Access All Aber

Students enjoying sports sessions, facility tours and an academic session during the Access All Aber residential programme.

The Access All Aber residential programme is aimed at helping Year 12 students research and prepare for university and ultimately at widening access to higher education.

This year, Access All Aber will run from Tuesday 1st July - Saturday 5th July.  Applications for 2025 have now opened and full details on how to apply can be found below. 

Access All Aber is a high-quality 5-day residential programme which aims to better prepare students for university life. The programme will focus on developing key academic skills along with more social and informative sessions to engage young people with university and support their UCAS applications. The week will conclude with all attendees participating in our Open Day on Saturday 5th July.

 

How to apply

Step 1 - Complete the application form

The first step is to complete this application form before Friday 14th February 2025. 

Once you've completed this form, we will be in touch after the deadline has passed to let you know whether you have been accepted. 

Step 2 - Confirm your choices

If you've been accepted to take part in Access All Aber, then we'll be in touch with another form to fill. 

In this form you'll need to let us know more practical things such as your dietary requirements, where you'll need us to pick you up from (there's free transport) and to confirm which subject taster sessions you'd definitely like to take part in. 

Step 3 - Reference & Parental/Guardian Consent

We will now ask a teacher of your choice to provide a reference for you to take part in Access All Aber. 

We will also need permission from your parent or guardian for you to take part in Access All Aber.

Step 4 - Pack and prepare

We need the following for you to attend Access All Aber - 

  • Completed the Application Form
  • Confirmed your choices
  • We've received a reference from your teacher
  • We've received consent from your parent/guardian.

If you've completed all these steps then all you need to do is pack and prepare. We'll send you all the final details and tell you what to bring with you. 

If you ever have any questions then feel free to e-mail accessall@aber.ac.uk.

What is Access All Aber?

Applications to Aberystwyth's Access All Aber 2025 are open to students currently in Year 12 in a school or college in Wales. 

  • The 2025 programme will run from Tuesday 1st July - Saturday 5th July.
  • We provide FREE transport to and from Aberystwyth University.
  • We also provide FREE accommodation and food.
  • Participants can take part in 3 Subject Taster Sessions from a range of different subjects. - (You can see our list of subject areas here)
  • The residential will conclude with all participants attending our Open Day on Saturday 5th July. 

Places are limited and priority will be given to applications from students who satisfy the main Welsh Government priorities. 

Are you eligible?

There will be approximately 100 places for students in year 12, currently studying in a school or college in Wales. We target students who meet widening access criteria, focusing on (but not limited to) those: 

  • From postcodes which are in the lower quintiles (1 & 2) areas for the WIMD (Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation) - check your postcode here
  • Who are care experienced (have spent three or more months in care since the age of 14.)
  • Who are the first generation in the family to go to university.
  • Who are young carers.
  • Who are estranged from their family.
  • Who have one of the following immigration statuses; refugee, humanitarian protection, asylum seeker. 

From Summer University to Access All Aber

Relaunched in 2023 following a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Access All Aber forms part of Aberystwyth University’s long-standing commitment to widening participation in higher education.

Access All Aber has given countless students the opportunity to experience life at university, learning to adjust to being away from home and learning to cope with the pressures of balancing academic work and deadlines with sports and activities.

“The step up from school or college to university, coupled with moving away from home for the first time can be daunting for many young people. Access All Aber is all about providing a realistic academic experience that gives our students an idea of what university life is all about and give them a taste of the various subjects we offer here at Aberystwyth. Our hope is that this will inspire them to take the next step to study a degree when the time comes, be that at Aberystwyth or any other university.” Nia Gwyndaf, Head of Student Recruitment and Widening Participation.

Access All Aber undoubtedly benefits the young people who complete the programme but also offers valuable work experience for current Aberystwyth University students to work as student ambassadors. Our Student Ambassadors gain quality work experience as they assist with pastoral care and coordinate sports and social activities during Access All Aber. They are current students who have been trained to provide a high level of motivation and care to the participants – some of whom have not stayed away from home before. This opportunity enables our Ambassadors to hone their skills and increase their graduate employment opportunities.

Click here if you would like to learn more about how we handle your data when you apply for Access All Aber.