Plug in to Salford
Plug into Salford is a programme for first year students who are the first person in their family to go to university and have no family background of higher education, this project is designed to support transition from college into student life.
This programme takes place in September in the first week before the university officially welcomes students onto campus for their induction. It is free for students to take part, and participants will receive a £1100 scholarship paid via two instalments of £550 during the first and second trimester after they enroll. All elements of the programme must be completed in order to access this scholarship.
Throughout the programme you will get to meet current student ambassadors who are also first in their family to go to University and alumni who have already studied at Salford. They understand what it can be like to navigate higher education for the first time, and have experienced what it’s like settling into student life and building their sense of belonging in the student community.
What will the programme provide?
The Plug into Salford programme is set up to help you:
- Navigate starting life as a student
- Provide you with the opportunity to familiarise yourself with your surroundings
- Understand more about academic study skills
- Meet academic staff from your chosen course
- Discover the support services at Salford
Programme details
Programme prior to study
- May - June - Applications open
- June - Information session
- July/August - Mentoring opportunity
- September - Three day Plug into Salford programme
Programme whilst studying at Salford
- Prioritisation for Student Experience and Success opportunities for your career progression
- Become a Plug into Salford student ambassador, a paid role supporting the next cohort
Eligibility criteria
To take part in the programme, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be in Year 13 at Ashton Sixth Form College, Bolton College, Connell Co-op College, Loreto College or Salford City College.
- Be a Home (UK) student or expect to be by the time you apply for higher education.
- Have attended a UK state high school (i.e. you did not have to pay for your education).
- Be currently studying a Level 3 qualification.
- You are the first in your immediate family to attend higher education.
Additional criteria
Applicants who additionally meet any of the following criteria will be prioritised for participation.
- Looked after children/care leavers
- Estranged from parents/guardians and will be studying at University without their support
- Disability (including long-term health conditions and additional needs)
- Young carer
- First in their family to enter HE (first-generation)
- Underrepresented ethnic background
- Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community
- Asylum seeker/refugee status
- Military family/service children
How To Apply
To apply to be a participant on the Plug into Salford programme, and receive the £1100 scholarship after taking part, email the Outreach and Widening Participation team to express your interest. Please note, students from the eligible colleges will have been contacted if they have applied to study at the university, and have indicated they have no family background of higher education on their UCAS application form.
Get in touch outreach@salford.ac.uk