The Law Family Ambition Programme
Inspiring and supporting students from underrepresented groups to aim high and fulfil their potential through higher education. By nurturing natural talent and providing tools for success, scholars are supported to take the definitive next steps toward achieving their ambitions.
A continuous pathway of support
Recognising that the path to higher education begins in school, the Ambition Programme provides advice, guidance and support to students throughout their educational journey. From secondary school and sixth form, throughout university and all the way to graduation, students are given range of support, advice and inspiration to help them thrive throughout their studies and beyond.
Pre-university: Giving students the confidence that higher education is a place where they belong
Students from a range of backgrounds and with different barriers to overcome are given the information they need to see themselves in higher education and navigate their next steps with confidence, long before they submit an application to go to university.
As part of the University's Access Sheffield initiatives, students on the Ambition Programme have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities designed to inform and inspire:
- Immersive summer schools giving Y12 students the chance to live in university accommodation for a week, build skills to prepare them for life, and make friends from across the country - all for free.
- Coaching activities designed to demystify what it’s like to come to university, and foster a sense of belonging and ambition.
- Targeted work experience and placements for Medicine and Dentistry students.
Key success: After attending a summer school, 92% of 2024/2025 students received a conditional offer to study at Sheffield.
Coming to university: Removing financial barriers, creating a sense of belonging
Financial anxiety shouldn't overshadow academic achievement. To ensure students from all backgrounds can focus on their potential alongside their peers, the Ambition Programme provides 30 dedicated scholarships annually to alleviate the costs of moving to and studying at university.
Beyond this financial lifeline, the programme also provides regular wellbeing workshops and social events, helping foster a vital sense of community and belonging. From creative jewelry-making and movie nights to excursions at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the events give students the opportunity to build peer networks and thrive while at university.
Key Success: 125+ scholarships have been provided through the Law Family Ambition programme to date.
During university: Boosting employability and confidence to ensure success long after graduation
As Ambition Programme scholars approach graduation, the programme bridges the gap between academic success and professional ambition. Through 1-1 mentoring , online networking events and 100-hour paid internships within the University and local businesses, students are able to enhance their employability skills to give them a competitive edge in the job market.
A cornerstone of this support is the University’s eMentoring Scheme, which connects current students with Sheffield graduates across the globe to provide the real-world insights, recruitment expertise, and professional networks needed to launch a successful career.
Key Success: In the 2024/2025 academic year 96% of student mentees reported feeling more confident and better equipped to apply for jobs in their chosen field.
The Law Family Ambition Programme is proudly funded by a £2.85 million donation from economics alumnus Andrew Law and his charitable organisation, AL Philanthropies