Widening Participation schemes give you access to

  • information about university options
  • workshops to develop your study skills
  • guidance on how to make a good application to university
  • activities such as e-mentoring and summer schools.

There are often significant benefits, such as support with your UCAS application or a guaranteed or reduced offer for a course at that university if you complete the scheme. Even if you do not apply to the university running the programme when you make your choices next year, you will have gained skills and information which will help your application to any university.

Selection for these programmes is done by the universities themselves and you must meet certain academic or eligibility criteria. However, if you think other extenuating circumstances have affected your studies, you may still be able to apply.

Current opportunities available include: 

  • Discover Sheffield
  • Reach for Excellence - Leeds
  • Aspiring Professionals Programmes - Social Mobility Foundation
  • First Generation Scheme - MMU
  • Manchester Access Programme
  • Newcastle Partners
  • York Access Scheme
  • Next Step York
  • Access to Leeds
  • Arts Emergency mentoring programme
  • Brightside Mentoring
  • Realising Opportunities
  • The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme
  • Pathways to Law
  • Edge Hill University Widening Access to Medicine
  • Access 2 Southampton

Read more about our Access and Widening Participation programmes here.


For more information about any of these programmes, or to check if you are eligible to apply, please contact Alex in Student Services (alex.noble@asfc.ac.uk).

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