Supporting
first gen students

First generation students are more likely to be from low-income backgrounds. Universities offer a range of schemes and opportunities to support these students to access university and get the most out of their experience. Here are just some examples from across the UK.

  • Foundation courses: ARU offers foundation courses and work closely with schools and colleges to ensure a smooth transition into university study. It also offers applicant and taster days.

    Welcome week: During welcome week, ARU invites colleagues from Study Skills Plus, the Library, Student Support and Student Disability services to ensure all students are aware of the support ARU offers.

    After graduation: ARU has a supportive alumni network and offers alumni discount for further study, as well as providing Assessed and Supported Year in Employment courses, courses in Practice Education, and an MSc.

  • BCU Accelerate: Those who come from a lower income family or household can access BCU’s Accelerate offer, an offer that is two grades below the university’s normal entry requirements, and the Accelerate scholarship. The scholarship is worth £1,000 and paid in three instalments across the first year of study to support students as they make the move from school or college.

    Santander Universities scholarships and grants: BCU’s partnership with Santander Universities has already provided £223,500 in scholarships and grants to support 242 students at BCU since 2019. The university is pledging to build on that commitment until 2025 at least, with ten students getting £1,000 per year.

    Centre for Academic Success: This online course helps students develop their academic skills. The course runs in addition to the qualification students are working towards and allows them to work on key academic skills at their own pace.

    Preparing for University hub: Provides information and support in everything from what to take to uni, how to make friends, as well as finance and budget and preparing for the academic side of university.

  • Widening Access and Participation Team: Durham’s team forms regional and national partnerships with schools, colleges and other relevant institutions and organisations and works with young people with little or no aspiration of higher education to encourage them to fulfil their potential.

    First Generation Scholars network: This network aims to celebrate and promote the achievements of people who are the first generation in their family to go to university. It also provides the extra support First Generation Scholars may need to negotiate university life and get the most from their time at Durham.

    Financial support: Durham’s scholarships and bursaries include the Durham Grant Scheme (a non-repayable bursary for UK undergraduate students whose family income is below a specific threshold) and a range of other scholarships designed to support students from low-income households.

  • First Generation Student Advisory Panel: This panel gives members an opportunity to share feedback and reflections on various aspects of their university experience, as well as inform the design and delivery of a wide range of university services. This is one of five equality, diversity and inclusion panels the university has set up.

  • Founded by a first-generation student in 2020, FirstGens is a Prince's Trust award-winning non-profit organisation supporting students who are the first person in their family to pursue university. In doing so, close the national higher education progression gaps across outcomes, access, completion, attainment, and graduate outcomes. In partnership with universities and graduate employers, FirstGens delivers a Navigating University programme and student membership, hosting a digital platform, unique events, webinars, workbooks, guides, support groups and mentoring with first-generation professionals. The tailored support assists first-generation students through the crucial transition to university to ensure they are equipped with the soft skills, and cultural capital to hit the ground running and make the most out of higher education.

  • Higher Horizons: based at Keele University, Higher Horizons has a mission of reaching out to school pupils across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, helping to deliver outreach projects and activities designed to engage young people and encourage them to attend university. Much of the work of Higher Horizons does is focused on young people who may be the first in their family to think about higher education, and are wholly from areas that are underrepresented in higher education.

  • Head Start programme: This programme aims to support the access, transition and success of individuals from groups underrepresented in higher education, including first generation students.

    Orientation programme: A series of events between July to September to help students become familiar with the university as well as the support services in place for mental wellbeing and academic support.

    Beyond Barriers student mentoring programme: Pairs industry professionals with students who, according to evidence, benefit most from having a mentor. Every year around 300 students from traditionally underrepresented groups are mentored on the scheme, including first generation students.

    Financial support: Scholarships include the Professor Sharat and Lilian Gangolli Scholarship for first generation students applying for MSc courses in the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, as well as the Salutem Scholarship which supports first-generation learning disability nursing and social work students.

  • Lancaster Access Programme and Realising Opportunities programme: This pre-arrival programme offers activities and experiences to allow students to develop key skills to support them in both their current studies and their progression to and success in higher education. Realising Opportunities is a national programme supporting widening participation students to consider and progress to research-intensive high tariff universities. Students who successfully complete the Lancaster Access Programme or Realising Opportunities receive a contextual offer from Lancaster of three grades below the advertised grades.

