Political Futures

Political Futures is a programme for Year 12 students, designed to help you develop your understanding of how politics has an impact on society as well as  providing you with insight into what it’s like to study at a Russell Group University. The programme for 2023 is a mixture of in person, on campus, and online activity. You will be able to develop your skills and subject knowledge, as well as have the opportunity to take part in talks, workshops, meet current students and academics, explore University of Leeds’ campus, and other activities alongside your current studies. 

What’s included in the Futures Programme: 

You will explore real-world challenges which influence lives locally, nationally, and internationally. Gain an insight into how parliamentary debates work, explore the geopolitical movements that impact us all, and improve your data analysis and critical thinking skills.  

The programme runs from February in Year 12 to December in Year 13. The details below give you a general idea of the activities involved. 

Year 12 

• Launch event, providing you with more information about the programme and a chance to meet staff and students in the School of Politics and International Studies
• Online subject taster sessions, helping you develop your insight into your chosen subject area
• Skill workshops, helping you develop the skills you need to apply to your chosen subject area
• On campus day, the opportunity to experience life as a student, taking part in mini-lectures and seminars

Year 13 

• Personal statement workshops, helping you understand how different universities use your personal statement and how best to write it
• Study skills sessions, helping you develop the study skills required to help you do well in your current and future studies
• Further sessions on student finance, contextual admissions programmes, exam support etc.
• Futures Graduation, an on campus event, celebrating your achievements over the programme 

 During the programme, sessions will take place on an evening, weekend, and during the school/college holidays, so that they do not interfere with your current studies. 

 Eligibility Criteria 

The Futures programmes are open to current Year 12 / first year college students who are currently  studying Sociology, Politics, Law, Philosophy, or Geography, or have an interest in applying to Politics/International Studies, or Social Sciences courses in Higher Education. 

Should there be more applications than places, priority will be given to students who live in an area with low levels of progression on to Higher Education (use our online postcode checker) and/or who meet one of more of our other Access to Leeds criteria:

• You’re from a household with an annual income of £25,000 or below OR in receipt of 16-19 Bursary Fund with an income threshold of £25,000 OR in receipt of free school meals during your GCSE or post-16 studies.
• Your parents did not go to university.
• You attend a school achieving below the national average at GCSE (Attainment 8 score).
• 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, please see our Access to Leeds application guidelines for further information).
• You are care experienced (this could include public or kinship care).

Applicants should also be available to attend the sessions on the dates and times of the sessions provided above.

 How to Apply 

Applications for our Futures programmes open on Monday 28th November 2022. If you wish to apply, please fill in our application form. Applications close on Sunday 5th February 2023.