The Scholars Programme
University-style tutorials led by expert PhD tutors, inspiring a love of learning and boosting student confidence and attainment.
The Neon quality mark shows this activity has been reviewed and meets Neon's quality standards.
Overview
The Scholars Programme gives pupils from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to experience university-style tutorials, delivered by expert PhD tutors.
Over a series of 7 sessions spread over an academic term, autumn, spring, or summer, students explore an exciting academic topic beyond the curriculum. This culminates in a final assignment that mirrors university assessment. It’s a powerful way to stretch high-potential learners and raise aspirations. Their achievements are subsequently celebrated at a prestigious in-person graduation ceremony.
From climate change engineering to chemical engineering, the programme covers a wide range of subjects, helping students make connections between classroom learning and real-world careers. Tutors often share their own academic journeys, offering relatable role models and insight into pathways into higher education and STEM fields.
Teachers consistently report how transformative the experience is, not just for students, but for the wider school community. Pupils grow in confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and begin to see themselves as future university students. And the impact goes beyond aspiration! HEAT data shows that students who participated in the programme in years 7, 8, 9, or 10 were more likely to achieve grades 9-5 in Maths and English. This was compared with students from the same schools who had similar middle prior attainment at KS2.
Cost
£2954
Capacity
Minimum 14 students per programme
Dates and location
The Scholars Programme runs across 3 terms:
Autumn term: October-March (sign up by September)
Spring term: January-May (sign up by November)
Summer term: March-July (sign up by January)
This programme is delivered in schools in selected cities across the country, including Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester. Check if this experience is available in your area by inputting your school in our checker tool (yellow box above) or check in with the Brilliant Club team.
The Brilliant Club also offers an online version accessible from anywhere in the UK. See the digital experience listing.
Details
- School subject
-
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Technology/computing
- Design and technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Curriculum links
-
- Design and technology: Cooking and nutrition
- Biology
- Engineering
- Design and technology
- Computing
- Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
- Biology: Material cycles and energy
- Physics: Energy
- Physics: Space physics
- Technologies - Food and textile technology
- Sciences - Biological systems
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
- Computing science
- Sciences - Planet earth: Energy sources and sustainability
- Sciences - Planet earth
- Sciences - Planet earth: Space
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Design thinking and engineering
- Physics: Electricity
- Physics: Energy transfer
- Physics
- Sciences - Organisms and health: Interdependence of plants and animals
- Sciences - Organisms and health
- Technology & design - Manufacturing
- Technology & design - Design
- Technology & design - Communication: Use of ICT tools (including 3D modelling)
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
- Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The environment and human influences
- Sciences - Forces and energy
- Technology & design - Control
- Sciences - Earth and universe: The solar system and universe
- Group size
- Small groups
- Participation level
- Watching or listening, Independent work
- Duration
- Multi-session - set days
- Cost
- Cost applies
- Location
-
In-school
- Birmingham
- Bristol, City of
- Camden
- Islington
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Nottingham
- Sandwell
- Sheffield
- Solihull
- Walsall
- Wolverhampton
Learning outcomes
- Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
- Attainment and progress
- Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
- Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
Frameworks
Gatsby benchmarks
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
- 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil
- 7 - Encounters with further and higher education
EqualEx
- Investigate and Explore
Essential skills
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
-
-
Enrichment framework
- 6 - An enrichment offer that works in partnership
- 7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
