Virtual pathway
For students based in any location.
Applications for this pathway are now closed. If you live outside of the South West, you can register your interest for the Exeter Scholars National Residential taking place in the Summer 2025 here.
Applications for our Virtual Pathway 2025, is now closed.
There are four exciting subject activity strands available for you to choose from. You will be asked on the application for your first, second and third choice of strand. You can find the list of subject activity strands available for the 2024-25 Virtual Residential below.
As part of the application, you will need to read and agree to the Residential Code of Conduct. Please ensure that you read and agree to this before submitting your application, as you will be asked to indicate your agreement as part of the application form.
IMPORTANT: The virtual activities fortnight is a compulsory component of this programme pathway, and without attending, a student will not be able to take part in or pass the programme.
Programme eligibility:
In order to apply, you must meet the following general eligibility criteria:
You live in the UK
You are studying at a non-fee-paying school (state school) or are home-educated
If you are studying at a fee-paying school on a full scholarship or bursary, you are able to apply on this basis. Please note that we may ask for evidence of your full scholarship or bursary. If you are home educated you are able to apply, but must meet at least one of the ten programme eligibility criteria
You are in year 12
You have achieved a minimum of 8 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C), to include GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) and above
You are a Home/EU registered student, or you expect to be so by the time you apply for higher education
(If you are not a Home student for tuition fee purposes but meet the eligibility criteria for our Sanctuary Scholarship (for refugees / asylum seekers / people with limited leave to remain), then we would welcome an application from you
PLUS
You must meet at least one of the following ten additional programme eligibility criteria:
1. You live in a neighbourhood where a low percentage of young people progress to higher education as defined by your home postcode
If you are not sure then you can use our postcode eligibility checker to find out if your postcode qualifies. This will also be checked by the University of Exeter once you have submitted your application.
2. You live in a low-income neighbourhood as defined by home postcode
If you are not sure then you can use our postcode eligibility checker to find out if your postcode qualifies. This will also be checked by the University of Exeter once you have submitted your application.
3. You are in receipt of free school meals
This statement will be verified with your school or college.
4. You are eligible for school bursaries
This statement will be verified with your school or college.
5. Your parents have not studied at university
6. You are or have been living in care
Anyone who has been or is currently in care or from a looked-after background at any stage of their life, no matter how short. This care may have been provided in one of many different settings, such as in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or looked after at home with a supervision requirement.
7. You have caring responsibilities
Anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
8. You have a disability
9. You are an estranged student
We define an estranged student as someone who does not have the support and approval of their family, and who often has no contact with their family at all.
10. You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Defined as a student who has submitted a claim for asylum within the UK and is awaiting a response, who has Limited Leave to Remain in the UK, who has been awarded Humanitarian Protection or Refugee status in the UK, or who is the dependent family member of someone with one of these immigration statuses.
NB: If you do not fulfil one of these ten additional eligibility criteria but you have experienced difficult family or individual circumstances that have affected your performance in exams and possibly the likelihood of you going to university, then we invite you to apply, and each case will be considered on an individual basis.
What to expect
As part of the Virtual Activities Fortnight, we expect all participants to complete approximately 16.5 hours of academic content (approximately 1.5 hours per day over the two weeks). We aim for the pathway to be flexible. and allow participants to engage with most of the academic content at a time that suits them.
In week one, participants will be invited to attend a Welcome talk and meet their peers on the pathway. They will also be given access to and be required to work their way through a chosen subject activity course – this can be done independently and flexibly in their own time.
In week two, participants will be able to continue working their way through their subject activity strand course in their own time. They will also be able to attend additional live academic lectures relating to the subject activity strand, as well as information and guidance sessions on, for example, student life and student finance. The majority of these live sessions will take place after the school day, but some may be required to take place during school hours. This may mean that you need to miss some timetabled school activity; it is your responsibility to communicate with your school regarding this commitment and to get any absences authorised.
Alongside this, you will have the opportunity to participate in social activities with other participants on the programme and speak to current University of Exeter students about student life!
Subject strands
Join us for this exciting subject stream that encompasses a variety of disciplines across the fields of the Humanities, Arts, and Culture, inspiring you to unlock your potential, think critically, creatively, and reflectively, and connect the past, the present, and the future. You will engage in subject taster sessions and content to enrich your knowledge, gain experience of university learning, and help you to decide what you want to study at degree level. You will develop excellent skills in communication, analysis, creativity, discussion, collaboration, adaptability, empathy,independent thought, and research – these transferable skills are highly sought after by employers across many industries and fields, and these subjects lead to a wide range of diverse career paths, setting you up for a bright future.
You will broaden your horizons as Humanities, Arts, and Culture subjects equip you to better understand concepts and theories and to interpret contemporary and past subjects and texts. You will examine relevant cultural, social, political, philosophical, and historical issues and ideas, as this field often expresses the voices of the times from individuals and communities, helping us to better understand human experience. You will not only gain a taste of academic learning, but you will be empowered to find your voice anddevelop appreciation for the Humanities and Arts that shape our world.
This stream of study may include content from the following subjects, subject to availability: English Literature and Creative Writing; Communications; Film and Television Studies; Drama; Classics and History/Ancient History; Art History and Visual Culture; Philosophy and Religious Studies; Arab and Islamic Studies; Archaeology and Anthropology; and Modern Languages and Cultures.
There are no specific entry requirements for this subject activity strand.
There's more to the medical world than white coats and stethoscopes. On this subject strand, you will explore not only the broad strokes of studying Medicine and other health sciences at university, but gain insight into research, practice, public health and more! Begin your journey into the world of medicine and health sciences and its wealth of specialisms and opportunities beyond!
In our interactive sessions, you will have the opportunity to explore health from scientific, ethical, and practical perspectives, supported by university research and teaching staff and current students. Participation is key: by engaging fully in these sessions, you will have an exceptional opportunity to develop and refine many of the skills crucial for success in your future career within incredibly varied, vibrant, and competitive field of medicine and health sciences.
Subjects contributing to this strand: Medicine (Streatham and Penryn), Nursing, Medical Science, Medical Imaging , Sport Science, Nutrition, Biosciences
Participants must be studying Biology at A Level or at IB or equivalent.
Throughout history, scientists, mathematicians and engineers have studied the world around them and used their findings to answer fundamental questions about the universe and tackle the problems of the day. This is no different today as scientists work to address global issues, including one of the largest problems the world is currently facing: climate change. The Physical, Life and Environmental Sciences subject stream will give you an insight into how scientists from a range of different subject areas are working to create solutions to the challenges we face, with a focus on climate change, and the opportunity to participate in a group project.
Subjects contributing to this strand: Physics, Geography, Ecology and Conservation, Engineering, Maths
In the event of this subject strand being oversubscribed, priority for places will be given to students studying a related subject.
Join us for this dynamic subject stream which will empower you to explore relevant and vital issues affecting the world today and unlock your potential in the fields of Social Sciences and Business. Challenge yourself by examining some of the major questions facing our society, our global economy, and our political, legal, business, social, and cultural landscapes, and think about how we can make a difference.
You will engage in taster sessions and content across a wide range of subjects to enrich your knowledge, gain experience of university learning, and help you to decide what you want to study at degree level. You will be encouraged to think critically, reason effectively, and be reflective while analysing and discussing stimulating topics and complex issues, in addition to gaining invaluable practical skills. You will develop strong transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, analysis, empathy, collaboration,research, discussion, innovation, and strategic thinking. These skills are highly sought after by employers across many industries and fields, and these subjects lead to a wide range of diverse career paths, setting you up for a bright future.
In today's environment of rapid national, international, technological, social and cultural transformations, the fields of Social Sciences and Business make up some of the most relevant and exciting programmes of study. Whether you have a passion for social change or entrepreneurial aspirations, choose this subject stream to be part of the global conversation, develop your perspectives, and to imagine possible futures in this ever-changing interconnected world.
This stream of study may feature content from the following subjects, subject to availability: Law; Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology; Politics, International Relations and History; Arab and Islamic Studies; Business and Management; Accounting and Finance; Economics; Marketing; Philosophy and Religious Studies; and Modern Languages and Cultures
There are no specific entry requirements for this subject activity strand.
