Leeds Futures - STEM

Leeds Futures - STEM is a national outreach programme aimed at Year 12 students.  The programme offers an exciting opportunity to explore STEM subjects you're interested in studying at university, whilst also helping to build essential study skills and an understanding of potential career paths.

Through a series of workshops delivered by lecturers and student ambassadors, you'll receive valuable insights into a wide range of STEM subjects, as well as practical guidance on UCAS applications, writing your personal statement, and choosing accommodation.

We especially welcome applications from students who are underrepresented in STEM fields.

Applications for this year's Leeds Futures - STEM have closed.  For the 2026 cohort, applications will open later this year.

The programme includes a variety of subject-specific taster sessions, giving you a broader understanding of the fields within STEM.  You'll receive application support, and have the chance to meet current STEM students and academics.

Within Leeds Futures - STEM, there are two subject pathways: Engineering and Sciences.  You'll be assigned a 'home pathway' based on your current studies and interests, but you are able to attend sessions in both pathways.

The schedule for Leeds Futures - STEM is outlined below.  The bullet points detail the various sessions included in the programme, whilst the infographic shows the different subject areas within the two pathways.

Year 12:

• Introduction to STEM Futures and Applying to University
• Subject-specific taster sessions
• University of Leeds Campus Day
• Careers and Employability Session
• Personal Statement Workshop
• Student Ambassador Insights
• Exam Study Skills and Managing Exam Anxiety

Year 13:

• Choosing the Right Course for You
• Understanding Student Finance
• Transition to Higher Education and the Plus Programme
• Leeds Futures - STEM Graduation Ceremony

Leeds Futures - STEM runs from March of Year 12, to December of Year 13.  Each session will take place online via Zoom after school or college hours, with an opportunity to visit the University of Leeds in April.

We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to students from all backgrounds, recognising that some groups are underrepresented on university courses and in certain areas of STEM; we welcome and encourage applications from girls and students from a black or minority ethnic background.

Students applying to Leeds Futures - STEM must meet the following criteria:

• Year 12 / first year college student.
• GCSE English Language at grade 4 and Mathematics at grade 6 or equivalent qualification
• Studying at least two STEM A-Levels, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths
• Able to commit to joining the online sessions on the programme.

If our Futures programme is over subscribed, priority will be given to students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• your parents / carers did not go to university
• you are eligible for free school meals or from a household with an annual income of £25,000 or below
• you live in an area with low progression to higher education (use our online postcode checker)
• you attend a school achieving below the national average at GCSE (Attainment 8 score)
• you live or grew up in public care
• your studies have been disrupted by circumstances in your personal, social or domestic life. (Except in extreme circumstances, disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic will not be considered)

You can find out more about how we use the data from your application in our privacy notice.