Next Step York

You will 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.

You will 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. Our Summer Residential will also be held in 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.

Completing the YorJourney module will not only prepare you for university life, but is also be the final step in unlocking the alternative offer, a benefit afforded to students who have successfully completed one of the eligible widening access programmes and YorJourney.

• Sept to Nov 2025 | Applications open in the Autumn and will close in November.
• Jan 26 | Next Step York Launch (online)
• Feb to Mar 2026 |  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.
• Apr to Jul 2026 | YorUni Module. Take part in activities which will support you in learning about managing your wellbeing and finances at university.

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 2026 to May 2027 | YorChoice Module. We’ll support you through the process of choosing where to study and applying to university and preparing for your final exams.
• Jun to Jul 2027 | 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:

• You have the potential to achieve BCC or above at A Level, DMM or above in BTEC Extended Diploma or the equivalent in a Level 3 qualification e.g T Level
  
• You are currently studying at a UK state (non-fee paying) school, sixth form or college and in your first year of further education (such as Year 12 or Level 3 Year 1). We will consider applications on a case by case basis where you attended an Independent Special School fully funded by your local authority
  
• Attended a UK State (non-fee paying) school from Year 7 to Year 11*
  
• You have been a resident in the UK for at least the last three years*
  

* We will consider applications on a case by case basis where you hold “refugee” or “humanitarian protection” or are seeking asylum in the UK.

You should also meet at least one or more of the following criteria. The more of the below criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place on the programme: 

• From a Black background, such as Black African, Black Caribbean, including Black heritage, or other Black background
• From an South Asian background such as Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani including South Asian heritage
• From a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen or Boater background
• Have experience of local authority care
• You are estranged from your family members
• You are seeking asylum in the UK or granted refugee status
• Entitled to, or were in receipt of, free school meals or discretionary payments at school/college
• Have a disability or long term health condition
• From a military or service family 
• Parent/carer/guardian(s) didn’t go to university or went as a mature student during your secondary education
• You are a young carer
  Students who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction. (UCAS/Carer Trust)
• You live in a priority neighbourhood (see postcode checker)