Goldsmiths' Young Writer Competitions are creative competitions for young people aged 16-18, run by Goldsmiths, University of London. There are three strands: Young Writer (a 1,000-word short story competition supported by staff in Literary and Creative Studies), Young Anthropologist (a 1,000-word essay supported by staff in Anthropology), and New for 2026, Young Podcaster (a 3-5 minute podcast competition supported by staff in Education and Lifelong Learning). Entrants may enter any or all of the three competitions. The deadline to register for all three competitions is 17 April 2026. Registered entrants will be invited to online workshops throughout the year delivered by academics and alumni to help hone writing and recording skills. Registrants will also receive information about upcoming Goldsmiths events, resources and recommendations to support submission preparation. Prizes include a £500 first prize for each competition, runner-up prizes of £100, and small prizes for shortlisted entries. Further information about entry formats, registration and resources is available via the Goldsmiths Schools and Colleges pages.

The Murray Edwards College She Talks Science STEP Summer School is a free, in-person residential programme for students who have just completed Year 12 and who identify as a woman or non-binary. It is aimed at those studying Maths and Further Maths (or equivalent) at A Level and who are strongly considering studying for a Mathematics degree at a top-level university. The event runs Wednesday 26th August to Friday 28th August 2026 at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge. The programme offers academic activities and outreach aimed at preparing applicants for undergraduate study in mathematics; 40 places are available and applications will be assessed on academic merit. If a student’s school does not offer Further Maths they are asked to contact outreach@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk to discuss eligibility. Places are free and residential at the College. Successful applicants will be required to sign a code of conduct and will be informed whether they have a place by Monday 1st June 2026. A privacy notice is provided on the application form.

Isaac Science's "Mentoring: Physics Problem Solving" is a free mentoring series aimed at students studying A Level Physics from Year 12 (from February) through Year 13 (until November). The scheme provides challenging problem sets drawn from A Level material (with some questions requiring A Level Maths) and a monthly live webinar where mentors discuss solutions and answer questions on Zoom. Recordings of webinars are posted afterwards on the mentoring page. There will be 10 mentoring sessions in 2026, each focused on a particular A Level Physics topic. For each session a question deck (around eight questions) is released for students to attempt before the webinar; students are encouraged to try the problems themselves and to discuss approaches with peers. The mentoring group on Isaac Science displays assignments and tracks the problems you have been assigned. No certificates will be awarded for this scheme, but completed questions can feed into the Isaac Senior Physics Challenge if you choose to apply. To participate, join the 2026 Mentoring Group on Isaac Science, read the Code of Conduct, and register for webinars on Zoom. The Y11 mentoring scheme remains available separately.

Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge is holding undergraduate Open Days on Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July 2026. These Open Days are aimed at prospective applicants from Year 12 (or equivalent), together with their parents or supporters, to help them learn more about applying to the University and the Colleges. During the Open Day you can find out about courses, departments, University facilities, the application process, student life and finance. The College will be open from 9:30am to 4:30pm each day, with staff and students available to discuss study options and student experience. Undergraduates will lead guided college tours throughout the day, departing regularly from the Porters Lodge. The Admissions Team will be available at the Porters Lodge from 9:30am to 4:30pm to meet prospective applicants and answer questions. (Page last updated August 2025.)

The University of Dundee is running Undergraduate Open Evenings for prospective students interested in studying nursing. These are in-person, on-campus events where attendees can tour facilities, learn about course content and entry requirements, and meet academic staff and current students to ask questions about student life and placements. Two open evenings are listed: Thursday 26 March 2026 (Kirkcaldy campus) and Tuesday 31 March 2026 (Ninewells campus). Each event runs from 17:00 to 19:00 local time and is free to attend. Booking is required for all sessions. These events are aimed primarily at prospective undergraduate applicants (typically Year 12 and Year 13 students / school leavers) considering nursing at the University of Dundee, but may also be useful for other applicants wanting to learn more about the campuses and courses.

Edge Hill University runs subject taster days for post-16 students (sixth form and college students) who want to explore subjects they are considering for higher education. Participants can attend introductory and taster sessions in their chosen subject, learn how school and university study relate to different career paths, and get a clearer idea of degree options and future opportunities. During the day students can tour university facilities, see accommodation and campus life, speak to current students and academic staff, and ask questions about courses and student experience. The events are designed to support A Level or BTEC study and help students make informed choices about Higher Education, with a clear link to careers and Gatsby benchmarks. Dates for the Spring 2026 taster days are open for bookings. To request spaces, schools and colleges should complete the booking form on the Edge Hill University webpage for these events.

