The Brilliant Club

The Brilliant Club We mobilise the PhD community to support less advantaged students to access the most competitive universities and succeed when they get there.

The Brilliant Club works with schools and postgraduate researchers to support students in accessing and succeeding at the most competitive universities. We work across the UK and would love to hear from you!

Students who take part in The Scholars Programme get the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at a graduation eve...
21/09/2026

Students who take part in The Scholars Programme get the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at a graduation event, visiting one of our partner universities across the UK. In 2025/26:

🎓 Over 10,300 students attended graduation events

📚 These students represented over 800 schools/colleges where PhD and early career researchers delivered university-style learning

🤝 We hosted 157 graduation events, involving 41 different university partners

Schools can enquire about the programme for 2026/27 here: https://bit.ly/4phq7CN

Thank you to everyone involved in making these events an unforgettable experience for our scholars, across our partner institutions and Brilliant Club schools!

Schools pictured:

📷 Ashfield School students graduating at The University of Sheffield
📷 Oasis Community Learning Short Heath students graduating at Jesus College, Oxford University
📷 St. Paul's School for Girls students graduating at University of Birmingham
📷 Bishop Perowne CE College students graduating at University of Oxford
📷 Ashton Park School students graduating at University of Bristol
📷 Heartlands Academy students graduating at Christ Church, Oxford

"I had a great time learning about things I normally wouldn't in school, and it opens so many doors for me in the future...
18/09/2026

"I had a great time learning about things I normally wouldn't in school, and it opens so many doors for me in the future." 🚪🔑

Over 1,600 pupils across Coventry and Warwickshire have taken part in The Scholars Programme, which gives students from non-selective state schools and colleges across the UK the opportunity to work with a PhD researcher.

Schools like Grace Academy Coventry, Park Lane Primary School and Nuneaton Academy have found the programme useful for students' abilities across the board, including knowledge development, essay writing, debating topics with peers, and the ability to see university as an option in their future.

If you’d like to discuss how The Scholars Programme can help your students, in Coventry and Warwickshire or elsewhere, enquire here: https://bit.ly/3tPlj9D

“I enjoyed being able to study a course that I wouldn't have had an opportunity to and it has given me more transferable...
17/09/2026

“I enjoyed being able to study a course that I wouldn't have had an opportunity to and it has given me more transferable skills for my future.” - Student from Castle View Academy Portsmouth

Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton are three key southwest coastal areas where we partner with schools and colleges to deliver The Scholars Programme.

Through tutoring from a PhD researcher, students gain practical experience of higher education and develop the skills needed to thrive in academia and careers.

We’ve worked with over 930 pupils in these areas. The programme has improved critical thinking (by 30%), subject knowledge (by 27%), and written communication (by 28%) for students on average.

Teachers in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Southampton (or elsewhere across the UK) can learn more about running The Scholars Programme by making a quick enquiry on our website: https://bit.ly/4w9RvF0

On Monday evening, our communities, partners and supporters came together to celebrate our recently launched Backing Bri...
16/09/2026

On Monday evening, our communities, partners and supporters came together to celebrate our recently launched Backing Brilliance strategy, at an event held at the stunning Goodenough College.

It was a fantastic and insightful evening, celebrating our 15 years of work so far and introducing our new three-year strategy. Attendees heard from Brilliant Club Ambassadors (young people who have taken part in our programmes), our Chair of Trustees Dr Josephine Valentine OBE and our CEO Susie Whigham.

"The Scholars Programme gave me a sense of belief in myself, and my views. It was the first time, in education, that I had been told that my opinion mattered. I have taken this confidence with me through my early adult years and know it'll stay with me." - Abbie Silk, Brilliant Club Ambassador

We'd like to say a huge thank you to our amazing Ambassadors, including Asa and Abbie who helped host the event. Ambassadors shared their stories of how taking part in The Scholars Programme helped them pursue higher education and spoke to attendees about their journeys. They truly brought the work we do to life by sharing their experiences.

A big thank you also to the PhD tutors, parents/carers, young programme participants and staff who ran three information stalls about The Scholars Programme, Parent Power, and our Brilliant Consulting and policy work.

