Join Oxford Summer Courses' Art History summer school designed for 16 317-year-olds, hosted in Oxford University colleges. The programme offers small-group, tutorial-style teaching (maximum 8 students) covering techniques, symbolism and cultural contexts across painting, sculpture and modern art. Students engage in interactive seminars, tutorial Q&A sessions, and an academic skills masterclass to develop independent critical thinking and analytical writing.

Throughout the course participants complete two pieces of independent work which are assessed in 1:1 or 2:1 tutorials and receive detailed written tutor feedback. The programme also includes enrichment activities: visits to Oxford colleges and world-class museums, expert speaker sessions on career pathways, a university fair, and full-day trips. On completion students receive a certificate of achievement and a personalised letter of recommendation to support further academic applications.

Join UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering for an online introduction to the department, its undergraduate courses, and the opportunities available to students interested in this field. The session is designed to help prospective applicants understand what studying Medical Physics or Biomedical Engineering at UCL is like, and how the subject combines physics, engineering and healthcare innovation. Across the session, you can learn about the course structure, the kinds of practical laboratory work and collaborative projects students take part in, and how UCL’s research links with leading hospitals and real-world clinical challenges. You’ll also hear from course leads about teaching, curriculum and career opportunities. The event is especially useful if you are beginning to explore your options or are already preparing to apply for undergraduate study. You can also chat with current students and get honest insights into studying at UCL, making it a good chance to ask questions and find out whether the programme is right for you.

Oxford Summer Courses' International Relations summer school is an intensive academic programme hosted in Cambridge university colleges for 16-17 year olds. Teaching follows an Oxford-style tutorial approach with small group seminars (maximum eight students) and interactive masterclasses. Students explore the origins of nationalism, the role of states in international politics, theories of diplomacy and conflict, and analyse contemporary global issues through case studies. Classes are tailored to the group’s interests and include two pieces of independent work which are assessed in 1:1 or 2:1 tutorial feedback sessions. The course aims to develop critical thinking, academic writing and persuasive argumentation; on completion students receive a certificate of achievement and a personalised letter of recommendation from their tutor. The programme combines academic study with cultural activities and organised trips in Cambridge. Accommodation and catering options vary by tier (single/twin rooms, ensuite options, and different meal plans). Some premium tiers include airport transfer and enhanced insurance cover; non-residential options are also offered.

This listing is for a free online MOOC run by the University of East Anglia titled "Biochemistry: the Molecules of Life." The course provides an introduction to fundamental biochemical concepts and the key classes of biological molecules, aimed at learners exploring biosciences. It is presented as an online offering and is listed on UniTasterDays, a resource used by schools and students to explore university-level subjects.

The course is suitable for school students considering university study in chemistry, biology or related life sciences (years 12-13) as well as other learners with an interest in biochemistry. As an online MOOC, it is delivered remotely and accessible without attending campus, making it a flexible option for widening participation and subject exploration prior to higher education.

The Faculty of Psychology is a two-week pre-university summer school in Cambridge for students aged 14-17. Through interactive lectures, practical workshops and live experiments you will study cognitive, developmental and social psychology, learning how psychological theories apply to real behaviour.

Students take part in group research projects and lab activities (for example memory and social influence experiments), present findings at the end-of-week Time to Shine ceremony, and receive dedicated academic coaching to support progression towards university study. The programme also includes English language development to build confidence in discussing psychological concepts.

Fieldwork sessions and supervised excursions in Cambridge (and London) connect classroom learning with real-world settings. By the end of the course participants gain research and analytical skills, improved critical thinking, and a certificate of completion to support university applications.

The Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate and provides practical support as participants begin their higher education application process. The programme features input from leading academics, current undergraduate e-mentors and university alumni, and is designed to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies. The programme takes place in-person at the University of Readings Whiteknights campus and comprises four events across the academic year. These events include subject masterclasses led by academics, a Student Experience Day in February, a study skills session and a two-day summer school. Events typically run from 09:30 to 15:30, and transportation costs are covered in advance for participating students. Eligibility requires Year 12 study, at least five GCSEs at grades A* - C and being on course for good A-Level grades (around BBB or equivalent). Priority is given to applicants with no parental experience of higher education and those living in identified postcode areas. Participants who later apply to the University of Reading are guaranteed either an invite to interview or a conditional offer, and those who firmly choose Reading may apply for a £1,000 Scholars bursary in their first year.

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.

Sutton Trust Pathways Programmes are progression-focused opportunities for eligible sixth-form students interested in exploring routes into higher education and professions. The programme is aimed at current Year 12 students in England and Wales, Year 13 students in Northern Ireland, or S5 students in Scotland who attend state-funded, non fee-paying schools or colleges. Applications are made through a simple online form. The process includes mostly yes/no questions plus a short personal statement of up to 300 words explaining your suitability and why you want to take part. The Sutton Trust says applications open in early September, with closing dates varying by programme and university. The page also explains that the programme can be delivered either in person or online. In-person applicants must live within a 90-minute commuting distance of the university, while online programmes are open to people across the country. Successful applicants are usually notified in autumn, and the programme typically launches later in the year.