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) at Queen's University Belfast supports STEM Learning's Research Placements and Experiences, a summer programme that gives Year 12 students hands-on laboratory experience alongside WWIEM researchers. The scheme runs over July and/or August and offers either a two-week Research Placement or a five-day Research Experience, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real research projects and to learn about research career pathways. The programme is aimed at talented, enthusiastic Year 12 students and is described as supporting students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Projects hosted by WWIEM provide supervised, practical experience in laboratory settings and exposure to research and industry professionals. Students should have at least five GCSEs at Level 5 or above and be studying one or more A-levels in relevant subjects such as science, technology, engineering, computing, statistics, or maths. Students apply via the STEM Learning online application portal. WWIEM researchers who wish to host students can register as providers through the linked provider portal. Further details and guidance are available on the STEM Learning placements webpage linked from the WWIEM page.

This is a virtual politics work experience programme designed to introduce students to a range of careers within politics and related fields. Through videos, interactive activities and workplace-style projects you will explore what MPs do, the role of political assistants, the variety of careers within the civil service, and the skills required for political journalism. The programme finishes with a downloadable portfolio of your work.

The course includes modules that cover careers beyond parliament - for example roles in charities, the not-for-profit sector, human rights and law - and provides practical activities to build students' understanding and transferable skills. Live webinars supplement the online content; these take place during weekday working hours but are recorded and made available afterwards.

There is no strict cut-off deadline for completing the programme once you have access. After completing the required tasks and assignments you will receive a certificate of completion. The programme is run on Springpod's platform and is available on demand.

The School of Journalism runs free journalism masterclasses, workshops, Q&A sessions and open days designed as tasters for those considering a journalism degree. Sessions are led by award-winning editors and the School’s training team (News Associates) and aim to give a practical insight into industry work and the training students receive on the BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism degree.

Workshops cover practical skills such as news and feature writing, data and digital journalism, social media, photography and broadcast journalism, with talks from industry guest speakers. Participants may have the chance to produce stories for partner publications and receive individual feedback on exercises. Events are delivered both remotely (via Zoom) and in person at the News Associates newsroom in Twickenham/London.

The events are free and aimed primarily at sixth form and gap year students (those planning to start a degree in 2026 or 2027). To book, email [email protected], call 0203 026 3781 or complete the sign-up form linked on the page. University students, graduates and career changers are directed to a separate News Associates events sign-up.

The Oxford University Hospitals NHS Careers Café and Apprenticeship event is a free in-person event for school students interested in discovering careers in healthcare and learning about apprenticeship routes within the NHS. The event is aimed specifically at Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students and offers information about roles, apprenticeship pathways and how to transfer skills into a career with the NHS. It is presented as a careers café style session, providing opportunities to speak with staff and recruiters from various clinical and non-clinical areas. The session takes place at the Academic Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital on Monday 2 March 2026 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. For more details and sign-up information see the Trust event page: https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/working-for-us/sectors/work-experience/#event

Oxford Scholastica Academy’s Online Technology & Coding Course is a live online summer programme for motivated 12-14 year olds. The course introduces key concepts in engineering and computer science and is delivered via Zoom with daily live tutorials designed to accommodate international students. Students will experiment with coding (HTML, CSS), build a website, design and test basic electric circuits, and apply mathematical principles relevant to engineering. Teaching is project-based and includes masterclasses, independent study, small-group tasks and a final presentation. Typical classes run daily from 1-3 PM UK time (BST) and class sizes are capped at 15 students. On successful completion participants receive an Oxford Scholastica Academy Certificate of Achievement and may receive a personalised Letter of Recommendation. Tutors are typically subject experts from universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Course dates for Summer 2026 start on multiple dates in June-August; one- and two-week options are available.

Tenovus Cancer Care is seeking volunteer Stock Research & Valuer Assistants to support local charity shops in Bishopston, Henleaze, Easton and Bedminster. Volunteers research donated items online (e.g., eBay, Amazon, AbeBooks) and work with the shop team or local auction houses to value higher-value items for sale. You will also welcome customers, answer queries and help promote the charity’s services in the community. The role requires a keen eye for detail and an interest or some knowledge of vintage items, brands, pottery marks and book publishing dates. Volunteers should be able to use a computer for online research, work on their own initiative and as part of a team, and communicate effectively with colleagues and customers. The position is mainly desk-based but may involve handling donations and stairs depending on shop location. Volunteers are asked to try a small number of hours initially so the Shop Manager can assess suitability. Training and ongoing support are provided by the Shop Manager and retail team. Benefits include reimbursement of reasonable expenses, access to training and internal vacancies, and experience supporting Wales’ leading cancer charity.

The University of Huddersfield Undergraduate Open Day is an on-campus event for prospective undergraduate applicants to explore the campus, meet staff and students, and learn about courses and student life. The day includes general talks, subject sessions, campus and accommodation tours, library tours, and opportunities to speak informally with current students and support teams. Check-in is available at three locations across campus: Oastler Building and Barbara Hepworth Building (Queensgate Campus), and Daphne Steele (National Health Innovation Campus). Session times run throughout the day (for example, Introduction to the University sessions at 9:45-10:15, 12:00-12:30 and 13:00-13:30) and there is no need to book individual sessions in advance - use the online programme to plan your day and pick up a physical programme when you check in. Visitors can claim a travel contribution of up to £75 after attending (amounts depend on miles travelled; claim via Aspire at Huddersfield). Free parking is provided in university car parks on the day. For queries or special requirements contact the Open Day team by phone on +44 (0)1484 472 282 or by email at schools.liaison@hud.ac.uk.

