Dorset Healthcare offers a range of work experience opportunities across clinical and non-clinical teams designed to give young people practical insight into healthcare careers. Placements vary from short taster sessions (half a day to two days) up to one-week observational placements, with some experience days offering limited hands-on activities where appropriate. The trust runs specific "Experience: NHS Programmes" (two- to four-day sessions) aimed at Year 12 students that introduce participants to different services and career pathways within the NHS. Applications are managed via an Expression of Interest form and the trust promotes the programmes through local schools when applications open. Priority is given to applicants with Dorset addresses and to learners meeting specific widening-participation criteria (e.g., those in areas of higher deprivation, learners with EHCPs, NEET, care leavers, and those with recent armed forces connections). For more information or to request phone conversations, school visits, mock interviews, or T Level placement arrangements, applicants should contact the team by email.

UCLH Research Open Day is a public-facing event where visitors can explore how research at UCL and UCLH is helping to improve cancer understanding, treatment, and patient care. The UCL Cancer Institute takes part in the day, bringing interactive activities that explain how everyday biology, genetics, and laboratory research connect to real-world medicine.

Visitors can drop in to an interactive stall to learn about cancer research through hands-on demonstrations, including a bitter taste SNP activity, microscope viewing of pathology slides, and displays showing how scientists use single-cell technologies, immune-based treatments, and clinical trials. The event also highlights how small genetic differences can influence traits and cancer risk.

The open day is designed for a wide audience, with content described as suitable for all ages. It is a free event with no booking required, so attendees can simply turn up on the day at University College Hospital on Euston Road in London.

Turner’s House offers a structured five-day (Mon-Fri) work experience placement for students at the end of Year 11, 12 or 13 who are interested in history, art and heritage. Placement students learn about the day-to-day running of a small historic house and museum, including front-of-house operations, retail and visitor engagement, the planning of the public programme, and the behind-the-scenes care of the house and collection.

During the placement students will shadow staff across learning, volunteer coordination and operations, gain practical experience of visitor engagement and event delivery, and see how exhibitions, workshops and school visits are organised. Placements take place at Sandycombe Lodge, 40 Sandycoombe Rd, Twickenham TW1 2LR and are delivered in person.

If you are interested in a placement, fill in the Turner’s House student Application Form (available from the website) and send it to learning@turnershouse.org. Please note Turner’s House requires a minimum of one month’s notice to organise a placement and may not be able to accommodate all requested date ranges.

This virtual work experience programme from AtkinsRéalis introduces learners to engineering, design and project management, with a strong focus on how these areas come together to solve real-world problems. It explores the company’s work across consultancy, transportation, infrastructure, aerospace, technology and sustainability, giving participants a broad view of the kinds of careers and challenges involved.

The programme includes activities, quizzes and module-based learning that cover AtkinsRéalis’ history, consultancy skills, transport and infrastructure, energy and clean power, sustainability, company values and career pathways. Learners also hear from employees and industry experts through webinars and recorded talks, helping them understand what working in the sector is really like.

It is designed to be flexible and accessible online, with around 10 hours of content available over a two-week period. Participants can work through the material at their own pace, and successful completion leads to a certificate. The programme is aimed at young people exploring early careers options and wanting to build skills for future study and work.

This one-week, in-person summer course at Nottingham Trent University is designed for 15- to 17-year-olds who want to develop a strong art portfolio and experience university studio life.

Across Monday to Friday (10:00AD16:00) you will experiment with 2D and 3D contemporary techniques, including observational drawing, perspective and colour theory, self-portraiture, moulding and casting, relief mould-making and life casting. Activities include drawing from the city and a prospective gallery/castle visit to support practical work.

Classes are studio-based with small group sizes and one-to-one tutor feedback (25 contact hours). On successful completion you receive a certificate of attendance. The course can also count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential award if both the course and on-campus accommodation are booked and the required social activities are attended.

Join Projects Abroad’s Animal Rehab programme in the Amazon Rainforest to support wildlife rehabilitation, reforestation and biodiversity research near Puerto Maldonado, Peru. Volunteers help collect data for species surveys, operate camera traps, assist with animal rescue, rehabilitation and release programmes (working with partners such as Animal Defenders International), and support breeding programmes for turtles and butterflies. You may also help on a pilot farm and take part in community awareness activities. The project is field-based and supervised by experienced local staff and biologists. No prior experience is required and training and workshops are provided on arrival. Typical days run from around 8:00 with a mid-day break and afternoon sessions, totalling about 4-6 hours of project work. The placement is suitable for those interested in conservation, biology or environmental science and is recommended for people comfortable living and working in remote, basic field conditions. Fees include shared accommodation (bungalows), three meals daily, airport pickup, in-country support, transport to placement, project equipment, a supervisor/mentor, and a certificate on completion. Flights, visas and travel/medical insurance are not included. Participants choose a start date and duration online; the project runs year-round.

