Robert Gordon's College has launched its scholarship programme for RGC Online, the school’s new online education programme aimed at providing young talent with the skills and knowledge required to support a future career in the Scottish tech sector.

RGC Online offers live-taught SQA accredited qualifications in Higher Computing Science and Higher Applications of Mathematics, as well as bespoke online tech modules such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Game Design and Entrepreneurship. A new Quantum Computing module is also currently in development and will be launched this year.

RGC Online's scholarships are intended to remove financial barriers and ensure pupils across Scotland can take part in the programme irrespective of their location and background. The scholarships will be awarded based on merit and financial need. 

Robin Macpherson, Head of Robert Gordon’s College, said: “At Robert Gordon’s College, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality education. By offering scholarships for RGC Online, we aim to remove financial barriers, ensuring pupils across the country can take part. A significant number of places are fully funded to facilitate social mobility and open up a gateway to future success in the growing tech sector.

“These scholarships are part of our ongoing commitment to making our education accessible to all students. We want to give young talent the opportunity to shine and learn from the brightest minds in technology.”

RGC Online has been created in response to the "major talent shortage" identified in the Scottish Government's Logan Review, which highlighted the need to provide young people with opportunities to learn National Qualification courses that they might not otherwise be able to study in their local school.

It has been developed in collaboration with tech industry experts and academic leaders from Robert Gordon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and will provide students with the same high standard of education offered by Robert Gordon’s College, one of Scotland's leading independent schools.

RGC Online is primarily a digital programme, with live lessons taught twice weekly, and online resources updated throughout the week. Students have the opportunity to attend a welcome workshop and will undertake key assignment work at Robert Gordon's College where they will benefit from the sector-leading tech resources available there.

The programme has been designed to enable students to study with like minded peers across the country, as well as encourage them to interact with their teacher and receive personalised feedback, just as they would in a classroom. 

Students will be enrolled in small classes to ensure a high degree of teacher support and will have access to comprehensive and engaging digital learning materials.

For more information about scholarships and the RGC Online programme, please visit www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/rgconline.