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Next Step York: eligibility, deadline and what it gives you

Next Step York is a two-year programme run by the University of York for Year 12 students at English state schools who have faced barriers to university. Year 1 runs from January to July 2027 with online and campus modules, a summer residential and a credit system you must complete to progress; Year 2 covers applying and the YorJourney transition module. Completing it brings a fast track to interview, an ABB alternative offer and contextual points at Hull York Medical School.

Closes
18 Nov 2026 at 9am
For
Year 12 students, medicine
Where
England
Gives you
Interview fast track, then ABB instead of AAA

What you get

Completing Next Step York gives you a interview fast track and an offer of ABB instead of AAA for medicine.

  • Fast track to a Hull York interview
  • ABB alternative offer (Biology, Chemistry and a third subject); predicted ABB is accepted instead of the usual AAB
  • 7 contextual points at interview selection and up to 10 at the offer stage

To get it, you must

  • Meet the entry requirements and score UCAT decile 4 or above
  • Firm Hull York for the ABB offer, and firm York to be invited to YorJourney
  • Complete the programme within two years of applying

Who can apply

You need to

  • Attend a state school or college anywhere in England
  • Be in Year 12 at an English state school or college, having attended state school from Year 7, and have lived in the UK for 3 years
  • A Black, South Asian or Gypsy, Roma or Traveller background, or a military family, also qualifies on its own
  • Have the potential for BCC or above at A-level, with Biology and Chemistry for Hull York

Plus at least one of

  • Care-experienced
  • Estranged from parents
  • Refugee or asylum seeker
  • Free school meals
  • First in family to university
  • Young carer
  • Deprived postcode
  • Disabled or long-term health condition

What it involves

  • Earn 100 activity credits by the end of August to pass Year 1, then complete Year 2 and YorJourney

Dates

Applications open
28 Sep 2026
Applications close
18 Nov 2026 at 9am
Programme runs
Jan to Jul 2027 with a summer residential in July, then Year 2 from Sep 2027 to Jul 2028
Apply to university
UCAS deadline 15 October 2027 for 2028 entry

How to apply

Apply through the Next Step York page. It is run by York Access and Outreach, with the benefits set by Hull York Medical School. Questions go to nextstepyork@york.ac.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Does Next Step York guarantee an interview?

Yes, if you complete the programme and meet its academic conditions. Fast track to a Hull York interview.

Who is eligible for Next Step York?

Attend a state school or college anywhere in England. You need to be in Year 12 at an English state school or college, having attended state school from Year 7, and have lived in the UK for 3 years, a Black, South Asian or Gypsy, Roma or Traveller background, or a military family, also qualifies on its own, have the potential for BCC or above at A-level, with Biology and Chemistry for Hull York, and meet at least one of its widening participation criteria, such as care-experienced, estranged from parents, refugee or asylum seeker.

When is the Next Step York deadline?

Applications close on 18 Nov 2026 at 9am. They opened on 28 Sep 2026. The programme then runs jan to Jul 2027 with a summer residential in July, then Year 2 from Sep 2027 to Jul 2028.

What offer do Next Step York students get?

Students who complete the programme are made an offer of ABB instead of AAA. ABB alternative offer (Biology, Chemistry and a third subject); predicted ABB is accepted instead of the usual AAB

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