91´óÉñ

In 2019 we mark 100 years of business at the University of Edinburgh by celebrating our remarkable roll call of students and alumni.

The School’s first graduate Margaret Stevenson Miller, who went on to campaign for women’s rights, is among the former students to be honoured.

Today University Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal has met students and researchers to hear about pioneering school initiatives, and unveiled new scholarships on equality and diversity.

Throughout 2019 and beyond, the School will be inviting alumni to share their stories and help inspire a new generation of graduates.

First Graduate

Margaret Stevenson Miller was the first student to graduate from the School with a degree in Commerce.

An esteemed writer and academic, she was dismissed from her job as lecturer after marrying in the 1930s as for women marriage was generally considered incompatible with a career.

The Edinburgh graduate went on to campaign for the rights of married women to earn, informing debates in Parliament, influencing newspapers, and taking part in protests.

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Business Scholarships

The School’s new scholarships for 91´óÉñ and MSc programmes aim to promote equality and diversity and are built in the spirit of its boundary-breaking founders and alumni.

They represent an investment of more than £75,000, and will be aimed at students who face financial barriers to study and those who contribute to LGBT+ communities.

• 'Somewhere Edi’ 91´óÉñ LGBT+ Scholarship
• Positive Action for LGBT+ MSc Scholarship
• Access Edinburgh Scholarship

Lasting Legacy

In 1919, the UK was suffering the debilitating social and economic effects of the First World War.

To counter this, local business leaders—including the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Society of Accountants and Institute of Bankers—joined together to raise £30,000 for the University to create its first degree in Accounting and Business.

Today, the School is home to more than 1,800 students from more than 60 different countries.

Like our early founders, our students, staff and alumni have continued to break boundaries and pave the way with entrepreneurial initiatives and thinking. We hope our new scholarships will encourage more people to consider a career in business. As the world becomes more complex, it is important that institutions such as ours positively contribute to organisations, management practice and—ultimately—to a better future.