Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)

The Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) is a Scotland-wide project that aims to raise awareness of opportunities in higher education and increase the number of students going to college or university.

What is the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP)?

The Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) is a Scotland-wide project, funded by the Scottish Funding Council as part of its ‘National Schools Programme’. The project aims to raise awareness of opportunities in higher education and increase the number of students going to college or university. 

Official logo of the Scottish Funding Council including their Gaelic name

SHEP has four regional hubs that work with local schools, colleges and universities. These regions include:  

  • South-East Scotland
  • North Scotland
  • Fife and Tayside 
  • West Scotland 

Each hub offers a range of opportunities that are organised through your school (usually through your guidance teacher). 

Activities and support 

The programme includes the following activities and support:   

  • university visits and on-campus experiences
  • advice and guidance on applications, admissions and choosing a degree programme 
  • student mentors 
  • academic support 

Who can join the programme?

You can check if you are eligible for support from your local SHEP provider by visiting the website for your local area.  

Scottish Funding Council’s National Schools Programme website 

Contact us

Lesley Stokes

Widening Participation Manager

  • Widening Participation

Contact details

Contact us through an online sign language interpreter

British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the University of Edinburgh via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service.

Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website


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