Step Ahead
The Step Ahead programme is designed to support new undergraduate students with their transition to university life and give them the best possible start at York.
Step Ahead involves an online induction event in September followed by termly events in the first year.
"I thought it was a great way to bring people together to share and understand everything that was available. It also provided an excellent forum to start meeting people, which is a fantastic start in a new environment."Rhonda, BA (Hons) Linguistics
Induction 2021
Induction 2021
The Step Ahead Induction event supports your transition to university life, giving you the opportunity to:
- meet other new students and make friends prior to the start of term
- interact with current students who'll give you an insight into student life at York
- ask questions to members of staff from across the University
You will also attend workshops on:
- preparing to study at the University
- looking after yourself
- managing your budget and finding part-time work and placements
- getting involved through the Students' Union and college activities
The events will take place online before term begins in September:
Cohort one (students aged 21 and above)
- Tuesday 14 September, 12 noon to 2pm
- Thursday 16 September, 12 noon to 2pm
- Tuesday 21 September, 12 noon to 2pm
Cohort two (eligible students under 21 years)
- Tuesday 14 September, 6 to 8pm
- Thursday 16 September, 6 to 8pm
- Tuesday 21 September, 6 to 8pm
"It was a great way to get prepared to start university. It was friendly and informal and provided me with a wide range of information and a good chance to connect with people before I started my course."Lucy, BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
Eligibility
Eligibility
In 2021 the Step Ahead programme will be open to new Home/EU undergraduate students who meet one (or more) of the following criteria:
- I will be 21 or over when I start my university course
- I am the first generation in my family to go to University (my parents did not go to University or they went as a mature student)
- I will be studying at university without parental support (I am a Care Leaver or an estranged student)
- I live in an area in the UK that has low levels of progression to Higher Education (if this is the case you will have automatically received a Contextual Offer from the University)
- I have a disability or long term health condition
- I have children
- I will continue to live at home while I study and commute to university
- I am from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background
- I am from a Gypsy, Roma or Traveller community
- I have unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member
- I am seeking asylum in the UK or have been granted refugee status
- I am from a military background
Please note all students who met the criteria for a Contextual Offer, the York Access Scheme or an Alternative Widening Participation Offer from the University are eligible to attend Step Ahead.
If you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria above but feel you would benefit from attending Step Ahead, please complete the registration form (this will be available from 10 August) and if a place is available you are welcome to attend.
If you have any questions about our eligibility criteria, please email us at stepahead@york.ac.uk for more information.
"Step Ahead has seriously made my time at uni infinitely better than it would have been otherwise...it has genuinely changed my life for the better."Matthew, BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