    Lancaster Success Programme: A coaching led programme which encourages students to develop their self-awareness and sense of belonging and to explore and celebrate their individual versions of success.

    Internships and work experience: Lancaster University provided 41 paid research internships for widening participation students across 36 projects and funded 1,300 hours of paid work experience for 33 Lancaster students from a widening participation background at the Dukes theatre to gain experience within the arts.

  • Outreach: Our Access and Widening Participation team organise a wide range of activities for young people which aim to increase their confidence to succeed in higher education. These include pre-16 events designed to increase knowledge in specific subject and to introduce students to new career and education routes that they may not have previously considered. Specific sessions include Science Circus, Boys into Health and Education, Women into Engineering, Politics Matters, and Arts Uncovered.

  • Inspire Programme: This includes subject focus days, post-16 presentations and personal statement advice and guidance.

    Post-16 summer school: First in generation is one of the criteria participants of Leeds Trinity’s summer school. In 2023 over 50% of participants identified as the first generation to go to university.

  • Student Futures team: Student Futures introduces first generation students to university life from their initial enquiry right though to induction. Liverpool Hope works in partnership with academic staff, Student Life and the Students’ Union to provide relevant preparatory information in our communications based on categories such as subject choice, their original locality and age.

    Induction Plus programme: The programme provides key information and videos to help students prepare for university life leading up to their arrival. This includes information on essay writing, critical writing, and plagiarism, while also introducing students to key services across the university.

  • Induction Plus programme: LSBU offers Personal Development Plans (PDPs) for every student. The PDP consists of a series of questions to help assess the student's areas of need, with a bespoke action plan generated.

  • First-generation scholarship programme: Launched in early 2017, Manchester Met’s programme recruits students in Year 12 from state schools across the North West of England, supporting around 500 Year 12s and 500 Year 13s each year. The programme provides a ‘university taster’ plus a series of development sessions to support learners as they consider their higher education options and apply for their chosen courses. Those who progress to Manchester Met through the programme receive a scholarship of £1,500 as well as targeted careers support and opportunities to engage with a wide range of alumni and employers.

  • Ready for Anything resources: Ready for Anything aims to ensure that students joining the university have everything they need to thrive. Resources includes materials, events, and signposting on reaching goals, advice on making the most of their experience and how to take care of their physical and mental health.

    Middlesex Student Starter Kit: As part of Middlesex’s financial support, this kit gives students the tools to kick-start their studies so that they worry less about the cost of living. Starter kit packages include a combination of laptop or iPad, a bursary grant, and food and drink vouchers worth up to £1,000 in total.

    Financial support: Bursaries are available to incoming students studying any subject at undergraduate level, with a smaller allocation for those studying at postgraduate level. Support has been expanded this year to include Middlesex Excellence Scholarships worth £6,000 for high achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds.

  • Higher Education Without Barriers fund: This fund provides a range of financial initiatives, mental health and wellbeing services and community-based projects to make participation and progression in higher education more achievable for academically talented students, regardless of their social or economic circumstances. This includes many first generation students. So far over £2.5 million has been raised for the fund and more than 2,000 students have benefitted from outreach activities, scholarships, hardship bursaries, mental health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as student volunteering and enterprise activities.

    IntoUniversity Centre: Embedded in the heart of the Newcastle community, this centre involves a unique collaboration between Northumbria University, Newcastle University, and IntoUniversity, a UK-based education charity, which aims to inspire young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress to higher education. Supporting young people aged between 7–18, it provides invaluable academic support, soft-skill development, and career support to enable young people to achieve a university place or another chosen aspiration. It benefits over 1,000 students a year through the delivery of after-school academic support sessions, aspiration-building workshops and a mentoring programme supported by current university students and professionals.

  • Taking your first steps into higher education: This is a free course which lasts about 8 weeks, with approximately 3 hours’ study time each week. The course provides students with insights into how subjects are studied at university. Students can work through the course at their own pace, so if they have more time one week there is no problem with pushing on to complete another week's study.

  • Brookes Engage: This national outreach programme for students in Year 12 or their first year of college provides a free subject based programme designed to support young people, including those who will become first generation students, with their next steps after school or college. This includes opportunities to join on-campus conference days alongside online sessions, mentoring from current Oxford Brookes students, a contextual offer and a £1,000 scholarship in their first year of study at Oxford Brookes for those who complete the programme. This can be of particular help to first generation students who might require this additional support in being able to enter higher education.

