ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Why wait to start exploring your university options?
Our Sutton Scholars programme aims to support you in to university by providing early intervention. Each programme lasts for a minimum of two years and allows you to find out what university is all about, visit the campus, try out subjects and make well informed decisions now to help your future education.
Piloting in 2013, the programme now runs at five leading universities and enrols 640 new students each year.
Research has shown that by age 15 some high achieving students have already fallen behind and do not go on to meet their potential. We want to make sure that you achieve yours!
WHY ATTEND
Whilst each university has a unique programme of activities, every Sutton Scholars Student will be offered:
University campus visits: explore the campus, try out new subjects
Support in your decision making: choosing your GCSE and A-level subjects, keeping your options open
Information sessions for you and your parents/carers
The chance to meet students currently studying at university
WHO CAN APPLY
Students applying to Sutton Scholars must be attending a state school and meet two or more of the following academic criteria:
Achieved Level 5 in 3 out of 4 KS2 SATs (Reading, Writing, Maths and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) and/or Level 6 in one of the subjects
Be on track to achieve 5 or more A*/A and/or grades 6-9 at GCSE
Identified as part of a Gifted and Talented/Highly Able or equivalent cohort within school
Strong academic reference from their teacher
In addition, we are looking for students who:
Would be the first generation in their family to attend university
Have been in receipt of Free School Meals whilst at secondary school
Have attended schools with a lower than average progression to higher education, or a higher than average proportion of students who qualify for Free School Meals
Live in an area with low progression to higher education and/or high socio-economic deprivation
Have been looked after or in care
*The more of these criteria you meet, the more likely it is that you will be offered a place on the programme.
WHERE AND WHEN
Sutton Scholars runs for a minimum of two academic years. The programme is run for the following age groups:
University of Cambridge: Years 9-10 (age 13-15)
Imperial College London: Years 7-9 (age 11-14)
University of Nottingham: Years 7-9 (age 11-14)
University College London: Years 8-9 (age 12-14)
University of Warwick: Years 8-9 (age 12-14)
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
University of Nottingham
University College London
The University of Warwick
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for Sutton Scholars are managed by each university.
Cambridge, Imperial, Nottingham and Warwick work with students from targeted secondary schools. If you live in these areas speak to your school about getting involved.
UCL have open applications for young people living in London. Check their website for more details.
Applications typically take place at the start of each academic year: September
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
I didn’t think I would’ve come to scholars, I thought I’d be the ‘odd one’ – I wouldn’t fit in…I was wrong.
I couldn’t say thank you enough to Sutton Scholars. If anyone was to apply for this programme, just be yourself, you will guarantee make new friends whether in the same or a different group.
It’s an amazing team of mentors and they will most certainly take care of you as they did with us and the teams previous to us.
97% of Sutton Scholar graduates said that they would apply to university
95% of parents felt the programme would motivate their son/daughter with their studies
My first thoughts were that this would be an amazing experience and that I would learn lots from a university student perspective, and therefore this would prepare me for my near future. So far my experience at Sutton Scholars has been very enjoyable, I have met lots of new people including all the mentors on this programme. Furthermore, this programme has taught how to complete tasks at a university level and have given me clear feedback not only verbally but also through marking my homework. Finally I was able to test my communication, confidence and leadership skills as I presented and worked as part of a team.
Before I went to the Sutton Scholars programme, I thought it would be written lessons but instead it is fun and interactive. It is a different approach to learning which I really like as you study so many interesting topics. I think Sutton Scholars has gained me access to a wider range of opportunities that I am grateful to have as they will help me in higher education in future. I want to become a surgeon and hope to go to university and the Sutton Scholars programme has made me want to go to university definitely as it is a better future. University will enable me (to access) more jobs and opportunities for the future and I hope to make the most of it. I really enjoy Sutton Scholars and I am proud to be part of this amazing programme.
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