Thanks to the continued support of our sponsors, SUISS is able to offer scholarships for applicants who are from specific countries, including the UK, who specialise in certain subjects, or for exceptional literature students who would be unable to attend SUISS without financial assistance. Please note that we offer full and partial scholarships. Successful applicants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and spending money.
When making your application, please indicate for which scholarship you are applying on page 4 of the regular application form (there is no separate application for scholarships). Be sure to include a letter explaining why you wish to be considered. One of your referees should also support your scholarship application in his/her letter of reference.
Awards are made on the basis of genuine financial need, academic merit and the contribution which the candidate seems likely to make to the general life of the School. Recipients are chosen by a panel of academics from our affiliated universities, who specialise in a relevant subject such as Scottish Literature. The application deadline is 28th March 2025.
Please visit the following links to see which scholarships you are eligible to apply for. Any queries regarding scholarships should be addressed to the SUISS Administrator at suiss@ed.ac.uk.
The Amy Shypailo Scholarship for Women Abroad
This scholarship is a need-based award for US students who wish to apply for the four-week SUISS Creative Writing programme or the six-week Text and Context programme. This scholarship is awarded to one student annually in honour of 2007 SUISS alumna, Amy Shypailo. Amy cherished her summer in Edinburgh, and this scholarship carries on her memory by helping deserving students have the life-changing experience of studying abroad.
The scholarship will cover, either partially or in-full (based on need), the course fees for Creative Writing or Text and Context, with the option of both in-person or online study.
Applications for this scholarship are now invited from undergraduate students from the US with a GPA of 3.5 or above who identify as women.
ESU SUISS TLab Scholarships
The English-Speaking Union has partnered with SUISS to provide a variety of courses ideally suited for US secondary school teachers. Information on these scholarship, including how to apply, and funding options, can be found at the following link.
The David Daiches Scholarship
SUISS commemorates the life and vision of our founder by offering a special scholarship in his name. This scholarship will cover the summer school’s course and accommodation fees, which includes the costs of all tuition, accommodation, most meals, a social and cultural programme and full use of the facilities of Edinburgh University’s library. The successful candidate will be offered a free place on the Text and Context Course. It is at the discretion of the selection committee if this is for one or more terms. The Scholarship does not cover travel expenses or spending money.
Applications for this scholarship are now invited from undergraduate or postgraduate students in British and/or Irish Literature.
The Gavin Wallace Translation Fellowship
Supported by Creative Scotland, SUISS will offer two fully-funded places on the Contemporary and Scottish Literature courses (4-weeks) to two professional commercial translators with an interest in contemporary Scottish writing.
This fellowship will foster collaboration between translators with the aim of promoting Scottish Literature, in particular, to an international audience. Please note that these fellowships are available for our residential course only and covers the course and standard accommodation fee.
The Greek Scholarship
We are happy to announce that we will offer a residential scholarship for two weeks to a Greek student. The scholarship is intended to support a gifted literature student who would not otherwise be able to attend the School for financial reasons, and will be awarded on the bases of academic merit as well as financial need.
The Scholarship will cover the summer school’s course and accommodation fees, including the costs of all tuition, accommodation, most meals, our social and cultural programme and full use of the University of Edinburgh library. The successful candidate will be offered a free place on the two-week term of their choice (Modernism, Scottish Literature or Contemporary Literature) on the Text and Context Course. The Scholarship does not cover travel expenses or spending money.
Applications for this special Scholarship are now invited from Greek undergraduate or postgraduate students of British and/or Irish Literature.
The John McGrath and Elizabeth MacLennan Scholarships
The John McGrath Scholarship was established by SUISS in 2002 to celebrate the life and work of John McGrath, playwright, theatre director, and good friend of the School for many years. The scholarship covers the course and accommodation fees for the Theatre and Performance course for one theatre student or playwright.
The Elizabeth MacLennan Scholarship was established in 2016 in honour of John McGrath’s late widow. The scholarship covers the course and accommodation fees for the Theatre and Performance course for one actor or performer.
Applications for these scholarships are now invited from undergraduate and postgraduate theatre studies and drama students, including playwrights and professionals.
The Middle Eastern Scholarship
We are delighted to announce that we are offering a residential scholarship for two weeks to a student from the Middle East during the Scottish Universities’ International Summer School (SUISS).
The scholarship is intended to support a gifted literature student who would not otherwise be able to attend the School for financial reasons, and will be awarded on the basis of academic merit as well as financial need. The Scholarship will cover the summer school’s course and accommodation fees, including the costs of all tuition, accommodation, most meals, our social and cultural programme, and full use of the University of Edinburgh library. The successful candidate will be offered a free place on the two-week term of their choice (Modernism, Scottish Literature or Contemporary Literature) on the Text and Context Course. The Scholarship does not cover travel expenses or spending money.
Applications for this special Scholarship are now invited from Middle Eastern undergraduate or postgraduate students of British and/or Irish Literature.
The Edwin Morgan Scholarship
Supported by the Edwin Morgan Trust through The Second Life Awards, and by our affiliated universities, SUISS is able to offer scholarships for scholars and early-career academics from both the UK and abroad, who either run courses in Scottish Literature, or who have permission from their departments to set up such a course, or doctoral candidates in the late stages of a PhD on an aspect of Scottish Literature. In addition to this, we also award scholarships to both foreign and UK PhD students, who are able to demonstrate a genuine interest in Scottish Literature, but do not have such a department or courses offered at their home university.
Exchange and collaboration are an important part of these scholarships. Scholars are required to present a paper at a mini conference hosted by Edinburgh University, which is open to the public. At this event, they have the opportunity to network with UK-based academics and students. Many go on to collaborate on various projects.
The scholarship covers the course and accommodation fee for the 2-week Scottish Literature course, including most meals.
Partial SUISS Scholarships
Unsuccessful scholarship applicants, or students who are not eligible for any of our other scholarship opportunities, can be considered for a SUISS scholarship of up to £500 off the course fee. Please be sure to mention on page 4 of the application form whether or not you would like to be considered for a SUISS Scholarship, and if so, the projected amount you will require.
Our Sponsors
Our scholarship programme is supported, in part, by:
The Friends and Family of Amy Shypailo
The Friends and Family of Professor David Daiches
The Friends of John McGrath
The Zachs-Adam Family Fund