We are 14 partner universities & colleges in the South West of the UK; As part of UniConnect Programme (NCOP), Next Steps South West aims to increase the number of young people from underrepresented groups in higher education (HE) by 2020. Target groups and schools and colleges identified by the Office for Students (OfS) represent pupils that have the ability to progress on to higher education, though are unlikely to due to factors such as no one in their family having been before. Target schools and pupils are based on the Office for Students’ POLAR3 and Gaps classification. For further information, click here. By working closely with target schools and colleges, we tackle the barriers and misconceptions surrounding HE and accessibility, while raising aspirations. Next Steps South West offer a range of activities that support and inspire young people. Some of our core activities are listed below. To find out more about the activities we offer, feel free to get in touch with the team. Raising aspirations and confidence-building activities: - 1:1 Careers guidance - Articulacy - Careerpilot - Online mentoring (e-Me) - Why Would You? (the story of three very different young people trying to decide on taking the path to HE) - Activities to support progression - Personal Statement workshops - Choosing a course - Fees & Funding - Student Life - Subject-specific taster sessions - Campus visits - Residential experiences The partner universities and colleges that for the Next Steps South Collaboration include: - University of Plymouth - University of Exeter - Plymouth College of Art - Plymouth Marjon University - City College Plymouth - South Devon College - Exeter College - Petroc - Strode College - University Centre Somerset - Cornwall College Group - Falmouth University - Truro and Penwith College - Yeovil College University Centre