Gain firsthand experience in the top professions and the skills needed to achieve your aspirations. We provide:
Mentoring with a professional via email
Tailored skills sessions and career workshops
University application support and guidance
Internships with top employers
Social impact career advice
Get expert advice and support from a mentor working in your chosen sector.
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Access the networks and opportunities needed to reach your career goals.
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Contribute to a low-carbon, equitable, healthy and safe society through exciting opportunities.
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Grab the attention of politicians and the media through our Department for Opportunities.
98%
of students said they could not have obtained the work placements without our help.
96%
of students who graduated in 2021 are in full-time work or further education.*
* of known outcomes
66%
of students attended Russell Group universities.
“
The older I get, the more I find that doing that one long application for the Aspiring Professionals Programme was the smartest decision 16-year-old me could have made.
”
Wafia
|
Multiple internships
Starting an application is the fastest way to check your eligibility.
You must be in Year 12, lower sixth or S5 and also:
Eligible for Free School Meals
Are care experienced
You'll be the first generation of your family to attend university. (We still count you being the first generation if your parents/guardians went to university as a mature student, or abroad, and if an older sibling went to university).
Your household income is lower than £45,000
Your highest-paid parent or guardian's job is in our target occupation groups (the application form will tell you this), or is unemployed
Minimum grade requirements apply. We offer exemptions for students who are care experienced, please indicate on your application if this applies to you.
We'll place you on APP City if you live in or near Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. You'll receive skill sessions, university application support and internships in these cities throughout the year, and matched with a mentor from your chosen sector.
We'll place you on APP Reach if are unable to attend in-person workshops. You’ll get online resources and tutorials to develop skills and career knowledge, university application support and a mentor from your chosen sector.
If you live outside of London, you may be selected to take part in a work experience residential. You'll get a summer internship with a top employer in London, Glasgow or Middlesbrough.
APP City supports high-achieving students in lower sixth/S5 into competitive universities and top professions. It’s open to motivated and ambitious students in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle with the ability to fulfil their academic and career goals.
We offer support in:
Accountancy | Banking & Finance | Biology & Chemistry| Business | Digital | Engineering & Physics | Law | Media & Communications | Medicine | Politics | No Preference
96% of students graduating in 2021 were in full-time education or further study (of known outcomes).
A programme packed with in-person opportunities to reach your full potential and meet likeminded people.
This depends on where you live, go to school and your chosen sector. Please start your application to check your eligiblity.
Work experience residentials are for UK students living outside of London who want experience in specific sectors. Our employer partners are listed below. Work experience typically involves a face-to-face residential in London (the Medicine Insight Programme takes place in Middlesbrough). Students will be mentored by an employee from the employer partner, join skills development workshops and get university application support.
Get a real-life insight into your chosen career and grow the skills you need to succeed.
A packed programme of workshops, skills sessions, university application support and fun activities. We cover all travel, accommodation, and meals expenses.
Our 2024 employer partners were Akin Gump, Herbert Smith Freehills Freshfields, Linklaters, J.P. Morgan, PA Consulting, White and Case (please note this is subject to change):
APP J.P. Morgan Finance Programme: for students interested in banking and finance, investment banking, mathematics and economics.
APP J.P. Morgan Digital Programme: for students interested in computer science, financial technology, cyber security, coding and system design.
APP BP Engineering Programme: for students interested in engineering
APP PA Consulting Springboard Programme: for students interested in general business, consultancy, politics and sustainability. This work experience programme is shaped around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
APP Medicine Insight Programme: for students interested in pursuing medicine. This programme is only open to students within England.
APP Law Insight Programme: for students interested in law. We have a range of programmes with multiple law firms, including:
APP Linklaters Making Links Discovery Programme: for students interested in pursuing law only.
APP Freshfields Programme: for students interested in law and business.
APP Reach is a programme for motivated and ambitious students right across the UK. It will help you access the top universities and your chosen profession through:
1. Mentoring with a volunteer working in your chosen sector
2. Online resources to develop skills and career knowledge
3. University application support and guidance
4. Virtual work placements
We offer support to students interested in:
Accountancy | Banking & Finance | Biology & Chemistry | Business | Digital | Engineering & Physics | Law | Media & Communications | Medicine | Politics | No Preference
Give yourself the best chance of reaching university and thriving in your chosen career – even if you live outside one of our target cities.
An exciting online programme that gives you skills, experience and practical advice.
You only need to make one application. If you're successful, we'll place you on the best programme for you.
1
Apply online
Applications will open in September 2024.
2
Reference and consent
You'll nominate a teacher to provide a reference for you by email, and a parent or guardian for consent once you submit your application.
3
Outcome
We'll email applicants with the outcome of their application from March 2025. APP City decisions are normally sent first, and Reach shared by April.
“
I can undoubtedly say that I wouldn’t be in this position without the continual support from the incredible team here. The biggest lesson I'll take away from the programme is that regardless of where you come from, your aspirations are always achievable!
”
Jay
|
Aspiring Professionals Programme Student
If you have big goals in education and work, the Aspiring Professionals Programme is for you.
Check your eligibility and apply now. We hope to see you on the programme next year!
Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. If you live in, or near, one of these cities then we'll place you on APP City.
Yes. We also cover reasonable expenses related to attending programme events and internships.
We’ll support you from Year 12, lower sixth or S5 through to your first graduate job.
Applications open in September and usually close in December.
Complete one application and, if you’re successful, we’ll take care of the rest by enrolling you onto the most suitable programme.
Enter your question below and one of our friendly programme coordinators will get back to you.
Message sent successfully. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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