Reminder: Queen’s Pathway Opportunity Programme
- Posted by Fearghal Quinn
- Posted in Careers Blog
Applications must be submitted by Friday 11th November
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME:
The Pathway Opportunity Programme has been supporting students since it began in 2017. Since then, it has seen over 1000 students pass through its Pathways, receiving support in study and academic skills, university applications and confidence building activities. The Pathway Opportunity Programme gives you, as a student, the chance to study a little of your chosen subject on campus at Queen’s University Belfast in order to prepare you for the transition to university life.
In the Pathway Programme, year 13 students benefit from a structured series of events designed to aid progression to Queen’s University Belfast including 6 one-day events, one session of self-paced coursework and a week-long summer school. Through this process they work within one of 13 Pathway subject areas, learning more about that subject and about university life in general. The subject Pathways are:
- AHSS Pathway (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)
- BioSci Pathway (Biological Sciences)
- Business Pathway
- Computer Science Pathway
- Engineering Pathway
- Law Pathway
- MPS Pathway (Mathematics & Physical Sciences Pathway)
- MDBS Pathway (Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences Pathway)
- NBE Pathway (Natural and Built Environment Pathway covering Architecture, Planning, Geography and Archaeology)
- Nursing and Midwifery Pathway
- Pharmacy Pathway
- Psychology Pathway
- Social Work Pathway
Upon successful completion of the programme the students benefit from a guaranteed conditional offer or a guaranteed interview for a course at Queen’s within their Pathway subject area. They may also be eligible for a reduced offer of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below the standard entry offer to Queen’s (depending on performance on the programme and course selected). This along with a £1000 bursary, transition support and ongoing support while they are at Queen’s.
Students must meet eligibility criteria to apply to the programme and we would encourage that students state all areas of the criteria that they meet on their application. Again this year, our GCSE entry requirements state that students must now have at least: 6 GCSEs (or equivalent acceptable to the University, such as BTEC) at grades A*-C, including English Language, of which 5 GCSE grades must be at grade B or above. All GCSE grades need to satisfy any requirements for the course(s) on the chosen Pathway (for example, a grade B in Maths at GCSE to study Business courses). Again, students should ensure that they include all of the eligibility criteria they meet on the application form.
After receipt of the application a teacher at your school (as nominated by the student) will be asked to complete a “technical” reference for the student, confirming information such as postcode, eligibility requirements and GCSE grades/A-Level subjects. Please note that this is NOT a “personal” reference and does not require a written personal recommendation, however, where there are any issues that should be taken into account (health issues, overcoming adversity, etc.) they may be noted in this reference. This year we will also request any additional support that student normally would receive during exam and assessment conditions, such as additional time, or specific paper for dyslexia.