  • Financial support: Queen Mary’s provides an annual bursary of up to £1,700 for the duration of the course for students whose household income is below £35,000. It also provides a hardship fund to support students who are experiencing financial hardship and a travel bursary for students from groups underrepresented in higher education.

    Outreach: The university provides summer schools and is proactive in community outreach, particularly in our borough of Tower Hamlets borough. This helps us to reach students who may never have thought about attending university onto campus.

    Mentoring: The university offers students, particularly those on bursaries, a mentor from our alumni or industry partner communities. This support is invaluable in helping our students, particularly those who are first in family, navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by student life.

  • Junior Academy: This programme offers a range of focused interactive activities to nominated pupils in Years 9 to 12, with the aim of supporting their attainment and raising their aspirations to attend university. The programme incorporates a range of on-campus tours and activities, as well as a variety of subject based taster days, before focusing on exam preparation.

    Senior Academy: The Senior Academy is for Year 13 into Year 14 students across Northern Ireland and enrols over fifty pupils nominated by either their teachers, Head of Year or Head of Careers, to take part in the programme of activities, workshops and events designed to develop academic skills and their understanding and knowledge of university.

    Pathway Opportunity Programme: Since 2017, the programme has seen nearly 1500 students pass through its Pathways, receiving support in study and academic skills, university applications and confidence building activities. Students have the chance to receive a reduced grade conditional offer or a guaranteed interview (where applicable) and receive a £1000 Kilwaughter Minerals Bursary to help them with their studies at Queen’s University Belfast.

    Widening Participation Mentoring Programme: This assists university students from underrepresented groups to connect with an employer or industry professional. The programme supports students with ‘real world’ advice, guidance and practical information on a one-to-one basis.

  • School partnership programme: This programme includes creative masterclasses and projects, as well as support with applying to university, portfolio development and preparing for interviews.

    Outreach: Targeted at learners from underrepresented backgrounds, the Make it Ravensbourne programme includes holiday schools, Saturday clubs and portfolio projects.

    Enhanced welcome programme: Ravensbourne identifies learners who are ‘at risk’ and use a diagnostic tool to understand students’ prior learning experiences and ensure that this informs transition, welcome and induction.

    Financial support: The university provides targeted bursaries for students most at risk through cost pressures. The student services team also run financial information, advice and guidance sessions to help students manage their money.

  • Student Centre: Central’s Student Centre offers advice and guidance on topics including finance and accommodation student advice, neuro-inclusion and disability, and counselling services.

    After graduation: The university has an engaged alumni network and provides opportunities including Central's Emerging Graduates Programme help to ensure that graduates remain part of the university community.

  • Financial support: Before arriving, first generation offer holders can apply for one of the RCA’s 200+ financial need scholarships. Parental or carer occupational background and/or educational attainment is included within the university’s definition of disadvantage.

    Career advice: The RCA’s careers advisers support first generation students and graduates to develop more 'career vision' looking towards their professional future.

  • Step into Success: This is Solent’s widening participation programme targeting 5–13-year-olds in schools and specific hard-to-reach community groups. The programme seeks to de-mystify university, instil confidence, and give young people the belief that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

    Guidance and support: This includes work experience, mentoring and development opportunities from both in and outside the university.

    Lifestyle support: To limit the pressure students are facing, Solent offers workshops focused on financial empowerment, a community pantry that offers essential food and household items, and a utilities bursary that responds to the current economic climate.

  • Staffs CampusConnect app: Staffordshire’s app provides offer holders with the opportunity to connect with other students before they start. Academic mentors support the transition to university and offer help to get to grips with studying and learning independently.

    After graduation: After their course ends, graduates can access bespoke one-to-one support and events to explore career options, apply for and secure work in their field.

  • Financial support: Teesside University offers two scholarships where preference is given to first generation students. The Professor Leni Oglesby scholarship offers £6,000 for biomedical science, health science or pharmaceutical science and the Teesside Charity Scholarship offers £5,000 to undergraduates studying courses within Teesside University International Business School.

    First-generation student guide: This guide offers advice on aspects of university life that first generation students may not be as familiar with.

  • UAL Insights: This is the university's outreach programme offering young people access to our colleges for creative activities and pre-university advice and guidance. UAL works with partner schools and further education colleges in Greater London to offer students at pre-16 and post-16 level access to creative programmes that will help to develop their skills and experiences as young creatives. The programmes are open to students studying art and design subjects at our partner schools and colleges and whose parents or guardians have not completed a university degree.

