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Education liaison
  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. Education liaison
  3. Students
  4. Medicine and Dentistry
  5. Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

About the programme 

The programme provides students with the opportunity to find out more about medicine, dentistry and the alternative science/allied-health subjects. Through a programme of online and in-person activities, we aim to improve students understanding of these subjects and support them on their journey to higher education. 

Overview of events 

This is a longitudinal programme with each year of the programme building on the previous year, the programme comprises of the following events: 

School Years 9 - 11

We are in the process of developing some in-school sessions for these year groups that schools can book for their students and plan to run some Year 9 and Year 10 taster days that schools can bring some students to, these are expected to take place in the summer term depending on room availability. 

Details of these activities will appear here once confirmed later in the Autumn term. 

We wish to target schools in Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest for these sessions. Get in touch with us here if you are a teacher/careers advisor and interested in this opportunity. 

School Years 12 and 13 

Through a programme of activities in year 12 and 13, we aim to help students interested in medicine or dentistry become more prepared for and successful in, higher education. 

  • Year 12: The focus of the programme is to prepare students for the medicine or dentistry application process, the programme will build on their existing experiences and knowledge to improve their understanding of medicine and dentistry to ensure that students prepare the strongest application that they can. 
  • Year 13: The programme will continue to support students on their application journey whether they are intending to apply for medicine, dentistry or an alternative course.  

Please note, this programme specifically aims to work with students from specific non-selective/non-fee paying schools/boroughs, and priority will be given to those students in targeted areas. Before applying, please ensure you read the eligibility criteria and that you understand the expectations of the programme. If you have any questions, please email us.   

Year 12 Events for 2025-26

These are the dates that we are hoping to run the events, subject to confirming room availability for the in-person events. 

  • Launch (End of January TBC) 
  • Taster Event 1 (Half Term – in-person, 1:00 – 4:00 pm on Wednesday 18 February, TBC) 
  • Taster Event 2 (Online, 5:00 – 6:30 pm 26 March) 
  • Taster Event 3 (In-person, 4:30 – 6:30 pm on 22 April TBC) 
  • Taster Event 4 (online, 5:00 – 6:30 pm on 21 May,  
  • Taster Event 5 (Online, 5:00 – 6:30 pm on 17 June) 
  • Taster Event 6 (In-person, likely to be third week of July, TBC) 

As part of the programme in year 12 students will be required to complete a 600 word reflective assignment on their experiences of the programme. You would also be expected to attend at least four of the six taster events in year 12. 

This programme specifically aims to work with students from specific schools/boroughs, and priority will be given to those students in targeted areas. Before applying, please ensure you read the eligibility criteria and that you understand the expectations of the programme. If you have any questions, please email us.   

Finally, we do not accept new students onto the programme in Year 13. 

 

  • Students will improve their understanding of medicine, dentistry, and alternative science/allied-health subjects 
  • Students will develop skills and knowledge that can support them on their journey to higher education 
  • Meet a range of students and healthcare professionals that will give an expert insight in to university and the professions
  • Enhanced careers information, advice and guidance, including contributions from Queen Mary Alumni 
  • Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a contextual offer of at least one A-Level grade below the standard entry offer. 

To be eligible for the Bridge the Gap programme, students must: 

Meet all of the criteria in step one: 

  1. Attending a state funded school or college currently involved in the programme or studying at a state funded school or college in Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest  
  2. You should be academically able (i.e., you should have achieved achieved a minimum of 777666 GCSE grades, including Biology, Chemistry, English Language or English Literature and Mathematics. The Science Double Award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.)
  3. You should be studying two sciences at A Level:   
    • First A Level - Chemistry or Biology 
    • Second A Level – A further science subject from (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Maths) 
    • Third A Level - Any A level subject with the exception of Critical Thinking and General Studies.  Further Maths is not accepted if Maths is taken as your second A level.   
    • If A level Maths and Further Maths are offered in the same sitting, Further Maths will not be counted towards the minimum A Level requirement. 
    • General studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted subjects. 

Meet at least two criteria from step 2*: 

  1. Are currently, or have previously lived in local authority care, or is permanently estranged from both parents (applicant to expand in free text box below)    
  2. Has a disability defined under the ‘Equality Act 2010’. A physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
  3. Live in a neighbourhood with a low progression rate to higher education or a high level of financial, social, or economic deprivation. This is defined by home postcode (IMD Quintile 1 or 2, ACORN group M, N, P, Q, R, S or U).
  4. Are a young carer (you look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem).   
  5. Were previously entitled to Free School Meals during Key Stage 4, or are currently in receipt of the 16-19 bursary. 
  6. Neither parent or carer has attended higher education in the UK or abroad   
  7. Are a refugee or asylum seeker.   
  8. Are from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller background, inclusive of Showmen and Boater communities . 

* This programme works with academic schools at Queen Mary that under-recruit students from certain ethnicities, as such, students from Black - Caribbean or Caribbean British and White backgrounds may be prioritised for the programme in times of over-subscription. This is in line with national priorities for fair access to university and Queen Mary’s 2030 Strategy.  Where demand for the programme exceeds the number of places available in a given year, places will be allocated based on students meeting the highest score in step 2, alongside institutional access priorities. 

  1. Ensure you have checked that you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above
  2. Ensure that you have included your parent or carer, and your designated teacher or school contact, email addresses. We ask for a teacher or staff contact so we can verify that students' details are correct, including eligibility criteria and grades. We ask for parent/carer information so that we can inform parents and carers that their young person will take part in the programme and to gain their consent for students to participate.
  3. Submit your application, using the online form

Applications close on Friday 14th November at 23:55

Students who participate in the Bridge the Gap programme are expected to attend the events throughout the programme. 

As part of the programme in year 12 students will be required to complete a 600 word reflective assignment on their experiences of the programme. You would also be expected to attend at least five of the six events in year 12 and meet the year 13 attendance requirements. 

Active participation is a key expectation, and students are required to approach all sessions with commitment, punctuality, and a willingness to contribute. Participants must also abide by the programme’s Code of Conduct, which you will receive upon acceptance, to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all. Please note that places are limited, and continued participation depends on meeting the attendance and engagement requirements. Students who fail to do so may not be able to continue with the programme or access the benefits attached to successful completion. 

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