National Access Summer School
The National Access Summer School (NASS) is a four-day residential programme for Year 12 students from across the UK.
The programme offers an insight into the university experience, including taster lectures covering various academic subjects, a chance to live in university accommodation, and exciting new social experiences.
Applications for NASS 2024 are closed.
NASS supports students from under-represented backgrounds in higher education with learning more about university-level study and student life. The programme is for those who study at a state school or college and meet other eligibility criteria.
For you to be able to participate in NASS, your school or college must be signed up as a P2B partner. A teacher at school/college (usually a Head of Sixth Form or Head of Year) will be able to confirm if your school is a P2B partner. If your school is not a P2B partner, but you think you may be eligible for NASS, please email nass@contacts.bham.ac.uk for more information.
Benefits of taking part in the National Access Summer School
If you complete the programme and apply to the University of Birmingham, you will:
- Receive a Pathways to Birmingham offer which is typically a reduction of up to two A level grades (e.g. BBB rather than AAB)
- Be guaranteed interviews for Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy
- Be eligible for financial support
By participating in the National Access Summer School, you will also benefit from:
- First-hand experience of academic learning at a research-led institution
- Experience of living in university accommodation and socialising with like-minded students
- Support from current undergraduates via e-mentoring
- Support with the decision-making process
- An invitation to an enhanced welcome event when you start your studies at the University of Birmingham
- Enhanced support through the Birmingham Scholar programme for the duration of your degree including academic, wellbeing, and careers support
The National Access Summer School is suitable for Year 12 students in England and Wales who have a strong commitment to study at the University of Birmingham and are studying relevant qualifications for accessing degree programmes here. You must meet the Pathways to Birmingham criteria.
In addition to this, you must have achieved the minimum academic requirements for the university; please check the University of Birmingham course pages for more information. There are separate academic criteria for Medicine and Dentistry applicants.
Due to the competitive nature of this programme, applications will be selected based on the socio-economic criteria listed for the Pathways to Birmingham programmes, and potentially on academic grades in line with our entry requirements.
Are you a teacher or adviser supporting a NASS applicant?
NASS applicants must be studying at one of our partner institutions and have a nominated teacher to support their application. Read our Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) coordinators guidance for more information.