What is Seren?
Seren is the Welsh Government’s flagship initiative supporting more able and talented learners in schools and colleges across Wales to access quality higher education opportunities in Wales, across the UK and around the world.
Seren is made up of the following distinct areas of support for young people across Wales: Seren Academy, Seren Foundation, Seren International, and Seren Alumni.
New Seren collaborations for 2022
Professional Learning Programme for Educators
Through this programme, launched in March 2022, we’re supporting teachers across Wales to better support More Able & Talented (MAT) learners, through a series of live training sessions & workshops and on demand content made available from a wide range of partners including leading universities, admissions test specialists, experts in developing teachers’ pedagogical approaches and leaders in the field of widening access.
To get involved, please get in touch with Lindsey Dawson, Professional Learning Manager, by emailing lindsey.dawson@equaleducationpartners.com
International Study Mentoring Programme
Through this programme, launched in February 2022, we’re supporting first year Seren Academy learners (those in year 12 or their first year at a further education college) across Wales to explore the possibilities for studying internationally. This is being done through a series of live sessions, one-to-one mentoring and on demand content made available from a wide range of partners including leading universities, university admissions specialists, and Seren alumni studying overseas.
To get involved (as a mentor or mentee), please get in touch with Lindsey Dawson, Professional Learning Manager, by emailing lindsey.dawson@equaleducationpartners.com
Seren Space | Gofod Seren – digital platform
The Seren Space digital platform, launching in April 2022, will be the online home of the Seren programme for all learners, educators and partners involved in the Welsh Government’s flagship initiative to improve access to competitive higher education destinations for Wales’ brightest young people. This platform will streamline our running of the programme, further expand the opportunities available to young people and enhance our ability to measure and optimise our impact over time.
Hysbysiad Preifatrwydd Gofod Seren Space Privacy Notice
To find out more, contact Lois Williams, Project Manager (Higher Education), by emailing lois.williams@equaleducationpartners.com.
Seren partnering with Welsh universities
Prifysgol Aberystwyth University
More information coming soon! For details contact Lois Williams, HE Partnerships Manager by emailing lois.williams@equaleducationpartners.com.
Prifysgol Y Drindod Dewi Sant (PYDDS) | University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)
More information coming soon! For details contact Lois Williams, HE Partnerships Manager by emailing lois.williams@equaleducationpartners.com.
Collaborations with all other Welsh universities
More information coming soon! For details contact Lois Williams, HE Partnerships Manager by emailing lois.williams@equaleducationpartners.com.
Seren International Summer Schools
Seren International Online Summer School
The Seren International Online Summer School initiative built in partnership with Jesus College at the University of Oxford enrolled over 100 learners in 2020 and 300 learners in 2021. In 2022, the Seren International Online Summer School will support 400 learners across Wales. To find out more, contact Lois Williams, Project Manager (Higher Education), by emailing lois.williams@equaleducationpartners.com.
Seren-Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Partnership
Between 2018 and 2021, through a co-funded scholarship established through Equal between the Welsh Government and YYGS at Yale University, 116 Welsh sixth form learners attended the Yale Young Global Scholars residential programme in New Haven (USA), at the Yale Center in Beijing (China), or online.
In 2022, due to the ongoing uncertainties caused by the pandemic, Seren is not running any international residential summer schools. Students are encouraged to apply to the Seren International Online Summer School, the Seren Jesus College Oxford Residential Summer School and other summer opportunities created by Seren in collaboration with Welsh and other UK universities.
Seren Harvard Summer School Scholarship
In 2019, 23 Seren learners were supported to attend the Harvard Summer School on campus at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
In 2022, due to the ongoing uncertainties caused by the pandemic, Seren is not running any international residential summer schools. Students are encouraged to apply to the Seren International Online Summer School, the Seren Jesus College Oxford Residential Summer School and other summer opportunities created by Seren in collaboration with Welsh and other UK universities.
Some numbers
Everyone who ran Seren International Online was so enthusiastic about the programme and it added structure to my life. There was academic challenge but it wasn’t stressful.
Carla Seren International Online 2020 studentI was particularly impressed with the Seren International Online programme as it provided consistent, useful content over a long period. I feel the most prepared I have ever been for making my university applications after this programme.
James Seren International Online studentFirst of all I wanted to say diolch because [the summer school is] bound to be the highlight of the COVID months and it beats internships I’ve done in the past. Needless to say there are some brilliant sixth formers here in Wales. It’s right up my alley and I’d be very pleased to work with you all again.”
Tomos Wood University of Cambridge“The Seren International Online programme was the most ambitious summer programme delivered in Jesus College’s 450 year history. I’m delighted that the programme was such a success for Seren students, our instructors and for the College! We look forward to working with Seren, Equal and other partners to expand and improve the programme further.”
Dr Matthew Williams Access Fellow, Jesus College, University of OxfordThe connections I made were deep and unexpected; I keep in contact with almost everyone I met at YYGS Connect. I am sure I speak for all the Seren students when I say that this has been a truly trajectory-altering experience. My esteem and confidence have risen massively, allowing me to reach my potential.”
James Seren-YYGS studentThe diversity and complete unfamiliarity of the content was incredible, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. My YYGS experience was second-to-none. I cannot describe the love I had of it, and the confidence it gave me. I would say that, wherever possible, [Seren] should continue to offer this opportunity. I feel so much more prepared for university study. I realised that I was good enough to go to a top academic institution and that there will be people there who are like me, which I haven’t always found in high school. It also made me realise what the subject I want to study at university was by introducing me to a range of disciplines, and my aspirations have been raised dramatically.”
Katie Seren-YYGS student
