Who can attend Step Ahead?
You can attend Step Ahead if you have a confirmed place on an undergraduate course at the University of York and have Home Student fee status.
As Step Ahead is designed for students who belong to communities currently underrepresented at university, you also need to meet at least one of the criteria listed below in order to be able to attend Step Ahead:
- I will be 21 or over on my first day at university
- I am from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background
- I am disabled (this includes students with long-term health conditions, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, autistic spectrum conditions and mental health conditions)
- I have care experience
- I am estranged from both of my biological or adoptive parents
- I am a refugee or a student seeking asylum in the UK
- I am the first generation in my family to go to university
- I identify as LGBTQ+
- I will commute to university
- I have children
- I have unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member
- I am from a Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen or Boater background
- I live in a priority neighbourhood (please re-visit this webpage in the summer in order to use our postcode checker to confirm if you meet this particular criteria)
As there are limited places at Step Ahead, you are encouraged to register as soon as you have a confirmed place at the University of York (from the first week in August when registration opens).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Step Ahead also for mature students?
Yes, Step Ahead is for all ages, including students who will be aged 21 or over when they start their university course. In 2025, 47 mature students attended Step Ahead, 16 of these students attended our 2-day events and the remainder our 1-day event.
I live close to York, which Step Ahead event should I attend?
If you live within commuting distance of York you should attend our 1-day Step Ahead event. This event has been designed with local and commuting students in mind and will also enable you to meet other students who will be commuting to university.
I don’t meet any of the criteria listed on your webpage, is it possible for me to still attend Step Ahead?
We’re sorry but at the moment Step Ahead is funded through the University’s Access and Participation Plan and we are only able to offer places to home (UK) undergraduate students in groups currently underrepresented at university, as listed on this page.
If you have any questions about the eligibility criteria, please email us at stepahead@york.ac.uk