Pathway Opportunity Programme at Queen's University Belfast: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you
The Pathway Opportunity Programme is a year-long scheme run by Queen's University Belfast for Year 13 students in Northern Ireland from backgrounds under-represented at university. It runs from January to December 2027 with welcome events, skills sessions, a subject session and a summer school in late June. Students who complete the Medicine and Dentistry pathway get a guaranteed interview at Queen's.
- Closes
- 4 Nov 2026 at 12pm
- For
- Year 13 (NI) students, medicine and dentistry
- Where
- Northern Ireland
- Gives you
- Guaranteed interview, then one grade below standard
What you get
Completing Pathway Opportunity Programme gives you a guaranteed interview and an offer of one grade below standard for medicine and dentistry at Queen's University Belfast.
- Guaranteed interview for Medicine and Dentistry on the MDBS pathway
- Pass the interview and you are eligible for an offer up to one A-level grade below the normal target
- £1,000 Kilwaughter bursary
To get it, you must
- Pass the interview to receive the lower offer
- Meet the standard UCAT and A-level subject requirements
Who can apply
You need to
- Live in Northern Ireland and attend an NI school
- Be aged 16 to 19 and in the first year of A-levels (BTEC and OCR are not accepted for the Medicine and Dentistry pathway)
- Have 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English
- Have no parent with a degree
Plus at least one of
- Free school meals or low household income
- Young carer
- Deprived postcode
- Refugee or asylum seeker
- Care-experienced
Dates
- Applications open
- 29 Sep 2026
- Applications close
- 4 Nov 2026 at 12pm
- Programme runs
- Jan to Dec 2027, with a summer school in late June
- Apply to university
- UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry
How to apply
Apply through the Programme applications page. It is run by Queen's Widening Participation Unit. Questions go to pop@qub.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pathway Opportunity Programme guarantee an interview?
Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Guaranteed interview for Medicine and Dentistry on the MDBS pathway.
Who is eligible for Pathway Opportunity Programme?
Live in Northern Ireland and attend an NI school. You need to be aged 16 to 19 and in the first year of A-levels (BTEC and OCR are not accepted for the Medicine and Dentistry pathway), have 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English, have no parent with a degree, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as free school meals, low household income, young carer.
When is the Pathway Opportunity Programme deadline?
Applications close on 4 Nov 2026 at 12pm. They opened on 29 Sep 2026. The programme then runs jan to Dec 2027, with a summer school in late June.
What offer do Pathway Opportunity Programme students get?
Students who complete the programme are made an offer of one grade below standard. Pass the interview and you are eligible for an offer up to one A-level grade below the normal target
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