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.
29 January, 6pm – Deadline for application to Universities or Conservatoires via UCAS
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
Oxford University
Free Programme
Yr 12
Oxford University, UNIQ Programme – Closing Date: 23rd January 2025
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.
Student Finance
Online Session
16+
UEA – February 6th, 4.30om – 5.15pm
HE Guidance: Student Finance, Scholarships & Budgeting
Figuring out what finances could be available to you when going to university can be confusing. Let us help you make it easy with a step-by-step guide to understanding loans, bursaries and scholarships.
By attending the webinar, you could find out if you’re eligible for reduced fees or additional money to help support your studies. We’ll inform you when to apply for student finance and show you how to use the finance calculator.
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.
Medical/Dental
Summer Schools
Widening Participation
Yr 11 & 12
Medical and Dental School Councils – Summer 2025
Get an understanding of what it is like to study medicine or dentistry, including the different teaching methods that are used. The summer schools, run by universities, are free for the attending students and are delivered in a variety of formats, namely residential, commuter and online.
Eight summer schools will run in 2025. There are 350 places at the residential and online medical summer schools, and 205 places at the residential and online dentistry summer schools.
- The deadline to apply for Medical Schools Council Summer Schools is 19 January 2025.
- The deadline to apply for Dental Schools Council Summer Schools is 9 February 2025.
Dentistry
Summer Schools
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Newcastle University – Closing Date: 9 February 2025
Newcastle University is hosting a residential summer school in partnership with the Dental School Council (DSC) aimed at Year 12 students who are interested in studying Dentistry. It will take place on campus at Newcastle University.
Summer school dates: Tuesday 15 July 2025 to Friday 18 July 2025.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience life as Dental student at Newcastle University and attend application workshops, taster lectures and clinical sessions in our School of Dental Sciences. Our Clinical Skills Unit has recently been redeveloped and is one of the most modern and best-equipped in the UK. More event information
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
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.
Want to find out more? Attend one of our online information events in February to learn about the programme, entry criteria, and application process.
Register for Tuesday 4 February 2025 Time: 6pm
Register for Wednesday 12 February 2025 Time: 6pm
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 1 February 2025: On the subject of alternative economics
Grace Blakeley, Economics and political commentator - 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
Geography
Webinar
Yr 11+
Channel Talent – University of Glasgow: Tuesday 28th January, 10:10am to 10:55am
Enclosing the Environmental Commons? Historical Roots and the Global Present.
In this Geography session, Christopher Philo, Professor of Geography in the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences at University of Glasgow, will run an interactive talk for students entitled Enclosing the Environmental Commons? Historical Roots and the Global Present.
Health, Medicine, Politics, Sociology, Geography.
Webinar
16+
Channel Talent – University of Kent and UEA: Tuesday 28th January, 3.45pm to 4.45pm
We will be discussing the complex and uncertain Future of the NHS with Social Policy at University of Kent and Medicine & Health Sciences at University of East Anglia.
In a question time format, our interdisciplinary panel will tackle pre-submitted and live questions from the audience covering any issues related to the Future of the NHS.
Aeronautical Engineering
Webinar
Yr 11+
Aeronautical Engineering – University of Glasgow: Wednesday 29th January, 10:10am to 10:55am
Aeronautical Engineering: University Interactive Talk on Decarbonization
This talk will briefly review some of the technologies being considered, both from both an airframe and propulsion point of view, and highlight the key challenges that need to be addressed. The talk is intended to challenge attendees opinions about what they consider the key issues along with thinking about possible solutions, with the intention of promoting further discussion and debate amongst their peers after the talk.
All Subjects
Contextual admissions Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 13
Newcastle University – Closing Date: 29th January 2025
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 will 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.
EPQ
Interactive Online Workshop
Yr 12
University of Southampton – Tuesday 29th January 2025, 2.00pm – 2.45pm
Extended Project Qualification: Academic Writing
Becky Naylor-Teece will join us from the Learn with US Transition programme at University of Southampton.
A workshop aimed at enhancing the quality of students’ critical writing, exploring the difference between critical and descriptive writing. Within the session, we will examine ways to plan the writing of the EPQ report to ensure information is logically structured and places the research question into the wider context of the research topic, outline strategies to synthesise complex information and make sophisticated connections, and discuss what an argument is and how to formulate and present them.
STEM
Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Durham University – Closing Date: 31 January 2025
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).
All Subjects
Outreach Programme
Yr 12 +
Leeds University – Closing Date: 2nd February 2025
Leeds Futures is a national outreach programme designed for individual learners in Year 12. 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.
Access to Leeds
Contextual admissions Programme
Widening Participation
Yr 12
University of Leeds – Closing Date: 12th February 2025
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.
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! 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.
Closing date: 8 July. Year 12 deadline for applying for extension programme is 5 March.
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.
Medical School Entry Requirements for 2024 Submission
Dental School Entry Requirements for 2024 Submission
Writing a personal statement for Medical School & Dental School
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.