Here, you will find a combination of virtual and in-person opportunities from the University and College Sectors. We ask students and their parents to research fully any opportunities advertised on the noticeboard to ensure they are happy with the organisation they are linking with and its value for money if there is a cost.
Notices & Key Dates
UCAS Key Dates Timeline for 2025 and 2026 Applications.
UCAT exam bookings open on 17th June 2025 (closes 19th September)
- UCAT Essentials – What you need to know.
Find an Open Day – Open days are an important way to learn about how a subject is taught and what you will study, from course tutors. Our advice is to prioritise course talks over general talks. If time/money are a constraint you can learn a lot from visiting local universities. If you are on the Sixth Form bursary, you can request that school helps with the costs, please talk to Mr Brown or Lucy.
The Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) encourages students to aspire to have professional careers / go to university. Students supported often have a financial disadvantage. If you think you might be eligible, please talk to the sixth form team or email sixthform@qehs.net.
Student Finance Applications We recommend that students make their student finance application as early as possible. They should avoid waiting until they get their exam results. Students should apply for student finance based on their first-choice (Firm). They can easily change this before their studies start. The most important thing is to get the application in!
Oxbridge Focus
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge Website
University of Cambridge Events Page
22nd October 2025 – My Cambridge Application Deadline
Complete timeline of dates and deadlines for Cambridge applicants
Think Cambridge Webinar Series
Think Cambridge 2026 is a week-long series of webinars aimed at inspiring Year 11 and 12 students to think about applying to Cambridge. We also welcome teachers and supporters, and parents and advisors to join webinars, which will give you all the tools you will need to support a Year 11 or 12 future applicant.
The series runs from the end of January 2026. Each session is hosted virtually and consists of a presentation, comment from our student ambassadors and additional visual elements. Sessions will be recorded and these will be sent to registered guests up to 48 hours after the session has concluded. This will allow students to watch the session that they are unable to attend at a later date.
For the full list of webinars, and the booking form, please see the Think Cambridge webpage.
Y12 Access and Application Support Programme 2026 – Widening Participation
Our Y12 programme is returning again for 2026, and we are delighted to announce that this year we have partnered with Tutorbility again to provide tutoring for participants, in addition to a series of online sessions and an overnight stay in Cambridge. This programme is aimed at Y12 students who are considering applying to a competitive university, and is designed to support them with making informed decisions and building competitive applications, as well as getting a taste of university life.
To be eligible, students must be:
- A current Year 12 student interested in studying at a competitive university
- Predicted/On track for grades of AAB or higher at A Level (or equivalent at IB)
- A student at a state school within our link area in North East of England, specifically Northumberland, County Durham, Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, York, Hull, and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
More information and the application form can be found on our website here.
Applications Open November 2025
Exciting Mathematics Residential Opportunity at King’s College, Cambridge in August – Year 12 Students
We are hosting an immersive three-night mathematics residential designed specifically for budding mathematicians. This event will take place from 26-29 August.
Students will experience the types of abstract reasoning and critical thinking expected at university level, which will support them when applying to study mathematics at competitive universities, such as the University of Cambridge.
For your convenience in sharing this opportunity with your students, we have prepared both a promotional poster and a detailed pamphlet about the event (see attached). Please feel free to distribute these materials to any Year 12 students who you think would benefit from this residential.
The booking form can be found here – https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/study/undergraduate//maths-from-the-underground-residential
Should you have any questions about the residential or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to support you in identifying and encouraging suitable candidates from your school.
CIMR Reaching Research 2025
On the 28th, 29th and 30th of July 2025 (10am-12pm each day), the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research (CIMR) is running an online event called Reaching Research aimed at students in Years 12 and 13 interested in studying medicine, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, biology etc. at university.
Reaching Research will consist of:
- Several talks from biomedical scientists at different stages of their careers.
- A lab experiment carried out in CIMR.
- Information about university admissions.
Speakers include PhD students, research assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and group leaders. Each scientist will discuss their career background, current research topics and advice to students considering careers in science.