UCL Campus Tours are guided, in-person walks of the Bloomsbury campus led by current UCL Student Ambassadors. Tours last around an hour and typically include a view of key campus features and informal insight into student life and applying to study at UCL. Tours do not include visits to academic departments or halls of residence; visitors are directed to UCL course finders and accommodation pages for further course- or accommodation-specific information. Guided tours run regularly on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (times include 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 slots depending on the day) with additional sessions scheduled on specific dates (see schedule). Bookings open at the start of each month for events the following month. Spaces are limited, there is no waiting list, and the booking form will show "No available sessions" when fully booked. Accessibility information is provided and queries about access arrangements can be emailed to campustours@ucl.ac.uk. Group visits for schools, colleges and universities can be arranged via the Student Recruitment team; UK state school groups may be eligible for Year 7-11 or Year 12 campus visits. Alternatives to guided tours include self-guided tours, online resources and other open events.

The British Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO), run within the BPhO trust, offers schools across the UK a series of competition papers focused on astronomy and astrophysics. Launched in 2015, the competition is syllabus-independent and builds on core physics applied to astronomical contexts; no prior specialist astronomy modules are assumed. It provides a pathway for students to explore current research topics and to progress to higher education in related fields.

Students are encouraged to attempt the Astro Challenge Paper in the Autumn term and must take at least one of the BPhO Round 1 (November) or the BAAO Round 1 (January). Top performers are invited to the BAAO Round 2 in February, with final selection of the five students who will represent the UK at the IOAA taking place at an Easter training camp in Oxford in April. Past papers and solutions are available online and studying them is strongly recommended to prepare.

Assessment outcomes use medal boundaries (approximately 60%+ Gold, 40%+ Silver, 20%+ Bronze, below 20% Commendation). The BAAO is closely linked with university-based training camps and provides an opportunity for motivated school students (including GCSE and A-level students) to gain advanced problem-solving experience and compete internationally.

Jesus College’s Open Days give prospective applicants and visitors the chance to explore the college and learn more about studying at Oxford. They are designed for young people considering university, especially those in sixth form or approaching undergraduate applications. During the day, visitors can join student-led tours of the college facilities or explore the site at their own pace. There are also drop-in sessions with tutors, giving attendees an opportunity to ask questions about academic life, study choices, and the application process. Academic Office staff are on hand throughout the day to answer questions about admissions and student support. Refreshments are available, and some first-year accommodation can be viewed as part of the visit. If you cannot attend in person, Jesus College also signposts its online content, including virtual open day material and video resources about applying to Oxford.

Undergraduate Open Days at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies give prospective students an opportunity to learn more about the University of Edinburgh’s veterinary degree and how to apply. The June and September open days include a visit to the Veterinary Medicine Campus at Easter Bush, while the October event offers a more limited programme at the Central Campus. At the Easter Bush Campus, teaching staff deliver an information session and students lead tours of the teaching and clinical facilities. These sessions can be booked for either the morning or afternoon, and the rest of the day can be spent exploring wider opportunities at the University of Edinburgh. Advance booking is required for all open days. Registration is expected to open at the start of May for the June event, and at the end of August for the September and October events. If you cannot attend, the page also highlights university-wide online information sessions and a virtual tour of the veterinary facilities.

Birmingham Newman University’s campus tours give prospective students a chance to visit the university, explore the campus environment, and get a feel for student life. The tours are designed to help visitors understand what studying there could be like and to see the facilities in person. During a tour, attendees can expect a guided visit around the campus, with opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the university. It is a useful way for students considering higher education to compare options and decide whether the campus feels like a good fit. The event appears to run as a short series of regular tours rather than a one-off date, making it suitable for students planning ahead and looking for a flexible chance to visit.

Levelling Up: STEM is a free support programme run by the University of Portsmouth for A-level (or equivalent) students who are under-represented in STEM. It is aimed at students who want to study Physics, Mathematics or Computing at university and is designed to run alongside students’ A-level studies, giving participants access to a dedicated tutor and a mentor from the University of Portsmouth. Participants take part in regular guided tutorials, mentoring sessions and subject-focused activities to prepare them to apply for and succeed at university. Most sessions are delivered online, with two dedicated in-person visits to the University of Portsmouth. Students join one of three parallel subject streams (Mathematics, Physics or Computing/Computer Science) and must meet the subject-specific entry criteria (A-levels or equivalent) for their chosen stream. The programme is targeted primarily at Year 12 students (Year 13 in Northern Ireland / S5 in Scotland) and prioritises applicants from Portsmouth and the surrounding area, those eligible for Free School Meals or the 16-19 bursary, care-experienced students, first-generation university applicants, students from low-progression neighbourhoods (POLAR/ACORN criteria), and students attending schools with low progression rates to higher education. The university also particularly welcomes applications from Black heritage students, female students in some STEM subjects, and disabled students.

The Young International Politics Weekend is a one-day work-experience style masterclass run by InvestIN Education for students aged 15-18. Through a programme of interactive sessions led by political professionals (including MPs, civil servants and UN staff), participants take part in Model UN simulations, parliamentary debates, negotiation exercises and live Q&A panels. The day is intended to give practical insight into international politics and key political careers.

