Selkirk student fulfilling Masters aspirations thanks to education bursary

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.

Patrick's story

Since Patrick was young, he had always dreamed of working within the Aero or Green Renewables industries.  In his final year of Selkirk High School, Patrick applied to a number of universities and was offered a place at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow to undertake a Masters in Aero-Mechanical Engineering. The course is five years long and is due to finish in 2027.  

Patrick grew up in a small village in the Scottish Borders, and when he received notification that he had been accepted onto the course, he was excited and looked forward to heading to Glasgow to try something new and challenging.

However, although the university fees were covered through the Students Award Agency Scotland, Patrick still faced the financial burden of having to have enough funds to cover accommodation and everyday living costs, as well as purchasing a laptop.  

The course required Patrick to use software programming including CAD and MATLAB.  

MATLAB is a software for data analysis, algorithm development and model creation used by a vast majority of engineers and scientists.  

In order to use this software and to keep on top of various units within the degrees, Patrick required a high specification – and expensive - laptop.

Patrick was committed to supporting himself, and spent the summer of 2022 working two jobs which equalled the equivalent of full-time hours to raise enough money for expenses to support his first year at university.  

It was during this time that Patrick also approached the Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund to apply for fa bursary to help with the purchase of the laptop.  

Within his application, Patrick said:

The longevity expected from this Apple laptop means it will take me through my entire 5-year course and beyond into my career. It will allow me to seamlessly transition into the world of programming on MATLAB, a coding application that is used throughout my course. 

After reviewing his application, the Langhope Rig Panel agreed to award £1000 – the full amount applied for – to allow Patrick to purchase the laptop, which would support him with his studies over the course of five years.

In the Autumn of 2022, Patrick moved to Glasgow to study his course full time.  Patrick is in the process of finishing year two of the course and has just completed his final exams for the year.  He is confident with his progress and is preparing for year three and the new challenges it will bring.  

Patrick said: 

Thank you to the Langhope Rig Fund for offering this opportunity to apply for a grant.  The laptop has made the world of difference to my performance within my studies and has helped keep me on track and do well. It’s an essential item I can’t do without, and as Steve Jobs said, a computer is the equivalent to a bicycle for our minds.

When the course finishes in 2027, Patrick plans to embark on a career centred on green and renewable engineering.  In terms of jobs, he says ‘it will depend on where the industry is, it’s moving so quickly, only time will tell.’ But he does hope to gain employment directly after completing his course.  

Patrick's advice to his peers from the Fund area is:

When you come from rural villages and your classes are small, it can be hard to know which path to take, especially if no one is leading the way.  Go and pursue your own interests and you will be amazed at where you find yourself.

Patrick’s story is a great example of applying to the Fund for support with study costs which will make a significant impact on his education and learning journey.  

To find out more about the Fund please visit the Fund page here

Or contact Niome@foundationscotland.org.uk