York Experience Summer School (YESS)

If you successfully complete all elements of the programme, you could be considered for a reduced offer (or interview, for subjects that interview) to study at the University of York.

If you are made an offer at the University of York, your offer could be reduced by up to three grades compared to a standard offer.

If you're applying to study at Hull York Medical School, see the contextual offers section on their Entry requirements page.

To retain your alternative offer, you'll need to complete our short transition programme, YorJourney, which runs for four weeks in the summer before you enrol at York. YorJourney is designed to support your transition to York.

In completing YESS and YorJourney, you'll be considered automatically for a scholarship worth £1,100 for every year of undergraduate study.

The University offers other funding opportunities, too, including those for students from low-income families.

You should meet all the essential criteria:

• Achieved eight A* to C, or 9 to 4, grades at GCSE (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics*
• Have completed Key Stage 4 in a UK state school/college
• Have potential to achieve BCC at A level (or equivalent)
• Currently attend a UK state school or college

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

• Entitled to, or were in receipt of, free school meals or discretionary payments at school/college✝
• Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen or Boater background✝
• Seeking asylum in the UK, or granted Refugee status✝
• Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background✝
• Experience of Public Care✝
• Parent/s didn't go to university, or went as a mature student during your secondary education
• Live in a neighbourhood with low progression rate to uni
• School/college achieved below the national average
• Have a disability or long-term health condition
• Household income below £42,875
• From a military or service family
• Estranged from parent/s
• Young carer

✝ indicates priority criteria. If you meet any criteria marked ✝, you don't need any others to be eligible. Places are limited, given based on priority criteria and number of criteria met.

*We understand grades alone don't reflect your potential. We consider other circumstances that impacted your ability to achieve our GCSE criteria. Your school/college referee should reference this in your application. To discuss further, please continue to submit an application, or contact the team.

Guaranteed and priority places

We guarantee places for students who've taken part in Black Access or Realising Opportunities (Uni of York cohort).

Places guaranteed subject to the completion, on time, of the student, supporter and school-coordinator application forms.

We prioritise places for students who've taken part in:

• Realising Opportunities (all UK participants)
• The Social Mobility Foundation
• The Elephant Group
• Roots to Success
• Shine