THE HNC XL PROGRAMME
Our XL Programme supports you in applying to the country's most prestigious universities.
The programme offers a unique package of support, experiences and opportunities that will help to enhance your applications to the most competitive universities, and build your cultural capital. This is crucial in ensuring that you have the skills and experiences that universities look for alongside your formal qualifications.
Students on the programme will study three subjects consisting of either two traditional A Level subjects plus one vocational A Level, or three traditional A Level subjects. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to study professional qualifications relevant to your chosen career pathway and you will be provided with the opportunity to undertake work placements and internships.
As well as other professional qualifications, you will also be given the opportunity to complete the AQA Extended Project Qualification in your second year which (for universities using the UCAS Tariff in their offers) can give you more points than an AS level and in some instances is used during university interviews to explore a student’s passion for a particular subject.
If you are on track to achieve a high number of 7, 8 and 9s at GCSE or are predicted to achieve an average GCSE point score of 6.4 or higher you will be automatically enrolled on to the programme – no separate application is needed. We calculate the average point score by totalling up all GCSE grades, and dividing by the number of GCSEs. A breakdown of scores can be found at the end of this page.
What can you expect from the XL Programme?
- A lecture series on a diverse and fascinating range of topics.
- Visiting lecturers from specialist universities.
- Support if you want to apply to Oxbridge universities, including access to Admissions Officers, mock interviews and general application guidance.
- University visits and taster workshops.
- The opportunity to apply to study a 4th option and undertake an EPQ.
OXBRIDGE
If you are interested in applying to Oxbridge, not only will you enjoy specialist one-to-one advice on the application process you may also have the opportunity to visit one, or possibly both universities.
CAREERS SUPPORT
Students on our XL Programme enjoy fantastic support from our Careers team, with specialist programmes for a range of careers ranging from Medicine and Dentistry to Engineering and the Arts.
Isaac Latham
History at University of Cambridge
Izzie McGrath
Medicine at University of Newcastle
Ziden Ramage
History at University of Oxford
Amrit Mattu
Aerospace Engineering at University of Manchester
Jak Spencer
Biomedical Science at University of Oxford
Hafsa Rafiq
Medicine at Hull York Medical School
Lucy Cahill
Medicine at University of Newcastle
Oliver Caton
Aerospace Engineering at University of Sheffield
Georgia Sykes
Mathematics at University of Leeds
Charlotte Spencer
Mechatronics and Robotics at University of Leeds
Thomas Barry
Physics at University of Exeter
Elliot Winterbottom
Mechatronic Engineering at University of Manchester
CALCULATING ELIGIBILITY
An average GCSE point score of 7 or more is needed to join our XL programme. This is calculated by adding all GCSE grades (please note BTEC qualifications are not included in this calculation) then this figure is divided by the number of grades added together.
