HE* Programme

– Access to the prestigious Cambridge University HE+ Programme
– Tailored support for applications to Medicine, Vet Science, Dentistry, Law, Maths and more
– The opportunity to study an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
– HE* Tutor groups
– Bespoke Achievement Tutor Programme
– Opportunity to study AS Level courses 
– Access to the Futures Programme, including Future Teachers, Future Health and Future Engineers

At least five 7s at GCSE

The HE+ Programme is a prestigious programme run in conjunction with Cambridge University. We are the only Cambridge University Hub for Lancashire, which means we are perfectly placed to not only help to prepare students when applying to Cambridge, but to any of the UK’s Russell Group universities. You will get advice, guidance and support in how to make the best possible application, preparation for interviews including mock interviews, and seminars run by admissions tutors from Cambridge University itself.

Cardinal Newman is one of Cambridge University’s fifteen HE+ Institutions, which aim to engage students in a sustained year-long programme, including academic extension classes, subject masterclasses, information and guidance sessions and visits to the University.

HE+ is designed to stretch and inspire the UK’s most academically-able students, encouraging and preparing them to make competitive applications to top universities.

If you have a strong commitment to studying to become a doctor, dentist or vet, and meet the academic requirements of the HE* programme, then the Medical Society will support you on your journey.  Some of the benefits of joining this society include talks by current medical, dental and veterinary science students and visits to local hospitals. You will also receive guidance on preparing for work experience, the UCAT aptitude exam, writing personal statements, optimising university choices and interview preparation. The Medical society team has strong links with local medical schools and great experience in advising students who are interested in pursuing these careers.

Lancaster Access Programme gives you the opportunity to take part in a range of activities, events and experiences including campus residential’s, workshops, study skills and masterclasses. You will have access to a dedicated online Lancaster University Moodle platform allowing you to sign up to events, access a range of dedicated resources and receive support from Lancaster University staff and current students.

Students with the academic potential to make an application to Oxford and Cambridge universities can expect full support and guidance at all stages of the process through our special Oxbridge support groups, including practice interviews with our many former students who have studied there. You will also have the opportunity to visit both universities and talk with students and academics and enjoy an overnight stay at one of their amazing colleges.

The Extended Project Qualification or EPQ, is an additional qualification that can be studied alongside your BTEC or A-Levels at Cardinal Newman, starting at the end of Year 12 and completed in Year 13.

Worth 70 UCAS points (which is equivalent to half of an A-Level), universities including Oxford and Cambridge, encourage students to study the EPQ, as it is highly regarded and often features in a
student’s offer from university.

The EPQ provides you with the opportunity to choose the topic and type of project that you complete, meaning you can choose something that you are especially interested in or passionate about. You could choose to explore an aspect of a subject that you are studying further, choose something in which you have a personal interest or do a project about an issue that concerns you.

It is especially useful for students who are aspiring to progress into a career in a highly competitive field such as Medicine or Law, as it showcases your abilities for independent study and research and you could choose a topic that is relevant to that area of study.

It shows admissions staff at universities that you are self-motivated, imaginative and committed to study and has helped students to gain places at the UK’s most prestigious universities.

You will have the support and guidance of a member of College staff throughout the project, which gives you the opportunity to receive feedback along the way.