Pathway to STEM is an 18-month programme that empowers eligible Year 12 students to achieve their goal of studying STEM courses at University (please note, open only to students' in the West Midlands who meet our WP Criteria below)
Pathway to STEM is an 18-month programme that empowers eligible Year 12 students to achieve their goal of studying STEM courses at University. Students on the scheme receive the following benefits:
Residential summer school
E-mentoring
UCAS and personal statement support
Study skills support
A contextual offer
This sustained programme of activity aims to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provides them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their UCAS application, Students must have support from their teachers to apply, including approval for time off school/college where necessary to attend events.
Who is the Pathway for?
Places on our Pathway are open to Year 12 students who have the potential to enter higher education and are considering a degree in Technology, Engineering and Maths and the Physical Sciences. Please note, this Pathway does not cover Medicine and Healthcare courses as these subjects are covered in our Pathway to Healthcare programme.
Please not that places on the programme are limited. If the programme is oversubscribed then places will be offered by random allocation to all eligible applicants until the programme is full. Those students who are not on the standard programme will be offered a flexible programme of activities that covers the information, advice and guidance provided by the standard programme but without a residential summer school and e-mentoring. Students who are interested in applying must meet the eligibility criteria as below.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 4th March. Any applications submitted after this time and date will not be considered.
Please note, students who enter the Pathway to STEM Programme are not guaranteed a place on our degree courses at Aston University. On successful completion of the Pathway Programme, students who fulfil our admissions entry criteria, apply to Aston University, and are successful with their application, will be eligible for a contextual offer.
Key dates Year 12
March 2022: Student and Parent Launch: Students and their parents/carers are invited to attend the Pathway launch event held at Aston University. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the programme and meet the Pathway Team.
May 2022:UCAS and Personal Statement Day: Students visit Aston University to learn more about the university application process and how to write an effective personal statement.
May 2022: Mental Health Awareness Day: Students’ mental health has become more and more of a focus point for Higher Education institutions over the past few years and we want to continue to raise awareness for this as part of National Mental Health Awareness Week. Aston University’s Student Recruitment and Outreach Team will deliver talks, workshops, and Q+A sessions to showcase the wonderful support services available to students on their journeys into Higher Education and beyond.
July 2022: Summer School Parents Evening: Students and their parents/carers are invited to attend our Summer School Parents evening to learn more about the August residential. Students will meet their residential group whilst parents reive informative talks on how to support their son/daughter with their journey into Higher Education.
August 2022: Residential Summer School. Students attend a 3-day, 2-night residential summer school. During the summer school, students gain an exclusive insight into what it would be like to live and study at university. They are taught by our world-class academics, are given access to our research facilities and independent learning spaces, and work as a group to complete a research project.
Key dates Year 13
October 2022: Interview Preparation Day: This seminar will prepare students for university admission interviews for competitive STEM courses, as well as advising students on how to create their ‘Personal Brand’ to stand out from the crowd.
February 2023: Study Skills Conference: Students visit Aston University to focus on their Study Skills and learn how to prepare for upcoming exams.
July 2023: Graduation: Students and parents/carers attend a Pathway Graduation event to celebrate the successful completion of the Pathway to STEM programme and think about their next steps.
September 2023: Continued Support: The Pathway Team stay in touch with APP students who have enrolled at Aston University to offer continued support with their transition.
Am I eligible?
Our Pathway to STEM is open to Year 12 students who are studying at a school or college in the West Midlands and have attained at least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above in Maths, English and Science. Their predicted grades at A Level/BTEC/IB would also match the entry requirements of their chosen course at Aston University.
Alongside the above academic grades, students must also meet at least one of the following Widening Participation criteria:
Live in a POLAR4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check whether your live in an eligible postcode area)
Attend a school or college in a POLAR 4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check whether your school has an eligible postcode)
Come from a home where neither parent has attended a university in the UK or abroad
Have a disability or are in receipt of a personal independence payment
Are in care or have been in care in the past
Please note that spaces on the programme are limited.
How do I apply?
Applications will open on Monday 6th December for our next cohort on the Pathway to STEM programme and will close on 5pm on Friday 4th March 2022.
Apply here-
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DJWFoCVM1USUWrhS-kSiIcSDCZyoyXdPklU7uKpQtShUMkk2QlhIUkI3UUI1UEFGWUwwWUxNR1NYQi4u Applications must be submitted by 5pm on the above date. Any applications made after the above time and date will not be considered.