UHI students celebrated among Scotland’s Winning Students 100
Two UHI students, Laura Watt and Isabella Fioretti, have been awarded places on the prestigious Winning Students 100 scholarship programme for 2025. Delivered by the University of Stirling and funded by the Scottish Funding Council, SportScotland and Scotland’s higher and further education sector, the programme is a world-leading dual-career initiative supporting more than 100 talented student athletes across the country each year.
Since its launch in 2008, the programme has supported over 1,500 student athletes, including world and Olympic champions. Recipients benefit from grants of up to £3,000 alongside tailored academic flexibility, enabling them to balance demanding training and competition schedules with their studies. This year, 106 athletes from 18 universities and colleges across Scotland were selected, representing 31 different sports.
Laura Watt, a sports therapy student at UHI Perth, is an accomplished international curler. She won gold at the World Junior Curling Championships in 2023, claimed the Scottish Junior title, and represented Team GB at the World University Games in both 2023 and 2025. Laura was awarded a Sporting Blue and named UHI Sportsperson of the Year in 2023 and also received the Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year award that same year.
On being awarded the scholarship Laura said:
“I’ve been curling since I was 8 years old, and now that I’m able to curl at such a high level alongside studying and pursuing my professional career with the support of Winning Students, it’s honestly better than I could have planned.
“Being selected as a Winning Students 100 scholar allows me to continue competing and studying simultaneously without financial worries or struggling to fit in part time work around sport.”
Isabella Fioretti, a sports coaching and development student at UHI Inverness, has rapidly established herself as one of the country’s most promising young boxers. She secured the British Youth 63kg Championship title and represented Scotland at the GB Three Nations in 2024, showcasing her potential on both the national and international stage. Isabella was also awarded a Sporting Blue for the 2024–25 academic year.
On being awarded the scholarship Isabella said:
“Boxing means everything to me, it's given me focus, discipline and a sense of purpose. The support from the Winning Students 100 scholarship makes a real difference, especially as I travel to Glasgow each week for national training and allows me to focus on my development and performance.”
Both students exemplify the dedication, talent and resilience that the Winning Students 100 scholarship is designed to support. Their selection not only celebrates their outstanding individual achievements but also highlights UHI’s growing reputation for nurturing high-performance athletes alongside academic excellence.
Amanda Fleet, Highlands and Islands Students’ Association Sports Consultant, congratulated both Laura and Isabella on their success:
“A huge congratulations to Laura and Isabella. Their achievements at national and international level are remarkable, and this support will help them continue to balance their academic studies with their training schedule. They are a credit to the student community.”
Professor Keith Smyth, UHI Dean of Learning, Teaching and Students, added:
“Laura and Isabella are outstanding examples of what can be achieved when talent, determination and the right support come together. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and of their selection for the Winning Students 100 programme. At UHI, we are committed to enabling our students to excel both academically and personally, and this recognition highlights the strength of the support we offer to all of our student athletes, including those at high-performing levels, across our partnership."