About

History and background

Starting in 2014, the University of St Andrews was one of the first universities in the world to offer Laidlaw scholarships.

Through the generous donation by Lord Irvine Laidlaw, and what is now the Laidlaw Foundation, they originally started as a one-year research programme with some additional training and leadership elements.

Over the years, the programme has evolved and grown considerably. Today the scholarship runs over two years and offers students two summers of projects, one focusing on research, while the second emphasises leadership in action. The leadership component of the programme has been significantly developed and scholars now receive bespoke leadership training throughout the full course of the programme.

Scholars are now part of an ever-expanding international network of academic institutions offering the scholarship and leadership training around the world.

The Laidlaw Scholars Programme today

The Laidlaw Scholars Programme at the University of St Andrews uniquely funds both research and leadership development. As a Laidlaw scholar, you will:

  • Receive personalised leadership training to prepare for tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
  • Grow as a leader in real-world situations through the Leadership-in-Action project, collaborating with communities for shared progress and long-term impact.
  • Conduct a research project of your choice, under the guidance of a leading academic.
  • Expand your global perspective through a meaningful international experience.
  • Develop your character and master the art of ethical leadership with a certification from the University of Oxford.
  • Join a global community of over 2,500 peers.
  • Benefit from funding to support all of the above.

To quote Lord Laidlaw himself, the aim of this experience is “to equip self-motivated and ambitious undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders”.

Learn more about the Laidlaw scholars' experience at the 2023 Laidlaw Scholars Conference at Trinity College Dublin:

 

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>>EMMA HWANG: The greatest opportunity that Laidlaw has provided me is the opportunity to connect with so many people.

>>HASSAN JAVED: To be in a community that was like-minded but also focused on collaboration

>> BATOOL WAJIHA ZAIDI: Working towards the development of a research paper and being listed as a co-author

>> LUKE PÄTZOLD: The part of the programme I enjoyed the most so far, I think, is where we're at right now - the conference. I really like the fact that I get to know all the people whose faces I see all the time on the network, and I'm really enjoying just socialising and talking about different research interests and everyone is really passionate about it.

>>HASSAN JAVED: Through Laidlaw I was able to take something that was a theoretical goal of mine, of exploring further, and actually translate it into practical action. Not only in just terms of things that I could explore, but also empower communities alongside me. It's something that I find resonating with this overall general Laidlaw mission of empowering communities through your work, and particularly with my leadership in action - something that was made possible by Laidlaw, and definitely my favourite part of the Laidlaw experience.

>>EMMA HWANG: I'd say I definitely enjoyed the research process. It's the first time I've really dipped my toe into, you know, the vast world of research, and I think it's really something similar for many Laidlaw scholars. They want to get involved in research, they don't know where, and this is a great opportunity to really understand the process, deal with the challenges and have so much support to back you up. So that's been fantastic for me.

>> BATOOL WAJIHA ZAIDI: The part of the programme that I enjoyed the most was connecting and making friends with the other Laidlaw scholars, because everyone is from such diverse backgrounds and experiences. I've learned so much by being with them and by being friends with them, and I hope that they will be friendships that I'll have for, like, a long time.