Here, you will find a combination of virtual and in-person opportunities from the University and College Sectors. We ask students and their parents to research fully any opportunities advertised on the noticeboard to ensure they are happy with the organisation they are linking with and its value for money if there is a cost.
Notices & Key Dates
If you are considering applying to ICL for either a STEM or Economics course The next sitting of the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) and the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) are, ESAT: 7 and 8 January 2025, TMUA: 8 and 9 January 2025. Students who have not yet registered for a test will be able to book online. Find Out More Here and also take a look at the FAQ
29 January, 6pm – Deadline for application to Universities or Conservatoires via UCAS
Open Days – It is a key time of year for Year 13 University Open Days. Open days are an important way to learn about how a subject is taught and what you will study, from course tutors. Our advice is to prioritise course talks over general talks. If time/money are a constraint you can learn a lot from visiting local universities. If you are on the Sixth Form bursary, you can request that school helps with the costs, please talk to Mr Brown or Lucy. This link shows the dates of the various open days on offer (the first three pages are ‘featured universities’ so you may have to click through to find the ones you are interested in: Find an Open Day
The Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) aims to encourage students to aspire to have professional careers / go to university. The students they support are from backgrounds where financial disadvantage might make this more challenging or where their family’s experience of education and employment might mean they are less likely to do so. If you think you might be eligible, please talk to the sixth form team or email sixthform@qehs.net. Find out More Here.
Featured - New Courses
Undergraduate Study – Duration 3 Years
Special and Inclusive Education prepares you to be a forward-thinking professional, with expertise in creating equitable learning pathways and opportunities for diverse learning profiles, including special and additional educational needs.
Combined Honors in Social Sciences – allows you to create your own bespoke programme suited to your individual interests, strengths and career plans. You can choose up to 4 subjects within Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
Undergraduate Study – Duration 4 Years
Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power, participation, and resources.
University/College Opportunities
STEM
Residential Insight into University Course
Yr 12
EDT – June-August 2025
These are summer schools at various top Universities that run over 4 or 5 days where students get a taster of university life and an insight into a specific STEM subject. Students will get the opportunity to experience university style lectures and work on activities and group projects with the support of academics and student mentors. Students will stay in halls of residence and will take part in social activities in the evenings, so that they get the full university experience.
STEM
Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Durham University – Applications now Open
Futures in STEM (part of the National Leveling Up: STEM programme) provides two years of free online academic tutoring and pastoral support to Year 12 students.
For students who are considering studying, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Maths or Physics.
They need to complete the application form, which includes a short (250 words maximum) statement about why they want to take part in the programme. Applications are open until Friday 31 January 2025 at 11:59pm (GMT).
Newcastle Partners Scheme
Contextual admissions Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 13
Newcastle University
Students may be eligible for a considerably lower offer if they meet their widening participation criteria for the Newcastle Partners Scheme. In addition, students who are applying for engineering, maths, physics or natural sciences arel also be eligible for the scheme without needing to meet any other criteria. Students can apply for Newcastle as one of their five choices and do not need to decide until next spring whether they wish to accept the lower offer by making Newcastle their first choice.
Access to Leeds
Contextual admissions Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 12
University of Leeds – September Onwards
Applications open in September for the following academic year. Some students are automatically identified as eligible from their UCAS application, but if you meet the eligibility criteria, we recommend you apply directly as it guarantees you will be considered.
USA Universities
Access Programme
Yr 12
Sutton Trust & Fulbright Commission – Application Open Now
The Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme is designed to support high-achieving state school students from across the UK to explore US study and access leading universities. It includes two residentials in the UK, before all students spend a week in the US staying on campus at a leading US university and visiting a variety of other American universities. An optional second year of the programme supports students to apply to US universities alongside their UCAS options.
Applications Close: Tuesday 14th January 2025.
Oxford University
Free Programme
Yr 12
Oxford University, UNIQ Programme – Applications Open December
UNIQ, the University of Oxford’s flagship undergraduate access programme, will be back for 2025 with applications opening this December. Every year, more than a quarter of UNIQ participants who apply to Oxford get offered a place.
Medicine & Dentistry
Online Lecture Series
Yrs 11 – 13
Medicine & Dentistry Lecture Series – Deadline 2pm, Friday 10th January 2025
Lectures will be held online via Zoom Webinar on Tuesday evenings at 6:00-7:15pm and will run throughout 2025. The first lecture will take place Tuesday 4th February.
