Graduates of the 2024 Step Up Programme on stage at the Great Hall on Swansea University campus. 137 young people from 16 schools and colleges across the region completed the programme and graduated
More than 100 young people from schools and colleges across south west Wales have celebrated their graduation from the Step Up to Swansea Programme, at a special ceremony in front of their families and friends at Swansea University’s Great Hall.
Step Up is a widening access programme that works with groups from across the region who are currently under-represented in Higher Education (HE). The main focus is Year 12 students and the aim is to help change lives by making HE accessible to all, including care experienced young people and young carers.
Find out more about the Step Up programme
The new graduates joined the programme in Year 12, attended various events during the year and then took part in a week-long residential course at the University in the summer.
The programme is supported by a team of current Swansea University students who work with the sixth-form and college students throughout the programme and share their own experiences of student life. This year eight current Swansea University students were involved who had been on the programme themselves when in sixth form or college.
137 students successfully completed the Step Up programme. It means that if they wished to apply to Swansea University, they would benefit from a reduction in the grades required for entry to their chosen course.
At the graduation ceremony, each student in turn was invited to the stage to graduate and was awarded a certificate by Jo Parfitt, Head of Service, Student Life, at Swansea University.
Jay Keirl of Neath Port Talbot College, who wants to study psychology/criminology joint honours at Swansea University, said:
“Each one of us on this programme comes from truly diverse backgrounds; despite this, that allowed us to enter with open minds and no judgement. Learning new ways of thinking, learning new fun facts and ways of life was enlightening. It has made me certain that I want to apply to university, and that university being Swansea, to study on the Psychology Criminology joint honours degree.”
Casey Bolton of Gower College Swansea, who wants to study law at Swansea, said:
“After completing the Step Up to Swansea programme, I can say that it has given me a wide range of valuable knowledge about general university and what to expect as a student progressing into higher education… this programme has made me more confident about my future educational decisions… Meeting everyone has made me more excited to go to university.”
Abigail Sekyere of Gower College Swansea, who wants to study pharmacy, said:
“I feel what I’ve gained most from Step Up is confidence. Not only have I been given the chance to ease my concerns but I’ve also had to opportunity to meet lots of new people along the way and have even made close friends. I’ve learned about a variety of different support services which has given me confidence that I have services to turn to should I require them throughout my studies.”
Rebecca Griffiths, Senior Programme Development Officer for Step Up, said:
“It was wonderful to come together to truly celebrate the work of our 2024 cohort. We hope that we’ve motivated and inspired these students to apply for a university course.
“We will continue to support these students in Year 13 by offering them the opportunity to sit in on first year lectures and we wish all of our students well with their studies.”
Special prizes were also awarded at the Graduation in the following categories:
- Commitment to the programme: Lucie Edwards of Ysgol Maesteg, Raven Davies of Gower College Swansea, and Warrick Eynon-Davies of Gower College Swansea
- Highest academic achievement: Isobel Gough of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe
The 2024 Step Up graduates are from the following schools and colleges:
- Gower College Swansea
- Coleg Sir Gar
- Pembrokeshire College
- Neath Port Talbot College
- Ysgol Harri Tudur
- Ysgol Dyffryn Aman
- Ysgol Maesteg
- Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe
- Cynffig Comprehensive School
- Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd
- Bishop Vaughan Catholic School
- Morriston Comprehensive School
- St Joseph’s Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre
- Bishop Gore School