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
UAT Admissions tests – Apply by 19th December for the next round of tests in January. See Featured Notices below for more information.
Oxford UNIQ programme – Applications open 15th December 2025. See Oxbridge Focus below for more information.
- UCAS Key Dates Timeline for 2025 and 2026 Applications.
- 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.
- 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!
Featured Notices
Aspiring Professionals Programme by Social Mobility Foundation – 2026 Applications are now open! Support while applying for universities, degree apprenticeships and help navigating the professional world. Eligibility criteria applies. Closing date Friday 12th December at 12pm.
UAT – UK admissions tests
UAT-UK offers three different admissions tests for entry into top UK universities including UCL, University of Cambridge and ICL
- ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)
- TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for University Admission)
- TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission)
Upcoming Test Dates:
ESAT: 6th/7th January 2026
TMUA: 8th/9th January 2026
TARA: 12th/13th January 2026
Make sure you book by 19th December 2025
Find out More on the UAT website (external URL)
UCAT Essentials
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK and partner Universities to help select applicants to their medical and dental degree programmes.
Find out more on the UCAT Website (external URL)
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
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
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 15 December 2025 to 13 January 2026
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.
Apply to UNIQ here
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
English Literature/
Theatre
Webinar
16+
“I Am Not What I Am” – Remixing, Rewiring, Rewriting Othello – Monday 8th December, 3:35 pm – 4:30 pm
What makes us return to the words of William Shakespeare again and again? In this workshop, we’ll explore that question through the lens of Othello, one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated and controversial plays.
Although Othello deals with serious subjects that still resonate, the play has been reworked by many artists seeking to make it accessible through comedy and popular culture.
This workshop invites you to discuss and compare such examples of Shakespearean adaptation from hip-hop remixes to sketch comedy. We’ll also profile the casting of a black actor as the villain Iago in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2015 production, analysing how the play’s opening scene was staged.
You’ll have the chance to produce your own mini-Othellos in a freewriting exercise, where you’ll inhabit a character from the play and respond to various prompts designed to help you bring them to life for new audiences.
All Subjects
Experience Days
Yr 11, 12 & 13
Subject Experience Days – Multiple On Campus Dates
Subject Experience Day, explore available outreach events designed to strengthen learning skills, spark subject interest and grow confidence. Just a few of the courses that have good availability,
- Sociology – Thursday 4th December
- Engineering – Thursday 4th December
- Computing – Wednesday 10th December
- English (Year 11s) – Monday 19th January
All Subjects
Campus Event
Yrs 12 & 13
University of Sunderland – Monday 8th December
Multiple events in a variety of subject areas, both on campus and online.
On Campus Events
- Euthanasia Debate – Monday 8th December, 10 am – 12:30 pm Booking Link (JotForms)
Chemistry
Webinar
16+
Isotopes, Analysis & Unlocking the Past – The Chemistry of Archaeology – Monday 8th December, 10:05 am – 10:50 am
This session encourages students to ask questions and think critically about how chemistry can be used beyond the lab – in fields like archaeology, forensic science, and conservation.
Biology/Medicince
Webinar
16+
Meeting The Challenge of Antibiotic & Antimicrobial Resistance – Tuesday 9th December, 2:05 pm – 2:50pm
Considering a combination of overconfidence, misuse and bacterial mutation, we will cover the various systems that microbes have developed to fight against antibiotics as well as the ways that human activity has exacerbated the problem. Despite the clear threat, we will talk about things that can be done to contain the problem as well as the research that is being carried out across the world to fight this resistance.
All Subjects
Programme
Widening Participation
Yrs 12 & 13
Leeds University – Leeds Futures – Applications Opening Soon
Leeds Futures is a national outreach programme designed for individual learners in Year 12 / Year 1. It provides students with the opportunity to learn more about a subject area they are interested in pursuing at university, whilst developing their study skills and careers awareness.
- For Leeds Futures Health Sciences (Dentistry, Medicine, Healthcare and Psychology), applications are now open and close on Sunday 23 November 2025. To find out more on how to apply, click on the subject link you are interested in.
- Applications for all other Leeds Futures programmes will open on Monday 24 November 2025 and close on Sunday 1 February 2026.
Your are able to express interest to receive email reminders for this programme. Priority places will be given to students that meet eligibility criteria.
Sociology
Webinar
16+
Sociological Research Methods in Education: What ‘Works’ In Educational Research & How Do We Know? – Wednesday 10th December, 1 pm – 1:45 pm
Supporting Sociology students studying research methods in Education, as well as those with a more general interest in Education and Teaching to ask What ‘Works’ in Educational Research and How Do We Know?