Over the course of the lecture series, you will hear from a variety of guest speakers from different specialties in medicine and dentistry. You will also learn about the application process with sessions on the UCAT, personal statements, and interview.
The lecture series is your one-stop-shop on your journey to making a successful application to medicine or dentistry!
Deadline 2pm Friday 10th January 2025
Medicine & Dentistry
Advice on Preparing for applications
Yr 12
Medical Schools Council – Preparing to apply
The Medical Schools Council recommend they students start preparing now for dentistry and medicine applications, so that they have everything in place for this time next year.
Medical School Entry Requirements for 2024 Submission
Dental School Entry Requirements for 2024 Submission
Writing a personal statement for Medical School & Dental School
Leeds Futures
Outreach Programme
Yr 12 +
Leeds Futures
Leeds Futures is a national outreach programme designed for individual learners in Year 12 / Year 1. It provides students with the opportunity to learn more about a subject area they are interested in pursuing at university, whilst developing their study skills and careers awareness.
Students enrolling on the programme choose to specialise in a particular subject area. They will then attend a variety of subject-related activities alongside receiving advice and guidance on practical matters such as UCAS applications, accommodation choices and student finance.
Closing date Sunday 2nd February 2025.
Useful Resources/Opportunities
All Subjects
On Demand Webinars
Yrs 12 & 13
UniTasterDays
These impartial videos have one key aim. To support students who are considering university to make informed future subject decisions. They feature guest speakers from a range of different universities, who are always experts in the subject being explored.
Dentistry
Online Resource
Yrs 12 & 13
University of Sheffield
This resource provided from the University of Sheffield gives an insight into the world of dentistry. Resource provided via the Futurelearn portal.
Medical Sciences
Online Lectures
Yrs 12 & 13
UCL
UCL have an online medical sciences lecture series which is free and open to everyone to get inspired.
Natural Sciences
Spotlight
Yrs 12 & 13
Durham University
At Durham, we actively provide our students with opportunities to develop attributes we hope they have by the time they graduate. One way in which we do this is through our excellent multi-subject degree programmes.
Explore our Natural Sciences webpages to discover whether Natural Sciences at Durham could be a good match for your students.
Oxbridge Focus
- University of Cambridge Website
- University of Cambridge Events Page
- 22nd October 2024 – My Cambridge Application Deadline
Think Cambridge Webinar Series
Think Cambridge 2025 is a week-long series of webinars aimed at inspiring Year 11 and 12 students to think about applying to Cambridge. We also welcome teachers and supporters, and parents and advisors to join webinars, which will give you all the tools you will need to support a Year 11 or 12 future applicant
The series runs from 27 January to 31 January 2025. Each session is hosted virtually and consists of a presentation, comment from our student ambassadors and additional visual elements. Sessions will be recorded and these will be sent to registered guests up to 48 hours after the session has concluded. This will allow students to watch the session that they are unable to attend at a later date.
For the full list of webinars, and the booking form, please see the Think Cambridge webpage.
Y12 Access and Application Support Programme 2025
Our Y12 programme is returning again for 2025, and we are delighted to announce that this year we have partnered with Tutorbility again to provide tutoring for participants, in addition to a series of online sessions and an overnight stay in Cambridge. This programme is aimed at Y12 students who are considering applying to a competitive university, and is designed to support them with making informed decisions and building competitive applications, as well as getting a taste of university life.
To be eligible, students must be:
- A current Year 12 student interested in studying at a competitive university
- Predicted/On track for grades of AAB or higher at A Level (or equivalent at IB)
- A student at a state school within our link area in North East of England, specifically Northumberland, County Durham, Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, York, Hull, and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
More information and the application form can be found on our website here.
The deadline for applications is Monday 6th December 2025.
- University of Oxford website
- Step by Step guide to applying to Oxford Read More
- The Aim for Oxford Scheme, Aim for Oxford is a free-of-charge programme for Year 12 students attending state schools in the North East of England. Widening Participation, Read More & Apply
- Oxford for North East contains useful information for students from the North East who might be considering Oxford University. Here you will find information about residential schemes as well as regional and online workshops Read More
- The Oxford University Outreach, page can help guide you to the events being run by the University/Departments Read More