The Nottingham College High Pavement Strive Programme is aimed at A Level students with an average GCSE grade above a 6.5 and provides specialist guidance, a tailored curriculum, and enrichment opportunities to support progression to elite universities.
The UK’s leading universities have demanding entrance requirements and strong competition for places. Our Strive Programme will help you develop key skills and provide a range of experiences to make your application stand out from the rest.
This highly successful initiative, led by lecturer Zoe Cutter, is designed to support and challenge aspirational students as they secure places at top universities and apprenticeships.
Zoe said:
"Strive is an academic enrichment programme that I founded to mentor talented students who want to progress to elite universities and degree apprenticeships after A Levels. I am committed to breaking down the barriers students face when applying to Oxbridge or selective courses such as Medicine. I look forward to supporting all our new students on their personal journey to reach their full potential."
We are proud to be partnered with the University of Nottingham, providing a campus visit and bespoke workshops for our students. Next year we will also be collaborating with the University of Cambridge!
Many of our latest cohort of students have secured places at Russell Group universities, such as:
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
Programme aims
During the course you will:
- Develop your super-curricular profile through pursuing your interests and talents to an exceptional quality
- Receive support in researching competitive universities and degree courses, including applying for degree apprenticeship programmes and to universities outside of the UK
- Get specialist help and advice in writing your personal statement and preparing for admissions tests
- Take part in academic research, discussion and taster lectures
- Develop higher level academic skills, including critical and creative thinking and essay/report writing, and support with strategies to enable you to achieve an A or A*
- Participate in essay writing competitions with prizes
- Receive a certificate of recognition for completing the programme
Freya Sweeney (pictured) took part in the Strive Programme and is proud to be holding a place to study Modern and Medieval Languages at Jesus College in the University of Cambridge for entry in October 2025.
Freya said:
"Strive was great because it started the conversation on super-curriculars and gave me the confidence to know I could apply to Oxbridge."
Nottingham College CEO, Janet Smith, said:
"I am delighted to endorse Nottingham College’s Strive programme. Launched only a year ago for students with great potential, but not always the confidence, to secure places at top universities, Strive has exceeded expectations. Through a unique blend of academic mentoring, dedicated support and inspirational opportunities, Strive demonstrably promotes social mobility. It’s one of a kind. Strive literally changes lives."
Celebration
Recently, eighteen students, along with their parents, were invited to an event to celebrate our first cohort of students to complete the programme. This was held in our newly-refurbished library space at our High Pavement Sixth Form campus.
We had the chance to chat with essay winners Kevin Nwagwu and Geri Karamihaleva. They shared their insights about the programme and the support they received throughout their journey.
