Information for parents and carers

We are currently working with state schools and colleges in target regions across Kent, Medway and Essex. 

We also ask that students check they meet the individual eligibility criteria before applying.  

Meet all of the criteria outlined in step one:  

1. Attend a state school or college in Kent, Medway or Essex. 
2. Have achieved five grades 5-9 or A*- B at GCSE (with English and Maths at a minimum 5) 
3. Be a Home fee paying student upon entry to Queen Mary

Meet at least two criteria from step two*: 

1. Live in a area of low-participation to higher-education (POLAR4 Q1/Q2) 
2. Be living in an area of high deprivation (IMD decile 4 or below) or be living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage (ACORN categories 4/5) 
3. Be a Home fee paying student upon entry to Queen Mary
4. Has lived in local authority care for a period of at least three months  
5. Are a registered carer  
6. Are estranged and living independently of family/living with friends 
7. Neither parent has attended higher education in the UK or aboard  
8. Are in receipt of, or entitled to, free school meals/16-19 bursary/pupil premium funding 
9. Are disabled and in receipt of, or entitled to, personal independence payments or disability living allowance 
10. Are from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller backgrounds 

If your young person has applied to the programme, or been offered a place, you may receive an email requesting parental consent. Please complete this within seven working days of receiving the email. We cannot accept any students on the programme without parent/carer consent.  

Where possible, we try to ensure that all sessions are accessible of an evening, weekend or during the summer holidays. There may be a limited number of times a student is asked to attend a session in school time and for this, we will work with the school or college to find a suitable date.  

Absolutely not. The programme will help prepare young people for studying at university and if they successfully complete the programme, they may be eligible for a reduced offer or additional consideration at application stage. Participation will in no way negatively impact an application.

• Students will receive advice and guidance on how to prepare a UCAS application and personal statement.  
• Students will benefit from additional support to prepare them for the different teaching styles at university.  
• Students will receive tailored academic support in a key subject of their choice, relating to their Level 3 study. 
• Students who successfully complete the programme and enroll on a Queen Mary undergraduate degree within two years will be offered supported entry onto our Student Ambassador scheme
• Students who successfully complete the programme and enroll on a Queen Mary undergraduate degree within two years will be receipt of a £500 bursary in return for 20 volunteer hours
• Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a contextual offer of up to two A-Level grades below the standard entry offer*. 

We will occasionally invite you to attend events, including our Launch Event and any specific events targeted at parents and carers. Whilst we’d encourage you to attend, it is completely optional. If you have any access or additional requirements then please do inform the team ahead of time so that we can best support you.  

We’d be happy to answer further questions via email, or by arranging a suitable time for a phone call. Please email accesstoqm@qmul.ac.uk with your questions and details of your young person’s application.