K+ Programme Discover yourself, Distinguish yourself © 2016 King’s College London. All rights reserved

Culture HE Skills Academic Careers Spotlight Summer School E-mentoring Academic – Gain exposure to university style teaching and explore deeper student knowledge E-mentoring – 121 support from a King’s student boosting social confidence online Culture – Develop skills of academic enquiry in learning environments outside of the classroom HE Skills – Get information and practical support in applying to university and succeeding on course Spotlight Summer School – A non-residential programme of activities including an independent academic project. Careers – Gain exposure to a variety of career choices and develop HE and workplace skills

Most events take place at King’s College London at the Strand (Temple), Waterloo or Guy’s (London Bridge) campuses. However, there will be two cultural and careers trips at other organisations in Greater London which students need to travel to independently. There is no cost involved and we can also support with the cost of travel.

Students choose a first choice and second choice subject stream. The student will remain on the subject stream for the full 2 years of the programme. Activities are tailored to each subject stream. Students will be able to meet fellow students from different schools who are interested in studying similar subjects and King’s Student Ambassadors who are currently studying a degree in that area.

EVALUATION Year Month Activity 12 November Induction December K+ and You days January Academic Day 1 February Culture Day March Careers Day June Academic Day 2 July Spotlight Summer School (1) August Spotlight Summer School (2) 13 September K+ Relaunch K+ Skills Preparing for University Graduation This is an example timetable of how these different activities fit together. It shows the commitment the K+ programme requires and the breadth of activities available to students. These are compulsory sessions, and confirmed timetables for the year will be provided for students at inductions . In order for students to progress onto their second year on K+, students will need to attend each session on their timetable. The second year will be less busy with evening events only, as students focus will be on their studies and exams.

E-mentoring “The mentoring has been a huge help to me and I’m sure will continue to be, my mentor is incredibly helpful!” -Amel, Woodhouse College All students on the K+ programme are assigned a mentor who is a current King’s student who is studying a subject similar to the students interests. They will be able to answer students’ questions, offer advice and be a regular contact person throughout students time on K+. The mentoring is done online but there will be opportunities for students to meet their mentors throughout the year at some events.

Academia As part of the Academia activities on K+, students will have 2 academic events in their first year, as well as the summer school, which will include lectures, practicals and master classes. This is an opportunity for students to learn from world class academics and experience what it’s like to study their preferred subject at degree level. Part of these activities are also about getting students to try a variety of subjects that are related and show them what’s on offer at university level study. There is so much that can be studied at university level which your students won’t have necessarily come across at school for example: Philosophy, Physiotherapy or Biochemistry. The academic sessions are designed to challenge students. Students will also have a chance to get support from a PhD tutor on an independent Academic Project, this takes place at the summer school as pictured above.

Careers & Employability Students will get an opportunity to meet people working in a wide variety of organisations, businesses and companies and get advice on what’s out there. The logos represent some of the companies students visited last year. A big part of why people want to go to university is not only because they love their subject but because they have a particular career in mind. Lots of others don’t know what they’d like to do for a job. The activities on careers and employability are there to help students get some practical experience related to their subject and to build students skills and confidence to help in both university applications and starting to think about their various careers options.

Culture Last year K+ went on lots of exciting cultural trips. Some of the organisations visited are above. King’s is based right in the heart of London and is surrounded by lots of interesting, educational and unusual cultural places. Learning isn’t solely confined to the classroom and part of the K+ programme is to use the best of this cultural community on the doorstep to help broaden students subject knowledge and bring unique experiences. Universities look for students that are engaged with their subject outside the classroom and part of the K+ programme is facilitating this.

Spotlight Summer School The summer school is a key part of the K+ programme and runs at the end of July. This is a non-residential week jam-packed full of academic tutorials, guest lectures, competitions, and practical subject lessons, as well as fun and social activities. During the Spotlight Summer School, students will be tutored by a King’s postgraduate student who will offer support and prepare students to complete their own academic project based upon what they have learnt that week. This is completed over the summer and students will receive invaluable feedback from tutors on their work in the autumn term. The summer school is a great opportunity for students to explore their subject in depth and get a real sense of what university life is like.

University application support A big part of the K+ programme is providing support with the process of applying to university. This includes help with personal statements, student finance, interviews and aptitude tests (such as those for Dentistry, Medicine and Law). K+ will help you get ready to make a really strong and competitive application to university and be fully prepared to make the most of it once you’re there. Student Finance

Variable K+ Offer Variable K+ offer of up to 2 A-level grades or equivalent lower than standard offer All undergraduate courses, excluding medicine and dentistry, eligible K+ students must successfully complete the K+ programme to be eligible For some degree programmes, even with the K+ variable offer, you will be required to meet the standard criteria for any essential subjects within the offer. You should check any such requirements carefully. For full details of the K+ variable offer, please see our FAQs: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/widening-participation/faqs.aspx

Who are we looking for? Have none of your parent(s) or carer(s) gone to university? Have you got at least English and Maths at 4 or above and 6 A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent with a minimum of 5 A or A* grades and/or 7’s or above? Are you bright and enthusiastic about your subject? In order to support those will benefit most from the programme, students will need to fit the eligibility criteria above to join the programme. If a student’s parents have studied at university abroad this will count as them having gone to university. All the criteria is outlined on the King’s College website or you can get in touch with the K+ team if you are not sure if a student is eligible.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from students… with a disability who are care leavers who are young carers Students from these groups are particularly under-represented at university so we’re keen to support them. As long as they attend a non-selective state school in a London Borough, we will consider their application to K+.

How do I apply? Visit www.kplus.london Read eligibility criteria and programme information Application form is available here at the website above Deadline 5pm, Wednesday 11th October Inductions in November The application is an online form. As part of the application students will be asked for their GCSE grades, the subjects they are currently studying and to write a short personal statement about what they hope to get out of the programme and why they would be a good participant. Applications for the K+ scheme are competitive so it is worth students putting some time and effort into their application. There are 40 places available on each subject stream of K+ so 280 places in total.

@KCLWP kplus@kcl.ac.uk www.facebook.com/kclwp These are the K+ teams contact details, students should contact the team directly if they have any queries. The team are a friendly bunch and will happily answer any questions. They also have a flickr account where you can see photos of K+ events and activities. @KCLWP www.facebook.com/kclwp kplus@kcl.ac.uk

See for yourself… www.kplus.london See what it’s really like on the K+ programme and hear from students about their experiences.