Oxford Brookes University Subject Taster Days 2026 offer prospective students first-hand experience of studying at university level and a chance to explore student life on campus. Each day includes lectures and interactive academic sessions, practical work, discussions on topics relevant to the subject area, campus tours of facilities, and information about the career potential of related courses. These events are aimed at students in the first year of a two-year Level 3 qualification (e.g., Year 12/A-level/BTEC). You can apply as an individual student if your school or college is not attending, or teachers/advisers can book places for school or college groups (up to 20 students per booking). Once the booking form is submitted, the team will contact you within five working days to confirm whether places can be accommodated. The taster days are free to attend. Lunch is not provided and participants should arrange their own travel to and from the campus; Student Ambassadors will meet attendees at the nearest bus stop. For enquiries and additional support with bookings, contact schools.liaison@brookes.ac.uk or use the online booking form linked on the page.

The WHRI Work Experience Programme offers a hands-on introduction to laboratory and clinical research for sixth form students interested in Medicine or biological/biomedical degrees. The programme provides first-hand experience at the William Harvey Research Institute, one of Europe’s largest pharmacological research institutes, and introduces students to alternative careers in government health initiatives and fundraising for healthcare and research. Participants will take part in practical laboratory sessions, demonstrations (including ultrasound imaging), microscopic examination of human tissues, and experiments such as enzyme activity and antigen-antibody interaction assays. The programme also includes talks from leading basic scientists and clinical researchers, sessions on the running of clinical trials, and opportunities to shadow current PhD and post-doctoral researchers to learn about day-to-day research roles. The programme is aimed at Year 12-13 sixth form or college students. Applications will open in May 2026 for a July 2026 intake (exact dates to be confirmed). Applicants must be studying a science or maths subject at A-level (or equivalent) and meet the stated GCSE grade requirements. For queries contact Mr Ade Alele at a.alele@qmul.ac.uk.

Join Sculpted By Aimee for a Teen Makeup Masterclass Bootcamp designed to help teenagers build simple, age-appropriate skincare and everyday makeup routines in a relaxed, hands-on environment. A professional makeup artist will lead live demonstrations and provide personalised tips on skincare, creating a fresh base, adding a subtle glow, and soft definition. The session focuses on confidence-building and practical, beginner-friendly techniques so participants can easily recreate looks at home. Each day of the bootcamp has a different focus topic so attendees can progress their skills step-by-step. The session is in-person at Sculpted By Aimee 013; Foubert's Place Carnaby, lasts two hours, and is suitable for teens of varying experience levels.

The Debate Chamber Philosophy Summer School is a five-day, in-person course that introduces students to core areas of philosophy including personal identity, applied ethics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, political philosophy, phenomenology and cultural theory. Through seminars and guided discussions you will read, debate and apply ideas from history’s greatest philosophers, developing the capacity to analyse and express complex arguments.

Small seminar groups and experienced tutors provide interactive teaching designed to challenge and support students. Sessions are discursive and emphasise critical thinking, argumentation and clarity of expression. The course is ideal for students considering philosophy, politics, law or other humanities subjects at university and for anyone wanting to deepen their reasoning and debating skills.

This is a non-residential course held in central London (Woburn House, Bloomsbury). Practical information, booking terms and bursary application details are provided on the Debate Chamber website; a limited number of bursaries are available to help cover fees for eligible students.

This one-week online course from FutureLearn (developed by Packt) teaches SQL and MySQL for real-world database management. Through practical, hands-on exercises you will set up a local MySQL environment, design databases and tables, and perform data manipulation tasks including inserting, updating and deleting records. The course covers core SQL syntax and foundational concepts used in modern data architecture and business intelligence. You will progress to advanced querying and analysis techniques, learning to construct complex queries using WHERE, logical operators, sorting, grouping, aggregates and built-in relational functions. A key focus is mastering JOINs to combine data across multiple tables for comprehensive reporting. Final modules introduce performance tuning and optimisation, including indexes and query optimisation techniques to improve retrieval speed and system efficiency. The course is available now on FutureLearn as an open-level, self-paced class with an estimated 4 hours of study per week. Learners can access a free limited version, buy the course for a one-off fee, or subscribe for wider platform access; a digital certificate is available when eligibility requirements are met.

This is a virtual charity-focused work experience programme that introduces participants to careers within registered charities and the skills required to work in the sector. Through interactive content, quizzes, projects and webinars, learners explore areas such as volunteer management, fundraising and policy development. The programme includes recorded webinars featuring charity professionals and culminates in a project and self-assessments to consolidate learning.

The programme is available on demand, with live webinar sessions delivered during weekday working hours (recordings provided). It is open to anyone aged 13+ and awards a downloadable certificate on completion. Students can complete material at their own pace within the course timeframe; assignments are reviewed and marked, and live sessions are accessible as recordings if participants cannot attend.

