In the UK today, graduates from the most competitive universities are more likely to access professional careers and have higher rates of life satisfaction. On average, they will earn £10,000 more per year than their peers. However, students from disadvantaged backgrounds are three times more likely to miss out on a 1st or a 2:1 degree at university compared to their more advantaged peers. Disadvantage does not disappear when students walk through the door of a university.
Furthermore, they are more at risk of withdrawing from university, with 8.9% of students from POLAR 4 neighbourhoods dropping out of university after their first year, compared to 6.3% of students from other areas.
The Brilliant Club has been running programmes which support disadvantaged young people in schools to fulfil their potential for over ten years.
We mobilise PhD researchers to share their love for their subject and inspire students to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to secure a place at a competitive university. The charity was approached by a group of schools who wanted to do more to support their students to make the transition to university, particularly those at risk of facing these additional barriers. Building on the successes of our close work with schools and universities in our Scholars Programme and Brilliant Tutoring Programme, this year we are leading a collaborative programme to bring together schools and universities. Join the Dots will support students to succeed in the next stage of their education journey, built on the principles of community, connections and coaching.
Join the Dots will run from July 2022–January 2023, acting as transition support for students from the end of their A-Level exams, through results day and ensuring that they succeed at university through their first undergraduate year. Students will have 1:1 support from a PhD Coach, meet in small peer groups to share challenges and be part of a national network of students who are also making the transition to university. The importance of fostering a sense of belonging in the university community, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is well evidenced. It leads to higher levels of persistence and ultimately results in better degree outcomes for individuals. Research shows that hearing from students from similar backgrounds and going through a similar transition can improve sense of belonging, because it normalises challenges and presents them as temporary.
The Brilliant Club is looking for schools from across the country to be part of the free Join the Dots pilot. We will be working with students who have selected one of the following institutions as their firm choice:
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- Sussex University
- Kingston University
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- University of Southampton
If you’d like to find out more about your students taking part in Join the Dots, sign up to our information webinar on Friday 10th June, 4–4.45pm or get in touch with Victoria Dee, Head of School Partnerships, [email protected].