Some institutions offer supported entry schemes to students who apply to study a course with them. There are also national supported entry schemes available, like Realising Opportunities and the Sutton Trust. These schemes often include a summer school or a series of workshops on campus, where students will get a taster of their chosen subject and the opportunity to experience student life. Students are often required to complete a piece of work as part of the scheme, such as an extended essay.
Most supported entry schemes are for students in Year 12 or their first year of college, but some accept Year 13 or equivalent students.
In some cases students are given a lower grade offer upon completion of the scheme. Where this is not the case the skills and experiences a young person gains are beneficial to applying to a higher education course and academic success generally.
Some of these schemes have certain entry requirements which can include:
- Living in a neighbourhood where progression to higher education is low;
- Parent/carers’ experience of higher education;
- Being in receipt of free school meals;
- The school or college they attend;
- Experience of local authority care;
- Being estranged from family;
- Being a young carer.
In some cases there are academic criteria that must be met for a student to be eligible.
