Northeastern University London is inviting competition entries from students who are currently in their penultimate year of secondary education.Their selection of essay titles engage across a broad range of technology, social science and humanities topics and they are keen to accept entries from talented and intellectually curious students who show passion in their subject area. Have a look here for more details. 

Applications for the Social Mobility Foundation’s free Aspiring Professionals Programme 2025 cohort are now open. 

Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP)

The APP supports high achieving Year 12 students from low income backgrounds across the UK to access top universities and careers. We offer support through our four pillars:

1.    Mentoring by a professional

2.    Tailored skills sessions and career workshops

3.    University application support and guidance

4.    Internships with top employers

How students receive our four pillars of support is dependent on where they live. Please see below for further details of the programmes we offer.

Apply by 12 noon, this Friday 13th December 2024 by completing the application form. Application form and resources

Click the links below to access information and resources.

Watch this video to hear from SMF students

Complete the Application Form here. 

For year 12 potential Law students:

Online Law Workshop on the 17th December 2024

Time:6pm  - 7pm

The title:  When should the state intervene to support homeless households?

Delivered by Dave Cowan, School of Law and Politics, Cardiff Uni.

To join the session please use the meeting link below:-

No need to register in advance - just using the meeting link here 10 minutes before the session is due to start. 

The Sutton Trust still has places open for some of their courses. All courses are completely free to attend. From work experience to employability skill sessions to ongoing university and apprenticeship application support, you’ll get the opportunity to build your CV and immerse yourself in the possibilities of your future career.

Check here:Sutton trust

In2STEM is a programme offered by In2ScienceUK which empowers young people to achieve their potential in STEM. The 2025 programme is free and matches Year 12 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds with STEM professionals. The experience provides students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their future. 

The programme consists of:

• A one or two week in-person work experience placement

• Online skills, employability and careers workshops

• Public engagement competitions

• Student inductions and celebration events

• A bursary to cover travel and lunch costs

Interested students can apply by filling in the Application Form by 2nd February 2025. Students must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be shortlisted.  

Programme activities will take place between 21st July - 22nd August 2025. Students will be provided with a bursary to cover travel to any in-person events, travel to their work placement and lunches.

Find out more and apply here. 

UEA offer a comprehensive programme of online taster lectures, open to all

Taster days are a great way to see if you like a subject and it can help with your UCAS application next year. Register here

There’s a fantastic opportunity with the organisation tutor2u who are offering a new Free Online Course for all Sixth Form students. The course includes a mix of videos, engaging activities and resource downloads and covers:

• An overview of the options for students beyond their time in sixth form

• Finding out more – suggested research links

• Advice on how to make strong applications to higher education institutions

• How to complete an effective personal statement

• Specialist higher education applications (including Oxbridge, medicine etc)

• All about apprenticeships

• Gap years

• Student finances – a practical guide

Use the link here to register: Studentshttps://ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/beyond-sixth-form-skills-booster

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; December’s lectures include: 

• Women at the Piano: A History Through Images, Professor Marina Frolova-Walker - Tue, 10 Dec 

• Unwrapping Irving Berlin’s "White Christmas", Professor Dominic Broomfield-McHugh - Thu, 12 Dec

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.

The University of Reading’s Priority Application for the 2025 Reading Scholars Scheme has now opened. As a Partner School, our pupils are invited to apply as soon as possible. You can find out more about the academic strands for our residential programme here, and by reading the Reading Scholars Booklet for 2025 - your LC will add it to GC. 

Priority applications will run for two weeks, after which applications will open to all non-fee paying schools and colleges in England and Wales. They will prioritize applications that are submitted from eligible students at partner schools which are made in this priority application window. Therefore, if you like the look of the programme, apply as soon as possible.

Your home postcode is the most important aspect of eligibility – if you fall within WIMD Quintile 1 postcode areas, you will be eligible for the programme. WIMD Quintiles in red are Quintile 1 postcodes. You can check their own postcodes here or ask your LC/me to help you.

You can apply using this link.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 20th of January 2025 but I would encourage you to apply sooner rather than later as applications received in the first two weeks will be given priority when allocating places on the scheme.

Newcastle University has some upcoming opportunities;

Dentistry Experience Day (Year 12), 11 December 2024 

Bath University

Pathway to Bath are open now. 

This award-winning blended curriculum enrichment programme for Year 12 students from Widening participation backgrounds offers students:

• The opportunity to work on an undergraduate topic in a subject of their choice alongside academic tutors and undergraduate e-mentors 

• A chance to attend a free 3 day residential at the University of Bath 

• The opportunity to receive a guaranteed conditional offer to the University of Bath 

You can apply via the website now and the deadline is 31st December 2024. 

Bangor University has a good series of free online lectures from The School of History, Law and Social Science. These lectures are tailored for students thinking about studying at University. Designed to give you a taste of what it's like to study at University level, they are a great way to get to know a subject area better and get a taste of what's to come as well as add to your supercurriculars.

Use the link here to register and book. 

Cardiff University have a few different opportunities coming up:

• Cardiff University’s Step-Up Programme. Applications are now open for year 12 students. 

They have 20 spaces available on the programme for eligible year 12 students

About the Programme  

Step Up is a free, academic programme supporting year 12 college and sixth form students from under-represented backgrounds who are considering Higher Education. The programme helps eligible students build the skills and confidence in order to thrive in Higher Education.   

Students will attend weekly academic masterclasses in a chosen subject, giving them the opportunity to experience university life and learning in a safe and welcoming environment.  

Programme Details  

Six weeks of Masterclasses will be led by academic tutors on Cardiff University Campus. Masterclasses will be held weekly from 5-7pm beginning in February 2025.  

Students can choose one of the following areas of study:  

- Healthcare Sciences 

- Humanities 

- Law, Politics and Social Sciences 

- Medicine  

- Dentistry  

- Language, Literature and Communication   

-Business and Economics 

- Science, Technology and Maths   

Benefits  

Benefits of the scheme include and contextual offers (subject to good attendance and commitment to the programme), invites to Open Day drop ins, support with personal statements and the application process.  

Learn more about the eligibility criteria and apply for the programme using this form.   

They also have their ‘Discover Cardiff’ webinar series: this is an ongoing webinar series aimed at students looking to apply to university. Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they like with new topics regularly being added to the schedule.

Cambridge University

Here are some super curricular opportunities from Cambridge; they are for all students, not just prospective Cambridge applicants.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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/ 

Network 75 

PwC has more information for potential accountants, business management or technology students interested in degree apprenticeships with them. Use the link  here to find out more