Beyond Barriers mentoring scheme

91��’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.

Mentor applications for 2025/26 will open in early September.

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

Four students standing at the top of a set of stairs in the Town House building.

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

I had an amazing mentor, who went out of her way and beyond to help me achieve the targets we had set. Thanks to her guidance, my confidence, skill sets and knowledge have moved to a whole other level. I would definitely recommend this incredible opportunity to anyone who is looking for personal growth, guidance or support. I am very glad I decided to join the programme!

Thanh Dat Nguyen, Student Mentee

Become a mentor

Three students standing together in the Town House building, they are smiling.

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

As Princess' mentor, it was a pleasure to open her eyes to the power of her own capabilities. Within a few weeks of our mentoring partnership, she started to blossom and by the end, she was brimming with positive energy and confidence. Being her mentor was a hugely rewarding experience. As well as being an opportunity to make a difference to someone trying to find their way in life, it also gave me a space to reflect on what I had achieved in my career and life today.

Tayla Stone, Student Mentor

Mentor events 2024/25

Thank you for giving your time and expertise to students at 91��.

Below is a list of the events you can take part in as a Mentor on the Beyond Barriers student mentoring scheme.

Mentee student events

Getting support and advice from a mentor can make all the difference, both when you are studying and when you take the first steps on your future career. As a 91�� student, you can benefit from the expertise and guidance of our alumni and experienced industry professionals. Below is a list of the events that you can take part in during the Beyond Barriers student mentoring scheme.

Get in touch

Got a question about any aspect of the Beyond Barriers programme? Get in touch with our team at [email protected]. We’re here to help.

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