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
Deadlines for students to apply for The Medical Schools Council and Dental School Councils summer schools are approaching. see below for more information.
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
Nuclear Industry
Sponsorship scheme
Widening Participation
Yr 13
Cogent Skills – Applications open now
Are you ready to kickstart your journey in the nuclear industry while securing funding for university? The Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme focuses on enabling learners from a lower socio-economic background into the nuclear sector. The scheme offers up to 50 places and provides full funding of tuition fees, 2 summer placements, and an additional bursary. The scheme is open for applications for those starting University in Sept 2025, or you can register your interest to be contacted when applications open for the 2026 University intake.
Eligibility criteria must be considered and Year 13s must have already submitted their UCAS form by the deadline of 29 Jan.
Medicine
Online event
Yr 12 & 13
University of Sunderland – Cost of living as a medical student,
Wednesday 26th February, 5.00pm – 6:00pm
This event is for current 2025/26 offer holders and anyone interested in studying MBChB Medicine.
Learn more about the financial support available to medicine students at our online event hosted by Nick Berry (Student Financial Consultant), and Alan Cook (Scholarships and Bursaries Officer). Our experts will talk you through areas of student finance including:
- Tuition fees
- Maintenance loans and living costs
- NHS bursaries, including additional allowances
- University of Sunderland 2025/26 bursary and scholarship offer
- We will also be on hand to answer any questions about student finance and the cost of living at university.
Please select the appropriate link below to register for the event.
All Subjects
Online Information Sessions
Yr 12
Edinburgh University – Various dates
We run a range of online events that you can access wherever you are in the world.
Our regular ‘Introduction to the University of Edinburgh’ sessions provide an overview of what it’s like to study with us, and the opportunity to ask questions. View the event details and book a session below.
As well as our regular sessions, from time to time we will run online events which are specific to a particular subject area. We will update those on our mailing list when booking opens for relevant events.
Film/Media
Online Session
Age 16+
Chanel Talent – University of East Anglia, Wednesday 5th March, 11:10 am – 11:55 am
Film/Media: Gender, Genre & Barbenheimer
July 21st 2023 was a date that made cinematic history. It was a date that, according to many journalists, ‘saved’ cinema. It was the date on which two of the most highly anticipated movies of the last decade were released – and they couldn’t have been more different. It was the official date on which the cultural phenomenon of Barbenheimer hit cinema screens!
One was a 3 hour, historical bio-pic about a theoretical physicist, directed by Christopher Nolan (known for The Dark Knight, Inception, Dunkirk and other high-end spectacular movies), the other was billed as a fantasy-comedy film about the fashion doll, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig – who was little known outside indie circles before her adaptation of Little Women in 2019 – and who remained, at the point of Barbie’s release, very much outside of the mainstream.
Summer School
Residential
Yr 12
Sutton Trust Summer Schools – Closing date, Thursday 6th March 2025
These are subject-specific, 5 day residentials for students in Y12 held in Cambridge, and a number of other universities. For more information about the Sutton Trust Summer Schools held in Cambridge, you can visit the webpage. You can also find information about the summer schools the Sutton Trust are running at other universities, as well as the range of subjects available, on their website.
Medical & Dental
Virtual Conference
Yr 10+
University of Birmingham and Birmingham Widening Access to Medical Sciences (BWAMS) – Saturday 8th March, 10.00 am – 3.30 pm
Dr.eam Aspire Virtual Conference
Dr.eam Aspire is a free-to-join online conference held via Zoom Webinar for Y10-Y12 students. Our goal is to introduce students to the exciting world of healthcare careers.
The day will consist of a variety of inspiring talks to provide insight into careers in healthcare and provide useful guidance for university applications. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions from our fantastic speakers, including doctors, dentists, and nurses from around the country.
Maths
Free Residential Event
Yr 11
King’s College Cambridge – Wednesday 16th – Thursday 17th April 2025
King’s Calculating Women (Y11)
Closing Date – Monday 10th March 2025, 5pm
A free residential event for Year 11 female students from UK-based state schools. The two-day residential is designed to demonstrate the real-world relevance and applications of maths-based skills, and to reveal the diversity of industries and careers to which maths skills and a maths-based degree can underpin.
All Subjects
Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Durham University – Programme Applications Close on 20th March
Our Supported Progression summer school runs from Monday 28 July 2025 to Friday 1 August 2025. Students will also attend online events in the run-up to the summer school.
During the summer school, they’ll experience student life by staying in one of our 17 colleges, taking part in academic taster sessions, exploring various extra-curricular activities and meeting current Durham students. If they successfully finish the programme, they’ll receive a guaranteed alternative offer from Durham if they apply in Year 13.
If you have any questions or can’t attend, please contact supported.progression@durham.ac.uk.
Politics/Law/Sociology
Live Debates
Yr 11+
Hexham Debates – multiple dates
The live debates will continue to be held online on Saturdays at 11am. We are returning to Zoom. A link will be provided via social media and the website. Recordings will also be made available following each live debate. With the return to Zoom, audience members will be able to ask questions directly to the speaker.