At the end of the three days, we will have a quiz with a top prize of £50 and two runner-up prizes of £25 worth of Amazon vouchers!
The event is aimed at students in Y12 and 13 attending state schools, with priority given to students who meet one or more of our additional criteria detailed on our website.
To find out more and apply for a place please look at their website:
Https://www.cimr.cam.ac.uk/reaching-research-2025
King’s College Regular Webinars
As in previous years, King’s College will be running monthly webinars on the following:
- An Introduction to Cambridge and how to Apply
- Super Curriculars and Personal Statements
These will be running once per month until September, with the first of these taking place next week (2nd and 5th June respectively). For the full list of dates, and the links to register, please visit our website here.
University of Oxford
University of Oxford website
Step by Step guide to applying to Oxford Read More
The Aim for Oxford Scheme, Aim for Oxford is a free-of-charge programme for Year 12 students attending state schools in the North East of England. Widening Participation, Read More & Apply
Oxford for North East contains useful information for students from the North East who might be considering Oxford University. Here you will find information about residential schemes as well as regional and online workshops Read More
The Oxford University Outreach, page can help guide you to the events being run by the University/Departments Read More
Parent/Carer session Tuesday 15 July
What: an online parent/carer session for those supporting a young person applying to Oxford or any Top Tier university in Autumn 2025, with Oxford for North East staff joined by students from North-East England who are studying at the University of Oxford.
Who: this event is particularly aimed at parents/carers of Year 12 state-school students in North-East England who are applying to Oxford, Cambridge, or other Top Tier universities for 2026 entry.
When: 6.00-7.30pm on Tuesday 15 July
Where: online (live, no recording available).
Links: see Oxford for North East parent/carer session 2024-25 registration to register, by 9am on Tuesday 15 July.
Open Days
Oxford University’s Open Days will be 2nd and 3rd July, 2025. Students are welcome to visit the University, its colleges and academic departments on either day.
Various colleges around the University will be offering free accommodation for students attending the Open Day, details of which can be found here: Open Day accommodation | University of Oxford
Our Open Days are the best place for students to get a first-hand experience of the University, so please do advertise to students who may be interested!
UNIQ
What As one of the most established programmes of its kind in the UK, UNIQ offers participants access to step-by-step online support as well as a residential based in an Oxford college. The programme is completely free and gives pupils the chance to meet Oxford academics, speak to current students and learn first-hand about the application process and what life might be like at Oxford.
Who Year12 state school students with good GCSE grades or equivalent from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford. Students can find out more about the programme and selection criteria on the uniq.ox.ac.uk.
When Dates to be confirmed.
Where This is an online programme of academic and application support with the opportunity for an Oxford residential experience in the Easter or Summer vacation of 2026.
Featured New Courses
Undergraduate Study – Duration 3 Years
Special and Inclusive Education prepares you to be a forward-thinking professional, with expertise in creating equitable learning pathways and opportunities for diverse learning profiles, including special and additional educational needs.
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Combined Honors in Social Sciences – allows you to create your own bespoke programme suited to your individual interests, strengths and career plans. You can choose up to 4 subjects within Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
Undergraduate Study – Duration 4 Years
Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power, participation, and resources.
Latest Opportunities
Medicine
Virtual Conference
Years 12 & 13
Medic Mentor – 22nd June, 9:30am – 3:30pm
This Free Virtual Get Into Medicine Conference provides a comprehensive overview of the application process, including the latest UCAT and Personal Statement updates for the 2026 entry. Dr. Kennedy and I will delve into each step of the medical application journey, covering areas like:
- UCAT Entrance Exam
- Exam techniques and sample questions from each UCAT section
- UCAT shortcuts and timeline
- Best UCAT preparation techniques
- Tactically choosing universities
- Reapplications into Medical School
- Medical school interview skills
- Medical Leadership Programmes
- Medical Awards Programmes
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience
- Applying for scholarships to study medicine
For Yr 12/S5 and Yr 13/S6 reapplication students and parents.Students must have a working camera, so that they can speak directly to doctors. Speaking to doctors is a compulsory requirement for applying to medical school, which can be discussed in their interviews. Students must also attend with a parent or guardian, so they are fully informed and can support more effectively during your students application, too.
