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The Brilliant Club works to widen access to highly-selective universities within the UK for students from underrepresented backgrounds. It achieves this through The Scholars Programme. The programme involves the recruitment, training and placing of doctoral researchers in non-selective state schools and colleges, providing students in Year 6, right the way up to Year 12, with the knowledge, skills and ambition to be able to gain a place in a leading university.

Feedback from teachers

“The students developed their subject knowledge, confidence, research and presentation skills as well as academic writing. These were skills previously untouched before the programme so all the students involved made exceptional progress in common skills required to be successful at further or higher education.” - Able and Talented Coordinator, The Cooperative Academy of ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.

About the partnership

ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ has partnered with The Brilliant Club to run programmes within the region, to enable our researchers to communicate their research to students and help develop students’ research skills.

Through The Scholars Programme, students take part in university-style tutorials and undertake a project assignment with doctoral researchers. Over a period of several months this is completed in-school. At the end of the programme, students will visit a local university for a graduation trip, where they will meet staff and students as well as take part in a campus tour.

Findings

In 2018, The Brilliant Club released the findings of an independent control group evaluation by UCAS. Data showed that 58% of pupils eligible for free school meals secured a place at a highly-selective university, compared to a national average of 11%. Further, when compared to a control group with matched characteristics including gender, ethnicity and prior attainment, UCAS reported that pupils who completed the programme were “significantly more likely to secure a place at a highly-selective university”.

Please visit website to find out how to get involved.

IntoUniversity began in 2002 and currently operates in 41 centres across England and Scotland. 61% of students who engage with IntoUniversity progress to higher education compared with 28% of students from similar backgrounds nationally. In 2022-23, 52,400 children and young people were supported across its national network of centres.

About the partnership

ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ partnered with IntoUniversity in 2018 as a way of engaging with local communities and their young people and families, in a sustained and meaningful way. ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ now partners with two IntoUniversity centres; IntoUniversity ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ North and IntoUniversity Salford. This has been made possible through the generous funding of donors who, with the University, are committed to making a difference in our local community. 

IntoUniversity centres work with 7-18 year olds across three main programmes:  

• Academic Support – Academic Support sessions take place after school and help young people to become curious, independent and successful learners. The centre provides a quiet and safe place to study, as well as skilled tutors, volunteers and educational resources which many students do not have access to at home. Many of the volunteers are current University of ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ students so can offer information and advice about higher education pathways. Primary students enjoy learning about different degrees each term, which covers English and Maths National Curriculum goals. Secondary students come to complete their homework and revision or complete the Future Readiness Award. This award is designed to build the skills necessary to be a more independent learner and prepare students for university or any other chosen future path.
• Focus – Through a range of workshops, study weeks and career engagement activities young people’s minds are opened to the transformative power of education. Students can find out about the world of work and the many different careers which will be available to them in the future. Focus weeks involve a visit to the University with workshops and a tour of the campus.
• Mentoring – Students are paired with University of ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ students and young professionals who provide one-to-one academic and pastoral support. Mentors are motivating role models and help students to develop confidence and other soft skills.

Results

IntoUniversity ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ North, based in Harpurhey, north ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, opened its doors to students in November 2018. Since the funding partnership began, the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ North centre have worked with 3,188 unique students. In 2022-23, the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ centre worked with 1,324 students; 800 primary aged students, and 524 secondary students. In 2023, data showed that 65% of IntoUniversity ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ North students progress to HE, in comparison to 28% of the local average.

IntoUniversity Salford opened in 2022. In its first year the centre worked with 997 individual students. In 2023, data showed that 66% of IntoUniversity Salford students progress to HE, in comparison to 20% of the local average. The national average of progression to HE is 44%.

Since the partnership began, we have had 234 IntoUniversity alumni study at ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.

To learn more and to get involved, please visit the website.

We work with NWGT to provide support for able learners and their teachers, parents and carers. NWGT works alongside HE institutions to enrich, extend and challenge the abilities of gifted and talented young people, aiming to improve the attainment, aspirations and motivation of these bright young learners.

To find out more about the work of NWGT, please visit the .

The Access All Areas (AAA) programme is a student-led initiative coordinated by the Students’ Union, and part-funded by the University, that seeks to tackle educational barriers facing students from WP backgrounds. Our students work with a range of schools, colleges and organisations across Greater ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ and run projects to improve widening participation in higher education.

The programme aims to tackle educational inequalities within local communities, whilst simultaneously providing our students with valuable volunteering experience, development for teachers and activities for targeted learners (care leavers, disabled learners and young carers).

Access All Areas’ success centres on its student-led approach which allows our students to deliver the projects they’ve created and developed.

Examples of projects include:

• Reading Mentors – students volunteer in a local primary school to support pupils with their reading confidence and skills.
• Dentists in Primary Schools – dentistry students deliver workshops at local primary schools, focusing on topics such as ‘Correct Brushing Technique’, ‘The Structure of Teeth’ and ‘Visiting the Dentist’.
• Travelab – volunteers showcase engaging science experiments in local libraries to highlight the fun and benefits of studying STEM subjects in higher education.
• LIGHTSS - students volunteer in a local secondary school to support young people preparing to take their science GCSEs.
• ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Outreach Medics – current medicine students share practical insights on applying to, and securing a place on, medicine courses in higher education.

Find out more on the .

Nuffield research placements are funded by the Nuffield Foundation and delivered by STEM Learning. They are engaging, hands-on research projects, where Year 12 students have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards the work of a host organisation. They offer the opportunity for students to apply skills and knowledge learned at school and work alongside researchers and industry professionals to:

• develop subject understanding alongside research and quantitative skills to expand career prospects;
• enhance UCAS personal statements and applications to university. An has shown Nuffield research placements increase access to university courses in STEM subjects;
• learn more about higher education and different career paths;
• apply for a or the . 

Every summer we're pleased to host a large number of placement students at ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ across a range of our research areas in science, quantitative social science, business, computing, technology, engineering and maths. 

• Find out .