Widening participation and education liaison

We offer subject-specific activities, developed in conjunction with our academic departments across three faculties: Arts, Sciences and History and Social Sciences, and in partnership with national and regional organisations. Throughout the year we deliver a comprehensive programme of events that are developed in conjunction with teachers to ensure that they enrich the National Curriculum and are relevant to participants.

View our science faculty outreach page| for further information about the activities we run and useful resources.

The Student Shadowing programme provides year 12 and mature students with the opportunity to shadow a Royal Holloway undergraduate for an entire day. It is designed to build confidence and raise aspirations among students considering progressing to university. The programme offers:

• an experience of being at university
• one-to-one advice and guidance from a current undergraduate student on all aspects of student life
• experience of teaching methodology at university level
• an insight into particular subject areas at university level

During the day, students attend lectures, go to lunch and tour the campus, visiting the Students' Union, Sports Centre, libraries, halls of residences and science laboratories.

For more information about this scheme, or to express an interest, please contact: Emily.Collins@rhul.ac.uk|, 01784 443354

The Tutoring and Mentoring scheme involves current Royal Holloway students working as tutors and mentors with young people in local schools and colleges.  The aim of the scheme is to:

• raise aspirations
• raise academic achievement levels
• help young people overcome barriers to learning
• provide a positive role model
• encourage and support young people

All Tutors and Mentors undergo training and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and are trained in child protection issues and classroom strategies.

For further information about the Tutoring and Mentoring Scheme contact: Emily.Collins@rhul.ac.uk|, 01784 443354  

The Ladder of Learning scheme has been designed to provide pupils with information about higher education opportunities as they progress through school. By participating in the scheme, pupils will discover what being a university student is really like. They will also be provided with crucial tips to assist them with their UCAS applications.

We run various different activities for different year groups:

Year 9

Activities take place in school under the supervision of a Royal Holloway student mentor, with the aim of introducing higher education. It involves:

• a true/false activity designed to challenge popular misconceptions about higher education
• a card game in which pupils explore the reasons why people choose to study at university
• university 'Blockbusters' - our version of the popular TV quiz with questions based on university life

Year 10

Pupils work through activities in small groups, supervised by a Royal Holloway student mentor. Activities include:

• an interactive quiz based on university life
• an arts and craft session exploring future career aspirations

Years 12/13 - Progression Days

Students are introduced to the process of choosing and applying to university. Through a number of activities, they are encouraged to think about their achievements, interests and experiences and how they can incorporate this into their personal statement. The day is completed with a campus tour with a current student, which is a great opportunity for pupils to find out more about university life.

For more information about this scheme, or to express an interest, please contact: gavin.byrom@rhul.ac.uk|, 01784 276370  

We will be running our successful summer school again in 2012. However this year rather than hosting it in the summer we will be holding the event over two days and one night during the Easter holidays: 

Wednesday 11 April - Thursday 12 April 2012

The Easter University Experience is completely free, offering students in year 11 the chance to experience, if only briefly, what it’s like to be a university student. As well as social activities they will be involved in workshops and lectures that will supplement their GCSE revision in english, maths and across the sciences.

We are currently in the process of designing an exciting programme of both social and academic activities.  Students should be from across London and the South East and meet the following criteria:

• Attend a non-selective UK state school
• Expect to achieve 5 or more A* - C grades at GCSE
• Have no family history of higher education (ie your parents didn’t go to university)
• Commit to participate in all of the activities of the Easter University Experience

Find out further information| about the Easter University Experience and complete an application form to be considered for the course.

We provide fun, interactive 'Experience University' days for primary school pupils. Working with current Royal Holloway undergraduates, pupils explore the campus and find out about university life. Parents and carers are encouraged to attend. Activities include:

• a campus scavenger hunt
• activities to introduce higher education and associated vocabulary
• an 'interactive lecture' linked to the key stage 2 national curriculum

For more information about this scheme please contact:

gavin.byrom@rhul.ac.uk|, 01784 276370

We have a team of dedicated and experienced staff who can offer unbiased, informative talks on Higher Education to students in Years 12 and 13. We offer a range of topics including:

• Why go to university and making choices in higher education
• Student life
• Student finance and budgeting
• Filling in your UCAS form

We would be happy to discuss your needs further and offer these talks in school or college. Please contact us to arrange a suitable date and time.

The Education Liaison office organises three open days throughout the year and organised school or college parties are very welcome to attend. For more information, please see our Open day| pages.

We also offer campus tours throughout the year for individuals who cannot make our scheduled open days, or who would like to have a look at the campus. For more information, please see our Visiting us| pages.

We welcome visits by schools and colleges to the campus. A typical visit would include a tour of the campus with a current undergraduate student and one of our presentations:

• Why go to university and making choices in higher education
• Student life
• Student finance and budgeting
• Filling in your UCAS form

However, we are happy to tailor the programme to your requirements and create a bespoke visit, which may include input from our academic departments. To book, please contact: s.p.gray@rhul.ac.uk|  

Members of the Education Liaison team are available to attend HE, careers and progression events held at your school or college. If you are planning an event, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please send all invitations to: s.p.gray@rhul.ac.uk|   

Royal Holloway participates in the national network of UCAS conventions. These events provide an ideal opportunity to meet with Royal Holloway representatives face to face, have your questions answered and pick up a prospectus. 

Senior Student Recruitment Officer:
Steve Gray
S.P.Gray@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 443843

Student Recruitment Officer
Paul Drinkwater
Paul.Drinkwater@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 276275

Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer:
Zoë Riding
Zoe.Riding@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 414300

Emily Collins
Senior WP and Outreach Officer
Emily.Collins@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 443354

Tanya Popeau
Senior WP and Outreach Officer (Arts and History & Social Sciences)
Tanya.Popeau@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 414694

Simon Reynolds
Physics Outreach Officer
Simon.Reynolds@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 276544

Gavin Byrom
WP and Outreach Officer
Gavin.Byrom@rhul.ac.uk|; 01784 276370