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School and college students from across the local region were left motivated and excited after spending a week on ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡’s (DMU) Leicester campus as part of our Aspire Progression Programme.

The programme, created by our Widening Participation team, offers students either in Year 12 or their first year of college a wealth of activities, giving them a full flavour of what studying at DMU is really like, but without the pressure of academic assessment.

Designed to encourage pupils who would not normally consider going into higher education, the students received a genuine university experience. On completion of the course, they also receive a contextual offer to DMU, available at the point where they complete their UCAS application, which offers them flexibility at the admissions stage.

91% of students attending said the event had helped them feel more confident when thinking that they can go to university, while 94% said the event helped them to understand that university is a community that they could be part of.

The 38 pupils, from seven schools and colleges in the region, worked together in small groups to devise ‘the greatest sandwich ever’. In addition to the sandwich filling, the pupils were also encouraged to think about consumer behaviour and motivation, sustainability and nutritional value. Immersive workshops included research methodologies, sports, team building, personal statement writing, creative sessions, communication skills and presentation skills. Students were also given a campus tour to truly understand what DMU has to offer.

The week culminated in an awards ceremony where teams and individuals were praised for their work and dedication.

Zobia, a student in Year 12 at the city’s Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, was full of praise for the programme. She said: “The week has been very engaging and interesting. It got people together to be creative and taught me new skills, such as presentation skills and teamwork. It’s also increased my confidence. The student ambassadors were brilliant and the campus tour was amazing, introducing us to sectors like Formula One that we’d never considered were studied at university.”

Shakir, also a student at Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, was equally impressed. He said: “The week’s been very engaging and boosted my confidence. I’ve met new friends, the teachers were very friendly and chilled, and the student ambassadors were really good.”

Meanwhile for Zane, currently studying at Leicester College, the week was fundamental in helping him choose his next steps in life. He said: “I really enjoyed the event. It opened my eyes and boosted my confidence. I always aspired to go to university but now I’m certain.”

The week was particularly poignant for Nital Patel. Nita attended the Aspire Progression Programme when she was at college, and, now at DMU, was one of the

student ambassadors who helped make the event such a resounding success. Nital said: “The programme is more practical since I did it. You get to interact in different workshops and do presentations. There’s more working in groups, and it also includes teaching skills, such as communication and teamwork. The confidence of the students increased over the week and by the end it all made sense to them.”

If the students were impressed by DMU, then our colleagues were equally as impressed with the students.

Roger Saunders, Associate Professor in Advertising and Marketing, attended the awards ceremony and said: “If my students had put together the same standard of work produced this week I’d be really pleased. The presentation and posters were phenomenal and your achievement this week has been genuinely outstanding.”

Elliot Newstead, Associate Director of Future Students, whose Widening Participation team was responsible for the programme, was equally impressed. He said: “You should be really proud of what you’ve managed to accomplish. What you’ve achieved is really impressive and will stand you in good stead for your personal and professional developments.”

The awards ceremony wasn’t the only event welcoming local pupils on campus that day, as over 600 pupils, along with more than 50 teachers from across the East and West Midlands, were welcomed on campus for the Schools and Colleges Open Day.