Student mentors support Advanced Higher Hub pupils during induction and throughout the academic year.

Involvement in the scheme gives the opportunity to develop the following Common Good attributes:

• Active and global citizenship
• Confidence
• Responsible leadership

What’s involved?

The Advanced Higher Hub is a unique bridging programme, offering sixth-year pupils from Glasgow City Council schools the opportunity to study their Advanced Highers on the GCU campus. The 'Hubbers', as they are affectionately known, register as GCU students and have access to all GCU facilities, including GCU Learn, the Saltire Centre and laboratories. Pupils gain a real understanding of university life and the rigours of university-level study a year before they move on to the next stage of their learning journey at university, college or employment.

Student mentors support the Hub Team at various times in the Hub calendar: their induction to GCU and various activities across the year. The Hub’s core partners are 17 Glasgow secondary schools, where fewer young people progress to higher education than the national average.

This innovative programme aims to provide young people with access to Advanced Higher studies and support them to progress to college or university and, crucially, retain their place once they are there. The Hub achieves this by inspiring, motivating and encouraging pupils to transition to higher education.

How will participating in this activity/opportunity allow students to make a positive difference in the communities that we serve?

The Advanced Higher Hub works in partnership with schools, young people and their families in this crucial transitional year of pupils’ education. Many of the pupils we work with are the first in their families to attend university. Student mentors are role models for the young people that they work with.

It is a very important role that actively supports young people to achieve their goals and helps them gain a genuine understanding of university life and study through their Hub experiences, meeting student mentors and working with the GCU Students’ Association.

Student mentors will work closely with the Hub team to help facilitate events and positively impact the young people, their aspirations and ultimately, the communities in which they live now and in the future.

What are the benefits of taking part in this activity/opportunity for participating students?

The Advanced Higher Hub employs undergraduate/postgraduate students to work as mentors in our programme. We offer our mentors the opportunity to:

• Earn money in a flexible part-time job that looks great on their CV
• Work alongside students from other disciplines and backgrounds
• Make a positive difference in the lives of young people from schools across Glasgow
• Develop a wide range of employability-related skills, such as communication and group work skills
• Join GCU Student Leaders Programme.

Success stories

GCU’s pioneering Advanced Higher Hub is entering its tenth year and has supported more than 1000 sixth-year pupils from Glasgow City Council schools to study their Advanced Highers as GCU students.

We offer Advanced Higher studies in:

• Biology
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• English
• History
• Mathematics
• Modern Studies
• Physics.

The Hubbers’ GCU experience supports their learning and also equips them with the skills and confidence to transition successfully to university studies and, crucially, retain their places once there. The Hub has celebrated outstanding pass rates each year, and we look forward to building on our successes as we embark on Year 10 of the Hub, working with GCU student mentors to provide excellent opportunities for our Hub pupils.