For all those Y12’s considering an Oxbridge UCAS application this Autumn, there will be a session 

delivered by Dr Matt Williams, University of Oxford. 

Oxbridge UCAs application for current Y12’s – guidance and support

Tuesday 25th June

6pm – 7pm

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Airbus has a virtual work experience programme coming up; they’re inviting students to take part in the Airbus digital work experience programme, via the Springpod platform. This free virtual programme lets students dive into what makes their business tick, it covers everything from their environmental goals and how they aircraft to how they bring new talent on board. Over the past three years, almost 14,000 young people have taken part in this programme, and now it's available all year long, opening up even more chances for you to get involved. Sign up today Airbus Virtual Work Experience

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:

• 15th – 19th July 2024

• 28th October – 1st 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 2nd 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.

Pathways to Property is a FREE programme run by Henley Business School that’s designed to raise awareness about the many different careers within the property Industry. Supported by the Industry, they run programmes for Year 12 students throughout the year and continue to support them after the course with work experience, mentoring and bursaries. The Henley Business School, University of Reading, is running a 4-day residential Summer School on 2ND-5TH JULY.  This will give your Year 12 students real insights into the property sector, a taste of university life and more information on the exciting career opportunities available. Click here to find out more.  

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 2ND JUNE 2024

They also have a Summer School

The fully funded four-day course is ideal for students who have an interest in the property sector and who would like to learn more about the industry. Over the course of four days, you will:

• Sit in on taster lectures

• Visit a large development site and learn how they operate

• Get involved in group projects and debates

• Develop key skills such as networking and presentation skills 

• Attend a mini careers fair with leading names from the industry

• Hear from industry professionals about the incredible career opportunities available via degrees and apprenticeships

• Stay in their university halls, gaining a first-hand experience of university life

Students who attend their Summer School will be invited to carry out a work experience placement in October and participate in an e-mentoring programme.

They then continue to support students through their Propel alumni programme sending them relevant information. If they choose to undertake a property industry focused degree or qualification, they will be eligible to apply for up to £30,000 in bursary funding and if they study Real Estate at Reading University they will receive a guaranteed conditional contextual offer plus £2500.

Russell Group opportunities for students

Online

University of Sheffield Online Subject Tasters 

The University of Sheffield offers online taster sessions for Year 12 students. It’s an online event delivered by one of Sheffield's academics in a subject area of your choice, and you get an insight into what university learning is like. These are free of charge and taking place throughout April and May 2024. 

University of Cambridge "Apply: Cambridge" Programme (July 2024-January 2025) 

Apply Cambridge is a free programme to support high-attaining students from underrepresented backgrounds and areas to make successful applications to the University of Cambridge. Uni of Cambridge will work with you every step of the way over a 6-month period, helping you navigate the process and effectively prepare for your Cambridge application. You will have access to informational webinars, workshops, supercurricular learning opportunities, Q&A sessions and mentoring from a current Cambridge student. Applications open in April 2024. 

London

Imperial College London Earth Science Taster Day (10th July)

Join Imperial College London for a glimpse into the life of a Geology, Geophysics or Planetary Science student at Imperial. Enjoy interactive in-person sessions, chat to current students, hear from top academics about their work, and have all your admissions queries answered. 

Applications are now open - please email admit.earth@imperial.ac.uk with "ESE Taster Day 2024" in the subject line to receive a link to the application form. Applications close on 24th June. 

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 

The Next Fifty Years of Tech, Professor Victoria Baines, Tue, 07 May 2024 • Watch Online

Evolution Tomorrow and Beyond, Professor Robin May, Wed, 08 May 2024 • Watch Online

How to Prove 1=0, And Other Maths Illusions, Professor Sarah Hart, Tue, 14 May 2024 • Watch Online

Health after Extreme Cold, Heat, Storms and Floods, Professor Chris Whitty FRS, Tue, 14 May 2024 • Watch Online

The Unseen Universe: How your world, your health and maybe even your behaviour is shaped by microbes, Professor of Physic, Robin May Wednesday 8 May 2024 • 2pm – 3pm

Watch live via: 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

You can create your own UCAS Hub; use the link here and start exploring different courses so you will be ready to make informed decisions about what and where to study. UCAS Hub registration. Once you’ve created your own Hub you can then use the new Subject Spotlight feature, using the link here: Subject Spotlight 

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.

Cambridge University has a series of online Subject Taster Sessions which are a fantastic way to gain an insight into a subject you’re interested in applying for at university, as well as an opportunity to explore an area of the subject in more depth to support your ongoing supracurricular exploration. Several Colleges are running subject taster events in April, and I’ve compiled them here, subject by subject, to help you find those which will be relevant for your subject interests. All events are aimed at Year 12.

They also have Summer School Opportunities for underrepresented genders interested in applying for Mathematics, an opportunity to develop their subject skills and prepare for the Sixth Term Examination Paper in Mathematics (STEP).

Bangor University is hosting a series of free online lectures. These lectures are tailored for A-Level students.

