Queen's University Belfast Pathway Opportunity Programme
Queen's University Belfast
Apply NowWant a head start on uni life and your future career? Join Queen's University Belfast's Pathway Opportunity Programme to explore subject teaching, hands-on workshops, mentoring and a summer school—build uni-ready skills, get careers guidance from academics, and connect with peers and staff.
The Pathway Opportunity Programme at Queen's University Belfast is a targeted higher-education access programme for students in the first year of a two-year Level 3 qualification. It offers academic teaching, workshops, mentoring and a compulsory series of events (including a summer school for each pathway) designed to give participants insight into university-level study and life at Queen's.
Participants benefit from subject-specific teaching and careers guidance from Queen's academics and support services, opportunities to meet peers from across Northern Ireland, and enhanced transition support for higher education. Successful participants may receive a guaranteed conditional offer or interview for a course within their pathway, potential reductions in offer grades depending on performance, and access to scholarships and pathway-specific opportunities.
The programme is targeted at students ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland who meet specified academic and contextual criteria (see eligibility). Applications are submitted via an online form; applicants are advised to prepare their qualification details and references before applying and to follow the Pathway information for their chosen subject.
29 Sept 2026
01 Jan 2027 – 31 Dec 2027
2027 Programme
Location
- Be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.
- Be in full-time education at a school or college in Northern Ireland.
- Currently be in year 1 of a two-year Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-levels).
- Neither parent has attended university nor obtained an undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
- Achieved a minimum of five Level 2/GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above including GCSE English Language (with limited acceptable equivalents).
- Meet any Level 2/GCSE subject-specific requirements for courses on the chosen Pathway.
- Currently studying the relevant combination of Level 3 qualifications for admission to courses within the chosen Pathway.
- Aspire to pursue higher education specifically at Queen’s University Belfast.
- Programme is open to students aged 16–19.
- Additionally eligible if meeting at least one of Section B: eligible for free school meals (FSM) or EMA within last 2 years; a carer; live in a NISRA-defined area of disadvantage; a 'Newcomer' pupil; a Refugee or Asylum Seeker; Care Experienced (automatic offer if Section A met); or have substantial experience with social/work/statutory support services.
Participants may receive a £1,000 Kilwaughter Foundation bursary awarded during their first semester at Queen's.
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