Massive pass rate at Magee in science programme

The expansion followed the success of the original Step-Up programme at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus.

The students in the original programme at Magee achieved a 97 per cent pass rate, with 90 per cent of students achieving A, B or C grades in their applied science A-Levels.

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, recently announced an increase in funding for the programme which aims at widening participation in Higher Education.

Speaking at a ceremony at the University of Ulster to celebrate the latest success of pupils on the Step-Up programme, the Minister announced additional funding of over 340,000 for the initiative, which aims to improve the aspirations, expectations and academic performance of students who otherwise may not have considered going to university.

Addressing students, parents, academics and industry representatives, the Minister congratulated all those who successfully completed the programme.

Sir Reg said: “The Step-Up programme has been hugely successful in raising the motivation, aspirations and performance of students in a wide range of key science-based subjects.

“The programme has opened doors to a wide range of degrees and career pathways for past pupils in fields such as Biomedical Science, Pharmacy and Marine Biology.”

Step-Up is an internationally acclaimed science-based programme of academic and vocational activities, jointly delivered by schools, the University of Ulster, industry and government.

To date almost 700 students from secondary schools in the North West and Belfast areas have successfully completed the programme and progressed to higher education institutions across the UK.

The Minister continued: “I am delighted, in the current economic climate, that I am able to announce that an extension of funding for Step-Up has just been approved. This will extend funding up to academic year 2013/14 and ensures that the excellent work carried out under this programme will continue.”