Youth talent opportunities
Studying for a degree is not the only path to a successful career. We offer youth talent schemes, work placements and apprenticeships for young people.
We work with other organisations, like local authorities, to make sure that young people leaving local schools have opportunities to study, train or find a job. School pupils who are unsure about what career path to follow can consider a range of options at the University.
We were an early signatory of the Edinburgh Guarantee which supports provision of positive destinations for school-leavers.
The Edinburgh Guarantee
Broadening horizons
Mentoring schemes
We work with external bodies to participate in mentoring schemes. Through these, our staff are trained to mentor school pupils in order to help them bridge the gap between education and the workplace, build their confidence and decide their best way forward.
The schemes vary and may involve secondary school pupils coming onto campus regularly to visit their mentor, and paid attendance at a four-week summer placement where they will be supported to meet a challenge.
Explore our youth talent programmes
Modern Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to start or enhance their career. They are a combination of paid employment with workplace or College training and learning. Modern Apprenticeships at the University can offer excellent opportunities to work in administration, accountancy, laboratories, computers & ICT, animal care and many other areas.
You can read about the experience of some of our most recent Modern Apprentices who have been working as lab technicians, stablehands, printing apprentices and in office administration.
Find out about our Modern Apprenticeships
Open days
We offer Open Days so you can come along to see if you would like to enrol for degree-level study in the arts, humanities, social sciences, engineering, science, medicine and veterinary medicine.
Young people, whether at school or College, and mature adults returning to learning after a break of some years may be eligible for extra support from us in working out what to study, how to apply, and obtaining financial assistance.