Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)

Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) is a Scotland-wide project that aims to raise awareness of opportunities in higher education and increase the number of students going to college or university.

Logo of the Scottish Funding Council with their English and Gaelic name

What is the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)?

Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)is a Scotland-wide project, funded by the Scottish Funding Council as part of its ‘National Schools Programme’. The project aims to raise awareness of opportunities in higher education and increase the number of students going to college or university.

SHEP has four regional hubs that work with local schools, colleges and universities. These regions include: 

  • Southeast Scotland
  • North Scotland
  • Fife and Tayside
  • West Scotland

Each hub offers a range of opportunities that are organised through your school (usually through your guidance teacher).

Activities and support

The programme includes the following activities and support:  

  • university visits and on-campus experiences
  • advice and guidance on applications, admissions and choosing a degree programme
  • student mentors
  • academic support

Who can join the programme? 

You can check if you are eligible for support from your local SHEP provider by visiting the website for your local area. You will also find information about eligibility criteria on the following websites.  

Scottish Funding Council’s National Schools Programme website

Contact us 

Lesley Stokes

WP Manager

  • Widening Participation

Contact details

Contact us through an online sign language interpreter

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the University of Edinburgh via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service.

Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website


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