St Andrews Business School student scoops top social mobility award

A third-year Business School student at St Andrews who has carried a huge burden of responsibility caring for his grandparents throughout his life as well as coping with a disability was recognised for achieving exceptional academic performance at the sixth annual Student Social Mobility Awards in London this week.

Leonardo Dhinsa, from Derby, is an only child, raised by his mother and grandparents. After his grandfather’s death when Leonardo was 14, he took on the responsibility of caring for his grandmother, including taking a year out after Sixth Form College to care for her during ill health. After his grandmother’s health recovered, he took the big step of moving 350 miles away to study for a BSc in Economics at St Andrews.

Despite the distance, he is in constant touch with his family and has responded to recurring health emergencies.

Leonardo has also shown the same high level of commitment to his studies and ranked first in his cohort in his first year. His exam marks have earned him a place on the Deans’ List two years in a row as well as winning the William Blair Memorial Prize in his first year and the Nisbet Prize in his second year.

During this time, he has also forged ahead with a career as a computer programmer, setting up and running his own software development company.

All of this, he said, would not have been possible without the support of staff and fellow students at St Andrews.

He said: “St Andrews has supported me in everything I do. The University has assured me that if I ever struggle with my responsibilities, they will be right behind me to prop me up. Knowing you have that safety net is invaluable. Also, being a student with a disability in his hand, the University enables me to perform to the best of my ability; the disability advisors at Student Services have been incredible!”

Commenting on his academic and entrepreneurial success Leonardo said: “I have had three significant contracts, and my clients have used my software to serve the NHS, various football teams, and food producers. For my most recent project, I have been able to take on an intern, assisting a University student I used to tutor in getting experience and building her portfolio as a programmer.”

Speaking about the Social Mobility Awards, he added: “Winning the 2024 Student Social Mobility Award for Academic Achievement is a huge honour and standing up on the stage was a validating moment, reminding me that I was right to never give up and that there is a space where my dedication and persistence to overcome adversity can be accepted and celebrated.

“I now want to give something back and utilise this award to enhance further the perception of what is possible for everyday people. It will also serve as a springboard for my future career, as I can show employers that I have gained prestigious recognition amongst my peers.”