We are glad to announce to you that the Laidlaw scholarship is ongoing for undergraduate students. The Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship equips self-motivated and ambitious undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders in their chosen fields. Interestingly, Laidlaw Scholars receive a stipend of £6,000, paid in several installments.
In a nutshell, the Laidlaw Scholarship Programme aims to create the leaders of the future through a mix of training and intensive summer research periods. Thus, it runs at a number of high-ranking universities and is becoming regarded as an indicator of exceptional academic and leadership promise.
The scholarship is a complete program of activities across 3 years of study. It’s a chance for first-year students to:
- get involved in research, working with academic staff on questions of global significance;
- develop and practice leadership skills in preparation for life after graduation;
- be part of a high performing group of students from across the university.
- enhance your CV and employability for the future.
Why Laidlaw Scholarship?
The program provides Laidlaw scholars with leadership training and allows them to undertake two fully-funded six-week periods of intensive research in the summer holidays of their first and second years of study.
Also, it is the long-term vision for the scholarship to create a wide-reaching and diverse network of international scholars who will reinvest their knowledge, skills, and experiences amongst their peers, colleagues, and networks.
Thus, the increasingly broad network of participating universities results in the reputation of the scholarship, and its scholars, reaching a wider range of employers and universities.
However, the program is generously funded by Baron Laidlaw of Rothiemay. Inspired by his own higher education abroad and later travels, Lord Laidlaw has targeted not only the global reach of the scholarship but also international opportunities for individual scholars.
Lord Laidlaw has made generous funding available for travel when the project can benefit from research or use of facilities abroad, in order to further the development of scholars with international experience.
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Applications will be reviewed by an expert in that field and the selection process considers not just the research topic and the applicant’s academic background and achievements, but equally importantly their passion, drive, enthusiasm and ambition.
Note that, outstanding students are shortlisted and further testing or interviews may be conducted depending on the university. Many candidates, whether successful or not, say they found the selection process to be both challenging and rewarding.
Moreso, this disciplined process gives every candidate the opportunity to reflect on their life goals and to think about potential career opportunities and choices. So whatever happens, applying for a Laidlaw Scholarship can help further careers.
Furthermore, the aim of the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship is to equip undergraduate students with the necessary skills to help them fulfill their ambitions beyond their course of study, whether they intend to pursue a career in business, research or in another sector.
How much Does this scholarship worth?
Scholars for this Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship receive a stipend of £6,000, paid in several installments, to facilitate their research and leadership projects, and in recognition of the time they are being asked to commit to the program.
However, They may also claim up to £2,500 towards travel-related expenses (not accommodation), and up to £1,000 towards research expenses that cannot be covered by the host institution.
Eligibility for Laidlaw Scholarship
However, All students must prove their right to work in the UK before undertaking and paid work. Students with Tier 4 Visas are restricted to a maximum of 20 hours of paid work per week during term time. You must make sure that you comply with the work restrictions of your visa.
Note, All undergraduate students in year 1 of a three-year program or year 2 of a four-year program are eligible to apply. There are no restrictions on discipline/department, college, nationality, or fee status. (The program is not open to visiting students).
This scholarship is open to fresh undergraduate students or those in their second year in any of the participating universities to study any course.
There are 12 participating universities for this Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship which are listed below,
However, Participating universities accept first and second-year undergraduate applications each year and start recruiting in January. Most students will find out if they have been successful by the end of March. Research projects usually take place over summer and leadership development activities run at various times throughout the scholarship.
- Columbia University NY
- Durham University
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- The University of Dublin
- Tufts University
- UCL
- The University of Hong Kong
- University of Leeds
- The University of Oxford
- The University Of St. Andrews
- University of Toronto
- University Of York
How To Apply For The Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship
Complete the application form: this includes the personal profile, which should be used to tell us more about yourself and your motivations for applying for the Laidlaw Programme
- Confirm the support of your supervisor. Ask your supervisor to complete the online statement of support form
- Submit the application form. You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt of your application. Shortlisting of applications will take place after the closing date.
Your application to the program will be assessed through the online application form which consists of a personal profile and your research proposal. There may be an interview for short-listed candidates.
Your research proposal will be assessed a panel of internal assessors and academics in a relevant discipline.
To apply for the scholarship you must:
- Identify a research project which you are interested in. Attached is a list of areas of research which academics at the University have identified as suitable for them to supervise. Note, you are not limited to these areas of research if there is a specific subject you are interested in you can approach a supervisor and develop a research proposal.