Psychology
Online Interactive Session
Yr 11 & 12
Bangor University – Tuesday 16th December, 4:30pm
Recreational Drugs and the Brain
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!
Environment
Programme - online/in-person
Widening Participation
Yr 11 & 12
Leeds University Futures programme – Application Deadline Sunday 1st February 2026.
Our national outreach programme, Leeds Futures – Environment, is designed to inspire Year 12 students who are interested in studying a degree related to geography, geology, earth sciences, environmental sciences, or geosciences.
Running from March in Year 12 to December in Year 13, the programme comprises a series of online sessions, as well as two in-person visits to the University of Leeds campus. On the programme, students will develop their subject knowledge through a series of academic taster workshops, allowing them to experience teaching from academics in the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment, and speak to current undergraduate and postgraduate students. The programme also includes activities that support skills development, insight into life as an undergraduate student, and support with university applications.
Sociology
Programme - online/in-person
Widening Participation
Yr 11 & 12
Leeds University Futures programme – Application Deadline Sunday 1st February 2026.
Our national outreach programme, Leeds Futures – Sociology, is designed to inspire Year 12 students who are interested in studying Sociology and Social Policy at university.
Running from March in Year 12 to December in Year 13, the programme comprises a series of online sessions, as well as two in-person visits to the University of Leeds campus. On the programme, your students will develop their subject knowledge through a series of academic taster workshops, allowing them to experience teaching from academics in the School Sociology and Social Policy (SSP). The programme also includes activities that support skills development, insight into life as an undergraduate student and support with university applications.
Politics
Programme - online/in-person
Widening Participation
Yr 11 & 12
Leeds University Futures programme – Application Deadline Sunday 1st February 2026.
Our national outreach programme, Leeds Futures – Politics, is designed to inspire Year 12 students who are interested in studying Politics, International Development and International Relations at university and support them to gain a place at the University of Leeds.
Running from March in Year 12 to December in Year 13, the programme comprises a series of online sessions, as well as two in-person visits to the University of Leeds campus. Students will develop their subject knowledge through a series of academic taster workshops exploring the ‘politics of global challenges’. The programme also includes activities that support skills development, insight into life as an undergraduate student and support with university applications.
After taking part in the programme, eligible students will receive a guaranteed contextual offer from the University of Leeds if they apply for the BA Politics, BA International Development or BA International Relations courses in the School of POLIS.
Applied Animal Science
Experience Day
Yr 12
Animals Experience Day – Wednesday 4th February, 10 am – 3:30 pm
From Applied Animal Science to Zoology, this is your chance to experience the A-Z of animal-related subjects at Harper Adams University.
Open to anyone considering studying:
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- Applied Animal Science
- Veterinary Bioscience
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Nursing
- Veterinary Physiotherapy
- Wildlife Conservation
- Zoology Routes
Surverying & Land Agency
Experience Day
14+
Land and Property Management Experience Day – Wednesday 18th February, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Careers in surveying and land agency are exciting, challenging, and creative.
They suit those who enjoy talking and listening to other people understanding their problems and coming up with solutions that fit their needs and budget.
This is a free event for 14-to-19-year-olds to experience land and property management courses at Harper Adams University.
Surveyors and land and estate agents are, essentially, negotiators so our degree course will help you to develop this essential skill, as well as project management, communications, and understanding the issues affecting potential clients.
As a student you will learn about valuation, land and property law, auctioneering, construction and surveying, property marketing, renewable energy, compulsory purchase, and utilities.
Agriculture
Experience Day
16+
Agriculture Experience Day – Tuesday 24th March, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Whether you’ve been raised on a farm or want to break into the sector, careers in agriculture are many and varied and here at Harper Adams University, we’ve been educating future agricultural leaders for almost 125 years!
Join us on 24 March 2026 to experience first-hand what it’s like to study an agricultural degree at Harper Adams, and discover the methods behind us delivering so much fresh talent to advance the food production industry.
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.
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
Competitions
English
Competition
Yrs 12 & 13
Edward Thomas Fellowship Essay Competition
Our Year 12-13 essay competition is an excellent opportunity for students to critically analyse a single poem in a short essay, deepen their understanding of early twentieth century poetry as well as enrich their UCAS application. There is a £100 cash prize for the winning submission and £50 each for the two runners up, amongst other prizes.
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.