Our new and prestigious Scholars’ Programme will help develop key skills to enhance your application for competitive universities, increase your confidence, and get you ready for your next steps after College. It will seek to broaden your intellectual horizons and challenge ideas.
University Heads of Admissions often place considerable value on potential students who have participated in academic enrichment activities in and beyond their chosen subject area. This is because these students stand out from other applicants, who may have identical grades.
What is the The Scholars’ Programme?
The Scholars’ Programme is a unique programme, tailored to meet the needs of our high flying students, helping to prepare for progression to higher education and beyond. The syllabus will include subjects such as debates around science, the arts, politics (both national and global), economics, philosophy, culture and identity. Students will engage in debates, presentations and seminars – often given by academics teaching and researching in universities. Students will be encouraged to participate in external competitions, often run by universities, and where possible to attend summer schools. The College has established links with a number of universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Leeds, King’s College London, Lancaster and Edinburgh.
The Scholars’ Programme, alongside our Pre-Professional Programme, will support you in developing the core skills required for progression to university and employment.
These skills are:
- Presentation skills
- Lateral thinking skills
- Independent research
- Reading skills
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- The development of resilience and resourcefulness
Who is eligible for the Scholars’ Programme?
Students who achieve 5 A*/8/9 grades or more at GCSE are able to join the Scholars’ Programme. You will be invited to participate based on your GCSE grades, and there may be opportunity to join mid-year depending on your academic achievements and progress at College.
What are the key aspects of the Scholars’ Programme?
- Personalised support with applications for challenging and competitive universities
- Additional one-to-one ‘stretch and challenge’ work with your subject teachers
- Organised visits to the country’s top universities
- Academic guest speakers
- Access to university library online academic resources
- An opportunity to meet like-minded students from other colleges
- Involvement in external competitions, run by universities
An academic scholarship is also awarded to any student who qualifies for the Scholars’ Programme. Not only does each scholarship carry a sum of money to contribute to your academic studies, but you hold the prestigious title for the two years you are with us.
