Two talented Fife College students, Freya Buckridge and Cain Paterson, have been awarded the 2026 George Lauder Bursary, securing a fully funded opportunity to live and study in the United States this summer.
The prestigious annual bursary, supported by the family of George Lauder in partnership with the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, covers travel, accommodation and living costs, enabling Fife College students to gain invaluable international academic and cultural experience.
Freya and Cain were formally presented with the award at a celebratory lunch held at the College’s new Dunfermline City Campus, attended by College staff, former bursary recipients and guests. The event was also attended by William Garner, great-great-grandson of George Lauder, who met the awardees and shared in celebrating their achievements.
Freya Buckridge (22) is currently studying HND 3D Interior Design at Fife College. An A-grade student with a strong passion for creative design, she also works part-time designing kitchens and bathrooms for a local company. Freya plans to study in New York City, with ambitions to explore set design or undertake an interior design intensive at the Pratt Institute.
Freya, from Dunfermline, said:
“I’m so happy to have been awarded the George Lauder Scholarship, it will be a great opportunity for me to properly focus on developing my skills in interior design.
“It gives me the time and space to try out new ideas, push my work further, and build my practice in ways I wouldn’t usually be able to.
“I feel very privileged and grateful to have this opportunity, and I’m excited to spend time in New York. Experiencing such a strong design culture first-hand will be a huge part of my development.”
Cain Paterson (21) is a former Fife College student who completed an HND in Architectural Technology and is now studying BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University. After initially pursuing plumbing and electrical studies, Cain discovered his passion for architecture through the College’s Built Environment programme.
Cain hopes to study urban and city architecture in New York City, potentially through a summer architecture intensive at the Pratt Institute or Columbia University.
Cain, from Glenrothes, said:
“The bursary means a great deal to me personally, particularly as someone whose route into university was not straightforward. Support and encouragement at Fife College played a key role in my progression, and this opportunity feels like a continuation of that support at an international level.
“The experience will benefit me academically, professionally and personally. Studying in the United States, particularly in the New York area, will allow me to broaden my understanding of architecture and construction within a different cultural and urban context.
“I am confident that the knowledge, confidence and perspective gained through this opportunity will positively influence my remaining studies and future career, while also allowing me to represent Fife College and the George Lauder legacy in a positive and professional way.”
The lunch event also featured presentations from Erin Fox and Cameron Reid, recipients of the 2025 George Lauder Bursary, who reflected on their study experiences in Washington and New York.
William Garner said:
“I was delighted to be in Scotland for the award of the George Lauder Bursary, and to meet Freya and Cain, two very deserving winners of this year’s bursary.
“I look forward to supporting them both with their study plans and have no doubt they will gain invaluable experiences from their time in the USA, broadening their knowledge and shaping their future careers.”
Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Engagement Lead at Fife College, said:
“Freya and Cain are fantastic ambassadors for Fife College and will benefit immensely from this unique study and cultural experience.
“This scholarship is made possible thanks to our valued relationship with the family of George Lauder and the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, whose continued support creates life-changing opportunities for our students. We are extremely grateful for this, which is unique in the college sector.”
The George Lauder Bursary, offered through Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College, reflects a longstanding partnership between the College and supporters in the USA who share a commitment to educational excellence and global citizenship.
The Bursary is open to full-time or part-time students currently enrolled at Fife College and those who have studied at Fife College in the last four years.
For more information about the George Lauder Bursary and other scholarship opportunities at Fife College, please visit our scholarships pages here or contact scholarships@fife.ac.uk.