Expanding horizons
Find out what we're doing to inspire people to consider higher education and the many possibilities beyond.
We believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, but we know that not everyone has the same journey towards university. For many people, university seems an unobtainable destination for complex reasons that are rarely related to academic potential, but more often the result of social, economic or cultural factors.
What we're doing
That’s why at Edinburgh we deliver a range of programmes designed to encourage and support people from under-represented backgrounds to consider university, reach university, and thrive once they are here and beyond graduation.
Here are just some of the things we are doing to help people access a university education. We hope you can support us to do even more.
Together, with the University of Glasgow, we have partnered with award-winning education charity IntoUniversity to launch learning centres in three of Scotland’s most deprived communities. At these centres, staff and volunteers work with young people to support, encourage and inspire them to fulfil their academic potential, whether that means striving for a place at University or another goal chosen by them. Young people attending the centre can access a space to learn, academic support and mentoring.
Not all professions or employment sectors are as representative of society as they could be. Our Insights Programme is designed to remove some of the barriers, which prevent some students from fulfilling their full career potential. For students who come from families, schools or communities where professional careers are not a typical destination, the Insights Programme offers the networking opportunities and workplace tasters to help broaden horizons and demystify working environments.
YourEd is our secondary schools partnership scheme designed for schools and pupils who may feel unsure if the University of Edinburgh - or any university - is for them. We take the University to them: sharing our resources and expertise to bring them into our University community at an earlier stage than would otherwise be possible from as young as 12, working with them through to the end of High School.
Support us
You can help us create more opportunities for people to reach university. Get in touch to find out more about what we’re doing and how you can support us.
Neil Burns
Development Officer, Scholarships and Bursaries
- Development and Alumni
- Major Gifts
Contact details
- Work: +44 (0)131 651 1405
- Email: neil.burns@ed.ac.uk