Nominate Your Students for the Senior Academy Programme at Queen’s University
As educators, you play a critical role in shaping the future of young people. The Senior Academy Programme at Queen’s University Belfast aims to provide a unique opportunity for your students to develop the academic skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to take their next steps in education, whether through Higher Education, Further Education, or Higher Level Apprenticeships, and we want to do this by supporting your work in the classroom.
We invite you to nominate students who will benefit most from this programme and help them unlock their full potential.
Why Nominate Your Students?
The Senior Academy Programme offers a transformative experience for students in Years 13 and 14, providing them with:
- Up to 10 hours of personalised tutoring in a specific subject area, helping to boost their academic performance and subject confidence.
- £1000 bursary available for students who complete the Senior Academy programme and begin an undergraduate degree at Queen's University**
- An immersive experience of university life, including a 3-day residential stay at Queen’s University student accommodation.
- Opportunities to meet current Queen’s students and gain insights into a variety of subject areas and university experiences.
- A series of study skills workshops and interactive sessions designed to develop critical academic skills, build confidence, and improve study habits.
- Tailored information and activities that will help students explore and prepare for the variety of educational pathways available, whether they choose Higher Education, Further Education, or Higher Level Apprenticeships.
**Subject to funding. Bursary will be paid during first year of study.
This programme is more than just academic support—it’s designed to provide students with the resources, mentoring, and experiences that will shape their educational futures and to provide them with as much information as possible to make informed choices about their next steps.
-
Who is Senior Academy designed to support?
Students should come from a widening participation background as per the entry criteria:
To be eligible for the Senior Academy Programme, students must meet the following criteria:
- Currently in full-time education and studying a two-year Level 3 qualification (e.g., A-Levels, BTEC).
- Attending a non-selecting secondary school or Further Education College in Northern Ireland.
- Have at least five A-C grades at GCSE*, including English and Maths.
- Neither parent has completed a university degree.
Additionally, students should meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Household income of £19,203 or less.
- In receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) or eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
- Have a disability or an additional learning need.
- Act as a main carer for a family member.
- A newcomer, refugee, or asylum seeker.
- Have care experience (e.g., in foster care, residential care).
- Live in a disadvantaged neighbourhood as classified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
In addition to this, we want to support young people who are interested and committed to continuing their education journey, but are not yet sure what route is best for them.
- How can I nominate students?
As educators and advisors, you understand the potential in your students best, and that is why we would like your help in identifying suitable participants. Nominations can be made by a teacher, Head of Year, Careers Advisor, or external agency. We encourage you to identify students who meet the eligibility criteria and would benefit from this opportunity most.
When the recruitment cycle begins, we will have a number of resources - such as presentations, videos and brochures to advertise the programme. We will then get in touch with all participating schools to provide these materials and share them with students who would be suitable for the programme. We are always happy to meet staff, or students to talk about the programme and share details.
- What does the application process look like?
Supporting Applicants: A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators
- How can I check a student's postcode?
You can check a student's postcode using our Senior Academy Postcode Checker 2025.
- Who can I contact about the programme?
You can get in touch with us any time, by emailing senioracademy@qub.ac.uk and someone will be happy to help.