Surrey Scholars
Surrey Scholars is our award-winning* sustained programme of extra curricular outreach from the University of Surrey for students in Years 10 to 13.
As a Surrey Scholar, learners receive support with GCSE and Post-16 study in addition to advice and guidance towards progression into higher education and beyond. Scholars will receive priority status to attend our flagship programmes, as well as exclusive access to online and on campus events.
*Surrey Scholars won the NEON Widening Access Initiative (Outreach) Award 2023.
Surrey Scholars is a progressive programme of hybrid activity in preparation for GCSEs, Further and Higher Education. Our flexible model enables learners to access as much content and opportunity as they feel is beneficial in support of their current studies and future pathways.
Our aim is to widen access into Higher Education amongst demographics are underrepresented within university or alternative study pathways. As of 2020, 74% of our Higher Education ready Surrey Scholars entered university. Furthermore, 42% of our Free School Meal eligible Surrey Scholars entered university as of 2020 compared to 28% nationally and 18% across Surrey. Our full list of demographic criteria is shared below under ‘Who is eligible?’
We currently have over 1000* active Scholars accessing our content and programmes and have recorded the following engagement:
- Increased engagement in activity by 59% (two years pre Vs post Scholars programme)
- 62% Scholars have progressed from pre-16 to post 16 Scholars activity
- 1,288 users have accessed our online portal this year (2022/23)
*Figures correct as of 22 March 2023 for academic years 2020/21 – 2022/23
Y10 Programme ‘Realise Your Potential’ – Across January to March, realise your potential through our Saturday morning programme supporting both you and your household with understanding your options beyond GCSE study. You will be invited to attend a range of workshops, webinars and masterclasses, along with access to online resources and mentoring, designed to further inform your own aspirations and choices.
Surrey Scholars Campus Experience Days – Throughout the academic year, you will be invited to attend exclusive campus experience days during the school holidays. These single or multiday events will enable you to access campus facilities that are not available during weekends, along with tours and demonstrations from University of Surrey staff and students. These are fantastic opportunities to continue to network and to get practical with your learning.
GCSE Revision Masterclass – Join us on our Autumn and/or spring series where our team of educational consultants will be delivering GCSE Revision Masterclasses after school. These online events will talk through common misconceptions within English, Maths and Science whilst sharing top tips and techniques that apply to all exam boards. Attend and participate in as many of our online events as you feel beneficial and become further confident in your own exam preparation.
Surrey Scholars Campus Experience Days – Throughout the academic year, you will be invited to attend exclusive campus experience days during the school holidays. These single or multiday events will enable you to access campus facilities that are not available during weekends, along with tours and demonstrations from University of Surrey staff and students. These are fantastic opportunities to continue to network and to get practical with your learning.
Summer Schools – Surrey Scholars will enjoy priority access onto our annual Summer Schools, enjoy a multiday experience involving university level lectures, webinars and research. Our on campus residentials provide you with university accommodation and catering, enabling you to soak up the experience of student living throughout the week whilst our online offer connects you with fellow participants through interactive workshops and projects. All summer schools are subject specific whilst our evening timetables encourage networking and socialising through planned group activity.
Subject Taster Days – Take part in a one-day taster activity that showcases specific subjects and courses available to study at the University of Surrey. These events invite you to attend workshops, lectures and seminars with academic staff in addition to learning more about student experiences and the facilities available. These are great opportunities to ask questions that will help to inform your own choices and decision making.
AIM4University – The University of Surrey invites you to take part on a sustained programme providing advice, information and mentoring in support of your UCAS application. This programme offers advice and mentoring from current University of Surrey students who are selected by you and tailored to your individual queries. It can be accessed via four ways including online mentoring, live webinars and events, access to pre-recorded content, and exclusive campus visits. AIM4University is free of charge subject to selection criteria.
In2Surrey: Transition Scheme -If you apply to study at the University of Surrey, you will be invited to a series of transition events as led by members of our Student Experience division. The objective is to raise your awareness of the support services available, whether pastoral or academic, which you can access to maximise your experience during the first semester and beyond. Surrey Scholars can also benefit from contextualised admissions, receiving a reduced entry requirement prior to confirmation. This scheme is only open to students eligible for Home Fee status.
To be accepted onto the programme, you must be in Year 10, 11, 12 or 13 from September 2022 and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- You live in an IMD decile 1 or 2 postcode
- You live in a POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode
- You have received free school meals within the last six years
- You receive a 16-19 bursary
- You are a young carer – you care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without your support
- You are care experienced – you have spent time in local authority care, in a residential children’s home, have been looked after at home by a supervision order or have lived with relatives under kinship care
- You are a forced migrant – you are a refugee or an asylum seeking young person
- You are from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showperson or Boater community.
You can join the programme at any time and can participate in as many activities as you like. Surrey Scholars will receive a welcome pack along with their own account to our online portal, providing access to live and recorded content all year round. Surrey Scholars are eligible to receive travel bursaries to attend on campus events whilst support with IT access and connection is also available upon request.
You can apply through our online form. Once received, we will contact you within 14 days with further information about Surrey Scholars programmes and events.
For any further questions or queries, either from students or teaching staff, please contact wp@surrey.ac.uk.
Link to our brochure: https://outreach.surrey.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Surrey-Scholars-Brochure-2002_23.pdf