The University of Surrey Residential Summer Schools (part of the Surrey Scholars programme) offer Year 12 students the chance to experience studying a subject at university degree level. The 2026 residential programme is free to attend and provides a short on-campus experience across three subject strands: Business, Engineering Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. There are 100 places in total shared across the strands. During the four-day, three-night programme participants will take part in sample lectures, workshops, research projects, sports tasters and evening social activities. The programme includes overnight accommodation and three meals per day; transport costs are covered on request. The residential summer school is targeted at Year 12 students from under-represented backgrounds who attend non-selective state schools or colleges in the UK and meet the specified widening-participation criteria. Applications for the 2026 Summer Schools open on 2026-01-19 and close on 2026-03-29. Applicants are encouraged to use the Surrey Scholars application form to register interest and apply; places are allocated based on eligibility and capacity of the chosen subject strand. For queries contact summerschools@surrey.ac.uk.

This five-day residential Mathematics summer school at the University of Cambridge (run as part of the Sutton Trust Summer Schools programme) runs from 17 August 2026 to 21 August 2026. The course is highly academic and is designed to introduce students to advanced mathematical concepts beyond the school curriculum while giving a taste of university-style teaching and supervision.

The week includes lectures on a variety of mathematical topics (previous years have included combinatorics, mathematical biology and theoretical physics), interactive workshops and small-group supervision sessions. Applicants should have strong prior attainment in mathematics (minimum GCSE grade 8 or National 5 grade A) and be currently studying Maths at A-Level, IB, Scottish Highers or equivalent.

Participants will develop mathematical thinking skills, gain greater awareness of what studying mathematics at undergraduate level involves (including preparation for STEP), and learn more about the Cambridge admissions process. A webinar outlining the programme will be held on Wednesday 28 January 2026 at 17:00 and Cambridge applications close at midday on 12 February 2026.

The Essay Writing Masterclass Programme (EWMP) is a free, 12-week online programme run by Newnham College for women in the UK in Year 12 (Year 13 in Northern Ireland / S5 in Scotland) who are interested in pursuing Humanities or Social Sciences at university. Between March and June 2026 participants will take part in expert-delivered virtual workshops, carry out independent research, and receive a Cambridge-style supervision to support the production of a substantive essay. Each participant will receive a grade and personalised feedback on their submitted work. The programme focuses on research skills, critical thinking and academic essay writing to build academic independence and prepare students for university-level study and selective-university applications. The content and essay topics are open-ended and appeal to a broad range of subject interests within the humanities and social sciences. Applications are welcomed from all eligible students across school types, with particular encouragement for those meeting widening-participation criteria. There are 130 places; outcomes will be communicated by 17:00 on Friday 27 February 2026.

The Carlyle Lectures in the History of Political Thought (2026) are a public lecture series hosted by the Faculty of History at the University of Oxford. The 2026 series, titled "The Shape of Democracy," is delivered by Professor Jill Frank (President White Professor of History & Political Science, Cornell University) and examines uses of order, agreement, power, equality, beauty, and form in the dialogues of Plato to inform contemporary democratic theory and practice. Lectures take place on Tuesdays at 5pm during Weeks 2-7 of Hilary Term at the Examination Schools. The inaugural lecture (Tues 27th) will be followed by a drinks reception in North School. The series is presented as a set of in-person academic lectures aimed at a general and academic audience. Attendance is open to all and no booking is required; members of the public and the university community are welcome to attend the lectures and the inaugural reception.

Scopri l'italiano is an interactive, subject-specific Masterclass hosted by the Italian Section of the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics at Robinson College, University of Cambridge. The one-day taster will introduce students to Italian language, culture and history through a programme of sessions designed to give an insight into studying Modern Languages and/or History at university level.

The Masterclass is suitable for Year 11-13 students, including those who have not previously studied Italian (ab initio applicants are welcome). Sessions will include cultural and historical talks alongside a language taster, providing participants with both practical language experience and contextual understanding relevant to MMLL and HML Tripos degree pathways.

