Ever considered studying abroad? Think the US could be the right fit for you? The Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme is designed to support students to explore studying in America and access leading universities.

From introductory information sessions to a week spent in the US visiting different American colleges and universities, you’ll get an in-depth look into what it’s like to be a student in the US.

All costs including travel, residential events and accommodation are paid for by the programme.

Register your interest

Age:
S5 (Scotland), Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (NI)
Location:
UK Wide
Duration:
2 years
Visit the website

What the programme offers

UK Residentials

Open popup
Open popup

UK Residentials

At the April residential you’ll meet your cohort from across the UK. This action-packed residential will allow you to hear from current students, alumni of American universities and experts in the admissions and test prep field. You will also spend time preparing to go on your US week and begin to work on elements of the US admissions application such as essays and the extracurricular list.

A week in the US

Open popup
Open popup

A week in the US

There are several different residential weeks – each group will stay in university dorms and take part in campus tours, information sessions and cultural activities. You will also take part in a university fair, where students will meet with university representatives from all over the US. During this week, you will start to decide if studying in the US is the right route for you and we’ll be there at each step to help you with making an informed choice.

 

Expert guidance

Open popup
Open popup

Expert guidance

The Sutton Trust has partnered with the US-UK Fulbright Commission, the leading education exchange programme between the US and the UK, to deliver the US programme and provide expert guidance to students applying to US universities. Drawing on Fulbright’s expertise of US higher education, the US Programme advisors will help you develop the skills you need to be successful in the US admissions process. We’ll support you with finding a university that will be a good fit for you, prepare you for interviews, match you to mentors, help you and your family with applying for financial aid, and more.

 

Support for families and schools

Open popup
Open popup

Support for families and schools

Families and teachers form a crucial support network for students on the programme, as well as providing key information about the student. We understand that parents/guardians of programme participants may not have experience of the US admissions process, so we aim to provide support and guidance from the beginning of the programme through webinars, information sessions and resources. We also work alongside schools to write student references and train teachers on how best to support students who are applying to the US.

 

Access to our Alumni Network

Open popup
Open popup

Access to our Alumni Network

All US Programme students will be invited to join the Sutton Trust alumni community. Now 3,500+ strong, you’ll gain access to suttontrustalumni.com, the online platform that offers careers support, exclusive events and the chance to connect with other alumni. We also host a special reunion event for students who participated in the US Programme – this involves an information session, skills workshops and a great opportunity to catch-up with your friends from the programme.

 

Who can apply

Eligibility

Students applying to the US Programme must meet the following criteria:

  • Currently be in S5 (Scotland), Year 12 (England and Wales), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland).
  • Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded school or college (non-fee paying) in the UK
  • Not hold US citizenship
  • Be from a low-income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £50,000 or less)
  • Be interested in US culture and higher education

In addition, we are looking for students who:

  • Would be the first generation of their family to attend university
  • Have been eligible for free school meals
  • Attend a school or college with a below-average A Level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression into higher education
  • Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression into higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation
  • Have excellent GCSEs or National 5 results.
    • For England and Northern Ireland: Have achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade A or 7 or above, or near this level
    • For Wales: Have achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade A or above, or near this level
    • For Scotland: Have achieved at least six B passes at National 5 or above, or near this level

The more of the above criteria you meet, the more likely you are to be accepted onto the programme.

How to apply

Applications for the US Programme 2025 are currently closed.

To find out more about the programme and to apply when the window opens, use the links below.

Find out more about the programme

Apply for the programme

Programme impact

What is the impact of the US Programme?

600+

The number of our students that have been admitted to a US university.

80

The number of US universities our students have attended.

$168M

The amount of financial aid accessed by our students.

Supporters

The Sutton Trust is incredibly grateful for the generous support that make our programmes possible. A special thanks to The Fulbright Commission.

Need some help finding a programme?

Find the right programme for you

Learn more about our different programmes

UK Summer Schools

Pathways to the Professions

Sutton Trust Online (STO)

Access Apprenticeships