The programme also includes expert career coaching on A-level/IB choices, university and degree selection, extracurricular activities and routes into politics. Attendees complete an online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate to include in university applications. The same content is delivered both in-person and live online, with the in-person venue listed as University College London (UCL), Bloomsbury, London.

Next available date: 22 March 2026. Places are secured via registration (no application process); the provider operates on a first-come, first-served basis and spaces are limited.

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 work experience programme from AXA XL that gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at how the insurer helps people, businesses and communities manage risk and recover from incidents. The programme includes modules on claims, underwriting, sustainability (including insurance for renewable energy and climate resilience), and an introduction to early careers at AXA XL such as apprenticeships and internships. Interactive activities and quizzes are embedded to help you apply learning and build employability skills. The programme is delivered online and is largely self-paced, with live webinars (weekday working hours) that are recorded for later viewing. Participants will explore real-world scenarios, see how teams collaborate to solve problems, and learn about the range of roles within insurance beyond common perceptions of the industry. The course emphasises transferable skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving. On completion you will receive a certificate to support CVs and applications. The programme is aimed at school/college students but is open to anyone aged 13 and above; older students are welcome and live sessions are available as recordings for flexible access.

The Young Doctor Summer Experience is a two-week (or one-week taster) immersive medical summer school in London run by InvestIN Education. Across clinical simulations, hospital-based scenarios and professional site visits, students step into the role of a doctor: participating in ward rounds, practising basic life support, suturing on mock skin, taking blood from prosthetic arms, reviewing X-rays and pathology, and managing emergency scenarios under clinician supervision. The programme also uses virtual-reality clinical simulations and reactive patient simulators to recreate high-pressure clinical environments.

Students receive medical-school admissions coaching including UCAT/BMAT preparation, MMI-style interview practice, personal-statement guidance and tailored feedback. Completion involves an online assessment and participants receive a personalised digital certificate; two-week attendees receive a physical certificate and an industry reference letter. The programme is based at University College London (UCL) and the surrounding University of London campus, with some days at additional professional venues in London. Residential and non-residential options are available, including catered university halls and optional airport transfers.

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.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) Skills Academy runs a range of in-person and occasional virtual work experience and insight activities for school students. Offerings include Year 10 and 11 Career Insight Weeks (three-day programmes of talks, tours and interactive, non-clinical sessions), ad-hoc observational placements, subject-specific days (for example pharmacy and pathology), and sector-specific weeks such as Access Accountancy. Placements are observational only and do not include clinical duties or doctor shadowing through Skills Academy.

Key programmes described include Year 10 and 11 Career Insight Weeks (multiple dates in 2025 and 2026), a Year 12 Pathology Summer School (four days, with lab practicals and UEA lab sessions), a Year 12 Pharmacy Work Experience Day (one day), regular Pharmacy tours and careers talks (Wednesday afternoons 15:30-16:15 on listed dates), and a one-week Access Accountancy placement (~30+ hours). The page also links to PGME-run medical education insight programmes for Year 12 and 13 students and a Year 10/11 Medicine Insight Day.

Applications and application forms are circulated to schools and colleges and advertised on NNUH Skills Academy social channels; when live the application link is posted on this page. For programme-specific queries applicants are directed to the Skills Academy email (skillsacademy@nnuh.nhs.uk) or the individual programme contact emails provided on the page.

The University of Leicester Medical School Outreach programme offers a broad set of free activities for school students to learn about careers in medicine and what studying medicine at university involves. Provision includes virtual taster sessions (e.g., diabetes, sepsis), study-skill sessions for A-level students, targeted applying-to-medicine talks for Years 10-133, virtual work-related projects (with Observe GP) and on-campus Post-16 University Experience Days.

Progression programmes are provided through partnerships such as AccessLeicester, Pathways to Medicine (Sutton Trust) and the national Realising Opportunities Programme, primarily supporting Year 12 students. Students on these progression programmes can attend UCAT workshops, receive MMI support and a variety of taster sessions. In recognition of these programmes, students who complete them will be guaranteed an interview for A100/A199 entry routes and may receive an alternative offer (A100: AAA alternative; A199 remains BBB), subject to UCAT and GCSE minimum requirements.

The outreach team also run talks and workshops in schools (Years 7-3) and larger on-campus events (for example an AI in Medical and Health Professions Education symposium) that include refreshments and practical sessions. For general enquiries and booking staff provide emails and online booking links for each event.

The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award is a virtual, global essay competition for ambitious high school students. It invites participants to choose one prompt and write a well-reasoned, research-based argumentative essay on a major issue, drawing on evidence, critical thinking, and clear academic writing.

Entries are reviewed by an Academic Advisory Committee made up of professors and researchers from leading universities. The judging rubric emphasizes originality, analysis, evidence, structure, and presentation, and participants are encouraged to engage seriously with counterarguments rather than rely on unsupported claims.

The competition is free to enter and open worldwide. Winners receive cash prizes, scholarships toward Lumiere programs, and publication opportunities, while top essayists may be invited to a symposium and gala dinner at Oxford University.