The Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM)

Explore the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM)

What is the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM)

Our Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) is an eighteen-month programme that empowers Year 12 students who are considering a degree in Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Maths and the Physical Sciences. Designed to expand knowledge and develop skills, this sustained programme of activity aims to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provides them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their UCAS application. Please note, this Pathway does not include Healthcare or Medicine activities as this is covered by our Pathway to Medicine and Pathway to Healthcare programmes.

During the eighteen-month programme, which students will complete alongside studying for their A Levels and level 3 qualifications, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to take part in various enrichment activities. These include subject taster days, Science or Maths academic tutoring, and Industry Insight Days with key professional from within the sector to help students prepare for their future career choices. Students will also get the opportunity to meet current Aston University STEM students.

Learners will be expected to attend all compulsory Year 12 events to successfully progress onto the second year of the programme in Year 13 and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer if they apply to Aston University on our undergraduate Engineering and Physical Sciences degrees.

What is the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) Programme?

Our Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) is an eighteen-month programme that empowers Year 12 students who are considering a degree in Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Maths and the Physical Sciences. Designed to expand knowledge and develop skills, this sustained programme of activity aims to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provides them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their UCAS application. Please note, this Pathway does not include Healthcare or Medicine activities as this is covered by our Pathway to Medicine and Pathway to Healthcare programmes.

During the eighteen-month programme, which students will complete alongside studying for their A Levels and level 3 qualifications, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to take part in various enrichment activities. These include subject taster days, Science or Maths academic tutoring, and Industry Insight Days with key professional from within the sector to help students prepare for their future career choices. Students will also get the opportunity to meet current Aston University STEM students.

Learners will be expected to attend all compulsory Year 12 events to successfully progress onto the second year of the programme in Year 13 and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer if they apply to Aston University on our undergraduate Engineering and Physical Sciences degrees.

Who is eligible for the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM)

The Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) is open to students entering Year 12 in September who are considering a degree in Technology, Engineering and Maths and the Physical Sciences. Please note, this Pathway does not cover Medicine and Healthcare courses as these subjects are covered in our Pathway to Medicine and Pathway to Healthcare programmes. Students must have support from their schools to apply, including approval for time off where necessary to attend events. Students who are interested in applying to the Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) programme must meet the following criteria:

  • Entering Year 12 in September at a school/college in the West Midlands
  • Meet the GCSE and A level/BTEC requirements for their Engineering and Technology (STEM) subject(s) of interest as listed on our website.
  • Have achieved at least level 4 in Maths and English GCSE. Please note, some of our courses require higher GCSE grades so please refer to our website for your subject of interest

Students must also meet at least one of the following widening participation criteria to apply for the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) programme.

  • Live in a POLAR 4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check if your home postcode is eligible)
  • Attend a school or college in a POLAR 4, Quintile 1 or 2 area (check if your school/college postcode is eligible)
  • Come from a home where neither parent has attended a university in the UK or abroad
  • Have a disability or are in receipt of a personal independence payment
  • Is a care leaver or has experience of being looked after by a local authority
  • Have been in receipt of free school meals at any point over the last three years
  • Belong to any of the following groups: Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities, refugees, children of military families

Please note, places on the programme are limited. If the programme is oversubscribed, then places will be offered by random allocation to all eligible applicants until the programme is full. Students who enter the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM) are not guaranteed a place on our degree programmes. On successful completion of the Pathway Programme, students who wish to apply to Aston University, who fulfil all our admissions and other entry criteria and are successful with their application, will be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer.

Why choose the Royce Hornby Pathway to Engineering and Technology (STEM)
  • Access to a wide range of STEM experts to help you decide on your future career path.
  • A level academic tutoring and application preparation to ensure you are fully prepared to apply to university.
  • Help with making an informed decision about your future career choices.
  • A single point of contact at Aston University who will support you throughout the university application process and your time at school or college.
How to apply

Students must have support from their teachers and careers advisers to apply, including approval for time off school/college where necessary to attend events. Learners will be expected to attend all compulsory Year 12 events on their stream to successfully progress on to the second year of the programme in Year 13 and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer and the chance to apply for an Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship worth £5,000 if applying to Aston University.

Applications for our next cohort on the Pathways to the Professions programme close at 5pm on Friday 6th October 2023. Any applications made after this time and date will not be considered.

Apply here


Please note, students who enter the Pathways to the Professions programmes are not guaranteed a place on Aston University degree programmes, or an Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship. On successful completion of the programme, students who fulfil our admissions entry criteria, apply to Aston University, and are successful with their application, will be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer and the chance to apply for an Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship.

Contact us

Any questions?

Contact us directly at Pathways

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Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about the Outreach events and activities which we run at Aston University, please visit our central Student Recruitment and Outreach webpages, or email us or call +44 (0)121 204 4771.