Case Study: Scholarship Recipient: Beth A
Beth has had a keen interest in STEM since secondary school. She credits some of this to an inspiring teacher, who also attended Heriot-Watt University, and encouraged her to pursue the subject at a higher level.
From a small village in the Midlothian’s, Beth was able to participate on the Lothian Equal Access Program for Schools (LEAPS); a widening participation programme which aims to encourage and advise young people who are underrepresented in higher education.
A lot of us didn’t think university would be available to us, that we wouldn’t have the grades or the confidence to apply.
As the first in her family to attend university. Beth felt she had a lot of questions she, and her parents, didn’t know the answer to. Through LEAPS she got the answers, she visited universities, had university staff come answer questions, do mock interviews and prospective applications.
Beth has flourished since joining Heriot-Watt University. She served as social media officer for the Chemistry Society in her first year and was elected President in her second. She has also participated in sports and gained valuable work experience in a pharmacy.
At the end of her first year, she was awarded the Dunfermline Scholarship.
With it, Beth has been able to focus on her studies and feels it has really impacted her academic performance: ‘People may think “it’s just a bit of money, what impact can it have?”. But these bursaries have the ability to increase students’ quality of life and study. The security of having your rent covered, so you can focus on your studies is incredible. I am truly grateful to those that have donated and supported this scholarship. It’s allowed me to put my all into my studies and enjoying university.’
Beth aims to take her chemistry degree into a brewing career – either pursuing a Master’s in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University or finding graduate employment in the distilling sector.