Access to Leeds

Access AcademyAccess and Community Engagement

Rebecca Clark

Access to Leeds Officer

What is Access to Leeds (A2L)?

• A2L is an alternative entry scheme

• Aim to recruit the brightest students with the most potential regardless of background

• Understand the context of an applicant’s academic achievements

• Includes all University of Leeds undergraduate courses

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Eligibility Criteria – applicants meet at least 2 of the following:

•From a household with an annual income of up to £25,000 OR

Received free school meals during your GCSE studies

•In first generation of your immediate family to apply to HE

•From a school achieving less than the national average of students achieving 5 A*- C GCSEs (including English & Maths or equivalent)

•Living in or have been brought up in public care

•Live in a geographical location with low progression to HE

•Only HE option is to study at a local university

•Studies have been disrupted by circumstances in their personal, social or domestic lives

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• Gain special consideration from admissions tutors

• Opportunity to receive an A2L course offer

• Take part in the A2L module

• Gain university tuition before the start of your course

• Special consideration for scholarships

• Opportunity to participate in pre registration activities

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Why apply to A2L?

A2L Alternative Offer

If applicants are successful and receive an offer, they will receive a standard offer and alternative offer

Example for BA GeographyStandard Offer: AAA A2L offer: ABB with a pass in A2L module

To keep the A2L offer applicants must:

– Complete A2L module– Make the University of Leeds your firm

choice via UCAS

A2L does not guaranteed an offer; Students do not have to take up the A2L offer

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Distance learning module via University VLE

Prepare for university study, get a head start

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Access to Leeds Module

• Study skills assignment - How we Learn

• Subject specific assignment

• Tuition from University academics

• Social events – make new friends

• Study skills activities

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Financial Support

We expect one in three new students to receive financial help from the University of Leeds. Recipients will choose whether they want their funding as a:

• Partial tuition fee waiver or• Discount on University owned accommodation or

• Bursary – a cash award.

Access to Leeds applicants receive special consideration for pre-entry scholarships where they submit a scholarships application and meet the relevant criteria.

Contact the Scholarships team at ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk or visit www.leeds.ac.uk/yourfinances.

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How it worksSep

to

Jan

Apply to UCAS – Submit A2L application

A2L team inform admissions tutor Applicant receives special consideration If receive an offer, also receive an A2L offer

Feb

to

Jul

Gain access to A2L module resources Choose whether to take up A2L offer

April – A2L social

Assignment deadlines May and July – A2L social event

Aug

to

Sep

Receive results of A2L module

A Level results day

Pre Registration Event for successful applicants

Student & teacher complete Access to Leeds application

Application submitted to A2L team

The closing dates are:

•22 Dec – Medicine and Dentistry

•28 Feb – All other courses

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How to apply

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“‘The subject specific assignment was a very good starter to my course. I actually enjoyed writing it and it was good preparation for my first year modules.’ Samantha, Television Production

“A2L enabled me to take the first steps into university life...I found it very useful to have contact with members of university staff especially those from the School of English.” Erica, English

“A2L was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I met with University staff who I can contact if I ever have a problem and the A2L team informed me about scholarships so that I have the money to study.” Adil, Medicine

What previous Access to Leeds students have to say:

For Further Information….

• Visit www.leeds.ac.uk/A2L

for further information and to download an application pack

• Contact the Access to Leeds scheme

Telephone (0113 343 3378)

Email (accesstoleeds@leeds.ac.uk)

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