Key dates and processes

Applications for 2025/26 will open in March 2025.

How to complete the application

The form will be completed and submitted online. It is not possible to start an application and come back to it at a later time, so it is important that you have everything you need to hand when completing the form. You will need to provide the following:

• All of your GCSE results
• A supporting statement of 2000 characters (approx. 250 words) which should explain why you should be given a place on the programme - we suggest that you draft this in a different application such as Microsoft Word and copy and paste it into the application form
• The contact details of a teacher referee who will provide us with your A level predicted grades, validate the information you give us on your form, and write a short reference to support your application
• Information about your parents/carers' education (i.e. their highest level of education)

Warwick Scholars is for students who meet the following criteria:

Academic Criteria

• You must be in the first year of your level 3 (e.g. A level) studies (at time of application)

• Have achieved at least five grade 9–6 (A*-B) at GCSE (or equivalent); if this does not include English Language and Mathematics, they must have achieved at least a grade 4 (C) in these subjects

• Meet all of the qualification and subject requirements of the course they are applying for, as outlined on the University's website

Residency Criteria

• Are eligible for Home UK Fee status (check here if you're not sure). If your fee status is due to change from overseas to home in the near future you can still apply but we may need to contact you for additional information. If you still have overseas fee status by the 1st August 2026 you may not be able to benefit from the Warwick Scholars offer. You have until the 1st September 2026 to obtain home fee status in order to benefit from the financial support as an undergraduate.

Location Criteria

• Care Leavers: Attend a school or college within a local authority area in England and are a Care Leaver. The University defines a Care Leaver as someone aged between 16-25 who has been in the care of the local authority for at least 13 weeks at any time since the age of 14, including some time after their 16th birthday. Care leavers do not need to meet any additional criteria.

• All other applicants: Attend a school or college, or live, within the local authority areas covered by Warwick Scholars (Coventry, Warwickshire, Birmingham, Solihull, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Leicester, Leicestershire) and meet the widening participation criteria listed below:

Widening Participation Criteria

If any of the following statements apply to you, your application will be prioritised:

• You are care experienced, this means you have spent a minimum of three months in local authority care at any time;

• You are a Care Leaver, aged between 16-25 who has been in the care of the local authority for at least 13 weeks at any time since the age of 14, including some time after your 16th birthday

• You are estranged from both parents, living independently or with relatives or friends. This would include living in supported accommodation such as a foyer. By estranged we mean you are not supported by nor in contact with either parent

We may ask for additional evidence to support your application and verify the information you have given.

Alternatively, at least two of the following statements must apply for you to be eligible:

• Be in receipt of, or have within the last six years been eligible for, free school meals

• Be the first generation of your family to attend university (not including siblings)

• Have completed Key Stage 4 studies at and/or currently attend one of our priority schools*. Priority schools are schools with below the national average Key Stage 4 performance or a school/college where performance at Key Stage 5 falls within the bottom 40% nationally

• Live in a priority neighbourhood* ie an area recorded as having high levels of deprivation (IMD 0-20%)

• Have experienced significant extenuating circumstances that have had (or are having) a detrimental effect on academic attainment

* You can check your school and neighbourhood eligibility . You are looking for a 'YES' response on Home Postcode (to check if you live in a priority neighbourhood) or Key Stage 4 School OR Key Stage 5 School (to check if you currently attend or have attended a priority school).