Reach Scotland

Reach Scotland is a national project that aims to raise awareness of and to encourage, support and prepare secondary school pupils from s4-s6 wishing to pursue a professional degree at one of the following Universities: University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow and St. Andrews University.

The Reach programme for the West of Scotland is co-ordinated by the University of Glasgow and will work with 92 schools across the region.  It is aimed at s4-s6 school pupils with the interest, potential and ability to study one of the following professional degrees: Dentistry, Law, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. 

The Reach West of Scotland programme will be structured in the following way: -

S4

• Initial school session (Jan/Feb of S4) will introduce pupils to each of the four subjects and specific aspects of professional degree study.  It will also look at entry qualifications for each of the four areas and ensure that pupils gain a clear understanding of which subjects they need to sit in their Higher year.

• A University campus visit will then lead on from the school session and will include practical workshops/demonstrations to showcase each of the professional schools.  University staff and students will be involved in this day.

• Out with the school and University campus sessions pupils will be given access to the University of Glasgow’s Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).  This will allow pupils to complete work, access useful resources and give them the chance to ask questions and chat with undergraduate student e-mentors from each of the professional schools.

S5

 • The second school session (Oct/Nov of S5) will introduce each of the assignments set by the four professional schools.  Pupils will be asked to research and make preparatory notes in response to their chosen question in preparation for the summer school in June.   Pupils will be assessed on their participation in this session, on their response to the question set and their participation in the related seminar/tutorial on campus in June.

• Pupils will be invited to a 1-week long summer school (mid June) to take part in lectures, seminars, workshops etc, in their chosen subject. The week will also involve coaching sessions for pupils with current undergraduate students and staff regarding UCAS applications, personal statements, UKCAT, LNAT tests and interview preparation etc.

• The Reach programme will provide pupils with support should they need help in finding work experience.  This is a very important aspect of their application, especially for those thinking of Medicine, Vet Medicine or Dentistry.

• Again pupils will be able to access all of the resources on our online Learning Environment (Moodle) for the duration of 5th year.

S6

• The focus of the third school session (September of S6) will be to prepare and support participating pupils during the final stages of the application process with particular emphasis on the Personal Statement.

• Pupils intending to apply to Medicine, Vet Medicine or Dentistry will be invited to take part in an interview skills workshop, at the University campus, with staff and current students. 

• Again pupils will be able to access all of the resources on our online Learning Environment (Moodle) for the duration of 6th year.

Pupils who are successful in gaining entry to the University will be provided with support (should they need it), via current undergraduate mentors and other University Services.

Reach student profile and assessment

Upon successful completion of the Reach programme pupils will be awarded a profile that will be sent to admissions officers in the institution to which they are applying. Admissions officers may take this profile into account but taking part in the Reach programme is NOT a guarantee of a place at University.  The profile will be based on participation throughout the programme as well as an assessed piece of work in S5.  The experiences pupils will gain throughout the Reach project will also ensure they are well prepared for the application and admissions procedures and, hopefully, the transition to University study.