CPDN (climateprediction.net) is a University of Oxford-based volunteer computing project that runs climate modelling experiments using the spare processing power of volunteers' home computers. Volunteers install the BOINC client, join the Climateprediction.net project, and allow climate models to run in the background on their machines. The project is not-for-profit and is run by a team of climate scientists, computing experts and graduate students in partnership with researchers worldwide.

Volunteers help run large ensembles of global and regional climate models which are computationally intensive and require many small contributions from ordinary computers. Participation is suitable for anyone with a compatible personal computer and an interest in supporting climate science; no formal qualifications are required. Key practical steps are to download and install the BOINC client, register a CPDN account, add the Climateprediction.net project to BOINC, and configure preferences (for example to suspend work while the computer is in use).

Participants can access technical FAQs and community message boards for setup help and discussion. The role offers engagement with climate research, opportunities to learn about modelling and data, and membership of a global volunteer community, but it does not provide a formal qualification or paid work.

Afternoon Anatomy at the Royal Veterinary College is an on-campus taster session for Year 10 to Year 12 pupils (ages 14–17) considering undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Nursing. Held at the Camden Campus in London, the session introduces comparative physiology across the animal kingdom through practical, hands-on activities and expert-led demonstrations.

The day begins with an introductory talk and continues with a Directed Learning session based on a simulated disease outbreak inspired by real Biological Sciences course content. Participants will take part in an interactive quiz using real animal specimens in the Anatomy Museum led by the Head of Anatomy, Mr Andrew Crook MBE, and will have the opportunity to observe and learn from a live animal experience conducted by the Anatomy Team. The session is designed to give pupils a realistic insight into veterinary and biosciences study.

To be eligible applicants must attend a non-selective state-funded school or college in the UK; priority is given to students meeting RVC Widening Participation criteria (for example FSM eligibility or being first in family to attend university). The event is free, capacity is limited (32 pupils), and travel reimbursement may be available via the FSM Bursary.

The Trinity TY Visions for Education programme is a week-long experience at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Education for current Transition Year students. It invites participants to think about how education can be transformed and to explore what learning spaces of the future might look like. Across the week, students take part in sessions on design thinking, diversity and equity, brain health, student voice and empowerment, and innovation for learning. The programme also includes a team-based project focused on future learning experiences, with an emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and valuing different perspectives and skills. The programme is designed to be welcoming and supportive, and Trinity says it wants a wide range of voices represented. Places are limited and applicants are selected from their application responses. Some places are reserved for students from DEIS and Trinity Access linked schools, and applicants complete the form with a parent or guardian before uploading their programme statement through the required submission link.

Join UCL Cancer Institute for its 5th Annual Patient and Public Open Evening, an in-person event designed for patients, families, and members of the public who want to learn more about the Institute’s cancer research and clinical work. The evening offers a welcoming opportunity to hear directly from researchers and clinicians about how discoveries in cancer biology are translated into improved treatments and patient care.

Attendees can expect talks on cutting-edge cancer research, conversations with scientists, and exclusive tours of the research laboratories. The event is intended to make the Institute’s work more accessible and transparent, while also highlighting the importance of patient involvement in advancing cancer research. Complimentary light refreshments will be available, and registration is via the event page.

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 Debussy International Music Competition is an open, international competition for musicians across a wide range of classical categories including All Instruments, Conducting, Composition, Voice, Chamber, Choir, Ensemble, Orchestra and Music Creator. The competition accepts performers, conductors, composers and groups of any nationality and age; category-specific age brackets determine eligibility. Submissions may be video or audio (composers may also submit MIDI files), and for many categories video evidence is required. Age for an application is determined on the day of the application deadline (or the average age of the group for group entries).

The competition defines many categories with explicit repertoire and duration rules (period-specific categories require works from the indicated eras). Multiple categories may be entered using the same link if the recording meets each category's requirements, but if multiple works are submitted in a single application only the first work will be considered. Additional requirements and FAQs cover submission formats, visibility of performers in video submissions, acceptable accompaniment (including audio backgrounds), and limits on submitted writing (1500 words) or video length for innovative writing. Specific prize details vary by category; winners in the Music Video category receive an e-certificate and a listing on the Beeffie Creative Musical Artists page.

Youth Rangers is a regular volunteer programme for young people run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. It gives participants hands-on experience in nature conservation through practical tasks such as scrub clearance, surveying and habitat creation, while developing wildlife skills and teamwork. Sessions run 12:30-16:30 on the third Saturday of each month at Robinswood Hill in Gloucester. Sessions are suitable for beginners with no prior experience; they are run outdoors in all weathers and are useful for personal development and for young people completing volunteering hours for awards such as Duke of Edinburgh. Places are free but limited. Young people must register their interest (online) and book individual sessions via the Trust's events/Eventbrite booking system; sessions open for booking on the first Monday of each month. If a member turns 18 while involved there are opportunities to take on volunteer youth leader responsibilities.

