Nominations for the 2026 Pelican Programme are now closed. 

What is the Pelican Programme?

• A sustained super-curricular programme with subject specific streams.
• Focus on discussion and oracy alongside the development of analytical and comprehension skills. In the Physical Sciences stream the focus is on honing problem solving skills alongside practice in linking together different scientific principles.
• Small online groups (no more than 10 in each group) which meet once a fortnight in sessions led by a subject expert.
• Set pre-reading for every session which is used as the basis of discussion.
• Includes a residential event here at Corpus to celebrate those students who finish the programme. 

Which subjects are covered?

• Architecture
• Classics
• English
• Geography - new for 2026!
• History
• Law
• Modern and Medieval Languages (French & Spanish)
• Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics
• Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Engineering, Physics)
• Psychological and Behavioural Sciences 

Who is it for?

• Students who are looking to make an application to highly selective universities.
• Students who are enthusiastic about the offered subjects and who are thinking of applying for them at university.
• Students who enjoy being academically stretched and challenged.

Are there eligibility criteria?

• Students have to be:
  • in Y12 (Y13/S5 in Northern Ireland/Scotland)
  • on course for  A*AA or higher (or equivalent), A*A*A or higher (or equivalent) for Physical Sciences and PBS streams
  • Attend a UK maintained state school
• And also meet at least one of our widening-participation criteria
• For the Physical Sciences stream, only students who identify as female may apply, and students must be studying Maths, Chemistry and/or Physics at A-level. 

• For Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, students must be studying either Maths, Chemistry, or Biology at A-level.

• For Classics, a 7 in any language at GCSE (or equivalent) is required and students who have an A-level language will be prioritised.

How can I apply?

• There is no direct application process. Students have to be nominated by a teacher at their school.
• Schools can nominate as many students per stream as they would like to, but we will select only one student per school per stream.
• Nominations are now closed for the 2026 programme. 

The deadline to submit nominations has now passed for 2026 and all students who were nominated have now received an email with the outcome of their application. If you have any queries about the Pelican Programme, please don't hesitate to contact Lucy.