Applications for the Free National NHS Virtual Work Experience programme are now open.

Here’s the relevant information:

https://medicmentor.org/university-hospitals-birmingham-trust-virtual-work-experience/

This month, it’s focused on the fascinating world of Surgery, giving you the opportunity to witness key-hole surgery, oral surgery, and the chance to shadow Mr. Challocome, a urology surgeon at Guy's and Thomas' NHS Trust.

This virtual experience opens doors for you to gain valuable insights and opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to access. on shadowing; it's a crucial step in preparing students for their upcoming physical placements.

Covering everything from ethics to procedures and broader team roles, our virtual work experience gives a crucial overview of their desired career paths and the skills that medical and dental schools are looking for, enhancing their UCAS applications.

Signing up is easy – students just need to fill out the free online application form

https://airtable.com/appuQX2ouadvjQUSU/shrroljLczgdg9uLw

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors which are really useful to show your proactive engagement with the subject you’re hoping to study: browse the series they have here: ​​https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/lecture-series-2023-24 

Health after Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Professor Chris Whitty FRS Tue, 20 Feb 2024 Watch Online

Pulsars, Microwave Ovens and the Radio Sky, Professor Chris Lintott Wed, 21 Feb 2024 Watch Online

The Colour Spectrum of Scales and Modes, Professor Milton Mermikides Thu, 22 Feb 2024  Watch Online

Option Pricing Theory Explained, Professor Raghavendra Rau, Mon, 26 Feb 2024 Watch Online

Changes in the Concept of Autism, Professor Francesca Happé CBE FBA Wed, 28 Feb 2024 Watch Online

Wealth Inequality: English Law's Unintended Legacy? Professor Leslie Thomas KC Thu, 29 Feb 2024 Watch Online

To begin the preparation for university, you could have a look at when university Open Days are happening this half-term. Use the link here to check: https://www.opendays.com/calendar/ 

General advice

Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni. 

Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar. 

To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering.

A few people have asked about Russell Group universities and what they do. There is some information here that might be helpful:

• When is a top university not a top university?
• We need to talk about The Russell Group

Bangor University has a Summer School running July 1-3, 2024 

‘A Taste of Higher Education’ 

This is a residential Summer School, taking place at Bangor University this summer with the support

 of the Reaching Wider Partnership for North and Mid Wales. 

 The Summer School is aimed at: 

• Year 12 students who meet specific Widening Access criteria (see the list om the application form or come and check with me)  
• And who may be uncertain about going on to university.  

The event’s objectives are to raise the motivation of students to go on to Higher Education. Detailed information, including criteria for applicants, is attached to this email. To apply, eligible students need to complete and submit the on-line Application form. 

Closing date- April 19 

Swansea University’s Faculty of Medicine Health & Life Sciences are now running drop-in sessions over the next few months for prospective Nursing students at their St David’s Park Campus in Carmarthen. In the sessions, students can chat to the Nursing teaching team about the course and life as a student nurse. To book onto a session, please click here.

If you have any questions about these drop-in sessions, please email studyfmhls@swansea.ac.uk.

Swansea’s next on-campus event is: Saturday 23 March. 

Students will have the opportunity to:-

• Find out about more about courses
• Speak to staff and current students studying their chosen subjects

Take a campus tour of our fantastic campus and department facilities

If you’re unsure what subject you’d like to study at University it might be worth booking onto the Masterclass Series below to experience a taster of the courses on offer at Swansea University.

Each session is presented by their academic staff (the people who would be teaching you) and offers students the chance to:

• Find out what university lectures are like
• Explore your subject of interest further
• Discover the latest research at Swansea
• Ask questions about the course

Use the link here to register. 

They also have their  Masterclass Series starting next week! Immerse yourself in a world of knowledge as their academics share their recent research in their field. Have the chance to sit in on a university lecture, explore your subject further and ask your burning questions.

The webinars include:

• ‘TikTok made me do it’
• ‘Touring CERN’
• ‘Making a Murderer’
• ‘AI and Economics’

To avoid disappointment, book your place here.

