Parent
FAQs

• The Scholars Programme is an academic programme run by The Brilliant Club, available to non-selective state schools across the UK.
• The programme helps students develop core academic skills for success in their school studies, introduces them to a new subject area, and builds their self-belief, confidence and abilities.
• Additionally, students gain insight into university life which allows them to make informed decisions about higher education, with a focus on progressing to the most competitive universities.
• The full student journey can be found here.

Graduates of The Scholars Programme are statistically significantly more likely to progress to competitive universities than students from similar backgrounds. The programme aims to build students’ belief in their abilities and, when the time comes, support them in making an informed decision about university.

Throughout the programme, students will:

• Learn more about university life by participating in university-style tutorials, speaking to their PhD tutors about their experiences, and attending university events.
• Have the unique opportunity to study alongside a PhD researcher, a leading expert in their field, and study a topic outside the school curriculum.
• Develop academic skills such as written communication, critical thinking and essay-writing, which are all essential at university and will be transferrable to their schoolwork and exams.

You can find out more about the impact of The Scholars Programme by reading our Annual Impact Reports.

“[I]t stimulates the young minds to work outside their comfort zone, tests their resilience and provides opportunity to develop independent study skills and commitment.”– School in Brent

• Students can use their experience of The Scholars Programme as evidence in their UCAS university applications, especially in their personal statement.
• The Scholars Programme is an excellent piece of evidence to use in personal statements to demonstrate their motivation for their course, their academic skills, intellectual curiosity, and readiness for university-style learning. Year 12 students will receive tailored guidance on how to effectively reflect on their Scholars Programme experience in their personal statements.
• Students can also add The Scholars Programme as an activity in the ‘Preparation for Higher Education’ section of the UCAS application.
• Your child may also find these resources on our website useful when thinking about applying to university. 

• Schools select students to take part in The Scholars Programme; some schools run an application process, while others run a teacher nomination process.
• We recommend schools consider students’ academic record, attitude and passion for learning.
• We also ask that at least 70% of the students registered on the programme meet one of our student targeting criteria. These criteria are:
  • having no parental history of higher education in the UK
  • recorded as eligible for free school meals, or have been recorded as eligible in the past 6 years (referred to as Ever 6 FSM)
  • residing in IMD decile 1-4, which is a postcode measure for deprivation.

• The subject your child studies is determined by the tutor assigned to their school. Students explore a topic based on their tutor’s PhD research, gaining insights from a world expert in the field.
• Our courses span a wide range of disciplines, from linguistics to forensic psychology, and everything in between.
• We offer both pre-designed courses and bespoke options, created by our PhD tutors, who adapt elements of their doctoral research into engaging, age-appropriate Scholars Programme courses.
• Students often engage with topics they have never studied before, giving them a taste of the diverse ideas, questions, and discussions they could explore at university.
• By studying with a PhD tutor, students develop core academic skills that support their schoolwork and exams.

• We collaborate closely with schools to plan the programme and schedule sessions that align with their timetables.
• Ultimately, the teacher overseeing the programme has the final say in its implementation within the school.
• The Scholars Programme includes a launch event and seven tutorials, delivered in school – typically during school hours. We offer both in-person and online options.

A visual of the full student journey can be found here.

• Students are asked to complete a Baseline Assignment at the beginning of the programme, and a Final Assignment towards the end. Both the Baseline and Final Assignments are completed individually.
• The Baseline Assignment is a short task that allows the tutor to assess their knowledge at the beginning of the course. Students are set their Baseline Assignment in Tutorial 1 and asked to submit by Tutorial 2.
• The Final Assignment is the culmination of the programme – a university-style piece of work that asks students to use what they have learnt throughout the course. The Final Assignment submission deadline will be communicated to students by their tutor, and parents will also receive the national deadline in our programme updates newsletter.
• Students receive a university-style grade and detailed feedback to help them apply their learning to future work. Tutors help contextualise these marks, explaining how the student’s work aligns with a university grading system. Grades and tutor feedback will be provided during the final tutorial.
• Tutors are encouraged to support students with university-level referencing and provide relevant resources, details of how to reference can also be found in student’s handbooks.
• We take a positive approach to marking and never penalise students who struggle with referencing, use AI, or plagiarise. We use this as a learning opportunity and always offer students the chance to resubmit their work.