The Law Society of Ireland's free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Social Media, AI and the Law" explores the intersection of social media, artificial intelligence and legal frameworks. The course covers liability, regulation, privacy and data protection, social media bans, cybercrime, e-commerce and the broader impact of digital manipulation and surveillance on society and work. This on-demand course starts on 9 June 2026 and runs for five weeks with new course content released every Tuesday. It features recorded and streamed presentations, interactive discussion forums and quizzes, and is delivered by expert speakers including lawyers, academics and public figures. The course is open to anyone, anywhere. For more information and to register, visit: https://mooc2026.lawsociety.ie/

The Courtauld Seminar Sessions are a short online series designed to give Year 12 (or equivalent) students the chance to experience university-style learning in Art History. Selected attendees join small, online seminars led by two current research (PhD) students; each week the group focuses on a different discussion topic supported by a 15-minute video and a short reading which students are asked to engage with beforehand. Sessions are interactive and require active participation using microphone and camera. The programme aims to expand students' knowledge of art history, provide experience of seminar-style teaching typical of degree-level study, and offer opportunities to meet fellow young art historians from across the UK. All sessions are delivered online via Microsoft Teams and students must commit to attending all three meetings. There are two iterations in Spring 2026: an Art Foundation cohort (for Art Foundation students aged 18+) running in early March, and an Easter Programme specifically for Year 12 students running at the end of March / start of April. Applications will open in January 2026.

The Faculty of Biological Sciences runs a free Biological Sciences Summer School for Year 12 students interested in exploring biological sciences and potential career pathways. Participants undertake a preferred project and experience the research process from start to finish, meet academics and current students, and learn about undergraduate degree programmes in the Faculty.

The programme is designed to enhance UCAS applications: attendees can speak to admissions staff and receive advice on using their summer school experience in personal statements. The Summer School usually takes place at the end of June and includes one night in student accommodation and all meals.

The programme supports widening access. Applicants must meet the stated academic requirements (GCSE maths and English) and be in Year 12 studying Biology A level plus another science or science-related A level. Additional widening-participation criteria are listed on the page (household income threshold, first-in-family to university, low-attainment schools, disrupted studies, low progression areas, care-experience).

Bucksmore Education's Pre-University Maths Summer Course is a two-week residential programme held at St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge. Taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level, the course covers a mix of pure and applied topics-algebra, calculus, vectors, number theory, probability & statistics, differential equations and combinatorics-through workshops, problem-solving sessions and small-group tutorials. Class sizes are kept small (typically around 8) and tuition totals about 23 hours per week. Students live on campus (separate male and female accommodation available) and take part in a programme of excursions and university-style activities, including guest lectures, masterclasses, formal hall and graduation. The course is aimed at motivated 15-17 year olds with at least B2 (Upper Intermediate) English who wish to prepare for university-level study in mathematics and strengthen their university applications. The fee is fully inclusive of accommodation, food, tuition, materials, activities, excursions, insurance and specified UK airport transfers. A £500 reservation fee is required to secure a place; early-booking discounts apply (10% off if booked before 31 December 2025). Day-student options are available on request.

History for Teens at Cambridge University is a two-week immersive summer programme for students aged 13-15. Students follow small-group lessons (maximum 8 per group) led by expert tutors, participate in masterclasses (including teamwork and debating), and undertake directed study and independent research to build critical thinking and analytical skills.

The programme includes academic workshops, enrichment sessions, and structured reflection to track progress. Students take part in excursions to key historical sites (for example Westminster, the British Museum, Canterbury, Greenwich, Warwick Castle, the Tower of London and Portsmouth) to bring learning to life. Day (non-residential) and multiple boarding tiers are available, with pastoral support, college-based accommodation options, and scheduled airport transfers on official arrival/departure days.

Every participant receives a certificate of achievement, written tutor feedback, and a personalised letter of recommendation. The course aims to develop academic confidence, university-style skills, and personal growth in the historic environment of Cambridge.

The UCL Chip Design Summer School is a free, hands-on programme for Year 12 students delivered by UCL’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in collaboration with the UK Semiconductor Centre. It runs at UCL Bloomsbury Campus from 13 to 22 July 2026, with sessions each day from 09:30-17:00. Participants will explore chip design from fundamentals through practical implementation, working towards taping out their own chip. The programme includes lectures, practical labs and industry-led sessions; students will meet UCL academics and industry experts from the semiconductor sector to gain technical skills and insight into related career and study pathways. The summer school is free to attend and includes lunch vouchers. It is open to current Year 12 students studying physics, computer science, engineering or a related qualification. To apply, download and complete the application form and email it to eee-summerschool@ucl.ac.uk. If under 18, a parent or guardian must complete the consent section before submission.

Immerse Education’s Creative Writing summer programme in Oxford is a two-week, on-campus academic summer school run at Oxford University colleges. The programme is split into two age cohorts (13-15 and 16-18) and provides intensive creative writing tuition led by experienced tutors and published authors. Participants follow a structured syllabus with in-depth academic sessions, one-to-one tutoring, and a personal research/project component that culminates in a certificate of achievement.