Criminology, Sociology or Social Policy

• 12th of May, 10am - Anti-Welfare Attitudes and the UK General Election

• 19th of May, 10am - Serial Killers: The View from Criminology

Register online here.

The University of South Wales is running a Summer School that students may be interested in. Use the link here to find out more details and register your interest. 

They also have a Study Skills Course which covers the following areas and includes interactive activities to help develop and reinforce your skills:

  *   Learning Styles

  *   Time Management

  *   Preparing for exams and assessments

  *   Research

  *   Reading and writing

  *   Referencing

  *   Wellbeing

The course will take around one hour to complete and it does not need to be completed in one go.  Alternatively, it can be completed as part of their independent study. Access it here. 

The University of Exeter Scholars Year 12 National Residentials

Applications are now live for the National Exeter Scholars programme;  applications will close at midday on Friday 24th May.  Details and relevant links are below but in essence, it is a fantastic free opportunity for Year 12 students to gain an insight into university life.

• Monday 8th – Friday 12th July 2024 on the Penryn campus.

• Monday 29th July – Friday 2nd August 2024 on Exeter campuses.

• Details of the benefits of being an Exeter Scholar can be found here, Exeter Scholars participants who apply to study at the University of Exeter will be guaranteed to receive an offer for their course of choice, subject to any interviews and/or subject-specific entry requirements.  The offer will also include a reduction in entry requirements in recognition of participation in this programme.  Full terms and conditions can be found on the link above.

• Information about our eligibility criteria can be found here.

• Students can find the application page here.  Once students have clicked on the Year 12 option, they will need to select the residential option which will provide them with important information as well as a link to the application form.

• 120 places will be available for the residential this year, and the allocation of places will be capped to an approximate maximum of ten students per school (there may be some flexibility if, for instance, twelve students apply and they are all highly eligible).

• Please advise students that for the Year 12 pathway, they will be required to submit three subject-strand choices in order of preference.  The different subject strands are based at specific campuses, so students will need to read the explanatory information on the website in order to ensure that they are making the right choices for them.

• Decisions in terms of allocation will be based on the eligibility criteria listed above and will be considered in a case-by-case basis. 

• Please note that if students have extenuating circumstances, there is a section on the form where they can outline this.

They also have 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.

Next Steps for Year 12 Conference – 18th May 10:00-13:00

• Join the Universities of Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Keele, Lancaster and Warwick at the Next Steps for Year 12 conference on Saturday 18th May.

• Sessions will include Writing an Effective Personal Statement, Choosing a Course and University, Year Abroad and Industry Placements, Managing your Money, Study Skills for University and Making the Most of an Open Day.

• There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to the speakers and current students.

• Places can be booked here.

Online Sessions at the University of Exeter

There a range of other free sessions over the coming weeks, covering a range of topics:

• Practising my faith while studying at the University of Exeter – 9th May

• Managing your mental health whilst studying at the University of Exeter – 22nd May

• Your Journey to HE: Why Exeter?  Year 12 Virtual Conference – 22nd June

• Further information and booking forms can be found here.

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

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. 

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

And their  Widening Participation and Outreach Team have asked me to let you know about a fantastic new online programme for year 12 students:  

Applications are now open for Sutton Trust Online (STO), a free digital programme designed to provide comprehensive support to young people from less advantaged backgrounds in accessing highly selective universities and apprenticeships.  

STO offers a flexible and accessible platform divided into four phases - explore, apply, prepare, and succeed. Participants can work at their own pace, selecting content that aligns with their interests and goals.  

Through STO, participants will benefit from:  

·       University and Apprenticeship Application Support: Receive expert and personalised guidance throughout the application process, including assistance with personal statement writing and preparation for admissions tests and interviews.  

·       University and Course Specific Content Curated by Partners: Gain access to a wide range of resources, from admissions information to detailed insights into course structures, provided by our esteemed partners.  

·       A Peer Network: Connect with other students from similar backgrounds, fostering a supportive community of individuals who share your passions and aspirations.  

Please see a video about Sutton Trust Online here: https://youtu.be/PEtP4YPMZL4?si=TnDVgupDA9TmfOWk 

Eligible students are those currently in Year 12 who have attended state schools or colleges in the UK and achieved at least 4 GCSEs at grades 6 to 9. Additional social mobility criteria, such as eligibility for Free School Meals or attendance at a school with a low progression rate to higher education, are also considered.  

To learn more about the programme and how to apply, please visit Sutton Trust Online.  

Their School of Computer Science also has a Work Experience Week this summer:

July 8th - July 12th 2024 10am - 4:30pm

Abacws Building, Senghennydd Rd

They have up to 30 spaces available for a week-long placement with us here in the School of Computer Science. Across the week you will get to work in teams to solve real-world problems, before pitching to a panel of “dragons”. Not only will YOU gain an insight into being a software engineer, you will receive employability skills training across the week, including, pitching and presenting, problem-solving and agile development.

Register your interest here. :

Closing date: 24th May

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.