- Saturday 15 March 2025: On the subject of circular living
Harriet Lamb, Chief Executive at WRAP - Saturday 12 April 2025: On an aspect of public health
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health in Gateshead and Newcastle
Student Finance
Virtual Insight Programme
Yr 11 & 12
PwC Virtual Insight Programme – Tuesday 29th July – Thursday 31st July 2025
Students don’t need a confirmed place at university to submit a funding application.
Applications can take 6-8 weeks to process, so encourage your students to apply as early as possible to get their funding in place for the start of university.
Over three days of interactive sessions – Tuesday 29 July – Thursday 31 July – students will learn about PwC’s culture, different business areas, and how they can apply to join one of the world’s largest accounting firms.
They’ll also get guidance and top tips on the application process and support building their skills ready for the workplace.
The programme is open to Years 11 and 12.
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 March.
Oxford University
Enrichment Programme
Yr 7 to 12
Oxford University, Trinity College Beyond the Classroom
An online after-school academic enrichment programme featuring a series of mini lectures, taster sessions, academic skills talks and advice about preparing for university study and submitting a competitive application to university and the University of Oxford.
A certificate of participation from Trinity College, Oxford, for those attending 7 or more sessions!
Who Any state school student in Year 7 to 12 interested in exploring learning across a broad range of themes and cross subject beyond the classroom and/or applying to Oxford.
When starts Wednesday 5 March, concludes Wednesday 9 July, 2025. Where Online via Teams.
Closing date: 8 July.
All Subjects
Summer Schools
Widening Participation
Yr 12
University of Nottingham – Summer Schools – Summer 2025
I am pleased to contact you with details of a fantastic opportunity for your Year 12 students! The Nottingham Summer Schools will support your students to:
- experience life at a leading university
- try out a range of course options related to their interests
- develop focus and motivation for the remainder of their post-16 studies
- access support through the UCAS process
- earn a contextual offer (up to 2 grades lower) and a bursary (£1000 per year) for study at Nottingham!
Applications are now open until 6th March
Languages
Summer Schools
Widening Participation
Yr 12
University of Leeds- Summer School – Closing date 6th April 2025
Are you studying A-Level French, Spanish or German? Experience what it’s like to study languages at university on our free residential for Year 12 languages students!
At Linguastars, you will take part in engaging and interactive workshops designed to give you a taster of studying languages at university and explore the career opportunities available to graduates. During our 3-day residential, 24-26 June, there will be the opportunity to discover new languages, meet our current languages students and stay overnight in our student accommodation. You will also be joining in with social activities that give you a rounded experience of university life.
Dates 24th – 26th June 2025
Medicine & Dentistry
Advice on Preparing for applications
Yr 12
Medical Schools Council – Preparing to apply
The Medical Schools Council recommend that students start preparing now for dentistry and medicine applications so that they have everything in place for this time next year.
Writing a personal statement for Medical School & Dental School
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.
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
- Applications are now open for UNIQ
What As one of the most established programmes of its kind in the UK, UNIQ offers participants access to step-by-step online support as well as a residential based in an Oxford college. The programme is completely free and gives pupils the chance to meet Oxford academics, speak to current students and learn first-hand about the application process and what life might be like at Oxford.
Who Year12 state school students with good GCSE grades or equivalent from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford. Students can find out more about the programme and selection criteria on the UNIQ website uniq.ox.ac.uk.
When From April 2025 through to point of application in Year 13.
Where This is an online programme of academic and application support with the opportunity for an Oxford residential experience in the Easter or Summer vacation of 2025.
Links Applications open NOW with deadline 23 January 2025 for more information https://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk or email uniq@admin.ox.ac.uk.
- Trinity College Beyond the Classroom Online Academic Enrichment Programme back in 2025!
What Our online after-school academic enrichment programme is back for 2025 and will feature a new series of mini lectures, Oxplore taster sessions, academic skills talks and advice about preparing for university study and submitting a competitive application to university and the University of Oxford.
A certificate of participation from Trinity College, Oxford, for those attending 7 or more sessions! Plus an extension programme for students in year 12 considering applying to study one of the19 subjectsTrinity College admits for study at the University of Oxford. The Extension Programme includes a FREE one night- two day residential taking place at Trinity College on the 10-11th April 2025, a mini tutorial in chosen subject area, access to the library, free time for revision and private study to explore the subject in more detail and meet other participants on the programme. Throughout the year, students are also supported with suggested reading and other materials, take, online mini tutorials and will receive additional support with their Oxford application.
Who Any state school student in Year 7 to 12 interested in exploring learning across a broad range of themes and cross subject beyond the classroom and/or applying to Oxford.
When starts Wednesday 5 March, concludes Wednesday 9 July, 2025.
Where Online via Teams.
Links Students can sign up to Beyond the Classroom now and anytime up to 8 July by completing our Registration Form. Year 12 deadline for applying for extension programme is 5 March.