Students live and learn within Oxford University colleges (residential options available) and benefit from small class sizes (7-10 students) and 40 hours of tuition across the two weeks. The programme includes guest speaker sessions, formal college dining, evening activities, and two full-day excursions (including an optional day in London). An optional UCAS points add-on (8 points) is available to students aged 14 and above.

The course is suitable for all experience levels and offers both residential and non-residential packages, plus a residential + online research option. Accommodation is provided in college (separate male/female accommodation where applicable), full board is included for residential packages, and places are limited.

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.

This online Creative Writing summer course from Oxford Scholastica Academy is designed for motivated 15 718 year olds who want to develop their fiction and online writing skills. Over one- or two-week options, students work in small classes (maximum 15) with expert tutors drawn from leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Daily live tutorials run 1 73 PM BST and are complemented by independent study, masterclasses and personalised feedback.

The syllabus covers characterisation, plot structure, narrative perspective, genre conventions, dialogue, scene-setting and adapting writing for blogs and online platforms. Students produce a portfolio of work, receive detailed tutor feedback and present a piece at an online Graduation event. Successful participants earn a Certificate of Achievement and high-performing students may receive a personalised Letter of Recommendation.

The programme aims to strengthen university applications and practical writing skills. Applicants must complete the online registration form (including a personal statement) and meet the minimum English requirement (CEFR C1 / IELTS 6.5). Summer 2026 course start dates are listed on the website.

UCL Law Summer School 2026 is a two-week in-person programme run by Best Parents at the University College London (UCL) campus for students aged 15-18. The course provides a university-style experience with lectures, small-group seminars and discussion-based tutorials focused on key areas of law. Average class size is 7 students and the programme delivers 30 total academic hours.

Participants explore foundations of legal systems, constitutional law, criminal law and contract/commercial law through interactive debates, mock cases and research-led assignments. Each student completes an individual Personal Project on a topic of legal interest, supported by academic tutors and a mentor (undergraduate or graduate) who provides academic and wellbeing guidance.

Beyond academic sessions, the programme includes cultural excursions across London, evening social events and organised transfers. Students on boarding stay in university residences with full board and supervision. Booking involves paying a deposit, completing an enrolment form and awaiting confirmation before booking travel.

Oxford Scholastica's Online World History & Philosophy Course is a project-based summer programme designed for motivated 15-18 year olds (entry requirement states 11-18 at course start). The course covers world history topics from ancient civilisations through the Renaissance to the modern era and explores major philosophical ideas such as Enlightenment thought. Teaching is delivered by tutors typically drawn from universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

Students choose a one- or two-week programme that includes daily live tutorials (two hours per day) and independent study, with two hours of live contact time plus roughly two hours of homework or group work each day. Class sizes are capped at 15 to ensure personalised feedback; students undertake projects, present research, and receive detailed tutor feedback. The programme includes masterclasses and a final presentation with peer and tutor review.

On successful completion participants receive an Oxford Scholastica Academy Certificate of Achievement and may receive a personalised Letter of Recommendation. Start dates are offered across June to August for summer 2026, and the course is delivered online via Zoom (live sessions run 1-3 PM BST).

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.

Penn Engineering Online offers a portfolio of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) covering topics such as Python, Java, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and databases. MOOCs are on-demand, noncredit courses designed to be accessible and affordable; learners can enroll in individual courses or complete a designated series to earn a Specialization Certificate. Courses combine lecture videos with assignments, readings, discussion prompts, quizzes, and peer review activities.

Most MOOCs are fully self-paced and can typically be completed in three to eight weeks, allowing learners to study anytime from anywhere. Specializations (series of four to six related MOOCs) lead to a Specialization Certificate upon completion. While MOOCs provide valuable skills and credentials for professional development, they are noncredit and do not confer academic credit or graded coursework equivalent to Penn degree courses.

Learners study with Penn Engineering faculty who also teach on-campus and online degree programs. MOOCs are suitable for a broad audience-from people exploring new topics casually to prospective students preparing for Penn’s online master's programs-and Penn alumni receive complimentary access to on-demand MOOCs. To enroll, browse course offerings on the Penn Engineering Online Lifelong Learning on-demand learning page.

An online, five-day Philosophy Summer School run by Debate Chamber for students aged 15-18. Through small seminar groups and live teaching, students explore core areas such as Personal Identity, Applied Ethics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Political Philosophy, Phenomenology and Cultural Theory. The course emphasises active participation: lively debates, close textual analysis, thought experiments and critical writing to help students develop analytical and argumentative skills useful for A-levels and university applications. Tutors are selected for strong academic backgrounds and communication skills. Sessions are fully interactive and are not recorded, so participants must attend live. The programme is aimed at students considering humanities degrees (philosophy, politics, law) and those who want to deepen their critical thinking. There is a course fee of A3495; Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries (bursary applications require a written reference from a teacher and can cover up to 90% of fees). The online 2025 edition is complete; prospective participants can express interest for future summers via the website.