Funded places
Your first move, with a funded place
Cost should not stop you exploring what comes next. Tell us a little about why you want to join First Move and the support you need. The team reviews applications; applying does not guarantee a place.
Sign in with Mereka to apply and keep track of your application. New to Mereka? You create a free Mereka account when you sign in.
Who it is for
For students who would find the fee a barrier.
Funded places are for students from lower-income families. If cost is what stands between you and First Move, apply.
- Who can join
- Ages 17 to 19, SPM or equivalent school leavers
- Who applies
- The student, with their own Mereka account. The place is linked to the account that applies.
- Places
- Funded places are limited. The team reviews every application.
Not sure whether to apply? Email the team first. Email the team
What it covers
The same place as every learner.
A funded place is an ordinary First Move place, paid for by a sponsor. There is no separate track and no visible difference in the room.
Programme inclusions from the booking terms (English).
- Included: eight career areas on show, two 90-minute tasters, eight 12-minute conversations with working adults, an AI task analysis, a first-salary simulation, a First Move Plan reviewed with a facilitator, lunch and two breaks each day, materials, a participation certificate, a parent opening and share-out (or a trusted-adult option), and a 30-day check-in.
- Not included: travel and accommodation. Funded learners can ask privately about access support.
Accepting an offer confirms your place. There is no payment step.
How it works
From application to answer.
- 1
Sign in and apply
Choose a cohort and answer four short questions about you and the support you need.
- 2
The team reviews it
Authorised staff read each application, and two people from the team look at it before a place is offered. Applying does not guarantee a place.
- 3
We email you at each step
When we receive it, if it is shortlisted, and when there is an offer or a decision. Your status is also on this page when you sign in.
- 4
Decide on an offer
If we offer you a place, your seat is held while you decide. Accept to confirm it, or decline to release it.
- 5
Then, the same as everyone
Your student portal holds your programme and everything you need before day one.
What we ask, and what we keep
Only what the team needs to decide.
We ask
- Choose a cohort
- Why would you like to join First Move?
- What makes a funded place helpful for you?
- Monthly household income band (RM), or “Prefer not to say”
- School / most recent school
Please don't send
- Identity numbers
- Bank details
- Medical information
- Documents of any kind
What we keep
- Only authorised staff read your answers.
- We use them to assess and manage your application and to contact you about it. This is separate from marketing.
- Application details are kept until 12 months after the cohort, then minimised.
- You can contact the team to ask about your data.
When you hear back
Apply for a cohort while it is open.
Next cohortDates announced soon · Location to be confirmed
You choose the cohort when you apply. The team replies by email, and your status is shown on this page when you sign in.
Parents and guardians
How a parent takes part.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian agrees to you taking part, in their own words, through their own Mereka account, as for every First Move place.
- From 18, a learner decides for themselves whether a parent follows their programme.
- Parents join the opening briefing on Day 1 and the share-out on Day 3, like every family. A trusted adult can come instead.
Apply
Ready to apply?
Sign in with Mereka to apply and keep track of your application.