The event is free to attend, limited to 30 places, and lunch will be provided. Students from any UK school may apply; travel costs may be reimbursed for eligible participants under the College's travel policy. If oversubscribed, priority will be given to applicants meeting widening participation criteria. For questions contact outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk (venue concerns) or italian@mmll.cam.ac.uk (programme enquiries).

This is an online Medicine Masterclass run by the University of Sunderland aimed at sixth form and college students (Years 12 and 13), as well as teachers, advisers, parents, supporters and postgraduate degree holders interested in the MBChB Medicine degree. The session is intended to support Year 13 students considering entry for 2026/27 and Year 12 students considering entry for 2027/28. The masterclass covers an overview of the MBChB Medicine programme, entry requirements and the application process, in-depth information about the course structure and placements, and insights into what it is like to be a Medicine student at Sunderland. The page highlights the course's ranking (top 20 in the UK, Guardian University Guide 2025) and a 100% positivity score for teaching support (National Student Survey 2024). The event is delivered online and is advertised on the University of Sunderland events page. Attendees are invited to book to secure a place via the University's event registration link.

This online webinar brings together three geographers (Olivia, Suha and Lauren) who read geography at university and now work in the built environment sector. Speakers will share their career journeys, including experiences working on projects such as the development of Heathrow's Third Runway, property management, and quantity surveying, and will discuss how geographical skills are applied in these roles. The session is aimed at teachers and students studying geography at GCSE and A Level and is designed to support curriculum-linked careers education. It contributes to Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers) and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees). The webinar is run in collaboration with the Built Environment Schools Trust's My Environment My Future programme. Advance booking is required via the RGS portal; participants will receive joining instructions by confirmation email. The event will be held on the RGS website and is free to attend for members and non-members.

This free online student webinar, organised by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), showcases the variety of career pathways available to people who study geography. The session has a business and finance focus and speakers will describe their individual education and career routes and the ways in which geography has equipped them with relevant skills and knowledge. Speakers will explain how they use geography in their work and give examples of real-world impact. The event is aimed at teachers and students considering geography at GCSE, A Level and/or university and is intended to support understanding of careers across sectors such as consultancy and finance. Advance booking is required via the RGS portal; attendees will receive joining instructions in their confirmation email. The event contributes to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 and is suitable for individual or group bookings by teachers and schools.

This is a four-year Level 3 Engineering apprenticeship based at the Siemens Energy European Innovation Centre in Warwick, with formal block-release learning at a college partner (Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry). The programme follows the Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Level 3 pathway and combines on-the-job placements across professional teams with structured college-based learning. You will rotate through service engineering teams (including Reliability Engineering, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, SGT-A65/35/20, Technical Support and Technical Data Services) to build practical and theoretical engineering experience.

You will work on operational troubleshooting, processing diagnostic data, and contributing to engineering solutions and technical documentation. The role develops continuous improvement skills (Lean Six Sigma basics) and offers project experience alongside other entry-level talent. Applicants must submit a CV and cover letter and provide most recent achieved or predicted GCSE grades; a minimum of grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language at GCSE is required. The apprenticeship is full-time, requires routine in-person attendance at Warwick and Coventry sites, and offers a starting salary of £16,181 plus benefits.

PBC's Student Entrepreneurs Business Training Programme is a short, intensive bootcamp designed to help young entrepreneurs develop a viable business plan and take their ideas to the next level. Up to 50 motivated participants will take part in a concentrated programme of practical workshops covering idea development, market research, branding, digital presence, finance and pitching. The course runs in-person at Morley College London (North Kensington Campus) and includes hands-on activity each day.

Participants receive expert mentorship and network opportunities, culminating in a pitching showcase where teams have the opportunity to compete for a share of £5,000 in investment. The programme also includes 12 months of follow-up support and mentorship to help teams grow their ventures after the bootcamp week.

The programme is aimed at motivated 15- to 19-year-olds interested in starting or scaling a business. There are no formal entry requirements; applicants are asked to complete a short online application and upload a 2-minute video explaining why they should be selected.

The Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge runs the annual RE:View Film Competition for school students. The competition invites short films (no longer than five minutes) on a theme which will be announced in November 2025. Examples of winning films from previous years are available on the Faculty website, and winners receive a share of a A3500 prize fund split between the Year 9-11 and Year 12-13 categories.

