Widening access programmes and support for Pre 16

Each year LJMU Outreach host an exciting two day, one night residential for local Care Experienced young people. It is an exciting opportunity for pupils to experience what life at university would be like and to hear first-hand about the support that is available to them.

Activities include:

• an introduction into the higher education experience
• university campus tours and overnight stay in LJMU accommodation
• hands-on taster sessions in one of LJMU’s many subject areas
• opportunities to participate in social activities
• a chance to speak to current care-experienced LJMU students

The event is free and include all meals, refreshments and materials needed throughout.

To apply for this years residential please complete the application form and email it to summeruniversity@ljmu.ac.uk.

Closing date: Friday 13 June 2025

Any further questions please email Outreach@ljmu.ac.uk.

LJMU’s widening access programmes engage with cohorts of 30 pupils in selected schools in the Liverpool city region.

This sustained programme supports students from under-represented groups to aspire to university level education through a series of staged interactions in each of the school years, from Year 9 up to Year 11.

Schools identify 30 pupils who, along with having the ability to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (including Maths and English), must meet at least one of the following:

• No family history of higher education
• Black minority ethnic background
• While male from low socio-economic background
• Seen or unseen disability
• Looked after children
• Pupil who is a carer for a family member

We are one of twelve partners that form the collaborative programme, Shaping Futures as part of the Uni-Connect Programme. We deliver activities designed to raise aspirations and provide impartial HE information, advice and guidance to 14-18 year old learners from the Liverpool city region, to support them in fulfilling their educational potential. Our particular focus is on raising GCSE academic attainment in mathematics through mentoring sessions and GCSE Maths Club. This allows students to progress into HE with the required qualifications.

Mentoring in schools for groups identified as under-represented in higher education.

For this programme, pupils are paired with current LJMU student advocates to receive pastoral and academic support. The mentoring programme aims to build confidence while raising aspiration and attainment and provides an insight into what life at university is like.

For more information please get in touch.

In partnership with the law firm, DWF, Law Factor is our access to the professions programme.

Law Factor gives pupils from LJMU’s widening participation schools the opportunity to discover more about the legal profession through a structured programme of activity delivered by the Liverpool based law firm, DWF. Twilight interactions provide young people with an insight into law from professional lawyers and help to develop their confidence to believe such careers are accessible to them.

Apply for our 2025 Programme - Deadline is Friday 13 December.

Any questions regarding the programme, please email outreach@ljmu.ac.uk.

We provide specific support for students with a disability prior to enrolment at LJMU.

The widening participation team heavily support the need for inclusivity by working with target groups who are under-represented in higher education. This includes care leavers, young adult carers, disabled young people and those who are first generation in HE. The activities we deliver range from one-to-one mentoring, subject-specific events to a summer residential specific for those in care. In addition, outreach support an annual event aimed at those with Asperger’s/autism who have applied to LJMU.

The University offers a range of events and projects specifically encouraging applications from specific ethnic backgrounds.

This programme aims to increase the number of school leavers with the skills and potential to pursue chemistry at university and beyond.

We work with a number of primary schools in Merseyside offering student volunteers the opportunity to work with children.

Volunteers work with children one-to-one or in groups to help them with their literacy or numeracy.

These visits are largely hosted by current students allowing them to gain experience working with children. During the visits, student volunteers design and deliver their own university taster sessions to inspire young learners.