Fashion
In Person Event
16+
Teeside University – Wednesday 11th June, 10:0am – 3:00pm
Students dive into the world of sustainable fashion. They learn how to style eco-friendly looks, create their own avatars and garments using 3D software, and discover how digital fashion can help reduce waste. They explore the process of prepping for a photoshoot, from selecting sustainable outfits to styling and setting up the perfect shot.
They get hands-on experience in both digital and real-world styling and learn how technology is transforming the fashion industry for a more sustainable future.
We can help with travel contributions for minibuses and coaches. Email sacirecruitment@tees.ac.uk to find out more.
English Literature
Online Interactive Session
16+
University of East Anglia – Wednesday 11th June, 2:15pm- 3:00pm
In this English Literature session, Dr James Wood, Associate Professor in Literature at University of East Anglia, will run an interactive talk for students on Frankenstein’s Families.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein raises fundamental questions about families. What is a family? What is the purpose of a family? Who is part of the family and who (or what) is outside it? Frankenstein’s vexed and strained families resonate with Mary Shelley’s own complicated relationship with the family into which she was born and with the family that she created with her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Psychology/Sociology
Online Interactive Session
16+
University of East Anglia – Thursday 12th June, 10:05am – 10:50am
Dr Ian Norman is Lecturer in Psychology at UEA and, on June 12th, will join us to look at Social Influence and, more specifically, Minority Influence, offering ‘An Applied Example of the Few Converting the Many’.
Using the real-world example of homosexuality, which went from being a criminal act in the UK in the 1960s to the legalisation of gay marriage in the 2010s, Ian will consider the mechanisms of minority influence and how they create changes to social norms.
Psychology
Online Interactive Session
Yr 11 & 12
Bangor University – Various dates
Explore the fascinating world of psychology with our exclusive free webinar series, brought to you by one of the UK’s leading psychology departments.
Whether you’re interested in a single topic or want to join them all, our webinars are tailored to fit your interests. Plus, you’ll get an opportunity to interact directly with our world-class academics during live Q&A sessions!
- Tuesday 17th June, 4:30pm – The Meaning of Life (and Other Words): How do our Brians Learn and Store Concepts?
- Tuesday 15th July, 4:30pm – Neuroethics
- Wednesday 17th September, 4:30pm – Reverse Engineering the Brain and Mind
- Wednesday 15th October, 4:30pm – Do Left-Handers Worship the Devil? What Science Says about Handedness and Brain Asymmetry
- Wednesday 19th November, 4:30pm – How Big is the AI Revolution?
- Tuesday 16th December, 4:30pm – Recreational Drugs and the Brain
Linguistics/Psychology
Online Session
16+
University of East Anglia, Wednesday 18th June, 4pm – 4:45pm
Talking Toddlers – The First Steps in Language Development
Believe it or not, newborn babies do not come with a ‘how-to’ manual on teaching them how to speak. So how do they do it?
In this interactive session, we will look at language development from a linguistic and psychological perspective to discover how children develop from babbling to talking. We will apply theory to practice and reflect on the role communication partners play in this process.
History
In Person Event
Yrs 12 & 13
Historical Association & University of Sheffield – Thursday 26th June
We are pleased to be hosting a Doing History at University event for students and teachers in partnership with the University of Sheffield — one of the largest, most active and successful centres for teaching and historical research in the UK.
