Levelling Up STEM
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A dedicated tutor and university mentor support your A-level studies through guided tutorials, mentoring and subject-focused activities in Physics, Mathematics or Computing. Most sessions run online, alongside two in-person visits to the university.
Levelling Up: STEM is a free support programme run by the University of Portsmouth for A-level (or equivalent) students who are under-represented in STEM. It is aimed at students who want to study Physics, Mathematics or Computing at university and is designed to run alongside students’ A-level studies, giving participants access to a dedicated tutor and a mentor from the University of Portsmouth.
Participants take part in regular guided tutorials, mentoring sessions and subject-focused activities to prepare them to apply for and succeed at university. Most sessions are delivered online, with two dedicated in-person visits to the University of Portsmouth.
Students join one of three parallel subject streams (Mathematics, Physics or Computing/Computer Science) and must meet the subject-specific entry criteria (A-levels or equivalent) for their chosen stream. The programme is targeted primarily at Year 12 students (Year 13 in Northern Ireland / S5 in Scotland) and prioritises applicants from Portsmouth and the surrounding area, those eligible for Free School Meals or the 16-19 bursary, care-experienced students, first-generation university applicants, students from low-progression neighbourhoods (POLAR/ACORN criteria), and students attending schools with low progression rates to higher education.
The university also particularly welcomes applications from Black heritage students, female students in some STEM subjects, and disabled students.
Location
- Are in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (the first year of A-level/equivalent studies)
- Currently living in the UK for a minimum of three years prior to application
- Be a UK national or have settled status (e.g., indefinite leave to remain), except where residence is wholly or mainly for full-time education
- Meet the subject-specific entry requirements for the chosen programme (Maths, Physics or Computing streams)
- Applicants in receipt of, or entitled to, Free School Meals or the 16-19 bursary are eligible
- Applicants who have experienced significant educational disruption (e.g., care leavers or care experienced) or who are irreconcilably estranged from both parents/carers may be eligible with supporting evidence
- Priority is given to students from Portsmouth and surrounding areas (loosely defined as within 20 miles and/or an hour or less travel time), though applications outside this area will be considered
- Priority given to applicants from neighbourhoods with low HE progression (POLAR4 Quintile 1, or Quintile 2 AND ACORN category 4 or 5)
- Priority for applicants who are first generation in their family to attend university
- Priority for students attending schools/colleges with low overall GCSE/A-level point scores or low progression rates to higher education
- The programme particularly welcomes applications from Black heritage applicants and female students in some STEM subjects, and from disabled students (reasonable adjustments available)
This is a free programme for participating students.
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