Next Step York

Throughout January and February, you’ll take part in sessions that will support you with your current and future studies, and start helping you think about your chosen course at university. There is also the chance to take part in our Academic Conference.

In March and April, you’ll develop skills to help you thrive at university, learning ways to manage your wellbeing and finances, as well as how to find your people at university.

During May, June and July, it’s all about finding the right university for you, as well as thinking about your next steps after you have completed your university experience. Our Summer Residential will also be held in July.

• Sept to Nov 2024 | Applications open in the Autumn and will close in December - exact dates to be updated soon.
• Dec 2024 | Next Step York Launch (online)
• Jan to Feb 2025 |  YorSkills Module. Activities begin and you can select which to attend based on your personal preference. Activities will focus on supporting your current and future studies. There will also be a chance to attend our in-person Academic Conference.
• Mar to Apr 2025 | YorUni Module. Take part in activities which will support you in learning about managing your wellbeing and finances at university.
• Apr to Aug 2025 | YorDecision Module. Participate in activities to help you start thinking about which university or whether university is right for you. You will also have the opportunity to apply for and attend our Summer Residential. You will need to have gained 100 credits by the end of August to pass the first year of the programme.

• Sep 2025 to Jan 2026 | YorApplication Module. We’ll support you through the process of applying to university and preparing for your final exams.
• Feb to Apr 2026 | YorChoice Module. From choosing where to study, to applying for Student Finance - we are here to help.
• May to Aug 2026 | YorJourney Module. If you decide to apply to York and receive an alternative Widening Participation offer, you will move onto the YorJourney module which will support your transition to university.

Participants who successfully complete the Next Step York 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:

• 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

You should also meet two or more of the additional criteria:

• Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background ✝
• 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

✝ indicates our priority criteria. If you meet any of the criteria marked ✝, you do not need to meet any other criteria to be eligible for the Next Step York programme.

Places on the Next Step York programme will be limited and we usually receive far more applications than we can accept. We will prioritise places based on our priority criteria (marked ✝) and the number of criteria met. 

* 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 Next Step York 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 Next Step York team if you wish to discuss further.