Skip to Content

FAQs

Applying for Pathway

  • What is the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    The Pathway Opportunity Programme is a programme designed to help students, like you, attend Queen’s University Belfast. It is a one year programme running from January of your year 13 through December of your year 14 that helps support you academically as well as giving you an insight into student life at Queen’s. If you complete the programme, you will be eligible to receive a £1000 bursary, a guaranteed conditional offer (or guaranteed interview) and a potential grade reduction on your chosen course (where applicable).

  • What will the Pathway Opportunity Programme involve?

    The programme runs over one year, and involves a series of workshops and events, coursework and a week long summer school. These are spread evenly throughout the year. You will also receive lots of information about these events beforehand. The events and work are designed to prepare you for university life, giving you the opportunity to create a balance between the social and academic sides of university life, experience lectures and study like an undergraduate student. Please note that all Pathway events are compulsory so check the key dates before applying to make sure you will be available (not on holiday, etc.).

  • Am I eligible for a place on the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    If you’re interested in applying for the Pathway Opportunity Programme, it’s important to check your eligibility as there are certain criteria that need to be met. You can find out all the information on this here.

  • How can I apply for a place on the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    To apply for a place on the programme, all you need to do is follow this link. It will take you to the online application portal. One thing to note is that you cannot save your application as you go, or come back to it later. It needs to be completed in one go – so make sure to have all your details beside you (grades, reference details, personal statement).

  • Are the subjects I am studying accepted by my chosen course pathway?

    Your programme offer will be decided in conjunction with the subjects you’re studying. Your offer will let you know what courses on your pathway you will be eligible to study at Queen’s. It is a good idea, however, to become familiar with the entrance requirements for any courses you are interested in. These can be found here.

  • Am I guaranteed a reduced offer upon successful completion of the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    If you successfully complete all elements of the Pathway Opportunity Programme, for most courses you will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for your chosen course within your Pathway. You may be eligible to receive a reduced offer based on your performance in an assessment during the Summer School. Depending on your assessment performance and the course applied to, you can receive a reduction of up to two A-Level grades (or equivalent) to the standard entrance requirement for your course.

    Please note: Pathway Students applying to study Medicine or Dentistry will receive a guaranteed interview and, if successful at interview, will be eligible for up to a one grade reduced offer; Students applying to study a degree in Nursing (all fields) and/or Midwifery will receive a guaranteed interview and, if successful at interview, will receive an offer for their first choice in their chosen field but no grade reduction; Students applying to study Social Work will receive a guaranteed interview and, if successful at interview, will be eligible for up to a one grade reduced offer; Students applying to study the Pharmacy (MPharm) will receive a guaranteed interview and, if successful at interview, will be eligible for up to a one grade reduced offer.

  • How many places are available on the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    There will be 300 places available for the 2024 Pathway Opportunity Programme, with approximately 20 – 25 places on each of the 13 Pathways.

  • Will applying for the Pathway Opportunity Programme cost me anything?

    No! There is no cost to apply for the Pathway Opportunity Programme.

  • How much does it cost to be a part of the Pathway Opportunity Programme?

    The entirety of the Pathway Opportunity Programme is free throughout, so you will not incur any costs while you are a part of the programme, with the possible exception of a little pocket money during the summer school.

  • When is the deadline for submission of applications?

    The deadline for applications for the 2024 programme is noon on Monday 30th October 2023.

Attending Events

  • Do I have to attend all events on the programme?

    All of the events are compulsory and therefore it is important that you attend them - particularly the Summer School.

    If you have an extenuating circumstance surrounding an event, please contact the Pathway team at pop@qub.ac.uk and we will do our best to accommodate and work with you.

Summer School

  • Do I need to attend the entirety of the summer school?

    This element of the programme helps us to facilitate certain aspects of the assessment.  For this reason, it is compulsory that students attend the entire duration of the Summer School where possible.  If you have exceptional circumstances that may prevent you from taking part of any aspect of the Summer School, please contact the Widening Participation Unit on 028 9097 5020 or email pop@qub.ac.uk.

  • What will the assessment undertaken at the summer school involve?

    The assessment will vary depending on your Pathway subject, and may involve undertaking research, reading articles, writing a report or essay, undertaking group work exercises, developing a small computer programme, delivering a presentation or a combination of the above.

Completing the Programme

If you have a question that has not been addressed in this section, please contact the Pathway team at pop@qub.ac.uk  

Close Menu - Off Canvas