This two-week Architecture & Design summer school in Cambridge (ages 16-18) lets students explore how history, creativity and innovation shape the built environment. The programme combines design history with hands-on practice: technical drawing, model-making, daily practical projects and creative challenges that move participants from concept to construction. Students receive 40 hours of teaching from expert tutors in an immersive learning style, with workshops, seminars, masterclasses and guest lectures. Enrichment activities include walking tours of Cambridge, weekend excursions, social activities and a final graduation ceremony. Students live, study and socialise on a prestigious University of Cambridge college campus with college accommodation and meals provided, 24/7 pastoral support, and teaching materials included. Two course dates are offered in summer 2026 (5 July 18 July and 19 July 1 August). Successful participants are awarded an Oxford Royale certificate of completion recording course details and campus.

The BBC Young Writers’ Award 2026, run by BBC Radio 1 in partnership with Cambridge University, invites UK-based writers aged 14-18 to submit short stories of up to 1,000 words. There is no theme requirement - entries must be the entrant's own original work. The award is now in its twelfth year and celebrates young creative writing across the UK. Previous winners have gone on to study across the UK, win other writing competitions and secure professional publishing opportunities. The 2026 judging panel includes BBC Radio 1 presenter Lauren Layfield (chair), musician Lily Fontaine and authors David Almond and Margaret McDonald, with a further judge to be announced. Selected shortlisted stories and past winners are available to listen to on BBC Sounds. Submissions are open now and close at 09:00 GMT on Monday 23 March 2026. Entry instructions, privacy notice and full terms and conditions (including how to submit) are available on the BBC pages linked from the announcement; entrants should consult those pages for the submission form and any further details.

Withers is offering its PRIME Work Experience programme for 2026 to give Year 12 students an insight into life at a leading private client law firm. The programme is a diversity and social mobility initiative designed to improve access to the legal profession. Participants will get real insight into firm life, attend skills sessions, and learn about routes into law such as Solicitor Apprenticeships and Training Contracts. The programme runs Monday 26 October 2026 to Thursday 29 October 2026 in London and is aimed at students in Year 12 who are interested in a career in law and who meet the PRIME eligibility criteria. Applications are accepted via the Withers candidate portal. For further information contact the recruitment team at recruitment@withersworldwide.com.

The University of Plymouth's Truro School of Nursing is holding a Nursing Open Evening / information event at the Knowledge Spa in Truro, Cornwall. The event is presented as a series of information sessions on various dates and is intended for prospective students who want to learn more about nursing programmes offered through the University of Plymouth's Truro campus. Attendees can expect an opportunity to hear about the structure of nursing courses, entry requirements and application processes, and to meet academic staff and student support teams. The open evening will be useful for prospective undergraduate applicants (including Year 12 and Year 13 students) considering nursing as a career pathway and for those who want to explore the facilities and pastoral support available at the Truro campus. Specific session times and booking details are provided on the University's events page.

This online taster session from the University of Leicester covers the basics of applying to study Medicine. It explains the importance of GCSE grades, guidance on choosing appropriate A-Levels, and gives attendees an introduction to what universities look for in medicine applicants.

The session is delivered as a virtual webinar on Wednesday 18 March 2026 from 18:00 to 19:30 (online). It is specifically aimed at students in Year 10 and Year 11 who are considering applying to medicine in future.

Falmouth University invites 13-16 year-olds of all abilities to join the National Saturday Club: Art & Design. The club offers practical, campus-based workshops that cover Drawing, Photography, Visual Arts, Games Art, Graphic Design, Animation and Printmaking. Sessions run every Saturday during term time and are free to attend. As a club member you will develop new skills, discover creative talents, learn from industry experts and build confidence. Members are expected to commit to attending each Saturday session throughout term time. Clubs culminate in an end-of-year trip to London where clubs from across the country showcase their work. To apply or find out more, prospective members should contact outreach@falmouth.ac.uk for an application form or register interest via the National Saturday Club page linked from the event. Applications are open for clubs starting October 2026 and are accepted through December (late applicants may be waitlisted).

Get right to the heart of what matters to you at an Edge Hill University open day. See the campus, meet current students, and get answers to your questions about studying at Edge Hill. The event is suitable for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students and their parents, carers and supporters. This open day gives attendees an opportunity to explore what life and study at Edge Hill are like and to discover why students enjoy studying there. The event is presented by the university's Student Recruitment team and is intended to help visitors learn more about courses, student experience and the campus environment. Practical details: the open day takes place on Friday 19 June 2026 from 10:00 to 15:00. Attendance is free. Book your place via the university booking form linked on the event page.