Free Sutton Trust Professions Pathways Programme

The Sutton Trust, a UK social mobility charity, runs Pathways to the Professions with partner universities for state school students in Year 12 who want to explore careers in law, banking and finance, engineering, medicine or veterinary medicine. Over roughly 18 months to two years you get university taster sessions, work experience, skills workshops and support with your university or apprenticeship applications. It is completely free, with in-person courses at universities across the UK and online versions open to students anywhere in the country.

What you get:

• A free place: the Sutton Trust says all costs, including travel, accommodation, food and activities, are paid by the Trust and its partners
• Work experience with employers in your chosen sector
• University taster lectures and support with UCAS applications, personal statements and interviews
• Mentoring from current university students on in-person courses
• Possible contextual offers or extra consideration from partner universities after completing the programme, depending on the university
• Access to Sutton Trust Online and, after completion, the Sutton Trust alumni platform

What you'll do:

• Choose one pathway: Law, Banking and Finance, Engineering, Medicine or Veterinary Medicine
• Attend sessions in person at a partner university, or online about once a month on the online courses
• Take part in employability skills workshops, networking events and a work placement
• Continue into Year 13 with support for your next steps, finishing before your final exams

Key dates:

• Applications opened 1 September 2026
• First courses close 19 October 2026 (LSE Law, LSE Banking and Finance)
• Further courses close 26 October 2026 (Queen Mary Law, Warwick courses, Leicester courses)
• Online courses and most remaining courses close 2 November 2026
• Decisions usually early October to early December; programmes launch around November and December

More information:

• Full list of courses and each one's closing date on the Pathways course list page
• Postcode tool on the eligibility page to find your nearest in-person programme

• Must attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college in the UK
• Must be in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent)
• In-person courses: must live within a 90-minute commute of the host university
• Online courses are open to eligible students anywhere in the UK
• Desirable: at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 6 (A* to B), or five A or B grades at National 5, including English and Maths
• Priority for students who would be the first generation in their family to attend university, were eligible for Free School Meals, attend a school with low progression to leading universities, live in an area with low progression to higher education, or have been in care
• Some courses add subject requirements, for example LSE Banking and Finance requires A Level Mathematics
• Apply via a short form of mostly yes/no questions plus a personal statement of up to 300 words