Turning student talent into real-world impact
UNIFORCE brings together students from across Scotland to collaborate on real-world sustainability challenges while developing skills that strengthen their future employability.
What is UNIFORCE?
UNIFORCE is a student-led initiative that brings together students from across Scotland to work on real-world sustainability challenges in teams.
It is about using your skills to make a difference, gain practical experience and boost your employability.
Students from participating universities are challenged to address real-world issues by developing projects over a period of 8 weeks that foster innovation, build communities and strengthen Scotland’s economic workforce.
Who can take part?
UNIFORCE is open to current students and recent graduates from the five participating Scottish universities:
- University of Stirling
- Robert Gordon University
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of the West of Scotland
Discover the UNIFORCE Programme
Find out how the programme works, what participants gain and answers to frequently asked questions.
UNIFORCE’s core purpose is to empower Scotland’s university students through hands-on, project-based learning, championing a ‘learn by doing’ approach that builds practical skills and boosts career readiness.
It provides an engaging and dynamic platform where students can:
- Enhance employability by developing valuable professional skills through practical experience, paving the way for future career success.
- Tackle global challenges with confidence and competence by applying innovative problem-solving to real-world themes.
- Develop expertise in project initiation, execution, resilience and teamwork.
- Build a sense of community and collaboration across universities.
- Experience a realistic environment in which to develop and practise professional competencies associated with project management delivery and implementation.
- Gain an opportunity to be mentored and work alongside experienced project professionals while developing interpersonal qualities.
- Develop knowledge of the success criteria required to deliver a successful project.
- Strengthen presentation skills by creating and delivering a project pitch to a live audience of employers and peers.
- Enhance your learning experience within corporate and further education environments.
- Participants are required to form a team of 3–7 members to propose and execute a project of their choice aligned with this year’s theme.
- Academics will serve as the judging panel and elected officers from the participating universities will form the review board.
- Throughout the challenge, participating student groups will submit structured reports at various stages to track progress.
Project Proposal (750 words) — A detailed plan of the project’s lifecycle and objectives.
Mid-Term Report (500 words) — A progress report after four weeks of the project.
Final Report (350 words) — An evaluation of project outcomes against predefined success criteria.
The challenge will celebrate winners throughout the programme.
- Student participants will have the chance to pitch their projects to potential employers and network with industry professionals.
- Teams will be featured on our website and social media channels.
- Thanks to our sponsorship by UNISON, the winning team will receive a £200 cash prize.
- All participants will be awarded certificates based on achievements in the following categories: Innovation Excellence, Community Impact, Future-Focused Solutions, Energy Efficiency Recognition and Global Sustainability Contribution.
- Our partnership with ISCANET provides all announced finalists access to ISCANET’s Premium Pack, with up to 12 weeks of cutting-edge tools designed to elevate their personal and professional edge during and after the programme.
- Most importantly, participants will gain professionally recognised UK work experience and develop key skills such as project management, teamwork and communication — great experience for your CV and future employers.
Is there a maximum number of team members?
Yes. Teams must have between 3 and 7 members.
I’m interested but don’t have a team. Can I still apply?
Absolutely. If you're a student or recent graduate from one of the participating universities, we can help you connect with others from your institution to form a team based on availability.
What counts as a recent graduate?
Anyone who graduated within the last two years.
Can my team work on a project we’ve designed ourselves?
Yes. This is at the heart of the programme. You're encouraged to propose and execute original, innovative ideas that address real-world challenges for Scotland.
I’m not a student at one of the participating universities but study at another Scottish university. Can I join?
Yes, but with a condition. You can join if you're part of a team made up mostly of participants from the official universities. That means at least 3 out of 4 team members, or 5 out of 7 team members, must belong to participating institutions. Eligibility can be verified through student email addresses.
Can we choose any challenge or are there set themes?
You’ll have full creative freedom within the overarching theme: Projects for a Sustainable Scotland. Whether you're interested in tech, social inclusion, creative arts, environmental impact, health or education, your team can define the challenge you want to tackle.
What support is available during the 8-week challenge?
Each team will have access to submission templates for proposals, mid-term reports and final reports, together with optional outreach support. Your Students' Association may also offer access to space, equipment or skill-based workshops.
Is the challenge graded or assessed like coursework?
No grades — just impact. Projects are reviewed by a jury panel including academics and sector experts. Awards recognise areas such as innovation, community impact, future-focused solutions, energy efficiency and sustainability.
What do winning teams receive?
Participants can receive certificates, cash prizes, sponsor-supported opportunities, formal pitching opportunities at the Award Night and recognised professional UK work experience to strengthen employability, organisational and business management skills.
Can non-Scottish students apply?
Eligibility is currently limited to students based in Scotland, whether domestic or international, who are officially enrolled at or graduated within the past two years from an eligible Scottish institution.
What’s the expected project timeline?
Proposal submissions run from August–October 2025. The programme runs from 15 October to 15 December 2025, followed by final presentations and the Award Ceremony in Edinburgh in January 2026.