**5. Mentoring and support**

Mentoring and support programs are instrumental in supporting minority students throughout their academic journeys on STEM courses. These programmes provide guidance, mentorship, and a support network for students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them navigate the challenges they may face and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed. Target Oxbridge [24], is a mentoring programme that specifically supports black African and Caribbean students in their applications to Oxford and Cambridge. The programme provides one-to-one mentoring, advice on the application process, interview preparation, and academic support to increase the representation of black students in STEM fields.

Once enrolled, mentors, who are often experienced faculty members or professionals in STEM fields, offer advice, encouragement, and academic support to mentees. These programmes also foster a sense of belonging, creating a safe space for minority students to share their experiences, seek guidance, and develop their skills and confidence. Mentoring and support programmes typically include one-onone mentorship, group mentoring sessions, networking events, and skill-building workshops. The University of Leeds provides a comprehensive personal development programme called Leeds for Life [25], which includes mentoring and networking opportunities for students. The programme connects students with alumni mentors who offer guidance, support, and industry insights, creating a supportive network for students from diverse backgrounds.

The University of Birmingham also operates a Student Mentor Scheme [26] that pairs new students with trained mentors who can provide guidance and support throughout their studies. The scheme aims to create a supportive environment where students can seek advice, build connections, and foster a sense of belonging.

Universities support undergraduate Black Asian and Minority Ethnic students in a variety of ways, often through dedicated programmes, such as the Be More Empowered (BME) for Success Programme at the University of Bristol [27] and the University of Manchester's BME Success Programme [28] who support undergraduate BAME students by improving the experience and celebrate the success of students from these backgrounds.

UK universities have made significant progress in developing programmes to address the underrepresentation of minority students in STEM fields. They have established dedicated offices, departments, or centres that focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives, working collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff. These institutions often conduct research to identify barriers and challenges faced by underrepresented groups, allowing for evidence-based programme development and continuous improvement. The Engineering Science Learning Centre is a programme at De Montfort University built around optional support sessions created by and run by student for students, as part of the Royal Academy of Engineering Diversity Impact Programme [29]. The student-oriented centre provides a range of activities that help to close the existing, as well as perceived, skills gap between students from underrepresented groups and their peers.

Peer Assisted Study Support (PASS) schemes exist in many universities, albeit with different variants of the acronym, but all who offer academic support to students through peer-led group study sessions. The schemes provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to receive additional help, build study skills, and connect with peers in a supportive learning environment.
