Competitions and funding opportunities

There are many reasons why you might want to participate in student competitions and apply for funding opportunities, such as scholarships.

Depending on the nature of the competition, you may:

  • be given the opportunity to access work or study experiences at home or abroad
  • secure funding to pursue employability experiences
  • raise your profile among employers
  • gain a CV-enhancing award
  • get support with a business idea
  • win a cash prize.  

This page provides information on a range of opportunities, though it is not a complete list. Deadlines vary throughout the year - check the links for up-to-date details.

Funding opportunities during your degree

  • Careers Centre Employability Bursary - provides financial support of up to £700 to help University of St Andrews students make progress in their career journeys. Applications are considered from all students and disciplines.
  • The Rector’s Fund - a scholarship for students undertaking a summer internship or project that is motivated by a desire to create positive change. Open to all students and postgraduates who have a confirmed internship offer. 
  • Saints Abroad Scholarship - provides funding support for undergraduate students who have been offered a study abroad placement or who have secured a work placement for the following academic year. 
  • St Andrew’s Society for the State of New York - awards two scholarships annually to Scottish students wishing to study for a postgraduate masters in the United States. Scholarships are granted to cover tuition, maintenance, and travel. 
  • Fulbright Awards - provides funding and support for postgraduate study or research in the United States for UK citizens. 
  • James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program - designed to provide a substantive work experience for US students who have a serious career interest in international affairs.

Funding opportunities after your degree

  • Rhodes Scholarship - provides funding for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford for various global citizenships.
  • Gates Cambridge - provides funding for postgraduate study, mainly PhDs, at the University of Cambridge for non-UK citizens.
  • Schwarzman Scholarship - fully-funded master's programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
  • Martingale Scholarship - provides full funding for a master’s and a PhD, or an integrated PhD, at a UK institution. UK citizens only.
  • Yenching Fellowship - fully-funded Master's programme in China Studies at Peking University in Beijing.

The Careers Centre hosts a Scholarships and Fellowships 101 session multiple times throughout the year. This session will go over each scholarship, tips for a good application, and how the Careers Centre can help. The sessions are aimed at first, second, and third-year students but can be relevant to any student or recent graduate. Check Career Connect for relevant dates and times. 

Competitions 

  • Europe Terminal - a games-based AI challenge, where players code strategies to automate gameplay for a chance to win $15,000 in prize money.
  • Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs - annual competition for those aged 18 to 30 years old who have a well-thought-out business idea or an enterprise that has already launched. Winners receive prizes in the form of significant financial support towards a business idea or enterprise.
  • L'Oreal Brandstorm Competition - annual competition to innovate the next generation of retail.
  • Targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards - an annual competition aimed at finding the best undergraduates in the UK. Each award is partnered by a prominent graduate recruiter who provides a fantastic prize for the winner, which could include a paid internship, a trip abroad or other exclusive opportunities.
  • The Chaplaincy Prize - awarded each year, the prize is open to all current students at the University of St Andrews and based around a particular theme for an original piece of creative work or essay.