• Ask them about their tutor, graduation trip and what they have learnt about university.
• Support them in attending tutorials each week and ask them what they covered – let them teach you what they have learnt!
• If you’ve submitted a parent/carer data form (which you can get from the Lead Teacher on your school’s programme), you’ll receive email reminders when their Final Assignment deadline is approaching. You can help by reminding them to submit it on time via the Hub – our online platform where students can contact their PhD tutor outside of sessions, ask questions, access extra resources, and upload their work. Remind them of the resources available to support them (their course handbook, the Hub, The Brilliant Club’s website and YouTube channel).
• Encourage them to speak to their PhD tutor via the Hub and their teachers in school if they would like further support.

• Schools are invited to participate in a one-day graduation event at one of our partner universities to celebrate the student’s achievements at the end of the programme.
• We reach out to schools 6 weeks ahead to confirm dates for these events, which the school will then share with you.
• This event provides students with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, explore a university campus, and gain a deeper understanding of university life.
• During the ceremony, students will graduate alongside their classmates and receive a certificate to commemorate their remarkable accomplishment.
• We understand that parents and carers are incredibly proud of their children’s achievements in The Scholars Programme and are eager to celebrate these milestones together. While the graduation events are designed exclusively for students and their teachers to ensure we can accommodate as many students as possible, we fully appreciate the importance of involving families in the celebration. To help capture the moment, we encourage teachers to take photos of their students as they graduate.
• Additionally, we host Parent/Carer Next Steps events (keep an eye on the website and our social media channels for upcoming events), where you can hear from a panel of university partners about how to support your child in accessing university and how the skills they’ve gained through The Scholars Programme can benefit their university applications. Information about these events is shared regularly in our programme updates to parents.

• PhD researchers are world experts in their area of study. Their research is at the cutting edge of their field, and their insights and ideas will go on to define how we think about the world.
• Most of our PhD tutors have studied at a wide range of universities across the UK and even internationally, offering students a rich perspective on different academic environments and pathways into higher education.
• By sharing their academic journeys and subject passions, our tutors give students a real taste of university life – what it’s like to explore new ideas, ask big questions, and study at a higher level.

• All researchers wanting to become a PhD tutor take part in a rigorous assessment centre. If accepted, they are required to complete extensive training before delivering their first placement.
• Our training is designed to support tutors to develop their understanding of pedagogy and teaching practice so that they are set up to deliver high-quality tutorials. Tutors also undergo safeguarding and professional standards training.
• Tutors receive training in elective modules on adapting the course for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). We also encourage tutors to coordinate with teachers before the programme, with support from The Brilliant Club.
• Returning tutors are required to revisit their training at least once a year.

• The Hub is our online platform that allows students to contact their PhD tutor outside of classroom. It’s a space for them to ask questions, find further resources and submit homework and assignments.
• Students are given login details by their teacher in the first tutorial and can find further guidance on using The Hub on our YouTube channel.

• Reach out to your child’s school and ask for the Lead Teacher. The Lead Teacher is the person who looks after The Scholars Programme at your child’s school, but this is not necessarily your child’s form tutor.
• Sign up to our Parent/Carer Next Steps events, hosted together with our university partners, which are an opportunity for parents and carers to hear from a panel of our university partners about how you can support your child to access university. Panellists will also talk about how pupils can utilise the skills and experiences they have gained throughout The Scholars Programme when applying to university. Your child’s school will share details about these events in the lead-up to these events. This information is also included in our parent programme update emails, which you will receive automatically once you complete a parent/carer data form for your child.
• Sign up to our Newsletter to learn more about our work and opportunities in Higher Education.