The Robertson Trust: providing financial, personal and professional support
Eilish Campbell is studying for an MA in English and Film Studies and is due to graduate in June 2024. Here she describes how the Robertson Trust Scholarship has been ‘nothing short of life-changing’.
As is the case for many students from low-income backgrounds, my excitement about receiving an offer to study at university was tinged with anxiety about how I was going to cope with the financial expense. I was therefore incredibly grateful that the University put me forward for the Robertson Trust’s Journey to Success Scholarship Programme and very relieved when I was accepted. This national programme helps students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to overcome barriers to achieving their full potential at university and beyond.
As a Robertson Trust Scholar, I receive a yearly £4250 bursary that is paid jointly by the Trust and the University. This – along with my part-time job – has helped me to manage my living costs, which in turn has alleviated a considerable amount of stress and given me the headspace to focus on my studies and extracurricular commitments. It’s been nothing short of life-changing in enabling me to make the most of my university experience without having to constantly worry about paying the bills.
The Scholarship not only offers financial assistance to Scholars but proactively supports them in their personal and professional development. I have attended a variety of career-related workshops led by the Trust that cover everything from advice on job applications to guidance on building personal resilience. These training sessions have helped increase my confidence as well as ease the imposter syndrome I initially felt when I started university.
The Trust also partners with a considerable number of organisations to offer career pathways, work experience and internship opportunities for Scholars. In my case – after following a competitive application process – I was fortunate enough to secure a career pathway created collaboratively by the Trust and the Edinburgh International Festival. Over the course of a year, I have been personally mentored by one of the Festival’s staff members and have gained insight into working within the arts and culture sector. This has given me the knowledge and relevant experience to pursue future work of this nature and allowed me to make professional connections that will undoubtedly be beneficial post-graduation.
Beyond this practical support, the Scholarship has also helped me to meet a range of students from similar backgrounds both at St Andrews and other universities across the country. In my second year, I joined the Trust’s team of Scholar Ambassadors and this network provided a safe space for me to discuss concerns that friends from different backgrounds might not necessarily understand. The sense of collective peer support through the Programme has helped me establish friendships that will continue well beyond University.
I am incredibly grateful for all of the invaluable support from the Robertson Trust’s staff and from fellow Scholars during the last few years. The Scholarship has given me access to resources that have stood me in good stead at University and will expand my horizons post-graduation.
I will never forget the transformative impact it has had on my life.