You can learn more about our Backing Brilliance strategy on our website: https://bit.ly/4epYROP

Computer Science Scholars is an exciting project we've launched with The Hg Foundation to support over 500 female and no...
15/09/2026

Computer Science Scholars is an exciting project we've launched with The Hg Foundation to support over 500 female and non-binary sixth form students to pursue Computer Science degrees between 2025-2028.

We are currently inviting schools to sign up for Computer Science Scholars Year 12, which will take place in Spring 2027 for Year 12 female and non-binary students who are studying Maths A Level, who will have:

🖥️ an online tutor launch event, where they will meet their tutor and be introduced to their course
🖥️ six online university-style tutorials, followed by a final assignment
🖥️ a feedback session for detailed feedback from their tutor on their final assignment

Students will also be invited to attend three ‘Careers in Computer Science’ webinars.

To find out more, visit our website: https://bit.ly/468s8Iy

To express interest in your school taking part, fill in this short form: https://bit.ly/4x8fg0b

For any further queries, please contact the Computer Science Scholars team at [email protected]

Are you or do you know an undergraduate student at Arden University interested in gaining paid tutoring experience and m...
14/09/2026

Are you or do you know an undergraduate student at Arden University interested in gaining paid tutoring experience and making a difference to the lives of Year 10 students from less advantaged backgrounds?

We're recruiting Arden students to work on our Make your Mark tutoring programme in Spring term 2027, across schools in Greater London and Greater Manchester. This is a great opportunity to develop communication and teaching skills, while making a real difference to young people’s progress in key subjects.

Make your Mark is a curriculum tutoring programme designed to raise attainment in English or Maths. Comprehensive training will be provided for successful applicants. Find out more about what we're looking for from tutors by reading the job description: https://bit.ly/4hrIYbW

Applications are open from today! You can apply by Friday 2nd October 4pm using this form: https://bit.ly/4xP1X5Z (early application is strongly advised).

To find out more about this opportunity, you can join one of our upcoming webinars:

💻 Thursday 24th September, 12:30 - 13.30: https://bit.ly/4dqDz2n
💻 Tuesday 29th September, 13:00 - 14:00: https://bit.ly/4hl29UK

If you have any questions, get in touch at [email protected]

"Something that has really stayed with me is a comment from a pupil who believed university was only for 'posh and rich ...
14/09/2026

"Something that has really stayed with me is a comment from a pupil who believed university was only for 'posh and rich people'. I went to a state school and now I'm nearing the end of my PhD. It reminded me why widening participation schemes like The Scholars Programme matter so much."

PhD tutors like Megan work with Key Stage 2 to 5 students across UK schools on The Scholars Programme, providing practical experience of higher education and helping students develop the skills needed to thrive in academia and careers.

Schools can enquire about The Scholars Programme on our website: https://bit.ly/4phq7CN

In June 2026, the Department for Education published their enrichment framework, outlining guidance on how schools and c...
11/09/2026

In June 2026, the Department for Education published their enrichment framework, outlining guidance on how schools and colleges can deliver a high-quality enrichment offer for all students.

The Scholars Programme offers a hands-on experience of university learning while building skills for academic and career success, inspiring a love of learning and raising attainment in Key Stage 2 to 5 students. The programme provides enrichment opportunities for students, in line with several DfE benchmarks.

Learn more about how our programme can help you achieve enrichment benchmarks on our website: https://bit.ly/4gFAIDU

East London Parent Power had a brilliant visit to Google's King's Cross office recently! It was great to learn more abou...
10/09/2026

East London Parent Power had a brilliant visit to Google's King's Cross office recently! It was great to learn more about what it's like to work at Google, and families had the chance to explore Google's Accessibility Discovery Centre.

This visit was a great win for the group's wider campaign to secure work experience and industry visits for East London families.

Thank you so much to Google for hosting us!

💻 Webinar: Tutor Information Event🗓️ Friday 18th September, 12pmPhD and early career researchers can sign up for our nex...
10/09/2026

💻 Webinar: Tutor Information Event
🗓️ Friday 18th September, 12pm

PhD and early career researchers can sign up for our next information event about what becoming a tutor with us involves, including a Q&A from a current tutor.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4xiteO5

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The Brilliant Club, Fivefields, 8-10 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W0DH

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Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

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