Leeds Futures - Politics
What is ‘Leeds Futures – Politics’?
Our national outreach programme, Leeds Futures – Politics, is designed to inspire Year 12 students who are interested in studying Politics, International Development and International Relations at university and support them to gain a place at the University of Leeds.
On the programme, you will develop your subject knowledge through a series of academic taster workshops, giving you the opportunity to experience teaching from academics in the Schools of Politics and International Studies (POLIS). The programme also includes activities that support your skills development, insight into life as an undergraduate student and support your university applications.
After taking part in the programme, eligible students will receive a guaranteed contextual offer from the University of Leeds if they apply for the BA Politics, BA International Development or BA International Relations courses in the School of POLIS.
What’s included in the Futures Programme?
The programme, running from March in Year 12 to December in Year 13, comprises a series of online sessions, as well as two in-person visits to the University of Leeds campus. The specific details of the activities will be confirmed at the start of the programme. Students taking part in the programme will also be supported to write and submit a university-style assessment.
Through the academic content of the programme, you will explore how global problems such as climate change, terrorism, poverty, education and global health are mediated through different levels of political agents – locally, nationally and internationally.
The information below gives you a general idea of the activities, and some of the dates, involved.
Our online sessions will take place on Thursday evenings after school, in the hope that the programme has minimal impact on your current studies.
Year 12
- Launch event, providing you with more information about the programme and the assessment, as well as the conditions of the guaranteed offer. An opportunity to meet the other participants on the programme as well as staff and students in the School of Politics and International Studies
- A visit to the University of Leeds on Thursday 4th April 2024, giving you the opportunity to experience life as an undergraduate student, taking part in taster lectures and seminars
- Online subject taster sessions, helping you develop your insight into the courses taught in the School of POLIS
- Progression to Higher Education workshops such as ‘Student Finance’ to ensure you have the information you need as you prepare your university applications
- Support sessions to ensure you feel prepared to write your university assessment during the summer holidays
Year 13
- Workshops to support your university applications and transition to university
- Study skills sessions, helping you develop your revision skills and providing you with tools to manage your exam anxiety
- A visit to the University of Leeds on Thursday 17th October 2024, which centres around the extra-curricular opportunities available at the University, and is led by our Student Ambassadors
- An opportunity to receive feedback on a draft of your assessment before our submission deadline
- A Futures Graduation – an online celebration of your achievements throughout the programme and information on how we will continue to support as your transition to university
What are the eligibility criteria?
Leeds Futures – Politics is an outreach programme open to current Year 12/first year college students who have an interest in studying Politics, International Development and International Relations at university.
Students should check our Student Application Guidelines to find out if they are eligible for the programme before applying.
How do I apply?
Leeds Futures - Politics application form
Please ensure you have read the Student Application Guidelines carefully before submitting your application. When filling in our application form, you will be requested to provide a referee (a teacher or tutor), to support some of your responses. Please make your referee aware that you are applying, as they will be contacted before any decision is made on your eligibility for the scheme.
Applicants who have submitted applications to the scheme can expect to find out if they have been successful in gaining a place mid-February 2024.
The programme will then commence with our online launch event on Thursday 7th March.
You can find out more about how we process and store your data in our Privacy Notice.