Beyond Barriers mentoring scheme
Kingston University’s Beyond Barriers mentoring programme gives students and professionals the opportunity to develop and learn from each other. Find out everything you need to know.
What is Beyond Barriers?
Beyond Barriers is our successful student mentoring programme.
Every year, it pairs around 300 students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds with industry professionals.
On the scheme, mentors offer one-to-one, impartial guidance and support. They encourage students to grow, develop and fulfil their potential.
How does it work?
Beyond Barriers recruits professionals from a range of industries and organisations. We choose people who we think will inspire confidence and encourage students’ personal and professional growth.
The scheme runs from October to May every year. Over the six months, mentors and mentees dedicate two hours every month to meet for one-to-one online discussions. There might be opportunities to meet face-to-face too.
We provide full training for mentors and mentees, and celebrate at the end of each year with an awards ceremony.
Become a mentee
If you become a student mentee, you will benefit from:
- Advice about specific circumstances and goals
- Identification of workplace skill-gaps
- Tips on how to improve career prospects
- Industry insight and knowledge
- Improved confidence and resilience
- Help on how to build a plan for the future
You can apply for a Beyond Barriers mentor if you’re a second year, third year or postgraduate student and fit into one of these categories:
- Black and ethnic minority students
- Commuter students
- Female students in science, engineering, maths and built environment
- KU Cares students
- LGBT+ students
- Mature students
- Student parents
- Students who are the first in their family to attend higher education
- Students with a learning difference or disability
Become a mentor
If you become a professional mentor, you and your organisation will benefit from:
- Sharing knowledge and experience
- Encouraging someone to achieve their potential
- Integrating mentoring into your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme
- Giving something back to society
- Extending your professional network
- Boosting your organisation and brand
Get in touch
Got a question about any aspect of the Beyond Barriers programme? Get in touch with our team at beyondbarriers@kingston.co.uk. We’re here to help.