What is the honours programme?

What is the Honours Programme?

The Honours Programme is a tailored academic programme of curriculum, enrichment and guidance, designed to equip high-achieving students with the knowledge and support needed to progress to a leading UK university.

 

 

Natasha Sivadasan

Student profile: Natasha Sivadasan

“Being a part of the Pem-brooke scheme with the University of Oxford has been so valuable. I spent an inspiring week at Oxford University summer school studying interesting new subject areas, and even won a prize for my final project. It’s helped me to believe in myself, and realise that I can apply for the best universities.”

Natasha Sivadasan, ex-Langdon school, studying A-levels in English language and literature, government and politics and history.

 

Farhana Ahad

Student profile: Farhana Ahad

What is the best thing about being at NewVIc?
The best thing about being at NewVIc is the opportunites that have been available to me over the past year. This includes enrichment opportunities, many of which were vital to have before applying to university. The diverse community of the college is another highlight and has enabled me to meet people of many different backgrounds. 

How have your teachers helped you with your studies?
All of my teachers have been supportive with my studies and ensured that I was always on track with each subject. My tutor has helped me to maintain my targets over the year, but also helped with my university application, which plays an important part in my decisions for the future.

What are your plans for after college-have you got any secure offers from universities?
After college, I hope to study Medicine at university. I currently have an offer from Queen Mary University of London to study Medicine there, so I only hope that I attain the grades needed to secure my place!

What have you gained from being on the Medicine Pathway?
Being on the Medicine Pathway has benefited me in many ways. Many of the peers in my class also aspire to study Medicine in the future, so studying with them and sharing a common goal has helped me to maintain and work towards my ambition. I have also been able to take part in schemes that have proven to be an advantage to me for my university application, including the SAMDA project run by medical students from Queen Mary University.

Farhana Ahad A-level student on Medicine Pathway (Biology, Chemistry, English Combined and Mathematics)

Adeolu Akano, Justyna Ladosz and Husnain Abbas-Naim

Three more NewVIc students head to Oxbridge

Three NewVIc students have secured places to study at Oxford or Cambridge University this year after achieving a remarkable 11 A* and A grades between them. They join the two former NewVIc students already there so NewVIc now has five students in two years progressing to Oxbridge.

Husnain Abbas-Nasim (ex-Lister school) will be studying law at Cambridge after achieving A* grades in history, law and psychology and an A grade in government and politics.

Adeolu Akano achieved an A* in mathematics and A grades in further mathematics, physics and chemistry. Adeolu will be studying chemical engineering at Cambridge.

Justyna Ladosz is heading to Oxford University to study classical archaeology and ancient history having received an A* grade in history and A grades in classical civilisation and philosophy.

They join former NewVIc students Ashwathy Mohanlal (ex-Brampton Manor) who is studying linguistics at Oxford and Sidra Hussain (ex-Plashet) studying medicine at Cambridge.

 

Students in the library

What are the benefits of joining the Honours Programme?

The UK’s 20 leading universities (known as the Russell Group) have demanding entrance requirements, and there is very strong competition for places.

The Honours Programme centres around a weekly 1.5 hour Honours session with a gifted and talented specialist, who will help you develop higher level skills and align you with relevant, stimulating extra-curricular activities, including:

  • lectures and seminars from external speakers, previous visits have included the US Embassy; Stephen Timms MP and Oxford University

  • work experience and exposure to top organisations, such as the Bank of England and Allen and Overy law firm

  • expanding your analytical and presentation skills through joining NewVIc’s debate club

  • developing your leadership skills through our peer mentoring scheme and by running clubs and activities

  • the Pem-brooke Scheme- a unique two year study programme with Oxford University

  • support and guidance from visiting experts at Russell Group universities such as LSE

 

Students givng a presentation

Who can join the Honours Programme?

Both A-level and BTEC level 3* applicants are eligible to join this scheme. In both cases an average GCSE score of 6 or higher is required (including at least a B in English language, and we also normally expect you to have a B in maths). It would be an advantage to have achieved the English Bac.

* Level 3 vocational applicants MUST also be studying a relevant additional A-level (eg A-level maths alongside BTEC extended engineering).

 

Husnain-Abbas Nasim

Student profile: Husnain-Abbas Nasim

"NewVIc has supported me with my Cambridge University application since my first year. My tutor gave me a lot of advice on my personal statement, and my law teachers were vital in helping me to gain work experience at top city law firm, Allen and Overy.

Taking part in activities such as the debate club was also really important; I developed strong skills of communication and team work which really helped me with my application for a law degree. ”

Husnain-Abbas Nasim, ex-Lister Community school, achieved A-levels in history (A*), law (A*) psychology (A*) and government and politics (A) and is now studying law at Cambridge University.

 

What can I study?

The Honours Programme supports a wide range of subject options. For those who would like to join this Programme, we can advise you at interview as to what courses may best complement your progression to university and beyond.

As a general guide, Honours Programme students are advised to select most of their subjects from the list below, as they will support applications to competitive universities. Facilitating subjects, recognised by the Russell Group as the most academic and challenging subjects, are indicated in bold:

 Alternatively, if you already know what you want to study at university, you may like to be considered for one our specialist pathways. These are unique to NewVIc, and combine a select package of A-level subjects and ongoing support which can best position your for specific career paths.

More information can be found on the individual pathway pages.