Cardiff and Vale Health Board have a look at this fantastic opportunity for young people to take part in their annual ‘Youth Summer Project’! 

This is the third year they have run a six-week volunteering programme for 16-25 year olds which takes place over the Summer holidays - hoping that young people will find this easier to commit to. It’s a great opportunity for young people to gain real experience in both clinical and non-clinical settings, as well as the chance to learn and build upon a range of new skills that will help you in any career path moving forward as well as general life skills. Please note, you do not have to be interested in a healthcare or medicine career to take part in this programme!  

You can submit your application via this link and spots fill up very quickly so I would suggest completing the application as soon as possible. If you need any help just come and have a chat.

Apply here

Applications are now open for this year’s Ove Arup & Partners Work Experience Weeks.

There will be 2 Work Experience Weeks this year on the following dates:

• 15^th – 19^th July 2024
• 28^th October – 1^st November (half term) 2024

Students will be able to choose one of the weeks on offer that best suits them.

Applications will close on Sunday 2^nd June 2024.

Please find the link to the application here: https://forms.office.com/e/F8dLpridCX

Each Work Experience Week will consist of a series of lectures from different disciplines within Arup, with the opportunity for students to get involved in engaging activities and design projects. Most of the disciplines that will be covered are engineering focused. However, as a firm, they are not only engineers. Therefore, there will also be sessions on sustainability, social value, and digital skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get a better idea of what they want to do when they leave school. Their employees can also offer advice on routes into engineering.

For more, general, information please contact Marisa.Cove@arup.com or Tim.Owen@arup.com.

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 

Modern Concepts of ADHD, Professor Peter Hill, Mon, 11 Mar 2024 • Watch Online

Democracy: Ancient Models, Modern Challenges, Professor Melissa Lane, Thu, 14 Mar 2024 • Watch Online

Panel Discussion: New Hope in Cancer

Tomorrow, Tuesday 12 Mar 2024, 6pm Three speakers from the series delve further into new treatments and research, including immunotherapy, genomics and AI imaging.  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

Join The University of Exeter live online Q&A panels to hear University of Exeter alumni from a range of our degree courses discuss their route into their career and student experience, as well as sharing tips and advice as professionals in their industries.

Careers Insight Week Q&A Panel Series – April to May 2024 

• 29th April: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Alumni Panel
• 29th April: Law, Social and Political Sciences Alumni Panel
• 30th April: Arts, Humanities and Culture Alumni Panel
• 30th April: Natural, Biological, Earth and Life Sciences Alumni Panel
• 1st May: Degree Apprenticeships Current/Alumni Panel
• 1st May: Medical and Health Alumni Panel
• 1st May: Study/Work Abroad and Languages Alumni Panel
• 2nd May: Business Alumni Panel
• 2nd May: Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Panel

Use the link here to find out more and register. 

Swansea University 

invites you to join their exciting and enriching Summer Schools programme!

Discover new passions, explore academic interests and make lifelong connections with fellow students. Whether you're interested in Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine, Healthcare or Psychology, they have a diverse range of courses.

Why choose Swansea University’s Summer School?

-          Engaging and interactive courses taught by renowned faculty members

-          State-of-the-art facilities and resources to support your academic journey

-          Hands on learning experiences and practical workshops

-          Opportunities to enhance your subject knowledge

This is an opportunity to expand your horizons and make the most of your summer break. Secure your spot asap and unlock a world of learning possibilities! 

To find out more and to book your place at the Engineering Summer School click here.

To find out more and to book your place at the Medicine, Healthcare Sciences and Psychology Summer School click here.

To find out more and to book your place at the Chemistry Work Experience week, please e-mail Professor Simon Bott at s.g.bott@swansea.ac.uk

As well as this, they have a Talent Forum on Digital Technology that you might be interested in. This involves 

> An inclusive forum for brilliant minds to explore future technologies

> Connecting with global leading companies and career opportunities

> Networking with experts from the microelectronics industry

> Interactive experience with next-generation technologies

KEY TOPICS

· Technology

· Global Challenges

· Artificial Intelligence

·6G

· Compound Semiconductors

· Sustainability

· Energy

· Digital Age

· Mentorship

Register here. 

They also have the Faculty of Medicine Health & Life Sciences 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.

Their Masterclass Series is still running. 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.

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 

Reading University 

There are two weeks left for you to sign up to Reading’s ‘Preparing for University’ academic tutorials and summer school experience with the Brilliant Club. This is a subject based academic university programme where students experience university-style learning while developing transferable skills and subject knowledge.If you would still like to sign up (especially for the Psychology, History & Politics and the Creative Writing subject strands). 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.

Subject Tasters:

They will also be hosting subject taster experiences in Health Sciences and Zoology in central Cardiff in March.

Attendance is free and open to everyone, though spaces are limited. Sign up is essential.

 Students will be able to attend sessions exploring:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacy
• Biomedical Science
• Zoology/Ecology

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. 

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.

The application form is 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.

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.