  • Pathways to Birmingham (P2B): This is a suite of programmes designed to help support students from underrepresented groups (including first generation students who meet an additional two eligibility criteria) learn more about higher education and access degree programmes at the University of Birmingham. As well as providing access to campus visits, undergraduate student mentors, academic taster sessions and insights into university life and study, students who complete a P2B programme will benefit from receiving an alternative offer to study at Birmingham, which is typically up to two grades below the standard offer, as well as enhanced funding that is currently up to an additional £3500 per year of study dependent on personal circumstances.

    Birmingham Scholars: Students who completed a P2B programme prior to entry are enrolled on to a programme called Birmingham Scholars once a student at Birmingham. Birmingham Scholars benefit from enhanced academic support, opportunities for personal growth and development such as international trips, organised social activities and enhanced careers support and guidance during their time at Birmingham.

    Progression coaching: The University of Birmingham offers support to final year Birmingham Scholars to address confidence in making a decision and preparing for life beyond graduation. Beyond graduation, the university continues this support by providing the opportunity for Birmingham Scholar students to apply for a paid graduate internship at the university, with wrap around support to help with transition to further opportunities following the placement.

  • Open days and mentoring: The University of Cambridge hosts open days for students thinking of applying and offers a mentoring scheme to help underrepresented or first generation students prepare their applications. Each college also provides a student mentor when they arrive to start their degree courses.

    Financial support: The university offers bursary support to those on lower incomes through the Cambridge Bursary Scheme.

  • Preparing for university: UCLan works closely with schools that are based in areas of low progression to higher education, offering workshops, mentoring and campus visits, which help students understand university life and the application process. It also support transport costs, which are often a barrier in bringing students onto campus for these activities.

    Return to Study entry programme: This programme allows people who lack the formal qualifications to apply for a related degree to join a free, fast-track Return to Study programme. The part-time taster courses run across a range of subject areas aimed at people over the age of 21 who can demonstrate the qualities and skills required to work in a particular career but may not have existing formal level 3 qualifications.

    UCLan Scholars Programme: This is a compact scheme for Year 12 students across the North West, aiming to support access to university. 44% of those who applied to the programme have stated they are the first in their family to go to university.

    Financial support: UCLan’s bursary and scholarship schemes include medical scholarships and a care leaver and estranged student bursary.

  • Transition mentor programme: This programme is particularly aimed at supporting students part of UCL’s widening participation efforts, such as first generation students. As first gen students don’t have a family member who can tell them what to expect and how to navigate things like the first term, a transition mentor (a current second- or third-year student) fills this student need.

    Student support and wellbeing service: This service provides pre-arrival support via a Student Adviser network, helping all first year students transition into university life, particularly first-generation students.

  • Outreach: The university’s Widening Access team works closely with local schools to engage young people, improve their attainment, support their achievement, and raise their awareness of higher education and alternative progression. All new Derby students receive a university induction to support their transition into university life.

  • ‘Preparing for’ programmes: These support potential students in being ready to enter higher education.

    Start of Year programme: This programme includes UEA’s HeadStart Programme and Welcome Week, and is designed to ensure that all new students transition successfully into living and studying at UEA.

    Student Information Zone (SIZ): At the heart of UEA campus, students can find the university’s team of Student Information Advisers who can help with topics including course queries, wellbeing and finance.

    UEA Study Abroad: This scheme offers financial support for those from widening participation groups for both short- and long-term opportunities to study abroad.

    CareerCentral: This service offers support for graduates three years after they leave UEA, and for student enterprise projects for up to five years, as well as supporting career development activities for students with financial constraints.

  • Department of Government events: The Department of Government hosts a programme of events throughout the academic year, including fortnightly academic, personal, and professional development sessions. These cover diverse themes including writing skills, citation and academic integrity, structuring assignments, engaging with literature, presenting, exam skills, careers guidance, learning from peers, building a CV, and promoting other university services.

  • Outreach: As part of the university’s school and college work, the university gives higher priority for advice and guidance to those schools and colleges with a high (>70%) proportion of POLAR4 Q1 applicants, as identified within UCAS Exact, at both 16–18 and 11–16 levels.