Study Mind's Psychology Work Experience is an immersive 1-3 week in-person career camp in central London designed to give Year 12 students practical insight into psychology careers. The programme includes hands-on workshops (neuroplasticity, clinical psychology, counselling, sports and business psychology), psychometric testing simulations, visits to clinics and research labs, and guest talks from practising psychologists. Students take part in practical assessment and receive a certificate to support UCAS applications.

Participants can choose 1, 2 or 3 week packages; the 2- and 3-week options include optional industry placement or a Career & Life Skills week (digital literacy, CV/LinkedIn, financial literacy). Group sizes are limited to 10-12 students. Residential accommodation is available for those opting into the residential programme (Ramsay Hall, UCL) and industry placement days take place at top London firms; excursions may require group travel from a designated meeting point.

A widening participation bursary scheme offers full, 75% and 50% bursaries for eligible students (proof of benefits/Free School Meals/Pupil Premium, essay and teacher reference required). Bursary applications and general registrations are made online; Study Mind also provides pre-programme materials and continued UCAS support after completion.

This High School Special places teenagers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to gain supervised medical work experience. Participants shadow doctors and nurses in local hospitals, attend medical training workshops, and take part in community outreaches where they complete basic health checks under qualified supervision. The programme emphasises practical learning (35-50 clinical shadowing hours and 15-20 volunteer service hours) and cultural exchange with other interns your age.

Projects Abroad provides full in-country support including accommodation with local host families, three meals a day, airport pick-up and drop-off, transport to placements, an induction and orientation, training sessions, organised social activities and a weekend trip to local attractions. Visa support and advice are offered, but flights, visa fees (where applicable) and travel/medical insurance are not included. The placement is staffed 24/7 by local supervisors and is safety audited and risk assessed to BS8848 standards.

No prior experience is required and the project is designed to help teenagers decide if a medical career is right for them. On completion you receive a certificate of project completion and access to alumni services and resources.

This Dukes Plus webinar is designed for prospective Oxbridge applicants in Years 10-11 who want to make productive use of the summer holidays. It focuses on how students can start preparing early for Oxford or Cambridge by building the habits, knowledge, and academic curiosity that competitive applications require. The session covers key strategies such as moving beyond the syllabus through academic extension and super-curricular activities, finding work experience that strengthens an Oxbridge personal statement, and making thoughtful A Level or IB choices. It also encourages students to pre-learn challenging content so they can arrive in sixth form with a stronger academic foundation. The webinar was led by Cambridge graduate and admissions consultant Thomas Moon, and the full recording is available through the module page.

Join a field-based marine conservation project in Pacific Harbour, Fiji, working alongside scientists and dive partners to collect data on sharks and other marine life. Volunteers take part in survey dives, bi-monthly shark dives, mangrove reforestation, community outreach and education, data entry and workshops. The project includes full training: beginners complete the PADI Open Water course during the first two weeks, while experienced divers may complete Advanced or Rescue courses. The placement is supervised by qualified marine biologists and local professionals and runs year-round with a minimum two-week stay. Projects Abroad provides accommodation, three meals daily, airport pick-up, transport to placements, diving equipment rental, access to resources and ongoing in-country support. Flights, visa fees and travel/medical insurance are not included. The experience is aimed at volunteers with an interest in marine biology, conservation or outdoor fieldwork and can strengthen CVs and future applications in conservation and related fields.

Balliol College's Access & Outreach programme provides a range of free activities to support prospective applicants from state schools, including online talks, subject taster days, year-long access programmes and short "Try Before You Buy" days. Activities are delivered by Oxford graduates and tutors and are intended to introduce pupils to subject-specific academic material, Oxford-style teaching, and the admissions process. Specific offerings include Insight Talks aimed at Year 12 (and interested Year 11s) that run online as workshops and are recorded; a Discovery Programme for Year 10 state school students that consists of online seminars (with a teacher present) and preparatory work; Subject Taster Days and Try Before You Buy Days for Year 12 state school students which include academic sessions, college tours and a free two-course lunch. Balliol also runs three year-long access programmes (Floreat, Frontier and Fibonacci) for Year 12 state-school students, focused on humanities, life sciences and mathematics respectively. The year-long programmes involve a series of virtual seminars (evening sessions beginning in the Spring Term), assessed/preparatory tasks, and a two-night residential in August held at Balliol College. Many programmes prioritise disadvantaged and under-represented students and are explicitly free of charge. Sign-up and further details are provided on Balliol College's Outreach / "Outreach Talks and Events" pages.