ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME: STUDENTS

Unlock your potential with the Aspiring Professionals Programme

Gain firsthand experience in the top professions and the skills needed to achieve your aspirations. We provide:

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Mentoring with a professional via email

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Tailored skills sessions and career workshops

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University application support and guidance

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Internships with top employers

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Social impact career advice

Apply Now!

BROADEN YOUR HORIZON

Why join the Aspiring Professionals Programme?

Professional mentoring

Mentoring

Get expert advice and support from a mentor working in your chosen sector.

Reach your career goals

Reach your career goals

Access the networks and opportunities needed to reach your career goals.

Make the world a better place

Make the world a better place

Contribute to a low-carbon, equitable, healthy and safe society through exciting opportunities.

Get your voice heard

Get your voice heard

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.

WHAT DO students SAy?

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

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Multiple internships

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Am I eligible?

Starting an application is the fastest way to check your eligibility.

You must be in Year 12, lower sixth or S5 and also:

meet at least ONE of the following:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals

  • Are care experienced


OR meet at least TWO of the following:

  • 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.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Programmes designed around you

APP City

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.

APP Reach

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.

Work Experience Residential

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.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

APP City

Overview

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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

Why apply?

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96% of students graduating in 2021 were in full-time education or further study (of known outcomes).

What can I expect?

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A programme packed with in-person opportunities to reach your full potential and meet likeminded people.

Additional eligibility criteria

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This depends on where you live, go to school and your chosen sector. Please start your application to check your eligiblity.

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What can I expect?

Work Experience Residential

Overview

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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.

Why apply?

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Get a real-life insight into your chosen career and grow the skills you need to succeed.

What can I expect?

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A packed programme of workshops, skills sessions, university application support and fun activities. We cover all travel, accommodation, and meals expenses.

Employer partners

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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):

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APP J.P. Morgan Finance Programme: for students interested in banking and finance, investment banking, mathematics and economics.

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APP J.P. Morgan Digital Programme: for students interested in computer science, financial technology, cyber security, coding and system design.

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APP BP Engineering Programme: for students interested in engineering

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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.

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APP Medicine Insight Programme: for students interested in pursuing medicine. This programme is only open to students within England.

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APP Law Insight Programme: for students interested in law. We have a range of programmes with multiple law firms, including:

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APP Linklaters Making Links Discovery Programme: for students interested in pursuing law only.

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APP Freshfields Programme: for students interested in law and business.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

APP Reach

Overview

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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

Why apply?

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Give yourself the best chance of reaching university and thriving in your chosen career – even if you live outside one of our target cities.

What can I expect?

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An exciting online programme that gives you skills, experience and practical advice.

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Ready to broaden your horizons?

You only need to make one application. If you're successful, we'll place you on the best programme for you.

The journey

How does the application journey work?

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.

WHAT DO students SAy?

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

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Aspiring Professionals Programme Student

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Ready to apply?

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!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Aspiring Professionals Programme City?

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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.

Is the programme free of charge?

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Yes. We also cover reasonable expenses related to attending programme events and internships.

How long will I be on the programme for?

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We’ll support you from Year 12, lower sixth or S5 through to your first graduate job.

What are the opening and closing dates?

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Applications open in September and usually close in December.

Can I apply to more than one programme?

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Complete one application and, if you’re successful, we’ll take care of the rest by enrolling you onto the most suitable programme.

Need some help?

Enter your question below and one of our friendly programme coordinators will get back to you.

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