Learning Opportunity Fund - Academic Session 2022/23
The University has established a Learning Opportunity Fund to support students impacted by the recent industrial action.
The Learning Opportunity Fund closed on March 27th 2023 due to the funds being exhausted. We have processed all applications received before the closure.
If you need support with your living costs, visit the webpage below to find out about the financial support we offer.
Financial support for all students | The University of Edinburgh
We have invested £1,129,533 into the fund from savings due to pay foregone by staff who chose to strike during the industrial action in November 2022.
The fund supports students to access learning opportunities such as conferences, short courses and online courses. It can also be used towards part-payment of longer or more expensive learning opportunities. The fund opened on 6 February 2023.
We expect there to be significant demand for the fund and aim to work through all submitted applications as fast as we can. The applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are exhausted. We may temporarily close the fund to manage the volume.
Who can apply for funding?
All students at the University of Edinburgh who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- You are a fully matriculated student on a full or part-time mode of study and physically studying on campus.
- You commenced your studies in the 2022/2023 academic year or before.
- You are able to provide evidence of disruption to your studies as a result of industrial action.
- You are able to submit evidence of the learning opportunity that the fund will be used for (please see below for approved categories).
How much funding can I apply for?
The maximum grant payable per student is £350.
How do I apply?
The Learning Opportunity Fund is now closed to applications as the fund has been exhausted. This does not affect any applications submitted before closure which will be reviewed and processed as normal.
If you need support with your living costs, visit the webpage below to find out about the financial support we offer.
Financial support for all students | The University of Edinburgh
The Learning Opportunity Fund application asks you to outline the impact e.g. missed classes, tutorials or supervision. Please keep in mind it is for days of strike action where the impact is known i.e. that have taken place. Please note you can only submit one application to the Learning Opportunity Fund.
Please note that a maximum of one application and one payment is allowed per student, even if the application is for less than £350 in total. The current impacted days are 24-28 November 2022 and 1, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16 February 2023 and 15, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 March. You should not apply to this fund on the basis of future strike days or strike days which have not affected your classes.
Application requirements
During the application process, you will be asked to provide supporting evidence. It must be in the following format:
- English language only
Please note you will need to have a UK bank account to apply for this fund.
What kind of learning opportunities can I receive funding for?
The Learning Opportunity Fund can be used to pay for learning opportunities of most kinds, including conferences, short courses, online courses and part-payment of longer or more expensive learning opportunities. The fund cannot be used to pay for degree programme tuition at the University of Edinburgh or another higher education institution, or for books or tutoring.
The University may wish to verify that any information provided in the application form is correct and truthful and that the learning opportunity applied for is provided by a bona fide organisation. Where details are not clear, for example, requiring translation, we may ask you submit further details. This may delay your application.
Applicants can include the cost of travel and accommodation associated with their learning opportunity, as long as the total claim does not exceed £350.
Applicants do not need to have paid for the learning opportunity in advance in order to make a claim. Applicants can include more than one learning opportunity in their application, however please note, the maximum grant payable per student from the fund will be £350. The learning opportunity must be taken within 12 months from the date of the fund opening.
Examples of learning opportunities that we would fund include:
- Short courses (non-credit bearing and with no formal degree/diploma/certificate qualification)
- Online courses (non-credit bearing and with no formal degree/diploma/certificate qualification)
- Language course
- TEFL/TESOL/CELTA course
- Conference
- Continuing Professional Development course
- First Aid qualification
- Centre for Open Learning short course
- Music lessons
- Unpaid in-person/virtual internships
- Exams (ACA Accountancy exams only)
Ineligible opportunities include:
- Assistance with tuition fees
- Credit-bearing courses
- Books
- Tutoring
- Claims that are purely for accommodation and travel
- Training opportunities or events that have already happened
- Assistance with rent and subsistence
- Software/computer equipment
- Driving lessons/test
- Paid work-based internships
- Gaming site memberships
How will payments be made?
All payments will be made in pounds sterling to the applicant’s nominated UK bank account. Payment cannot be made to third parties.
Please ensure you update or add your bank details via https://edin.ac/finance-student-bank-details. Please note that using this link does not mean that you will be successful in your application.
Applicants can claim for support with overseas learning opportunities, in which case the University will calculate the amount to be paid in pounds sterling based on prevailing exchange rates.
- If your application is successful and you have received an outcome by Friday 24 February, we aim to make payment by Monday 13 March. Providing you have supplied bank details.
- If your application is successful and you have received an outcome between Monday 27 February and Thursday 9 March, we aim to make payment by Friday 24 March. Providing you have supplied bank details.
- If your application is successful and you have received an outcome between Friday 10 March and Friday 24 March, we aim to make payment by Monday 10 April. Providing you have supplied bank details.
- If your application is successful and you have received an outcome between Monday 27 March and Friday 7 April, we aim to make payment by Monday 24 April. Providing you have supplied bank details.
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If your application is successful and you have received an outcome between Monday 10 April and Thursday 20 April, we aim to make payment by Monday 8 May. Providing you have supplied bank details.
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If your application is successful and you have received an outcome between Friday 21 April and Thursday 4 May, we aim to make payment by Monday 22 May. Providing you have supplied bank details.
***IMPORTANT: If you have not received your payment 10 DAYS after MONDAY 22 MAY, please do not hesitate to contact us and quote your Learning Opportunity Fund application reference number.***
Please ensure you add your bank details to ensure payment can be made in time. We will confirm additional payment dates as we move through the months.
Who can I talk to about the Learning Opportunity Fund?
If you have any general questions regarding the fund please email your question to us.
Overseas bank accounts
We are unable to make payments to overseas bank accounts. You must set up a UK bank account before applying to the fund.
Learn about your options for opening your first student bank account in the UK and banking safety:
Why was my application rejected?
In order to ensure the limited funds go to those most in need we may reject applications if:
- The funding isn’t for an eligible learning opportunity
- You have not provided the appropriate evidence required to process your application
- You do not meet the above eligibility criteria as noted above
- You have already made a successful claim
What if I disagree with the outcome of my application?
We understand those who receive a rejection to their request will be disappointed but we are trying to support as many students as possible. If your application has been rejected and you disagree with the decision, you are entitled to request a review of your application. Reviews should be requested in writing by emailing within 5 working days of receiving your outcome. You must:
- Clearly state the grounds for your appeal
- Explain why you think you should receive funding, directly referencing the fund criteria outlined above
- Include any additional documentary evidence to support the review process
- Include your Learning Opportunity Fund application reference number
Please note, the review process can take up to two weeks from receipt of your review request.
Fraudulent applications
If you submit an application or supporting documentation which we then discover to be fraudulent, or if we receive any information about fraudulent applications, this will be addressed within regulations 12.4 of the Student Code of Conduct. Any funds awarded will need to be paid back in full.