The event on 26 June will introduce students to history at university. It will give them a better understanding of what it might be like before making an application and provide support on how to make them stand out in the application process. The programme for the day will include:
- 💡 Advice about admissions from the University of Sheffield
- 🪜 Making the transition from sixth-form to university history
- 🔍 What makes a great undergraduate historian
- 📝 How to make a UCAS application stand out
- 👩🏻🏫 A sample lecture from Professor Julie Gottlieb
- 👥 A sample seminar with Dr Miriam Dobson
- 💼 Support for those applying to universities with interviews
- 🧑🎓 A chance for students to meet current undergraduates
Spaces are limited, so book early to ensure you and your students join us in Sheffield on 26 June.
Physics & Maths
In Person Event
Yr 12
University of Leeds, Wednesday 9th July 2025
Campus Day Event
Take part in hands-on lab experiments, interactive workshops, and inspiring lectures in the School of Physics & Astronomy. It’s a brilliant chance to explore cutting-edge facilities, meet like-minded students, and see what studying physics at Leeds is all about.
All Subjects
Open Day Travel Support
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Northumbria University, Friday 27th June & Saturday 28th June
We understand that students would like to visit Northumbria for our upcoming Open Days in June, but there may be financial struggles which prevent them from doing so. We would like to offer visitors who live in a low participation neighbourhood (POLAR 4 Quintile 1 and 2) and are travelling from postcodes beginning with NE, SR, DH, DL or TS, to claim up to the value of £10 towards their travel costs so that they are able to attend the Open Days.
As a reminder, the Open Days will be held on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June.
All Subjects
Online Information Sessions
Yr 12
Edinburgh University – Various dates
We run a range of online events that you can access wherever you are in the world.
Our regular ‘Introduction to the University of Edinburgh’ sessions provide an overview of what it’s like to study with us, and the opportunity to ask questions. View the event details and book a session below.
As well as our regular sessions, from time to time we will run online events which are specific to a particular subject area. We will update those on our mailing list when booking opens for relevant events.
Oxford University
Enrichment Programme
Yr 7 to 12
Oxford University, Trinity College Beyond the Classroom
An online after-school academic enrichment programme featuring a series of mini lectures, taster sessions, academic skills talks and advice about preparing for university study and submitting a competitive application to university and the University of Oxford.
A certificate of participation from Trinity College, Oxford, for those attending 7 or more sessions!
Who: Any state school student in Year 7 to 12 interested in exploring learning across a broad range of themes and cross subject beyond the classroom and/or applying to Oxford.
When: starts Wednesday 5 March, concludes Wednesday 9 July, 2025. Where: Online via Teams.
Closing date: 8 July.
Medicine & Dentistry
Advice on Preparing for applications
Yr 12
Medical Schools Council – Preparing to apply
The Medical Schools Council recommend that students start preparing now for dentistry and medicine applications so that they have everything in place for this time next year.
Writing a personal statement for Medical School & Dental School
STEM
Residential Insight into University Course
Yr 12
EDT – June-August 2025
These are summer schools at various top Universities that run over 4 or 5 days where students get a taster of university life and an insight into a specific STEM subject. Students will get the opportunity to experience university style lectures and work on activities and group projects with the support of academics and student mentors. Students will stay in halls of residence and will take part in social activities in the evenings, so that they get the full university experience.
Useful Resources/Opportunities
All Subjects
On Demand Webinars
Yrs 12 & 13
UniTasterDays
These impartial videos have one key aim. To support students who are considering university to make informed future subject decisions. They feature guest speakers from a range of different universities, who are always experts in the subject being explored.
Dentistry
Online Resource
Yrs 12 & 13
University of Sheffield
This resource provided from the University of Sheffield gives an insight into the world of dentistry. Resource provided via the Futurelearn portal.
Medical Sciences
Online Lectures
Yrs 12 & 13
UCL
UCL have an online medical sciences lecture series which is free and open to everyone to get inspired.
Natural Sciences
Spotlight
Yrs 12 & 13
Durham University
At Durham, we actively provide our students with opportunities to develop attributes we hope they have by the time they graduate. One way in which we do this is through our excellent multi-subject degree programmes.
Explore our Natural Sciences webpages to discover whether Natural Sciences at Durham could be a good match for your students.