    Progression programmes: The university runs a wide range of progression programmes including Realising Opportunities, Pathways to Law and the own in-house programme AccessLeicester: Medicine and STEM. These target students from the local area and London from underrepresented backgrounds to support progression into higher education.

  • Liverpool Advocate Scheme: The university prioritises students from ‘widening participation’ backgrounds in recruitment of Liverpool Advocates who are paid to support work across the university. Liverpool Advocates lead campus tours, support classroom sessions, deliver talks, support Open Days, offer summer school support, assist with events, facilitate sessions and act as attainment mentors, supporting school and college students on outreach programmes to prepare for their exams. Advocates inspire the young people we work with by sharing their journeys to higher education, acting as positive role models, and acting as a bridge between school/college and university.

    Support for care experienced students: Many care experienced students are first-generation. When care experienced students arrive on campus Liverpool offers bespoke Welcome Week activities, a named contact in student support (offering wellbeing appointments, advice about bursaries and acting as first point of contact for any issues), accommodation support, including a discount on fees, priority access, 365-day accommodation, flexible move in dates and support with requirements for a guarantor and a Care Leavers Opportunity Bursary.

    Disrupted Education Programme: This programme supports young people who have experienced significant personal barriers to their education including young carers, care experienced young people, those estranged from their families, asylum seekers, refugees and children from military families and young people from Traveller backgrounds. These young people are provided with support in applying and then once on a course at Liverpool they have priority access to 365-day accommodation and financial support. They are also prioritised for working on the Liverpool Advocate Scheme.

  • Manchester Access Programme: This is the University of Manchester's flagship post-16 widening access scheme. The majority of students on the programme are first-in-family.

    The University of Manchester is also part of IntoUniversity Salford Central. See: University of Salford

  • Financial support: The university offers financial support to students from underrepresented groups. This helps students access higher education and continue studying until their course is completed. For example, the UON bursary applies to all qualifying students paying £9,250 tuition fees from households with an income of below £25,000.

  • Financial support: The University of Plymouth has more than 60 different scholarship and bursary funds available to students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

  • ‘Welcome Social’ for all new first-generation students: The University of Reading invites first generation students personally to the event. The aim of the social is to provide a network for like-minded students and to offer any support they may need as they make that all important transition into university life. The university’s event this year included talks from academics and STaR mentors (current students who help new students with their start at university), all of whom were first generation students and able to share their experiences.

  • Plug into Salford: This is a programme for first year students who are the first person in their family to go to university and have no family background of higher education. This project is designed to support transition from college into student life. Students not only receive a £1000 bursary to help support their studies, but also a programme of support delivered by the university's outreach team as well as other stakeholders. Activities include introductions to university services and where to find them; workshops led by university staff and external speakers and tailored around the needs of first-generation students; networking and icebreaker sessions to get to know staff, other students, and student ambassadors and finally, peer mentoring.

    IntoUniversity Salford Central: In Autumn 2022, in collaboration with the University of Salford and the University of Manchester, IntoUniversity opened its first centre in Salford. This new centre has the potential to transform the lives of over a thousand disadvantaged young people in Salford each year. The centre will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue new education and career pathways. In 2020, 71% of IntoUniversity school leavers achieved a place at university, compared to just 26% for students from a similar disadvantaged background nationally.

  • Experience Sheffield Scholarships: These scholarships of £3,600 each to undergraduate and £5000 to postgraduate students, awarded on widening participation criteria that includes students who are carers, from care, participated in outreach schemes, low income, Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group. All scholarships are provided through philanthropic donations.

    Law Family Ambition Scheme: This is a five-year programme of impactful interventions and support for those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds provided through a philanthropic gift. The scheme supports to students before they come to university, during university and after graduating. It includes summer schools, maths mentoring, career coaching, mentor support and work experience.

  • My Generation Career Coaching: This scheme recognises the unique perspective and skills of our first gen students and helps them reach their career goals. Launched in 2019 to support students who are the first person in their family to attend university, the project aims to address unique challenges that first generation students face, enabling them to be more prepared in transitioning towards the graduate labour market and their career goals.

    Ignite Your Success: This is the University of Southampton’s flagship widening participation programme, helping to create a fairer future for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first gen families. It offers a blend of financial, academic, career and personal opportunities to help students reach their full potential and achieve their ambitions in life. So far, Ignite has supported 90 students – with 63% being the first generation from their family to attend university.

