Key dates and processes

Applications for the 2019/20 programme are now open – this is for current year 12 students who will be intending on applying to the University of Warwick for entry in September 2020.

Applications for this cohort will close on Friday 19th July, and the deadline for teacher references to be completed will be Wednesday 31st July.

The Warwick Scholars team will process applications and inform you of the outcome of your application by Monday 12th August.

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
• All of your predicted A level (or equivalent) grades
• 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 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:

Essential Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
• Attend a state school or college in the region (within 30 miles of the University of Warwick)
• Have Home UK fee status or will have it by the time they enter university
• Have achieved at least 5 grades 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

Additional Criteria

Applicants must meet at least two of the following criteria (unless they have experience of local authority care, as outlined below), and priority will be given to those meeting multiple criteria
• In receipt of, or has within the last six years been eligible for, free school meals
• Will be the first generation of their family to attend university (not including siblings)
• Completed Key Stage 4 studies at and/or currently attend one of our priority schools*
• Live in a priority neighbourhood**
• Has experienced significant extenuating circumstances that have had (or are having) a detrimental effect on academic attainment e.g. is a young carer, has suffered from long term illness requiring time out of education, has a disability or specific learning difficulty

If either of the following statements apply to you, your application will be prioritised:
•Have spent a minimum of three months in local authority care
•Are currently resident in a foyer or other supported accommodation

The programme is designed to work alongside your post-16 studies. This will include 1:1 tutoring for one of your A Level subjects, a current Warwick student mentor to guide you through the programme, A Level revision support and visits to campus and the department you will be applying to. There will also be a residential launch event in August of year 12 where you will stay in student accommodation and get your first insight into student life at Warwick. .

•Year 12 – During year 12, the focus will be on making the right decisions about Higher Education, information, advice and guidance on UCAS applications, gaining an insight into study at Warwick and developing study skills which will be useful for A Level study and beyond.

•Year 13 – During year 13, the focus will be on supporting A Level attainment - this will include 1:1 online tutoring for one A Level subject, ongoing work with the academic department being applied to, a revision bootcamp during the Easter holidays and mentoring from a current Warwick student.

We are committed to you and your success, and we recognise the commitment required from you to fully complete the Warwick Scholars access programme. Therefore, you will receive a guaranteed offer of between 2-4 grades lower than the standard entry requirements and a 50% tuition fee discount for each year of study. You will also be considered for a means-tested bursary of £2,000 per year to support you with accommodation on-campus or with travel to and from campus during your studies.

Alongside your fellow Warwick Scholars, you will also gain additional insight into life at Warwick enabling you to jump right in to student life when you enrol. Warwick Scholars doesn’t stop once you enrol – we’ll keep working with you throughout your studies. Once you’re here at Warwick, you’ll continue to receive study skills support, information advice and guidance from arrival through to graduation, and priority access to careers support, including support with work experience and internships.