Share this page
ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME: TEACHERS

What is the Aspiring Professionals Programme?

We all want our universities and workplaces to be environments where natural talent shines.

When we get it right, we reward ability over background, celebrate individual effort and help people reach their full potential.

But, for too many people, social background – where you grew up, went to school, or what your parents or guardians did for work – creates unfair barriers to success.

Our Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP) propels ambitious young people over these barriers. It's completely free of charge.

The programme gives students the skills, guidance, confidence and networks to access and thrive in higher education and top careers. Our events take place after school hours and during school holidays. You can read our safeguarding policy here. Students must meet our eligibility criteria to be accepted.

Many of the young people on our programme had an inspiring teacher who supported their application to the programme.

Help us make a difference to students in your class by:

tick purple

Identifying eligible students based on our academic and background criteria

tick purple

Encouraging students to apply

tick purple

Providing a short reference when students in your class apply

Not a teacher but know a young person who could benefit? Please share our student page with them.

key benefits

How will my students benefit?

Our five year programme supports students all the way from age 16, through their education and into their first job. We walk alongside our students every step of the way.

University application & degree apprenticeship support

We provide comprehensive support for students applying to university and degree apprenticeships. All students on our programme have access to our navigating UCAS and personal statement events, our Personal Statement Checking Service, admissions workshops for Oxbridge, Law and Medicine, Degree Apprenticeship insights and more!

Online mentoring

Email mentoring via a secure site is guaranteed for every student. The mentor will work in a sector that the student chooses. All DBS/PVG checks are completed by the Social Mobility Foundation.

Skills sessions

Our employability skills sessions prepare students for interacting with professionals, tailored to career sector preference.

work experience

We offer in-person and virtual placements with employer partners across the UK matched to our students by their sector preference. These take place during the Summer and October school holidays. If we don’t have opportunities in your location, we provide support to help students find placements in their area.

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.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Are my students eligible?

Starting an application is the fastest way for students to check eligibility.

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

meet at least ONE of the following:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals
  • Care experienced

or meet at least TWO of the following:

  • They'll be the first generation in their family to attend university. (We still count students being the first generation if their parents/guardians went to university as a mature student, or abroad, and if older siblings went to university).
  • Their household income is lower than £45,000
  • Highest-paid parent or guardian does a certain type of job (the form will tell you this) or is unemployed

Minimum grade requirements apply:

4 GCSEs at Grades 7-9 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)4 Nat5s at Grades A-C. Some sectors have additional academic requirements, find out more here. We offer exemptions for students who are care experienced, please indicate on your application if this applies to you.

The journey

How does the application journey work?

1

Start

Students apply through an online application form. Applications open in September each year.

2

Reference and consent

The student will nominate a teacher to provide an email reference, and a parent or guardian for consent once the application is finished.

3

Results

We share the outcome of applications from January each year.

WHAT DO students SAy?

This is a life-changing programme. It has given me so much more confidence and vital skills that are essential for progressing through education and into the professional world.

Emily

|

ARUP

Find out more

OUR PROGRAMMES

Programme overview

APP City

Students living in and near Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle will be placed on APP City. They will receive skill sessions, university and degree apprenticeship application support and internships in these cities throughout the year, and matched with a mentor from their chosen sector.

APP Reach

Students who are unable to attend in-person workshops may be offered a place on APP Reach. They’ll get online resources and video tutorials to develop skills and career knowledge, university application support, and a mentor from their chosen sector.

Residential Work Experience

On their application, students outside London will be able to put themselves forward for one of our Residential Work Experiences. We currently have Residentials for students interested in Banking & Finance, Business, Digital, Law, Media & Comms, Politics, and Medicine (currently Medicine is limited to England students only). If selected, they'll go on a 1 or 2-week summer placement with a top employer in London, Glasgow or Middlesbrough.

WHAT CAN STUDENTS EXPECT?

APP City

Overview

arrow down

APP City supports high-achieving students in lower sixth/S5 into competitive universities and top professions. It’s open to motivated, ambitious students in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle who have the ability to fulfil their academic and career goals, but without the means or networks to get there. It will help them 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 in:

Accountancy | Banking & Finance | Biology & Chemistry| Business | Digital | Engineering & Physics | Law | Media & Communications | Medicine | Politics | No Preference

Why apply?

arrow down

83% of our 2023 graduates are in full-time further education, employment or training – 87% of those in jobs are in highly skilled roles.

What can students expect?

arrow down

A programme packed with opportunities for students to reach their full potential and meet likeminded people.

Additional eligibility criteria

arrow down

This depends on where students live, go to school and their chosen sector. Students should start their application to check if they are eligible.

Close

What can STUDENTS expect?

Work Experience Residential

Overview

arrow down

APP Employer Insight Programmes 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 (or Middlesbrough in the case of the Medicine Insight). Students will be mentored by an employee from the employer partner, and receive skills development workshops and university application support.

Why apply?

arrow down

Students will gain a real-life insight into their chosen career and grow the skills needed to succeed.

What can students expect?

arrow down

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

Employer partners

arrow down

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):

tick green

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

tick purple

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

tick purple

APP BP Engineering Programme: for students interested in engineering

tick purple

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.

tick purple

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

tick purple

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

tick purple

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

tick purple

APP Freshfields Programme: for students interested in law and business

Close

WHAT CAN STUDENTS EXPECT?

APP Reach

Overview

arrow down

APP Reach is a virtual programme for motivated and ambitious students who live outside London and our target cities, or those who find in-person events are not for them. We help APP Reach students access the top universities and their chosen profession through:

1. Mentoring by a professional via email
2. Online resources to develop skills and career knowledge
3. University application support and guidance

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?

arrow down

Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills that give them the best chance of reaching university and thriving in their chosen career, even if they live outside a target APP city.

What can students expect?
arrow down

An exciting virtual programme that gives students skills, experience and practical advice.

Close
Next steps

How can I help students who apply?

01

Inspire

Some young people may need extra encouragement to believe in their ability. You can inspire students to see themselves on our programme.

02

Support

While we provide helpful guidance at all stages of the application, students may want advice from someone they trust.

03

Celebrate

Applicants find out if they've been accepted in early 2026. Acceptance on the programme is something that your students should be proud of. Help us celebrate their success.

Book a presentation to learn more

Our experienced programme coordinators speak at school assemblies and other events to introduce the programme. We talk about what students can gain from joining and take them through the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the programme free of charge?

arrow down

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

What are the opening and closing dates?

arrow down

Applications open in September and usually close in December.

What skills will students gain from the programme?

arrow down

Our programme model empowers students to build their knowledge, skills and self-efficiacy. We'll help them grow their network, reach their career goals, develop their confidence and improve their skills.

Need help?

Enter your question below and a programme coordinator will get back to you. Book an assembly here.

tick green

Message sent successfully. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.