Student Support: Trusts and Individual Donors

Empowering student nurse journeys 

Across the UK and around the globe our nursing alumni are making a difference to patient care every day. As a top 10 UK modern university for Nursing, we are committed to attracting and supporting the next generation of nursing and healthcare talent, and a vital component in this endeavour is the support we receive from Trusts, Foundations and Donors. 

Many nursing students take up degree programmes later in life; they can face a significant pay drop when choosing to study at university that can come on top of family commitments. In addition, the placements they must undertake in order to qualify can add further financial strain. Together, these realities result in nursing students facing greater challenges than most in pursuing higher education.

Scholarships and bursaries are therefore crucial to ensuring we continue to support nursing students to succeed.

Supporting placements in remote parts of Scotland: Cuminga Trust 

Shortages of nurses in remote and rural areas can have a serious impact on access to healthcare and on running services effectively and safely. The Cuminga Trust has helped to tackle rural recruitment issues by helping to fund nursing placements in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. Its support has been invaluable to its beneficiaries.

“I was able to pursue a unique opportunity in Shetland, gaining valuable insight into healthcare delivery in remote areas. The placement challenged me to grow—both professionally and personally—through increased independence and adaptability. I’m incredibly grateful for the support.”

Navjot, MSc (Pre Reg) Mental Health

Creating opportunity: scholarships funded by individual donors

Since 2020, the Roger and Jean Miller Scholarships have supported over seventy nursing students with one-off grants of up to £1,000, helping to reach those who are most in need of support.

“Going from a full-time NHS employee to a full-time student has been difficult. This funding relieves some of my financial worries. It also provides encouragement that others believe in my potential. I am very thankful for this support.”

Shannon, Bachelor of Nursing (Learning Disabilities) 

The Alice McIntosh Bursary for Nursing, generously created by Dr Iain McIntosh, an alumnus and former staff member, supports two undergraduate nursing students throughout their degrees with awards of £1,000 per annum.

“Losing my mum strengthened my determination to complete my degree and honour her. This support is helping me to continue, allowing me to progress with confidence and move closer to becoming a qualified nurse.” 

Chloe, Bachelor of Nursing (Adult)

Established through a gift in her will, the Eileen Brown Nursing Scholarship enables students who would otherwise be unable to complete their studies to continue and succeed, through awards of up to £1,500 per annum for the duration of their three-year course. 

“It is incredibly meaningful that there are individuals willing to support students like me in pursuing higher education. It not only assists me financially but also motivates me to work harder and achieve my full potential.” 

Dilan, Bachelor of Nursing (Adult)

Edinburgh Napier University offers a range of scholarships and grants to support nursing students. These awards help ease financial pressures, allowing students to focus on their studies and clinical training while preparing to make a positive impact on patients, families, and the wider communities. 

Learn more about our Nursing Scholarships and Bursaries here.

Supporting care experienced students 

Improving fairer access to education: The Robertson Trust 

The Robertson Trust is one of our most significant philanthropic partners, focused on improving fairer access to education. It currently supports three initiatives at Edinburgh Napier – student scholarships, the Hub for Success, and a ‘Test & Demonstration: Influencing’ research project.

Scholarships

Access scholarships transform lives, providing opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. The Robertson Trust scholarships, match funded through our ENcourage Fund, offer up to £2,000 per student per year for the full duration of an undergraduate course. Seven students were supported this past year.

Supporting the Hub for Success

The Hub for Success, an award winning partnership hosted by Edinburgh Napier, helps care experienced students get in, stay in, and thrive in college and university. Its innovative Student Associate programme sees students with care experience involved in design and delivery of the Hub’s projects - ensuring its work is driven by a deep understanding of their needs – and Student Associates receive fair pay while developing professional skills. The Vardy Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund and Ernst Maas Educational Trust have funded this programme.

The Robertson Trust is now enabling the Hub to scale its impact. Project SAFE (Supporting Attainment through Financial Equity) will improve retention, progression and success for care experienced students across Scotland by enhancing financial policy and practice. Working with up to eight institutions, Edinburgh Napier will identify and address financial barriers and strengthen institutional support. 

The project will produce national guidance and recommendations for bodies such as SAAS and the SFC to advance national systemic change, reaching all care-experienced students present and future.

Programme Award to support Education Pathways research – ‘Test & Demonstration: Influencing’

The Robertson Trust has awarded over £2.3 million to twelve ambitious projects aiming to reduce poverty and trauma in Scotland. Edinburgh Napier has received £275,000, working with City of Glasgow College and Queen Margaret University, to examine policies and practices that create barriers, with the goal of fostering more inclusive, trauma informed institutional cultures.

Unite Foundation Scholarship 

Since 2017, the Unite Foundation has supported 15 Edinburgh Napier students with care experience or family estrangement by covering accommodation costs in student halls. A renewed agreement will continue to fund 75% of the annual costs. Through fundraising for our ENcourage Fund, we will seek donors to support the remaining 25%, allowing students to stay in halls over summer months so they have a stable residence for the whole year.