What is Levelling Up: Computer Science?
Levelling Up: Computer Science (LUCS) aims to boost women participating in Computer Science. It is available to all Computer Science university departments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who will have the opportunity to showcase Computer Science through a programme of sustained engagement with local women A level students.
In addition to an on-campus visit, nine sessions will run in the summer term of Year 12 to help develop students’ knowledge and confidence.
Five academic sessions in Levelling Up: Computer Science have been developed by the BCS to inspire potential Computer Science students. They can be delivered in a variety of ways, (virtual, in-person or hybrid) via small tutorial groups, led by undergraduates from the hosting Computer Science department.
Four non-academic sessions, considered to be part of a university’s usual outreach activities, often delivered in conjunction with the Widening Participation team.
A central component of this new initiative is the engagement with local schools. There is significant scope to strengthen these mutually beneficial relationships.
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT endorses and supports the scheme, and provides all the necessary materials, but the responsibility for implementing the scheme lies with each participating university.
Teaching sessions are usually online, beginning in the second term of Year 12 and continuing with regular sessions through Year 13 until shortly before the A Level examinations.
The programme was created by the London Mathematical Society (LMS) and BCS has created the Computer Science content of the programme.
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT endorses and supports the scheme, and provides all the necessary materials, but the responsibility for implementing the scheme lies with each participating university.
- All learning materials for the programme – both from the LMS (for LUMCS) and BCS
- Endorsement of the scheme and the associated use of branding
- Overview of the scheme and general tips/advice on running it
- Material for each session (including pre-reading, tutor notes, problems, solutions)
- Regular community meetings to share experiences with other participating universities
- Recruiting, training and paying undergraduate tutors (including DBS checks)
- Setting appropriate definitions of “underserved groups”
- Working with local schools and colleges to recruit A Level students
- Selecting A Level students who meet the agreed criteria
- Obtaining appropriate privacy statements for use of online conference platforms
- Providing a platform for the sessions (including safeguarding considerations, etc.)
- Appropriate scheduling of sessions for the duration of the programme
- Deciding on additional sessions, as seems appropriate
On-going mentoring for the tutors
Fully-funded for three years
We are pleased to acknowledge financial support for the Levelling Up: Computer Science programme from Dr Tony Hill. Funding of up to £2000 per year is available for three years. Experience with Levelling Up: STEM has shown that this will cover the cost of delivering the programme, apart from the on-campus visit and the four non-academic sessions.
