The Saltire Scholars Programme, delivered by the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation, helps university students across Scotland build the skills, confidence and experience to prepare for their future careers, with the opportunity to secure a paid summer internship in the UK or a fully funded internship internationally.
Open to undergraduate students in their penultimate or final year of study, the programme combines practical employability development, personal and professional growth, and opportunities to build your professional network. From gaining experience with CVs, applications, assessment centres and interviews to accessing exclusive learning, expert insights and connections with professionals and peers, Saltire Scholars is designed to help you become career-ready before you graduate.
Who is the programme for?
The Saltire Scholars Programme is looking for students with ambition, curiosity and a willingness to challenge themselves. Students don't need perfect grades, an impressive CV or to have their future career figured out. Academic grades are not assessed as part of the selection process.
Instead, the programme looks at students' transferable skills, values, potential and willingness to learn. Opportunities are available across a wide range of roles and sectors, giving students the chance to explore careers both within and beyond their degree subject.
The programme particularly welcomes applications from students from a Widening Participation background.
What can you expect?
8-12 Week Summer Internships
At the heart of the programme is the opportunity to secure an 8–12-week paid summer internship in Scotland or across the UK, or a fully funded international internship in Canada, the USA or Australia.
Each year, Saltire Scholars offers over 200 internship opportunities across a wide range of roles, sectors and organisations, from ambitious Scottish businesses to global employers.
Opportunities span areas including Business & Strategy, Engineering, Finance & Accounting, Research & Insights, Life Sciences, Marketing & Communications, Computer Science, Technology & AI, and many more.
UK internships are paid at the Real Living Wage, while international internships are fully funded, helping make valuable professional experiences accessible regardless of your financial background.
Develop Before the Internship Begins
The value of Saltire Scholars starts long before the summer. As students progress through the programme, they gain experience of applications, assessment centres and interviews, building confidence they can take into future opportunities.
Those who successfully progress to the Saltire Scholars Candidate Pool gain access to exclusive learning courses covering topics such as Employability and Entrepreneurial Mindset, alongside expert insights, practical career guidance and development opportunities.
The programme also provides opportunities to grow professional networks, connecting students with employers, professionals and fellow Saltire Scholars.
Become a Saltire Scholar
Successfully securing and completing an internship means becoming a Saltire Scholar and earning the Saltire Scholars Badge of Excellence, a recognised mark of achievement reflecting the skills, experience and attributes developed throughout the programme.
Becoming a Saltire Scholar can be added to your CV, helping to differentiate you from other graduates and demonstrate what you can offer to future employers.
Learn more about the Saltire Scholars Programme
Register Your Interest for 2027
Applications for the 2027 Saltire Scholars Programme open at 10am on Wednesday 16 September 2026. Register your interest now to receive programme updates, application information and useful resources to help you prepare ahead of applications opening.
Click here to Register Your Interest
Find Out More at an Information Webinar
Interested in finding out more? Entrepreneurial Scotland is hosting a series of online information webinars where students can learn how the Saltire Scholars Programme works, what to expect when applying and the opportunities available through the programme.
