You must be in Year 12 at an eligible school or college which is participating in RO. You should check with your Head of Year/ Sixth Form or college tutor to find out if your school/college is participating in RO.

You must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have achieved at least 8 A* to C grades or 9-4 grades at GCSE (or equivalent, eg GNVQ, BTEC Certificate) including English Language and Mathematics.
• Of these 8 GCSEs or equivalent, at least 5 must be A* to B grades or 9-6 grades.
• Be a Home/EU registered student.

You must meet at least two of the following

• Live in a neighbourhood which has a low progression rate to higher education or an area which has a high level of financial, social or economic deprivation. This is defined by home postcode.
• Come from a home where neither parent attended university in the UK or abroad.(If one or more parent is currently studying their first degree, or graduated from their first degree within the last five years, an application will still be considered).
• Be in receipt of or entitled to discretionary payments/16-19 bursary/Pupil Premium at school/college
• Be in receipt of or entitled to free school meals.

Or alternatively meet the following:
•Be living in, or have lived in, local authority care or be a young carer.

Throughout the programme you are supported by The University of Warwick and a dedicated ementor who is a current student here. Successful completion of the RO Programme gives you the opportunity to have your achievements recognised through UCAS, resulting in additional consideration and the potential for alternative offers from the RO universities.

As a member of the RO programme you will get:

•Additional Consideration
All RO universities will give additional consideration to your UCAS application

•Alternative Offer
All RO universities will give you an alternative offer worth up to 2 A level grades lower.
Please refer to the Recognition Guide for more information about this.

•Skills Development
You will develop a range of skills to help you with your current studies and for your future studies at university
You will undertake an independent piece of research as part of the Programme which will develop your skills in researching, planning, critical thinking, analysis and referencing

•Advice for your future
You will gain an understanding of research intensive universities and have increased access to the RO universities including the opportunity to attend events and activities such as master classes and residential visits.
You will receive support from a dedicated ementor who is a current student at one of the RO universities as well as access to a wide range of resources and activities on the ementoring site.

•Access to careers information
You will have access to professionals who will offer you career advice and information

The University of Warwick recruits able and talented students for the programme through a number of eligible schools in Coventry and Warwickshire.

An eligible school/college must meet one of the following criteria:

• is performing below the national average for 5 A*- C or 9-4 grades at GCSE (including English and Mathematics)
• is performing below the national average at key stage 5, or
• has higher than the national average number of students eligible for free school meals

The structured and interactive Realising Opportunities (RO) Programme will help you develop your academic skills, improve your awareness of higher education and knowledge of how to apply to university. It will also give you increased access to the RO universities through events and activities..

•Local Launch: Students on the programme will attend a Launch Event at the University of Warwick with their parents/carers and teachers. This session will fully introduce the student to the programme and will offer an opportunity to explore campus and meet current students..

•Ementoring: Each student is matched to a current student at one of the RO universities. Ementoring offers support, advice and guidance throughout the Programme.

•National Student Conference: The event is attended by RO students from across the country. Students get to meet their ementor, attend skills based workshops and meet representatives from all the RO universities..

•Skills4uni: This online study module and test helps to develop key academic skills that will be useful in both A-level work and at university..

•Academic Element: The Academic Element demonstrates students have the ability to complete an independent piece of research. It is made up of either the EPQ or the RO Academic Assignment.

•Events and Activities: Students have access to events and activities at all of the RO universities around the country as well as residential opportunities. The University of Warwick will offer throughout the year a variety of sessions such as:.

-UCAS and Personal Statement sessions
-Interview Skills Sessions
-Subject specific taster sessions
-Academic insight sessions
-Life skills and funding sessions
-Summer Schools

Year 12

•Realising Opportunities Launch
26th January 2018 - 6 pm till 8.30pm on campus
You will receive an invitation with all the details in your Welcome pack.

•Research Skills 2 days Workshop
22nd and 23rd February 2018 - all day on campus
You will receive an invitation with all the details in your Welcome pack.

•National Student Conference
10th March - all day in Exeter
You will receive an invitation from the Central Team closer to the time and transport will be arranged.

•Uni Taster Day
23rd March - 10am till 4pm on campus
You will receive an invitation in your Welcome pack.

•Skills4Uni Workshop
28th March 2018 10am till 4pm on campus
You will receive an invitation as part of your Welcome pack.

•Academic Assignment workshop
28th March 2018 10am till 4pm on campus
You will receive an invitation as part of your Welcome pack.