Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee paying school/college
Are studying in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent)
Mandatory criteria
You may apply to a Pathways programme if you:
Additional criteria
If you meet the above requirements, we will look at the following criteria when we consider your application:
Have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 9 – 6 (or A*- B), including English and Maths. Universities may also consider your overall level of GCSE (or equivalent) attainment as part of the selection process. Individual institutions may have subject specific requirements which will be stated on the programme application form where applicable
Would be in the first generation of your family to attend university.
Have been eligible for Free School Meals whilst at secondary school.
Attend a school or college with below average attainment or a low rate of progression to the top third of higher education institutions.
Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation.
Have been looked after or in care
The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place. You don't need to meet all the criteria to be eligible.
There is room on the application form and teacher verification to explain any extenuating circumstances that might impact your application.
If you are (or have been) looked after, accommodated or in care, you only need to meet the age, school and academic requirements.
Find my nearest programme
Please enter your postcode then select and address from the dropdown
It is important to note that you will not be accepted for a place at a university that is not within a reasonable commuting distance from your location. Please consider your choice carefully for the best chance of success.
Your closest Universities offering Pathways to are:
Register your interest in Pathways 26/27
Applications for Pathways to the Professions will open again in September 2026! To be the first to hear about any updates, register your interest here.
Hear from our students
"I’ve lived in Croydon, South London, my whole life. My grandparents were Greek Cypriot immigrants who came to the UK, working mainly in the food and drink sector. Their dedication instilled a really good work ethic in me. My parents were both very vocational, my dad went to work in the family warehouse and my mum is a beauty therapist, but they encouraged me to go to university, which had always been my ambition."
"I am half Nigerian and half French and neither of my parents have been to university. I came to the country as an EU citizen and have been living here since 2006. I remember hearing the name Imperial College London when I was a kid and thinking it was such a cool name. I thought Pathways would be a good way to learn more about the university and delve deeper into a career I was fascinated with."
"Home for me is the sleepy Devonian village of Lympstone. I was the only student from my school attending any widening participation programs and I was quite worried about my A-levels. Before joining Pathways, I had no idea what I wanted to do so felt as if I was almost floating around in this small area of the country-- eventually, something might pop up that I wanted to do."
"I got to shadow a real judge and experience what life would be like as a real lawyer. It was surreal seeing cases in person and learning about how court worked and how cases were sentenced and why. I have gained so much from this programme!"
