Queen's Widening Participation Unit (WPU) Student Mentors/Assistants

Activity Overview

Level of Study

Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught/Masters, Postgraduate Research

Award Type

Combined Route

Widening Participation programmes include the Pathway Opportunity, Senior Academy, Junior Academy, Junior Academy Sports, Reading & Numeracy Together and Professor Fluffy Programmes. The programmes are designed to raise the aspirations of young people from Widening Participation backgrounds in primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland to progress to Higher Education.

• Each year the Pathway Opportunity Programme works with 300 young people in Year 13-14 who come from Widening Participation backgrounds and could benefit from some extra support and encouragement to come to study at Queen’s. The programme consists of 6 one day events and a 5day summer residential  focused around one of 13 subject specific Pathways (e.g. Law , Computer Science , etc.). Upon completing the programme, participants benefit from a guaranteed conditional offer (or guaranteed interview) onto a subject in their Pathway and may be eligible for a one or two grade reduction in their offer.
• The Queen’s Senior Academy Programme works to support Year 13 students who have the potential to secure a place at university, regardless of economic and social background. The two-year programme offers young people from participating non-selecting secondary schools and Further Education Colleges the chance to take part in a range of activities aimed at introducing and preparing for university life. Participants take part in a range of campus visits, study skills support and a residential summer experience.
• The Junior Academy programme offers a range of focused interactive activities to nominated pupils in Years 9 to 12, with the aim of supporting their attainment and raising aspirations to attend university. The programme incorporates a range of on-campus tours and activities, as well as a variety of subject based Taster Days, before focusing on exam preparation.
• The Junior Academy Sports Programme focuses on male pupils in Years 8 to 10 and aims to raise aspiration and attainment by using sport as a way to foster early engagement with Queen's University Belfast. As part of the programme participants have the opportunity to complete a Level 1 Certificate in Sports Leadership.
• Reading Together works with young people aged 9-12 who are in care. The programme has been expanded to include Numeracy Together and Steps to Success (a transition support programme).  Please note that Student Assistants are called “mentors” in this role – this is because of the additional mentoring responsibility they have from working 1:1 with a child in care.  Students work online with participants to develop their reading, numeracy skills or emotional literacy skills. The programme also supports the understanding of transition to post-primary education and helps to raise aspirations and knowledge of Queen’s University and the opportunities available. 
• The Professor Fluffy programme works with young people in Primary 7. The programme is often the first interaction some pupils will have with Queen’s. The programme aims to introduce university, focusing on the differences between school and university, student life and the subjects available to study.

Queen's University students have the opportunity to get involved by working as Student Assistants to mentor and work with young people participating across our programmes. Working as a Student Assistant involves being an ambassador for the university, passing on knowledge and experience of university life. 

Being a Student Assistant within WPU requires a positive and enthusiastic attitude to Higher Education that will in turn help to raise the aspirations of participants.

Student Assistant and Student Mentor roles are paid positions and are recruited via MyFuture application and interview.  Training will be provided as part of the role.

Further Information

For more information about Widening Participation programmes please visit the WPU Website