The Luton Scholars' Programme

At LSFC we help shape you to be the very best version of yourself, providing you with the knowledge, skills and habits of mind that will not only get you into university but will allow you to take up positions of leadership in your chosen fields. A LSFC alumnus even includes Sir Alec John Jeffreys the geneticist known for developing techniques for genetic fingerprinting and DNA profiling which are now used worldwide in forensic science.

If you’re serious about applying to a Russell Group university (including Oxbridge), to a conservatoire, or to study medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine then seriously consider applying to become one of our Scholars. You must have a minimum average predicted grade of a 7.5 or above.

“It’s brilliant to see Luton Sixth Form running the Luton Scholars’ Programme.  As someone who works with schools in Luton, I know the considerable potential of Luton students to make competitive applications to top universities like Oxford.  We’re keen to attract students with the skills and passion to study at a world class university and the Luton Scholars’ Programme gives sixth formers the chance to develop both.” ​​

(Dr Hugh Munro, Tutor for Access, Wadham College, University of Oxford) 

For more information on the Luton Scholars Programme, you can contact our Director of Achievement and Progression, Marc Hulbert on mrh@lutonsfc.ac.uk 

What is the Luton Scholars' Programme?

The Scholars’ Programme is a supplement to your academic provision and will equip you with skills in wider academic research, debating and critical thinking. Ultimately, this is to help prepare you for the rigorous admissions processes of competitive universities. If you’re thinking about applying for Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine or if you’re thinking of applying for competitive courses at Russell Group universities or a conservatoire, our Scholars' Programme is for you!

Competitive universities expect you to achieve the very highest grades in your academic subjects. But everyone who is applying will have those grades and you need to set yourself apart!  More and more, universities want you to have a range of super-curricular experiences that demonstrate real passion for your degree subject. You need to show that you have the skills and experiences to succeed at undergraduate level and the Scholars’ Programme is designed to enable you to develop exactly those skills and experiences.

What does the Luton Scholars' Programme involve?

As a Luton Scholar, you will:

• Take a core of academic subjects, usually three A levels
• Take part in weekly sessions that are designed to develop your reasoning and critical thinking skills. These are essential skills for university admissions tests and interviews.
• Complete an extended Project Qualification that allows you to focus on one area of study, producing a 5,000 word dissertation (or artefact) under the direction of a supervisor. You will take part in regular one-to-one seminars with your supervisor.
• Develop your academic repertoire by taking an additional beginners’ language in Latin, Japanese, Arabic, Italian or Spanish.
• Take part in debates on a wide range of topics that develop both your academic curiosity and your academic confidence. You will need these skills at interview!
• Receive individualised preparation and support when applying for challenging and competitive university courses, including Oxbridge, Russell Group, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine
• Attend specific advice and guidance sessions delivered to our Scholars by Wadham College, Oxford and Pembroke College, Cambridge.
• Have an opportunity to visit Oxford or Cambridge and to apply for their various masterclasses and summer schools.
• Have an opportunity to take part in Russell Group access programmes such as Realising Opportunities, provided by Nottingham University.
• Attend specialised and bespoke talks by guest academic speakers.

Russell Group

LSFC has provided students with preparation to apply to study at Russell Group universities (including Oxbridge) for many years. From the initial induction days, where all Year 12 students attend sessions on critical/lateral thinking, followed by a trip, for example, to Cambridge University to participate in lectures delivered by Cambridge academics. Students also have an opportunity to visit Cambridge colleges where students soak in the atmosphere and speak to LSFC alumni who are currently studying at Cambridge.

Our goal is for LSFC students to see applying to Russell Group universities not as a lofty dream, but as something that’s completely normal and highly achievable and the record number of offers we have received demonstrates that.

We have a dedicated Russell Group Supervision hour for all students interested in applying to Russell Group universities. During these sessions students will meet with their supervisor once a week and engage in Socratic discussion, improving their thinking skills so that when they have their interview the following year they will be in pole position.

Students benefit from multiple practice interviews with different tutors and ex-students that are designed to prepare them for the rigours of the real thing, so that when that time does arrive they’ll have the confidence to present themselves to the best of their abilities.

The Luton Sixth Form Med School

LSFC is now recognised as the premier sixth form in Luton for students interested in studying medicine or dentistry given the number of successful applications for these courses. To date LSFC students have secured over 67 offers to study medicine/dentistry in the last 5 years and this number will continue to grow.

The ‘LSFC Med School’ provides students with aspirations to study medicine and dentistry at university with all the preparation needed to be a successful applicant.

These include work placements at leading hospitals, shadowing consultants, placements at the Department for Health, Research at UCL, weekly BMAT and UCAT sessions and MMI and Panel Mock Interviews. 

The LSFC Med School is for all students wishing to apply for medicine and dentistry. Our Med School students: 

• Take part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge and the Biology Olympiad to demonstrate their academic excellence in these fields
• Attend “Getting into medicine” workshops delivered by subject and industry specialists
• Have access to Saturday careers guidance interviews where they can bring along a family member 
• Take part in a Choices Fair with over 70 exhibitors including institutions offering dentistry and medicine 
• Benefit from seminars on careers in the NHS
• Attend Medicine Alumni sessions where they learn from former students who are now working in the field of medicine and dentistry
• Take part in “Medicine Q & A” sessions delivered to parents and students by MedCoach
• Benefit from attending lectures delivered by the University of Bedfordshire School of Life Sciences and the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education
• Benefit from personal statement workshops – delivered by subject specialists and university admissions tutors for medicine
• Take part in 2 days of intensive interview coaching for medicine and dentistry delivered by Med Coach 
• Benefit from intensive support for medicine admissions tests with Medify 
• Have an opportunity to take part in a cross-curricula activity day with Psychology students which allows students to hear about university level neuroscience and observe the dissection of a sheep’s brain at close quarters.
• Take part in industry specific work placements which are essential to securing an offer to study medicine or dentistry. 20 students are currently undertaking a 5 month placement with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust based within the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. 60 students are currently benefitting from a 4 month work experience programme with the Health & Care Academy. Many of our students volunteer for Friends of Bright Eyes (FOBE) a local charity working with Children with a range of disabilities.