Royal Holloway Link is a series of sessions for Year 13s, taking place across the school year involving information, advice and guidance on academic skills, how to apply for university and what to expect when you arrive.
Applications for the 2025/26 cohort have not yet opened but information will be published here soon.
If you have any questions, please email us.
What is Link?
Programme information
Royal Holloway Link is a series of sessions for Year 13s, taking place across the school year. You will meet some of our Student Ambassadors who will give you advice and guidance on academic skills, applying through UCAS, how to apply for student accommodation and how to prepare for your first week at university.
Most activities will be online, minimising disruption to your time in the classroom, but some will be on campus here at Royal Holloway.
Programme timeline
Session 1 - Sat 1 Nov 2025, 10am
On campus – UCAS Process and Personal Statements
Session 2 - Mon 10 Nov 2025, 5pm
Online – Financial Support at University
Session 3 - Mon 8 Dec 2025, 5pm
Online – Mental Health and Wellbeing support at University
Session 4 - Mon 26 Jan 2026, 5pm
Online – Somewhere to Live: halls, renting, commuting from home
Session 5 - Mon 23 Feb 2026, 5pm
Online – Study skills
Session 6 - Sat 14 Mar 2026, 10am
On campus – Getting ready for university and Graduation event
Programme outcomes
From the programme you will:
- Gain study and revision skills to use in Year 13 and in higher education
- Gain knowledge about how to apply to higher education
- Meet like-minded people from other schools
- Work with current university students
Cost
This programme is free to those taking part. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer travel reimbursement for the on campus sessions.
Eligibility Criteria
Who can take part?
- Your parents/carers have not attended university
- You have a disability or health condition that impacts on your daily life
- Your home postcode matches the definition of a lower participation in higher education neighbourhood (POLAR 4, Q1). You can click here to check your postcode
- You are a mature student or will be when you start university (if you are 21 or over from September 2024)
- You are a recipient of free school meals
- You are a student at one of our Widening Access partner schools (our team will check this once you have applied when shortlisting applications for the programme)
- You are or have ever been in local authority care
- You are a young carer or have caring responsibilities for another individual
- Your postcode matches the definition of an area of multiple deprivation (IMD deciles 1-4). You can check your IMD here.
For the future
- You may also be eligible for a contextual offer when applying to Royal Holloway of up to two grades lower than the standard offer.
Compulsory requirements
To apply for the Royal Holloway Link programme you must:
• Study A Levels or equivalent, predicted no lower than CCC (or equivalent)
• Have 5 GCSEs grades 9 - 4 (A* - C)
• Be a UK resident and currently study or have previously studied at a UK school/college
