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Education liaison
  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. Education liaison
  3. Students
  4. Medicine and Dentistry
  5. Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

About the programme 

The programme provides students with the opportunity to find out more about medicine, dentistry and the alternative science/allied-health subjects. Through a programme of online and in-person activities, we aim to improve students understanding of these subjects and support them on their journey to higher education. 

Overview of events 

This is a longitudinal programme with each year of the programme building on the previous year, the programme comprises of the following events: 

School Year 9

In year 9 the online discovery sessions will introduce students to university alongside medicine, dentistry and the range of alternative health/science related subjects, the intended audience of these sessions will be students who have academic potential to go into the health/science professions and who may or may have not have considered this as an option.

  • Online Discovery Sessions:
    • Introduction to Medicine, Dentistry and Higher Education, 5:00 - 6:00 pm on 13 March
    • Meet the Healthcare Professionals, 5:00 - 6:00 pm on 26 March 

You can sign up for the webinars by completing the form found by clicking here

School Year 10 -11 

Students interested in medicine or dentistry will apply directly to take part in the programme from Year 10 onwards. 

  • Year 10: Online Discovery Session (January)  
  • Year 10: Taster Day (May Half Term)
  • Year 11: Online Discovery Session (January)  
  • Year 11: Taster Day (First week of July) 

School Years 12 and 13 

At the end of year 11, if you are considering applying for medicine or dentistry you will continue the programme in year 12 and 13 or if you are interested in pursuing an alternative subject be given the opportunity to take part in an alternative programme in year 12 that matches your interests. 

  • Year 12: The focus of the programme is to prepare students for the medicine or dentistry application process, the programme will build on their existing experiences and knowledge to improve their understanding of medicine and dentistry to ensure that students prepare the strongest application that they can. 
  • Events for 2023-24
    • Launch (End of January)
    • Taster Event 1 (February Half Term)
    • Taster Event 2 (February)
    • Taster Event 3 (Final week of April)
    • Taster Event 4 (First week of May)
  • Please note Taster Event 1 will place during an afternoon with the other events taking place after school from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.
  • Year 13: The programme will continue to support students on their application journey whether they are intending to apply for medicine, dentistry or an alternative course. 

Please note, this programme specifically aims to work with students from specific schools/boroughs, and priority will be given to those students in targeted areas. Before applying, please ensure you read the eligibility criteria and that you understand the expectations of the programme. If you have any questions, please email us.   

Parents/Carers

There will be a Parent/Carers Evening for those who have students taking part in the programme (Feb and May)

Applications for 2023-24 will open on 4 September 2023.

  • Students will improve their understanding of medicine, dentistry, and alternative science/allied-health subjects 
  • Students will develop skills and knowledge that can support them on their journey to higher education 
  • Meet a range of students and healthcare professionals that will give an expert insight in to university and the professions
  • Enhanced careers information, advice and guidance, including contributions from Queen Mary Alumni 
  • Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a contextual offer of at least one A-Level grade below the standard entry offer. 

To be eligible for the Bridge the Gap programme, students must: 

Meet all of the criteria in step one: 

  1. Attending a school currently involved in the programme or studying at a school in Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest  
  2. You should be academically able (i.e., if you are in year 10 or year 11 have the potential to achieve at least six GCSE’s at 777666 including English Language, Mathematics, Double Science and if you are in year 12 have the potential to achieve AAA in your A Levels)
  3. Note. if you are in year 12 you should be studying two sciences at A Level:
    1. First A Level - Chemistry or Biology
    2. Second A Level - a further science subject from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Maths
    3. Third A Level - any A Level subject with the exception of Critical Thinking and General Studies. 

Meet at least two criteria from step 2*: 

  1. Be living in an area of high deprivation (IMD decile 4 or below) You can check your IMD decile here.  Or be living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage (ACORN categories 4/5) We will check your Acorn categorisation when we assess your application. More information about Acorn can be found here.
  2. You are currently in receipt of, or entitled to, Free School Meals**, the 16 to 19 Bursary, Pupil Premium funding, or discretionary payments from your school or college. 
    **Learners residing in Tower Hamlets must demonstrate that they’re eligible for Free School Meals during their post-16 education. 
  3. Are disabled and in receipt of, or entitled to, personal independence payments or disability living allowance
  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 abroad 

*Priority will be given to certain ethnic groups that are currently under-represented in higher education and at Queen Mary, as defined by the OfS priorities. Where demand for the programme exceeds the number of places available in a given year, places will be allocated based on students meeting the highest score in step 2, alongside institutional access priorities.  

  1. Ensure you have checked that you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above
  2. If you are applying for the year 10 or 11 programme, submit your application using the online form here
  3. Students can sign up for the Year 9 Online Discovery Webinars by clicking here
  4. Applications are now closed for the year 10 and 11 programmes.
  5. Applications are now closed for the year 12 programme.
  6. Ensure that you have included your parent or carer, and your designated teacher or school contact, email addresses 

Applications will reopen in the Autumn.

Students who participate in the Bridge the Gap programme are expected to attend the events throughout the programme. 

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