Student talent spotting

Our talent spotting programmes Reach for Excellence and Thomas Transition offer subject taster sessions, and study skills workshops. We also run workshops, giving students invaluable impartial advice.

Reach for Excellence

Reach for Excellence is a two-year programme, through year 12 and 13, that aims to raise the aspirations of young people who have the potential to succeed at a top university, but whose studies may have been affected by personal, economic or geographic circumstances.

Participants who live within a commutable distance of the University may apply for the scheme. Along with study skills and subject taster sessions, they will get impartial pre-entry guidance, help with financial literacy and support with their UCAS application. These elements are designed to build confidence and prepare students for the challenges of higher education.

The programme also involves a five-day residential summer school in a hall of residence, where students will get an early taste of university life with a mixture of academic and social activities.

Thomas Transition Programme

The programme supports students throughout Year 11, providin

g study skills workshops and advice about making the best choices for their transition to further education. Participants will meet and work with current students at the University, to hear what it’s really like to go from Year 11, through post-16 education, and on to university study.

Excellence Hub

The University of Leeds is working with the Excellence Hub for Yorkshire and Humber to provide events for gifted and talented school children in Year Seven through to Year 13.  

A regional collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and York, the programme aims to develop exciting and focused opportunities for high achieving young people to help enrich their experiences in school/college.

Events delivered through the Excellence Hub range from one-off seminars and workshops to large-scale lectures.  Activities are open to students from across the UK who have been identified by their school or college as being high achieving.

For a full list of events, details on eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit the Excellence Hub website