Next Step York supports sixth form and college students to make informed decisions about higher education through a tailored programme of activities.

What is Next Step York?

Next Step York is a personalised two year programme for Year 12 students in England.

  • Explore university options
  • Receive specialist support with your current studies
  • Experience what life is like at York

Next Step York is aimed at pupils who have the potential to progress to university but have experienced barriers that may prevent them from accessing higher education.

We welcome applications from students living in the region who meet the programme criteria and believe they will benefit from our support.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Next Step York please feel free to get in touch with:

The Next Step York team

nextstepyork@york.ac.uk

About the programme

You’ll design your own Next Step York programme, choosing activities from three modules in your 1st year. You'll also work with a Student Supporter, a current University of York student, who will offer guidance and insight throughout the programme. 

Each activity or event is worth credits and you will be encouraged to build a complete programme of activities that totals 100 credits. Students must achieve a minimum of 100 credits to progress onto the 2nd year of the programme, where they’ll have the opportunity to unlock additional benefits.

YorModules

There are three YorModules spread across the first year of Next Step York, and you select which activities you'd like to attend.

Key dates

Applications will open on Monday 30 September at 9am and will close for new student applications on Friday 6 December at 9am. 

The final date to submit parent/carer/guardian permissions is Monday 9 December at 9am. The final date to submit a teacher supporting statement is Wednesday 11 December at 9am.

The programme kicks off in December with a virtual induction. You’ll then attend a range of virtual and in-person events between January and July.

During these events, you’ll meet other students on the programme, as well as current students at the University of York!

Hear from our students

To say NSY changed the trajectory of my life, may sound like a bold statement, but it is wholeheartedly true. Being part of NSY gave me such a boost of confidence to aim high, and that stuck with me throughout my studies and time at York as a student.

Having the opportunity to be part of it, push myself, and learn more about the options that were available to me, allowed me to take up more opportunities that would have never crossed my mind. I am so glad that I took the chance whilst it was there and would encourage you to push yourself and gain as much as possible as you can out of NSY, you won’t regret it!

Henna, Next Step York Alum

Benefits of completing Next Step York

To be eligible for the above benefits, you must: 

  • Meet the Next Step York eligibility criteria
  • Successfully complete the Next Step York programme
  • Submit an on-time UCAS application to study an undergraduate degree at University of York 
  • Meet the relevant subject requirements as outlined in the prospectus
  • Receive an alternative Widening Participation offer
  • Successfully complete the YorJourney module
  • Achieve and enrol onto a confirmed place for study at the University of York

How to apply

Student applications for the Next Step York programme are closed for the 2024/25 academic year.

Postcode checker

The postcode checker is used in order to assess whether you meet the Next Step York criteria ‘lives in a neighbourhood with low participation to higher education.’

Invalid postcode.

We don’t recognise that as a UK postcode. Please enter a valid UK postcode.

Unrecognised postcode.

We don’t have that postcode on record, are you sure you entered it correctly? If it is correct, then please email nextstepyork@york.ac.uk for help.

Sorry, you are not eligible to participate

Based on the information you've provided, you do not live in a neighbourhood with a low progression rate to higher education. Although you don't meet this eligibility criteria, you may still be eligible to take part in one of our Access and Outreach programmes.

Find out more about our Access and Outreach programmes (Pre-16 or Post-16) and their eligibility criteria to find out if you are eligible to apply.

You could be eligible to participate

Based on the information you've provided, you live in a neighbourhood with a low progression rate to higher education. This means you meet one of the eligibility criteria for our Access and Outreach programmes.

Find out more about our Access and Outreach programmes (Pre-16 or Post-16) and their eligibility criteria to find out if you are eligible to apply.

Sorry, there was a problem with the postcode checker service.

Please email nextstepyork@york.ac.uk for help.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Next Step York please feel free to get in touch with:

The Next Step York team

nextstepyork@york.ac.uk