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About the programme

UniTracks is unique to Warwick.

Our outreach programme aims to:

  • Break down any perceived barriers your students may have about accessing Higher Education (HE) and about subjects in Arts/Humanities disciplines
  • Encourage your students to apply for, and be successful in gaining, a place at a leading research intensive university
  • Inspire your students to access different learning opportunities at leading research intensive universities

Read more about the programme through our Parent/Carer Guide or our Teacher Guide

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Applications are now open.

Applications for Year 8 students will are now open.

How to apply:

Teachers can refer Year 8 students by emailing UniTracks@warwick.ac.uk to receive a referral form.

Once the referral form is received by the UniTracks team, we will sent students an application form and parents and carers a consent form.

Contact

Paul Beaufoy Outreach Officer (UniTracks)

Olivia Worringham Outreach Assistant Officer (UniTracks)

Email: unitracks@warwick.ac.uk 

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Key Information

How UniTracks works:
    Each year has a different focus that form a series of stepping stones on the participant's journey to Higher Education: Explore, Develop, Equip and Attain

        Participants join our programme to learn all about university life, the benefits of pursuing university studies, and how to make an application to the best universities in the country. UniTracks members are supported in this work through events and workshops designed to build their skills, confidence, and academic attainment.
          Our aim is that, by the end of their commitment to the programme, UniTracks participants will be in a position to make informed choices about their future and have the necessary qualifications, skills, and attributes to achieve the next step in their journey.
          UniTracks is designed for students who meet the following criteria:
            Academic Criteria
            Students should meet one or more from the following:
            • Top 10% of year group
            • Has an interest in humanities based subjects
            • Has the potential to achieve 6-9 at GCSE or equivalent
              Social Criteria
              Students must meet at least two of the following criteria:
              • First in their immediate family to go to university (excluding siblings)
              • From an area in which there is traditionally low participation in Higher Education
              • In receipt of, or has within the last six years been eligible for, free school meals
              • In receipt of or entitled to Pupil Premium

              Where a student is, or has ever been, in the care of the local authority, they need only meet the academic criteria.

                •Year 8: Explore– This year will help you understand what it’s like to be a university student! From interacting with current Warwick students to working on group projects, you will start to learn the skills needed to do well academically. Your child can look forward to exploring the Campus, academic taster sessions, team building and project work.
                  •Year 9: Develop– You will have the opportunity to take part in a more creative project, using the theme of ‘Developing our Identity’. There will be sessions covering GCSE options, understanding how different subjects can lead to different career paths in the future. We continue to involve current students ambassadors as well as utilising our academics to offer support to students with their projects. We love to showcase students work with parents, carers and teachers at the end of the year!

                    •Year 10: Equip– In Year 10, our focus switches to equipping your child with the knowledge and skills requited to build their personal toolkit. This year, we lean on our wonderful student ambassadors, who are current students at the University of Warwick, to support UniTracks participants in building those skills, and enhancing knowledge about Higher Education. We continue to offer information, advice, and guidance about future career pathways within the world of Arts and Humanities subjects.
                      •Year 11: Attain– Year 11 is an important year for you, and we want to support you in getting the best grades possible! Across the year, you will be able to take part in virtual revision sessions to support your attainment. You will also be provided with free tutoring in the form of a 3-day Revision ‘Bootcamp’ during the Easter holidays which we hope will boost your confidence ahead of your final GCSE exams.
                      The programme has made a very strong positive impact on Suchit's thinking and perception towards his future. It has opened his eyes on so many other avenues which he can peruse if he is willing.
                        Parent

                        Being part of the programme has helped me find out what I'd like to do as a career and helped me to see what university life would be like. The most enjoyable part has been the people - the mentors and everyone else were really encouraging and supportive. They really pushed us to be more confident and to express our opinions.
                          Year 9 participant
                          •Why has my child been selected?
                          Your child has been selected to be a part of UniTracks because we feel that they will benefit greatly from the opportunities available. All the young people involved have the ability and potential to gain a place at one of the UK’s leading universities.
                          Participants will be encouraged to choose the best university course for their interests and abilities. Former UniTracks participants have gone on study at universities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Leicester, University College London and Warwick!
                          We recognise, however, that university might not be the right option for everyone. By working with the participants over four years, we hope that we will have given them the confidence in themselves and all the information possible to make the right decision for their future.
                            •What does this mean for me?
                            We ask that you support the young person's participation in the various opportunities open to them as a member of UniTracks. This could include attending the initial launch event; giving consent to them taking part in a group challenge or participating in other activities such as a residential event, and talking with them about their decisions for their future.
                              •What does the programme involve and how often will my son/daughter have to come to Warwick?
                              Please download the Student and Parents' Guide for full details of the programme.
                              We hold our main events on Saturdays or sometime during school holidays in order that the participants are not missing out on school. On average, each year the participants will visit campus 3-4 times..
                                •What are the costs involved?
                                There are no costs involved to participating in this programme. We will reimburse parents/guardians/carers for costs relating travelling to one of the UniTracks events on campus.
                                  •Will they have to wear school uniform when attending events?
                                  Most UniTracks events have a casual dress-code so no uniform necessary!
                                    •Is transport to and from Warwick provided? What about other resources?
                                    Transport should never be a barrier to a participant attending a UniTracks event. We will offer support either through reimbursing mileage or public transport costs, or by arranging travel with a coach or minibus.
                                    Regarding resources, unless specified otherwise, we would provide these for the participants. However, there are no specific resources required to be a participant in UniTracks.
                                    All UniTracks events are catered and we can cater for special dietary requirements, provided we know in advance.
                                      •Who will be supervising at these events?
                                      Events are supervised by staff from the University of Warwick’s Outreach team and academic departments, and current undergraduates who work as Student Ambassadors. All staff and students who will be working with the UniTracks participants in an unsupervised capacity undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in line with current regulations.
                                        • Will UniTracks participants get special consideration if they apply to Warwick in the future?
                                        Former UniTracks participants who are planning to apply to Warwick for their undergraduate studies may be eligible to apply for our Warwick Scholars access programme. Further details about Warwick Scholars can be found here Warwick Scholars

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