Discover STEM
Science and technology is everywhere around us and is continuously developing all over the world.
Discover STEM is a two year pathway starting in Year 12 for students studying A Levels (or equivalent) in Science and/or Maths who have an interest in finding more about the STEM subjects available at university. Students will also need to meet specific Academic and Widening Access criteria from state schools within South Yorkshire and the surrounding region. See 'How to apply' section below for more information.
The pathway will explore the different STEM degree options through practical workshops and taster sessions and spending time working in laboratories and other locations. Within these workshops you will have the opportunity to work with current undergraduate STEM students - gaining a real experience of what it is like to be a student at the University.
Overall you will be exposed to subject areas that you may not have studied previously, as well as an insight into the practical nature of a STEM degree. Discover STEM also explores the different career options that can come from a STEM degree, through interactive workshops with University of Sheffield STEM Alumni.
Subjects and departments included in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Automatic Control & Systems Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical & Biological Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil & Structural Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering
- General Engineering
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics and Astronomy
- Psychology
Pathway structure
- Year 12
-
- Welcome Session - This is the chance to meet the other STEM students and find out more about the pathway.
- Discover STEM Activity Days - Our Discover STEM Activity Days allow you to experience life as a first year student and try out some of the amazing facilities on offer at the University. The days include first year lectures, practical lab sessions in areas of your choosing, and the opportunity to speak to our current undergraduate student ambassadors about university life.
- Open Day - Discover STEM students are given information on the Undergraduate Open Days.
- Residential Summer School - This three day residential summer school will give you a taste of life as a University of Sheffield student. During the week you will take part in a range of interactive sessions including practical labs, workshops and lectures. You will also take part in social activities, a social evening with other Discover students, and activities such as extreme Frisbee and salsa dancing. You will stay in our award winning student accommodation in your own en-suite room.
- Year 13
-
- Discover STEM Activity Days - Our Discover STEM Activity Days include first year lectures, practical lab sessions in areas of your choosing, as well as the opportunity to speak to our current undergraduate student ambassadors about university life.
- UCAS Guidance and Personal Statement Support - We help you to ensure you prepare a strong UCAS application, including focused work on your personal statement.
- Celebration Evening - Students who have successfully completed both phases of Discover STEM will be invited to a Celebration Evening, along with their parents and supporters, to celebrate their involvement and success with other Discover students from across all five pathways. There will also be tailored sessions for the parents/supporters to engage with.
Programme outcomes
Adjusted offer
Students who successfully complete the pathway will be eligible for a conditional offer for degrees at The University of Sheffield, subject to meeting pre-requisits, with the exception of degrees in Medicine, Dentistry and Health.
To qualify for an adjusted offer for Medicine you must have completed the Discover Medicine pathway and to qualify for an adjusted offer in Dental Surgery you must have completed Discover Dental Professions.
If you wanted to take a 1 x year gap break before applying to The University of Sheffield, or need to resit A Levels to achieve a higher grade, the adjusted offer would be made available in the following year only.
Eligibility requirements
Academic criteria
A Level (or equivalent) requirements:
- Should be studying a minimum of 3 A Levels including Maths and a Science subject or two Science subjects.
GCSE requirements:
Min. 5 A*-B (or 9-6), plus a minimum of C (4) in English, if not already included. Additionally, B (6) in Maths and Science.
Essential:
- Meet academic criteria as per pathway
Meet at least one of the following:
- Live in an area of Low Participation in Higher Education (measured by POLAR4 data)
- Live in an area of high deprivation signalled by IMD Q1 & Q2
- Looked After Child / Young Adult Carers
- Have a declared a disability
- In receipt of free school meals
- Is experiencing estrangement
Other criteria considered where capacity permits or considered in combination with above criteria:
- Students from ethnic/gender/socio-economic groups which are currently under-represented within HE*
Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any exceptional circumstances stated by the student and/or the school, such as family upheaval or disrupted schooling, will provide additional context to applications.
Contact us
Email: discoverstem@sheffield.ac.uk
Phone: 0114 222 1027
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