Additional information

If you are unsure about some aspects of the Laidlaw Scholars Programme or have any questions, you can contact the Laidlaw team at laidlaw@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Benefits of being a Laidlaw scholar

The rewards to being a Laidlaw Scholar, include:

  • an insightful research experience
  • a comprehensive leadership development programme
  • a £6,000 scholar stipend
  • a travel fund
  • having the Laidlaw Programme listed on your HEAR degree transcript
  • joining a global network of Laidlaw scholars and alumni

Programme requirements

To successfully complete the Laidlaw Programme, scholars are required to:

  • attend all Laidlaw events
  • complete two, six-week summer projects, focused on:
    • research
    • leadership-in-action
  • submit all required outputs by the deadline
  • complete a six-month ethical leadership masterclass (Oxford Character Project)
  • be an active and engaged member of their cohort and of the global Laidlaw Scholars Network

Eligibility for third-year students at the University

To be eligible for the Laidlaw Programme, you must be a full-time undergraduate student who at the time of application has at least two summers remaining at the University of St Andrews. Most applicants are in their first or second year of study. However, third-year students who are on a five-year programme should be eligible.

Studying abroad or doing a work placement if selected for the Laidlaw Programme

Scholars are required to study in person, full time at St Andrews during their participation in the Laidlaw Programme. This is approximately 20 months, starting in early March of the first year of the programme through to mid-November of the second year of the programme. Scholars cannot study abroad or do a work placement during this time.

Previous research experience

The Laidlaw Programme is designed to allow scholars to explore their interest in research. Whilst some scholars may enter the programme with previous research experience, most Laidlaw scholars are first-time researchers.

Academic supervisors during the summer 1 research project

Any permanent academic staff member at the University can serve as a Laidlaw research supervisor, although postgraduate students are not eligible.

Finding an academic research supervisor

First, decide if you wish to do a pre-defined or self-defined research project. If pursuing a pre-defined project, consult the list of pre-defined projects on the Laidlaw website and contact the designated research supervisor. If doing a self-defined project, consider your chosen research topic and research academic staff at the University to see whose research interests and specialisations best match your project and contact them directly.

If you are choosing your own research project, it must be separate from any work you have submitted for credit.

The two summer projects

In the first summer, scholars complete a six-week research starting on the first day of the summer semester. On a case-by-case and with prior approval, scholars may start or end their research project up to one week earlier or later. In the second summer, scholars complete a six-week Leadership-in-Action project. The timing will be confirmed depending on project type and scholar preference.    

Living in St Andrews during the summer 1 research period

Scholars must live in St Andrews, or within reasonable commuting distance, and attend weekly, in-person events and workshops during the six-week research period in the first summer. The summer 1 research period typically begins on the first day of the summer semester.

Time commitment

Participating in the Laidlaw Programme requires scholars to use effective time management skills. Scholars are expected to work full time for six weeks on their two summer projects.

During the programme, scholars also:

  • attend an equivalent of six full days of leadership training development
  • attend a launch event and two celebration events
  • dedicate one to three hours per month to completing a six-month ethical leadership 
  • attend the Laidlaw Scholars Conference over a weekend

Additional time should also be allocated to completing outputs and attending occasional informational sessions and events.

Attending events

An integral component of the Laidlaw Programme is a bespoke leadership development programme that runs throughout the entire programme. Scholars are expected to attend all events, barring exceptional circumstances.

The following is a sample event schedule and the final schedule is subject to change:

Year 1

  • March:
    • a launch event of approximately 2 hours
    • a weekend residential, from Friday to Sunday
  • Summer 1 includes:
    • six weeks, starting the first day of the summer semester
    • summer research project
    • weekly in-person events
    • a full-day leadership event   
  • September: a leadership event lasting all day
  • October: Scholars Conference, from Friday to Sunday
  • November: a celebration event of over 2 hours
  • November to April: the Oxford Character Project, requiring one to three hours per month

Year 2

  • March: a half-day leadership event
  • April - a half-day travel preparedness training session
  • Summer 2: six weeks, with timing to be confirmed, for the Leadership-in-Action project
  • October: a leadership event lasting all day
  • November: a celebration event of over 2 hours

Going overseas during the Leadership-in-Action project

Unless you are already an international student at the University of St Andrews, scholars are expected to spend at least six weeks overseas during the Laidlaw Programme. Most scholars will go overseas during the summer 2 Leadership-in-Action project.

Scholars have access to a travel fund.

Re-applying after an unsuccessful application

You can apply for the following year after an unsuccessful application as long as you still have two summers remaining at the University of St Andrews when you apply.