Accelerate - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
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Want to fast-track your A-levels? Join Accelerate at Imperial: year-long mentoring in Chemistry and Physics (plus Maths), fortnightly online tutorials and cohort university prep - build stronger grades, research-ready skills and uni confidence.
Accelerate is a year-long academic and pastoral support programme run by Imperial College London for Year 12 students studying A-level Chemistry or Physics (and Maths). The programme is designed to stretch students academically, help them achieve top A-level grades, and prepare them for transition to research-intensive universities.
It combines fortnightly after-school online tutorials with cohort-wide university information and preparation sessions.
Each strand (Physics or Chemistry) uses a blend of pre-tutorial self-study material and small-group 1-hour online tutorials where tutors work through topics and provide targeted guidance. Participants will also attend online sessions on personal statements, student finance, student life Q&A, admissions tests and interviews, and mock interviews with staff or student ambassadors to build readiness for university applications.
The programme runs online from March 2026 to March 2027. Applicants may only apply to one strand (Physics or Chemistry). Applications are submitted via Imperial's Aspire system; supporting references from a parent/guardian and a teacher are required.
Decisions are expected to be released in early February 2026.
12 Jan 2026
01 Mar 2026 – 01 Mar 2027
2026-27 cohort
Location
- Must be in Year 12 at the time of application.
- Attending a state-funded, non fee-paying school or college.
- Studying Maths (compulsory) and either Physics (Physics strand) or Chemistry (Chemistry strand) at A-level.
- Expect to study a science, technology, engineering or mathematics subject at university.
- Have achieved a minimum of eight GCSEs with at least five at grades 7-9, including maths and sciences.
- Have achieved a minimum of grade 5 in GCSE English Language.
- Priority given to applicants who have been in care.
- Priority given to applicants who are estranged (live independently).
- Preference given to applicants who do not live near London.
- Applications assessed for factors including: being a young carer, family income below £50,000, eligibility for free school meals and/or pupil premium, first generation to attend higher education, living in POLAR4 Quintile 1 or 2 areas or IMD Quintile 1 areas, schools with high percentage of students receiving free school meals, and schools with below average attainment.
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