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Levelling Up STEM
Levelling Up: STEM is a support programme for A-level students. from groups currently under-represented in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.
This free programme is aimed at students who want to study Physics, Mathematics or Computing and related subjects at university. It runs alongside students’ A-level studies and gives them access to a dedicated tutor and mentor from the University of Portsmouth.
Sixth-form students take part in regular, guided tutorials, mentoring sessions, and activities designed to make sure they are ready to apply for, and succeed, at university. Most sessions take place online with two dedicated visits to the University of Portsmouth as part of the programme. Participants on the programme will take part in either the Maths, Physics or Computing subject areas, which run in parallel.
Subject-specific criteria
These requirements are based on the entry requirements for our equivalent Portsmouth undergraduate programmes. As Levelling is designed to support students who are aspiring to study Computing, Maths or Physics at University, it is important for us to make sure you will be able to meet such requirements further down the line).
Essential Criteria
You can participate in Levelling Up if you:
Are in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (the first year of your A-level/equivalent studies), and;
Are currently living in the UK and have been for a minimum of three years prior to the time of application, and;
Are a UK national or have “settled status”, such as indefinite leave to remain in the UK, except where residence in the UK is wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education, and;
You meet the subject specific criteria (below) for each programme.
Programme
A-level Mathematics (or equivalent)
A-level Physics (or equivalent), and;
A-level Mathematics (or equivalent)
A-level Computing/Computer Science (or equivalent)
Additional Information
Applicants that are in receipt of, or entitled to, Free School Meals or the 16-19 bursary
Applicants that have experienced significant educational disruption, for example if you have been in local authority care or under a Care Order for at least three months prior to starting Year 12 (i.e. you are a care leaver or care experienced) (the three months do not need to be consecutive and needn’t be the three months immediately prior to Year 12) or are irreconcilably estranged from both parents/carers.
By irreconcilably estranged we mean that you have had no contact at all with any of your parents/carers for at least 12 months prior to starting Year 12 and that this is unlikely to change. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate your estrangement on other grounds e.g. exceptional circumstances. In either case, a supporting statement from your school or college will be required and applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If there is additional context pertaining to the above or any other form of educational disruption that you think may be relevant to your Levelling Up application, please get in touch with us by email and/or encourage your teacher to include this as part of their verification.
Additionally, we prioritise applicants who meet some of the following criteria (please note, this list is in no particular order):
Levelling Up is aimed primarily at students from Portsmouth and the surrounding area. We have loosely defined this as being within 20 miles and/or an hour or less travel time from Portsmouth. However, we will consider applications on a case-by-case basis
Applicants that come from neighbourhoods with low overall progression rates to higher education or high levels of financial, economic or social deprivation. To meet this criterion students will need to be either A) Quintile 1 (POLAR4) or B) Quintile 2 (POLAR4) AND ACORN category 4 or 5. For further information see Young participation by area – Office for Students and Acorn – The smarter consumer classification | CACI
Applicants that are within the first generation in their family to attend university
Applicants that attend schools or colleges with a low overall GCSE and/or A-level point score and/or schools or colleges with low progression rates to higher education (please see Department of Education - Schools Perfomance)
Note: we will identify progression rates based on the school details you provide in your application form.
Note: we will identify POLAR and ACORN values using your home postcode that you provide in your application form.
Additionally, we use school data available to us through the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) to assess progression rates (e.g. POLAR4 data).
These criteria are used to identify students with merit and potential who are currently underrepresented in higher education and at Portsmouth University. Additionally, as Black heritage applicants, and female students in some STEM subjects, are underrepresented at Portsmouth, we particularly welcome applications to Levelling Up from Black students of African, Caribbean, or dual heritage, and female students.
Levelling Up also welcomes applications from disabled students and makes reasonable adjustments to facilitate access to all Levelling Up activities and the University
Levelling Up Location
Portland Building, Portland St, Portsmouth, PO1 3AH.