Black Access

Participants who successfully complete the Black Access programme could be considered for a guaranteed interview or offer to study at York.

If you receive an offer to study at the University of York, you will receive two offers: the standard offer and the alternative Widening Participation alternative offer which is up to three grades below the standard offer published in our prospectus.

If you're applying to study at Hull York Medical School, see the alternative offers section on their entry requirements page.

The alternative Widening Participation offer is conditional on the completion of our YorJourney module, which comes with a whole host of additional benefits that will support your transition to university life.

You should meet all the essential criteria:

• From a Black background, such as Black African, Black Caribbean, Mixed or multiple ethnic groups (including Black heritage), or other Black background
• Achieved eight GCSE's (or equivalent) at grades A* to C, or 9 to 4, including English Language and Mathematics*
• The potential to achieve BCC or above at A Level (or equivalent)
• Currently in your first year of further education (such as Year 12, Level 3 or Year 1)
• Currently studying at a UK state (non fee paying) school, sixth form or college
• Completed Key Stage 4 (GCSEs or equivalent) in the UK**
• Completed Key Stage 3 and 4 at a state (non fee paying) school

We'll prioritise students who also meet any priority criteria:

• Experience of Public Care 
• You are seeking asylum in the UK or granted refugee status 
• Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen or Boater background 
• Parent/carer/guardian(s) didn’t go to university or went as a mature student during your secondary education
• Household income below £50,778 
• Entitled to, or were in receipt of, free school meals or discretionary payments at school/college
• You live in a neighbourhood with a low progression rate to uni
• School/college achieved below the national average
• Have a disability or long term health condition
• From a military or service family
• Estranged from parent/s
• Young carer

* We understand that grades alone do not reflect a person’s full potential. We will consider additional circumstances that adversely affected your personal life or education which impacted on your ability to achieve our GCSE criteria. Your school/college referee should reference this in support of your application. Please continue to submit an application or contact the Black Access team if you wish to discuss further.

** We understand circumstances may prevent some students from completing all of their Key Stage 4 studies in a UK school or college (particularly for pupils seeking asylum in the UK). We may be able to offer some flexibility on this criterion. Your school/college referee should reference this in support of your application. Please continue to submit an application or contact the Black Access team if you wish to discuss further.