Reading University 

They also have a ‘preparing for University’ programme with the Brilliant Club:

Subject Tutorials and Summer School Experience 

This is a subject based academic university programme where students experience university-style learning while developing transferable skills and subject knowledge. The programme is hybrid, taking place in person and via online tutorials, and culminates in a residential summer school at the University of Reading. Please be aware that this programme is available for students who are eligible for their Widening Participation activities.

Preparing for University student info and sign up.

UCL Masterclasses 

UCL Masterclasses are a range of online, subject-specific, hour-long sessions for students in Year 12 to get a taste of university. Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays (4-5pm) from January to April, and feature an interactive lecture on a specific topic from UCL academics and PhD students. This is a great opportunity for students wanting more super-curricular activities to write about in their personal statement. Apply here. 

Leeds University has their Skill Up in Theatre and Performance workshop (application deadline 25th Feb)

‘Skill Up in Theatre and Performance’ is a programme for Year 12 students interested in finding out more about life as a Theatre and Performance undergraduate as well as the career opportunities that this course can offer. This two-day on campus experience will take place on 26-27 March 2024. Be aware that there is no accommodation provided.  Apply here. 

Bath University has three programmes for students to apply to:

‘Discover Bath’ programme which is a free event for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds to experience university study and find out about life at university. It’s a summer programme which aims to give prospective students a taste of first-year life and study at the University of Bath. You'll also have the opportunity to gain a reduced offer. It's free-of-charge, including on-campus accommodation, free meals for the duration of your stay, a programme of academic sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops) and fun social activities. Your travel to the University can also be reimbursed (reasonable travel within the UK only). Find out more here.

Target Bath which is a free programme for Year 12 students of Black African and Caribbean heritage to find out about life at the University of Bath. Find out more here. 

Newcastle University is working with the Sutton Trust on the Pathways to Medicine and Pathways to Law, two-year programmes offered in partnership with the Sutton Trust. You would complete a work experience placement and summer school and get academic and sector-specific support. You could also receive a conditional offer that's typically up to three grades lower than normal entry requirements.  Use the link here to apply. 

They also have The PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS), designed to give you an early introduction to various aspects of Higher Education study and help you to prepare for life at Newcastle University. PASS is taught by undergraduate lecturers in the same subject field that you apply to as your firm choice course. During the event, you will meet some of your undergraduate lecturers, use Newcastle University facilities to complete academic tasks and get to know other students on your course.

Upon completion of PASS, we hope this will mean that you feel more confident in your ability to be successful at Newcastle University and that you'll be more than ready to begin studying at Higher Education level once the first semester begins in the autumn. Find out more here. 

They also have the Newcastle Virtual Student Experience 

Cardiff University’s lecture series is ongoing; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/events 

You might also want to check out the advice given on the ‘Better uni choices’ site which has some helpful tips on how to get the best out of attending Open Days. 

Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website

Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/  and also the different events they have on offer https://schools.uptree.co/events/ 

A couple of thighs they are offering at the moment are:

• The Introduction to the National Cyber Force course
• Arm Technology Apprenticeships.

In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, join this exclusive free webinar in partnership with the British Army to help inspire the next generation of females about the amazing career opportunities available to them through the Army.  

Join us on 5th March from 4pm - 5pm to hear from a panel of inspiring female ambassadors from the Army, representing professions across 7 different career streams, including:

• Medical
• Intelligence & Communications
• HR & Finance
• Combat
• Logistics & Support
• Engineering
• Music

This event is ideal for female students, but is open to all students and their parents/carers. Attendees will get the opportunity to hear from female soldiers from 2 of the career streams during the webinar. 

The keynote speaker is Rose Worthy, who is the Diversity and Inclusion Operations Manager for the Army Recruiting Group at Capita. Register here. 

Professional services.

Deloitte is one of the largest, leading professional-services firm in the UK. If  you're interested in a career in professional services and looking for an apprenticeship/full time job, apply for Professional Services Application Masterclass

Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry.