What is the SEO Scholars programme?
SEO Scholars is a comprehensive (in and out of school) training, mentoring and work experience programme for talented year 11-13 students from under-represented backgrounds. The purpose of the scheme is to not only help students taking part gain places at the very best UK universities but also go on to secure work in the most rewarding and competitive industries after graduation.
Are you thinking about your future?
The Scholars programme helps students learn more about the degree, university and career options they are most interested in and eligible for. Through SEO Scholars students can access all of the UK’s leading universities and gain fantastic work experience in a great range of industries including investment banking, corporate law, accounting, consulting, technology, advertising, marketing and communications. You don’t have to be certain about whether you want to go to university or which careers you are interested in order to become a Scholar; you just have to be intelligent, open-minded, hard-working and keen to learn more about the options available to you.
For more information on what SEO Scholars offers, eligibility criteria and how you can register to take part in the scheme please read on.
What we are offering Scholars:
SEO Scholars will have access to relevant mentors, highly selective universities and many of the UK’s most prestigious graduate employers in the UK. We will help you develop the skills and knowledge base required to make positive informed decisions about your future academic and work plans.
- Expert Guidance & Support: SEO Scholars will have access to both university and industry mentors through the scheme. University mentors will typically be studying the subject you are most interested in at a top UK university. Industry mentors will be working in the industries you are keen to access. Many of these mentors are long-time supporters of SEO having completed one of SEO’s internship programmes when they were at university. They will be able to provide honest, practical advice regarding academic and professional progression routes and help you develop the key skills (presentation and communications skills, teamwork & negotiation, attention to detail, commercial awareness, etc.) required to progress on to elite universities and competitive careers.
- Insight & Information: SEO visits all partner schools and colleges throughout the year to deliver interactive university and career workshops designed to better educate students about elite career options and the most appropriate academic routes to access these. SEO workshops are delivered by SEO staff and successful members of the local community that are either at top universities or working in one of the industries SEO covers.
- Work Experience with the UK’s Best Graduate Employers: SEO Scholars will have the opportunity to complete work experience or attend activity days with SEO partner companies in one or more of the industries they are most interested in. This experience and exposure is designed to improve Scholars’ insight into the practicalities of these industries, give them opportunities to develop crucial competency & employability skills, and also develop a great understanding of the qualifications required to succeed. The firms SEO can provide Scholars with access to represent many of the biggest and most successful companies in the UK. For a full list of SEO’s 35 partner firms, please click here.
- London Summer School: In Summer 2012 Scholars will also be able to attend a residential Summer School at a leading university in London. Those taking part will be able to access professors and undergraduates from many of the leading Russell Group universities, try taster courses in subjects of interest, improve their study skills, enhance university applications and debunk myths and mysteries regarding elite UK universities.
The ultimate goal of SEO Scholars is to significantly increase the number of talented students from under-represented backgrounds entering the UK’s top universities and going on to pursue successful careers in the City and beyond.
Beyond school / college SEO is able to provide continuous support to Scholars via the existing internship, insight, mentoring and training programmes we run for university students in all years of study.
Do you have what it takes to become a Scholar?
Entry to the SEO London Scholars Programme is highly competitive. In order to be eligible you must meet the following requirements:
- Be in the academic year 11, 12 or 13
- Have the potential to achieve minimum of 'ABB' at A level (no specific A Level subjects are required)
- Have a track record of strong performance at school (in and out of the classroom)
Preference is then given to students who meet any of the following additional criteria:
- Attend a Scholars partner school / college (Please ask your Head of Year / Sixth Form to find out if your school is already an SEO Scholars partner school)
- Attend a non-fee-paying school / college and are eligible for free school meals / EMA / alternative financial assistance
- Attend a fee-paying school with a fee-assisted place / financial scholarship
- Would be the first member of your immediate family to go to university
If you work at a school or college and would like to discuss partnering on the Scholars programme please click this link to fill out the survey and we will be in touch shortly.
If your school or college is NOT YET an SEO partner school, and you are eligible to become a Scholar, please click this link to fill out the survey and we will be in touch shortly.