FAQs

The Pathways National conferences are optional three to four day residentials for students on the Pathways to Banking & Finance, Engineering, and Law programmes – the in-person programmes only . You’ll get to stay overnight in Warwick University student halls and experience what university will really look like.

The conferences bring together students like you from across the country on the Pathways programmes to take part in expert-led information sessions on your chosen career, skill training sessions, Q&A panels with professionals from a similar background to you, networking opportunities for future job opportunities, and optional fun social activities (e.g. karaoke and sports).

Our work placements can take place in-person, hybrid or virtually and be between 3 and 5 days long. They’ll provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the employer, become immersed in the sector and gain employability skills that will boost you in your steps.

The types of things you could get involved with include:

• Work shadowing (following someone around while they do their job to see what the day-to-day looks like)
• Tour of the office
• Networking events (meeting with the people who work in this organisation)
• Group presentations and projects
• Q&A’s with employees
• Employability skill workshops (e.g. CV writing, negotiating skills, mock trials, etc.)

The Sutton Trust has two different types of Pathways programme; those that are delivered mostly in-person and those that are delivered online.

The offering and attendance expectations are the same, except that our online programme is mainly virtual, and they don’t have an in-person conference. However, while our in-person pathways programmes have a commuting distance requirement to the university you apply to, our online programme can be taken from anywhere in the UK.

The activities on an in-person programmes usually take place at the university you’ve applied for which is local to you – except for the work experience placement which takes place at the employers’ offices, and the conference which usually take place at Warwick university.

The online programmes are delivered solely online, so it doesn’t matter where you live in the UK, you can still access all the same opportunities, including your work placement. The only key difference at present is that the online programmes do not offer an overnight residential experience.

No you can’t apply to multiple Pathways programmes, but if you’re unsuccessful then you can apply for our summer schools or US programmes as their application windows open in November and January.

However, if you meet our academic requirements and one additional criteria, then you will also have access to our online programme Sutton Trust Online, which will support you through the final 18 months of school in applying to university or an apprenticeship.

If you meet our academic requirements and one additional criteria, you will have access to our online university and apprenticeship application support programme which provides extra resources, online sessions, and expert advice throughout your sixth form/college.

APPLY HERE

Each pathways programme will have a series of either an in person or online activities which you’ll need to take part in. These occur roughly once or twice a month and are often after school or on the weekends.

There are also optional work experience placements and a residential conference, which will take place during school holidays.

View eligibility criteria here.

Our programmes are completely free to attend.
All costs, including travel, food, accommodation and activities are paid for by the Trust and our partners.