    Social Mobility Network: The Social Mobility Network has been created as a dedicated space for likeminded individuals (students and staff) who self-define as either currently being from, or originating from, a low socioeconomic background. Those in the network can inform and create change that will benefit students and staff at the University of Southampton who are from income or class backgrounds that traditionally experience more obstacles. The group has a podcast: The Class Ceiling.

  • Flying Start: This programme offers students the opportunity to learn about the university, support available, and teaching and learning prior to arrival and prepare themselves to transition into higher education. The content is interactive and allows students to engage with different media while still developing understanding of the university’s virtual learning environment. It also offers opportunities for students to engage with support before they arrive to enable them to have an easy transition once on campus.

  • Surrey Stars: This is a strategic attainment raising programme consisting of targeted literacy, numeracy and oracy interventions for eligible learners and an Aspirations Curriculum for all students embedded in the school. The programme was co-created with headteachers and senior leadership team members responsible for disadvantage, from 8 key partner secondary schools identified as having a higher than average number of student eligible for free school meals and/or a wider than average GCSE attainment gap.

    Surrey Scholars: This is a sustained and progressive programme of year-on-year extra-curricula activity for eligible students in years 9–13. It aims to provide a seamless outreach experience of pre and post-16 activity which enables learners to foster a sense of belonging and familiarity, and prepares and supports students to transition to post-16 study and higher education.

  • Outreach: The university works with around 50 schools in the greater London area with a higher than average number of pupils in receipt of free school meals. The team deliver a range of general and subject-specific aspiration raising activities both on and off campus with these schools to build awareness of potential study routes, address barriers that may prevent these students from progressing to higher education and build confidence and a sense of belonging to the university environment.

    Personal and professional development: There are also several initiatives and schemes designed to help Westminster’s students' personal and professional development, improve employability and help build and develop transferable skills. Personal Tutors and dedicated careers consultants offer one-to-one advice and help students to make the most of the opportunities and support services available across the university.

  • UWE Bristol provides first-generation students access to the FirstGens Navigating University Programme. This is the only programme of activities in the UK designed to support the challenges first-generation students experience while navigating university. WE Bristol provides first-generation students access to the FirstGens’ Navigating University Programme which welcomes first-generation students from across the UK to charter a new journey together. The programme was designed by FirstGens in response to their research, which highlighted the common challenges first-generation students encounter.

    The 6-month programme provides pre-arrival and on-course support, following a bespoke curriculum called the First To Do It Roadmap, which includes events, webinars, guides, on-demand content, peer group chats, and mentoring with first-generation professionals. Content has been collated by a national and diverse community of first-generation graduates, which provides a structured, step-by-step roadmap to support every step of the journey and assist with overcoming common socioeconomic challenges experienced by first-generation students. The programme has been improving students’ engagement with university services, connection to 1st-year employer opportunities, soft skills, sense of belonging and confidence to continue into their second year at university.

  • Compact scheme: First-generation students from partner schools and colleges are eligible for Winchester’s compact scheme which offers a guaranteed offer (including the opportunity to request a lower contextualised offer) or invitation to interview, guaranteed housing, support with transition and an extra £100 in support.

    Support for students: Once enrolled, first generation students are also invited to access several schemes including academic peer-skills (SMART) buddies, the Winchester Employability Fund and Study Abroad funding. Some first-generation students will also be eligible for our widening participation bursaries depending on their household income or status as a care-leaver, estranged student, young adult carer or Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater (GTRSB).

  • Children’s University programme: The university works with schools across the region to support year 5 and 6 pupils and their parents to take part in co-curricular activity and engage with the language of university.

    Prepare to Succeed: This is an immersive programme targeting mature students. It provides a taster of life at university and explores what it takes to become a nurse, midwife, paramedic, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or podiatrist. The programme includes practical workshops, discussion groups, lectures, simulation and online tutorials as well as academic guidance. Through their participation in the programme the students gain confidence and skills that help them succeed when they make the transition to higher education.

  • Opportunity and Excellence: This is York St John’s contextual offers scheme, introduced in 2018 to enable the university to look at the wider background factors that university applicants may have to overcome, alongside their academic potential.

    Kickstart Programme: As students progress through their studies, development opportunities are designed to encourage, support and enable them as they navigate unfamiliar territory. This programme deliberately demystifies 'business' language to make the concept of enterprise as accessible as possible. Student feedback and engagement has shown that getting this kind of support from across the institution fosters belonging and benefits our community.