Accelerate is a one-week widening access programme for pupils who have just gone into S5 or S6 and are thinking about going to university. It aims to provide a targeted focus on the pupils' chosen area of academic interest, giving them a head start on the road to their chosen career.

Taking place at the University of Strathclyde’s Glasgow city centre campus, the 2025 programme has nine subject areas that pupils can choose from, depending on their career aspirations.  Pupils take part in week-long Challenges in these subjects, allowing them to find out all about their area of interest and the career opportunities open to them. Led by student mentors, pupils will undertake a variety of group challenges, as well as attending careers and industry presentations.

More information about the individual Challenges is at the links below. 

Funded Places

All places on the programme are fully funded and awarded to pupils based on six Widening Access criteria. These are:

• Attendance at one of the University’s target schools. For a list of target schools, please see Accelerate Target Schools
• If your home postcode is in Quintile 1 or 2 based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. You can check your postcode here: SIMD Postcode Look Up
• Young Carer
• Care-Experienced
• Free School Meals
• Asylum seeker/refugee

Please note, pupils only need to match ONE of the above six criteria to be eligible to apply.

There are two ways that pupils can apply for a funded place, through their parent/guardian or through their school:  

1) Applying for a Funded Place: Info for Parents/Guardians

2) Applying for a Funded Place: Info for Teachers

Please note that Accelerate is not a residential course.

I feel it was a great opportunity to make new friends, learn new things and guide me on the right career path.