Case Study: Future Shapers Scholarship
Heriot-Watt launched the Future Shapers Scholarship in 2025, designed to offer high value scholarships to talented postgraduate students from the UK who want to create solutions to major global challenges.
For Andrew Smith and Mhairi Sime, receiving a Future Shapers Scholarship at Heriot-Watt University sparked change – supporting their ambitions to tackle challenges in sustainability, climate change and net zero.
Mhairi Sime – MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
Mhairi’s journey into renewable energy was driven by a passion for climate action. After studying chemical engineering and working as a teacher, she was inspired by her students’ enthusiasm for climate change issues. She decided to return to university and specialise in renewable energy engineering.
At Heriot-Watt, she has embraced the hands-on, globally focused learning environment. Her programme has included working on real-world challenges, such as designing renewable energy systems. She analysed real-world industry data to engineer a solution, which she then pitched directly to industry professionals. Beyond her studies, Mhairi has taken a leading role in student life as Project Lead for the Net Zero Society, organising field trips and events that connect students with industry and academia.
The Future Shapers Scholarship allowed Mhari to fully focus on her studies and outreach work, including encouraging young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue STEM careers. She credits the University’s supportive community - particularly academic staff and careers services - with helping her successfully secure a place on a doctoral training programme in offshore renewable energy.
The scholarship gave me the freedom to pursue my interests and make an impact. From research opportunities to outreach work, it’s helped shape what comes next.
Andrew Smith – MSc Sustainable Finance with Fintech
Andrew returned to Heriot-Watt for a third time after a varied career spanning electrical engineering, brewing and distilling, and nearly a decade running his own business. Seeking a new direction, he chose the MSc Sustainable Finance with Fintech to pivot into a sector aligned with global sustainability goals.
Drawn back by Heriot-Watt’s strong industry reputation and practical approach to learning, Andrew has made the most of opportunities such as close collaboration with academic experts and the Bloomberg Suite. Alongside his Future Shapers Scholarship, he secured additional funding through a Scottish Government initiative, enabling him to work with an industry partner on his dissertation. His research focuses on unlocking sustainable finance solutions to support decarbonisation in the construction sector.
Andrew highlights the University’s powerful industry connections and networking opportunities as key to his experience.
Heriot-Watt prepares you for the real world. You’re not just studying something abstract - you’re building connections and gaining skills you can apply immediately.
Now completing his studies, he is using this time to explore new possibilities within sustainable finance, confident that his postgraduate experience has broadened his career opportunities.
Andrew and Mhairi represent the first cohort from this scholarship due to graduate in autumn 2026 and funding has been secured from one of our generous donors to fund a new cohort of 12 scholars starting in September 2026.