Step Up Summer School 2026: Application Form

Step Up Summer School 2026: Application Form
The Step Up Summer School will take place from: Tuesday 14 July – Thursday 16 July.

The Summer School is a residential, meaning participants will be required to stay overnight, on site for the duration of the summer school.

Activities, meals and accommodation will be provided throughout at no cost to the participant.

Applications will close on Friday 29 May 2026 at 12:00pm. Applicants will not hear back regarding their applications until after this time. Applications will then be shortlisted in line with the Step Up eligibility criteria.
Privacy information
This privacy information supplements the Widening Participation data protection notice which explains how we comply with data protection legislation. The information below provides some detail on what we will do with your application response.

If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact the team at outreach@cardiff.ac.uk.

This application form will be used to ascertain eligibility for the step-up summer school and to contact you should you be successful in gaining a place.

Personal data from unsuccessful applicants will be retained for one year following the application closing date. Personal data from individuals who participate in Widening Participation activities will be retained for a minimum period of 5 years after the end of the summer school.

The Step Up summer school offers a range of benefits, such as contextual offers and guaranteed interviews for eligible students. Therefore, your data will be retained and shared with relevant Cardiff University departments (e.g. academic schools, the admissions team) to ensure eligible applicants receive those benefits.

Additional Information

To help us best shape our programmes to meet the backgrounds of our participants, please answer the following questions.
Are you eligible for Free School Meals?*
Are you eligible for Pupil Premium or Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?*
Would you be in the first generation of your family to attend university?*
You and any siblings are in the same generation, therefore if an older sibling has/is attending university, you still meet this requirement.
Parent or guardian 1 university experience*
Please let us know which institution they attended, the year they graduated and the course they studied.
Parent or guardian 2 university experience
Please let us know which institution they attended, the year they graduated and the course they studied. If this does not apply to you please leave blank.
Are you currently in care?*
Cardiff University defines care experienced students as those who have spent time living with foster carers, under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends, either officially (e.g. a special guardianship order) or informally without local authority support.
Are you a care leaver?*
A care leaver is any adult who spent time in care as a child (i.e. under the age of 18). This care would have been approved by the state through a court order or on a voluntary basis. It can range from as little as a few months to as long as ones whole childhood (18 years). Such care could be in foster care, residential care (mainly children’s homes) or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family.
Are you a young carer?*
A young carer is someone aged 25 and under who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
Please provide further details about your caring responsibilities*
For example, the type of responsibility and roughly how many hours you spend caring each week.
Do you have a disability?*
You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
Please could you provide some further details about your disability?*
Are you an estranged student?*
An estranged person is someone who no longer has the support of their family due to a breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact.
Are you an asylum seeker or refugee?*
A refugee is a person who has fled their own country due to risks to their safety and life. An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country due to risks to their safety and life, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognised as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim.
Is your annual household income £35,000 or less?*

YesNo
Qualifications

Please enter your GCSE grades on the following pages.

You do not need any specific subjects to join this programme however please be aware that some degree programmes have certain GCSE subject and grade requirements. We recommend checking the GCSE requirements for the programme you are interested in.

If you don't have GCSEs select N/A and provide further information in the next question.
Please enter your GCSE grades for mathematics and English or Welsh (first language) .*
Please enter your 3 other highest GCSE grades (subject name not required).*
Use this box to tell us about any other GCSE equivalent qualifications.
For example BTECs or international qualifications.

Step Up Summer School 2026: Application Form

Privacy information

Section 1: About the participant

Who should complete this form?

Participant details

Additional Information

Section 2: About your emergency contacts