Scottish student realises Cambridge dreams
In April 2023, Eden received notification that he had been accepted to study Engineering at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.
Following his admission, he applied to the Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund to support his learning journey.
The Fund
The Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund, which is provided by Greencoat UK Wind, provides bursaries to residents in Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water Community Council areas in the Scottish Borders. These bursaries support local residents to access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to gain or retain employment.
Eden's story
Before Eden graduated his Scottish Borders high school, he applied to a number of universities including Cambridge and Edinburgh and it was whilst he was on a school trip visiting London that he received notification that he had been accepted into Cambridge. The first thing Eden did was call his dad to let him know. Eden said, "It felt a little bit strange and felt over the moon that this could actually be happening."
As reality set in and the impact of the financial burden became more apparent, Eden realised he may need further financial support to give him the most positive start on his university education journey.
It’s no secret that Cambridge University is a prestigious university that costs a premium to attend. On top of tuition fees, which average between £10,000 to £15,000 per year, there were also associated costs with living expenses as well as fundamental items including essential books and equipment such as a laptop and specific software, an approved calculator as well as technical drawing equipment and a portfolio bag.
In order to relieve a portion of the financial burden associated with this amazing opportunity, Eden applied to the Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund for £2,800 to support the costs associated with his educational journey.
During the application Eden stated:
Being able to go to Cambridge is a massive opportunity. However, due to it being outside of Scotland, the most significant challenge is the financial burden. This means there is limited support for tuition fees. I will also have to undertake other expenses, such as a laptop, textbooks, and lab equipment all while adapting to living independently. My hope is that this grant will help aid the financial burden of studying at Cambridge University.
In March 2023, Eden received confirmation that the Langhope Rig Panel had approved a £2,800 multi year award (over three years) to support the purchase of a laptop, essential equipment and associated living costs.
In October 2023 Eden embarked on his journey to Cambridge where he has been studying ever since.
Eden is in the process of completing year one of his studies at Cambridge and has just finished his final exams and is looking forward to what find out what year two will bring.
Eden said:
The fund helped relieve some of the financial burden of studying which allowed me to focus on making the most out of everything Cambridge University has to offer.
The Langhope Rig education and Training Fund supports a variety of academic, training and bursary courses for anyone over the age of 16 living within the Fund area.
A Panel member for the Langhope Rig Fund said:
As a member on the panel for the Langhope Rig wind farm which awarded this grant to Eden, it became apparent very quickly from the application that this youngster deserved all the financial support we could give him. Not only would he be attending a university south of the border, where his fees would not be paid by the Scottish Government, he had gained entrance from his local Borders High School to a prestigious Oxbridge college to study engineering. I cast my mind back to my student days South of the border 40 years earlier, when I was lucky enough to qualify for a full grant from the Scottish education department for four years of study. Apart from a few textbooks, all that was required for my course in those days, was in today's money, a £15 lab coat. Eden's requirements were so much greater and included a laptop, which would need to come with the software necessary for engineering studies. As a panel we were delighted to support this young man's application from the Ettrick and Yarrow community council area.
To find out more about the Fund please visit the Fund page here
Or contact Niome@foundationscotland.org.uk