- And also, design your research project, following discussions with your chosen supervisor; your project can be original or related to research that is on-going in the University.
- Write a research proposal. Your proposal will be assessed by an internal reviewer for the quality of the candidate, project content, and proposed environment hosting the study.
Laidlaw Scholarship Application Routes
There are two application routes for this Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship:
Choosing a summer project from the list
The list of projects is published in early November. Projects usually form part of a larger research project the supervisors are running. You can apply for any project which interests you. It does not have to relate to your current studies.
However, as part of your application, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the key criteria for that project. These are listed on the website under each project. There is a box on the online form for you to demonstrate that you meet these criteria.
Submitting a summer project which you have devised yourself
You will need to find a suitable member of the academic staff within UCL who agrees to supervise you. They will assist you with the project-related element of your application. The project needs to be:
- something you’re really interested in,
- at an appropriate academic level, and
- realistically achievable within six weeks.
However, bear in mind that undertaking your own project will demand a lot of self-reliance – you’ll need to organize your own work and your own time, negotiate with others as needed, and try to find a way through any setbacks.
Having said that, it can be immensely satisfying to complete your own piece of research at a high level.
How can I apply for Laidlaw Scholars Programme?
To apply to the 2024-23 Laidlaw Scholars Programme, you will need to go to the Programme’s page on CareerConnect. The application form will be made life once the final timetable for applications has been confirmed.
In the meantime, log in to CareerConnect and go to ‘the Program list’ under the Internship Office and Skills Programmes tab. Select ‘The Laidlaw Scholars Undergraduate Research & Leadership Programme’ from the list on the left-hand side of the page.
You can then click on ‘Find out more’ – this allows you to register interest in the Programme. We recommend you do so in order to be kept up to date with program news.
See pages 16-20 in our comprehensive Guide to using CareerConnect for further information.
Don’t forget that the Internship Office runs Application Support sessions for applicants to the Laidlaw Scholars Programme. These sessions take place at the Careers Service and can be booked via CareerConnect.
Note, When it is available, you can complete the application form. This includes the personal profile, which should be used to tell us more about yourself and your motivations for applying for the Laidlaw Scholars Programme.
Submit the application form. You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt of your application. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact laidlaw@careers.ox.ac.uk. The timetable for shortlisting and interviews will be confirmed by the end of the term.
Important dates for Laidlaw Research and Leadership Programme
October 15, 2024 – Application available
UTSG Information Sessions
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024– Information Session I (Centre for International Experience)
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Information Session II (Centre for International Experience)
- Wednesday, November 20, 2024 –Information Session III (Centre for International Experience)
UTM Information Sessions
- Thursday, October 24, 2024 – Information Session I (Location TBD) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – Information Session II (Location TBD) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
UTSC Information Sessions
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024 – Information Session I (EV Building, Room 151) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Information Session II (EV Building, Room 151) 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
January 13, 2024 – Application DUE by 5 p.m.
- February 10, 2024 to February 28, 2024 (tentative) – Laidlaw Scholars Interviews
- Friday, March 6, 2024 – Candidates notified of acceptance
- Tuesday, March 17, 2024 – Leadership Session 1 (Centre for International Experience) 5:30 – 8p.m.
March 18, 2024 to March 27, 2024 – Individual check-in meetings
- Saturday, March 28, 2024 – Leadership Session 2 (Centre for International Experience) 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Summer 2024 – Research Summer I
- September 2024 to April 2024 – Leadership Program (schedule to be released soon)
- Summer 2024 – Research Summer II
Laidlaw Scholarship FAQs
The objective of the Scholarship is to help facilitate the development of leaders across all fields.
You would need to report on what has been completed up until that point.
Yes, as long as it is relevant to the project you are doing.
Contact the programme leader at your university who will help, and may put you in touch with past Scholars who can give help and advice based on their own experiences.
Depending on the circumstances, if you leave the Scholarship the funding will cease.
He tries to visit Scholar events throughout the year but cannot guarantee attendance.
The research and leadership elements of the programme will take place during the summer holidays or at weekends. They should not interfere with your studies. The commitment of time to other opportunities is voluntary.
The money will be paid direct into your bank account in two installments during the June prior to the start of your first and second periods of research. The exact timing of the payment will be confirmed during Term 3.
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