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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:
Identifying eligible students based on our academic and background criteria
Encouraging students to apply
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.
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.
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!
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.
Our employability skills sessions prepare students for interacting with professionals, tailored to career sector preference.
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.
Students must be in Year 12, lower sixth or S5 and:
4 GCSEs at Grades 7-9 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or 4 Nat5s at Grades A-B. 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.
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.
“
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
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.
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.
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.
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
83% of our 2023 graduates are in full-time further education, employment or training – 87% of those in jobs are in highly skilled roles.
A programme packed with opportunities for students to reach their full potential and meet likeminded people.
This depends on where students live, go to school and their chosen sector. Students should start their application to check if they are eligible.
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.
Students will gain a real-life insight into their chosen career and grow the skills needed to succeed.
We offer a 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 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
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.
An exciting virtual programme that gives students skills, experience and practical advice.
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.
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.
Yes. We also cover reasonable expenses related to attending programme events and work experience.
Applications open in September and usually close in December.
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.
Enter your question below and a programme coordinator will get back to you. Book an assembly here.
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