Students may enter individually or in groups of up to three. Entrants should upload their film to YouTube with privacy set to 'unlisted' and complete the Faculty's online entry form. Films are judged on originality, accuracy and creativity; the organisers state that production equipment quality is not a judging criterion. All entrants must ensure they have permission to use images and music, include references for sources, and include the specified disclaimer text within the film.

Any queries about the competition or entry process should be directed to outreach@divinity.cam.ac.uk. Further details, entry forms and the official theme will be published on the Faculty of Divinity website when available in November 2025.

Join Vodafone's Level 6 Project Management Apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience delivering high-impact projects across the business. Apprentices work across functions such as Human Resources, Software, Network, Corporate Functions and Vodafone Business, supporting project governance, resource, cost and risk management, collecting and analysing project data, and helping co-ordinate timelines and communications.

The programme is a 3-year apprenticeship with hybrid working (London Paddington or Newbury, with approximately 8 days in the office per month). The role includes study time: Vodafone funds a Level 6 BSc (Hons) with the Association for Project Management (APM) and provides one study day per week. The site also references a Level 4 APM qualification and modules such as Business Consulting, Procurement and Financial Control, Governance, Introduction to Project Management, Digital Skills and Technology & Innovation.

Salary for the programme is advertised at £24,640-£27,000 per year. Assessment centres will be held between January-March 2026, and the apprenticeship start date (if offered) would be September 2026. Vodafone notes applications may close early if demand is high and provides support through buddies and programme networks.

The Access to Sheffield Summer School is a four-day on-campus programme at the University of Sheffield designed to introduce prospective university students to academic study and student life. Over the course of the programme participants take part in academic skills sessions, university-level teaching tasters, and social activities, supported throughout by current student ambassadors. The 2026 programme runs Monday 3 August to Thursday 6 August 2026 and is hosted in University accommodation (Endcliffe residences) in Sheffield. Everything required for the programme is provided: activities and equipment, overnight accommodation, meals and refreshments, and travel to and from the University (arranged and funded individually). The programme is non-subject specific and focuses on transferable academic and study skills, teamwork, communication and problem-solving, and confidence-building. It is accredited by the Skills Builder framework (Impact Level 4) and successful completion can lead to contextual offer consideration and access to further Y13 support. This summer school is aimed at students from target groups underrepresented in higher education. Applicants must meet the stated academic requirements (GCSE and A Level/equivalent) and at least one widening participation criterion (for example eligibility for free school meals, living in an area of disadvantage, care-experienced, young carer, estrangement, or forced migrant). Additional ongoing support and access to the Access to Sheffield (Y13 to Uni) programme is available for attendees as they enter Y13.

Med School Entry (MSE) runs a free essay competition designed for aspiring medical and dental applicants. The competition aims to help students develop critical thinking, empathy and reasoning skills relevant to medical and dental study and admissions. Submissions are assessed by the Directors of MSE, including two senior NHS consultants and ex-medical school interviewers, and topics have been chosen to support UCAS personal statements and interview discussion. The competition is open to UK home applicants in Year 12 or older (including home schoolers) and is targeted at those applying to Medicine and Dentistry (UCAS 2026 and beyond). Essays must be the entrant's own work, use Harvard or Vancouver referencing, and are submitted as a Word document together with the provided submission form. All entries are checked with a plagiarism checker; non-original work will be eliminated. Entry is free and all participants receive a certificate of participation. Prizes for top entries include places on MSE interview and UCAT courses and personalised application support. Entrants submit a downloaded booking/submission form with their essay by email to info@medschoolentry.uk.

The Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) at the University of Birmingham is a sport scholarship programme offering high-performance student-athletes tailored dual-career support. It mirrors UK Sport world class performance programmes and provides access to bespoke specialist practitioners (strength & conditioning, nutrition, physiology, psychology and performance lifestyle), unlimited physiotherapy/soft tissue therapy within a fair use policy, funding support for international representation and medical interventions, and academic flexibility through a dedicated Performance Lifestyle Coach. EDCAP consists of two tiers: a one-year Talent programme that can lead onto the Elite programme for athletes meeting performance standards; the Elite tier receives more individualised support and higher funding. Awards include financial support (a component up to £3,000 and total package value typically between £8,000 and £12,000), 12-month Sport & Fitness Peak membership with full facility access, scholar kit and an Athlete Resource Pack, plus induction activities and scholar social events across the academic year. Student-athletes at junior international standard (or above) in Olympic and Commonwealth sports are invited to apply. Students of all years and nationalities (including postgraduates) may be considered. The programme provides contextual admissions benefits for some incoming undergraduates and offers a structured application timeline with wave deadlines and interview dates as published on the Sport Scholarships page.

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.

Film of the Month is an ongoing monthly competition run by Into Film to celebrate young filmmaking talent across the UK. It is open to all young people aged 5–19. Each month one winning film is selected to receive a £100 gift voucher, certificate(s), a feature interview on the Into Film website, and placement on the Into Film YouTube Shorts channel. Runner-up films are also showcased.

The competition accepts any film genre or theme (fiction, non-fiction, live action, or animated). Films must be a maximum of 10 minutes in length, and entrants must ensure any third-party music, images or footage are cleared for use. If you are aged 17 or under, a parent or guardian must provide consent and complete the entrant details when submitting. Educators may submit curricular films on behalf of their students; curricular entries are judged with slightly different criteria to ensure a level playing field.

Entrants must disclose any use of AI tools in the film's creation. Judges assess films on idea, story, sound and look rather than technical kit, and emphasis is placed on originality and creative decisions. There is a new round every month and entries are accepted on an ongoing basis via the Into Film website.

This five-day composition course at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama is designed for young composers to develop their composition skills and write a piece for a small instrumental ensemble. You will work closely with a composition teacher and performers on your own music, learning about instrumental writing, technique and how to develop your ideas. The course culminates in a showcase performance of participants' work.

Across the week participants take part in group composition classes, receive one-to-one tuition, work with instrumentalists to try out ideas, and write a piece for a string quartet which is workshopped, rehearsed and performed in an end-of-course showcase. Participants will also receive a mastered audio recording of their piece. The course is led by composer and Guildhall tutor Paul Whitmarsh.

How to apply: complete the online application form (click 'Apply Now'), submit a 250-word statement outlining your composition experience and goals, and upload a portfolio of two fully notated compositions (PDF). Audio files are optional. Spaces are limited; bookings close at 17:00 on Friday 3 July 2026 or when capacity is reached. Participation bursaries are available (bursary deadline 27 April 2026). Accommodation is not provided.

The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, run by The Queen's College Translation Exchange, is a nationwide school competition created to promote language learning and inspire creativity in the classroom. Launched in 2020 in honour of translator Anthea Bell, the Prize provides free teaching resources for teachers and invites schools across the UK to prepare pupils for creative translation tasks. The competition accepts entries in multiple languages, currently including French (into Welsh and English), German, Italian, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish.

The Prize is free to enter and is open to pupils aged 11-18 at all UK schools. Registered teachers receive teaching packs throughout the year to integrate the competition tasks into classroom learning. The 2025-2026 edition launched on 19 September 2025; the competition period runs from 2 February 2026 to 27 March 2026. Schools and teachers are encouraged to register via the competition registration page to receive updates and access the teaching materials.

Xburo is recruiting for its Degree Apprenticeship programme, offering Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Engineering apprenticeships alongside early-career roles across its professional teams. Apprentices combine on-the-job training on live projects with part-time study, gaining hands-on experience across professional services and visiting live project sites to learn alongside qualified M&E experts. The programme is delivered through Xburo's structured "Xburo Experts" apprenticeship programme, combining workplace learning with formal qualifications. Participants will study at college (and progress to university study), completing an HNC in Building Services and ultimately a BEng (Hons) at Glasgow Caledonian University while working on projects in Xburo's Glasgow and Edinburgh offices. Applications are accepted year-round with the main intake in the summer months as pupils move on from school. Candidates should have (or be predicted to achieve) Highers/A-levels or equivalent, including Maths, English and a science subject. Successful applicants will be invited to interview and progress through the company's internal training timeline.