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
2026 application timeline (UCAS website)
2027 application Timeline (UCAS website)
Clearing – from 2 July – 19 October 2026
- Find out more about the clearing process from the UCAS website
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.
NOW OPEN! – 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!
- Applications Open – Aspiring Professionals Programme
Applications are open to Year 12 students for the 2027 Aspiring Professionals Programme cohort! Offering in-person and virtual presentations to schools, starting the week of the 21st September through late November. Find out more by visiting the Aspiring Professionals Programme website. Closing date: Friday 11th December at 12pm.
- Edward Thomas Essay Competition for Year 12 and 13 – Win £100 and boost your UCAS form by writing a close reading of Edward Thomas’s poem “Roads” – Closing date: Monday 30th November, 5pm
Oxbridge Focus
Featured New Courses
New Business course for 2027 entry
The University of Leeds is introducing a new Undergraduate Business course for 2027 entry:
BSc Business and Intelligent Technologies
Entry requirements: AAB including Mathematics
A future-focussed degree that blends business and technological insights, preparing you to lead, innovate and manage in a rapidly evolving digital world.
This one-of-a-kind programme is taught in English from the heart of Paris.
Our BA in International Politics, with or without a French option, focuses on the practical aspects of international politics in contemporary society while giving you a unique chance to live and study in the French capital, allowing you to gain invaluable international experience and graduate with a renowned University of London degree.
Join us in powering the next generation of space innovation.
Our new BEng Aerospace Satellite Engineering course has been developed by world-leading academics and industry partners to equip graduates with the key skills required to work and thrive within the rapidly growing space sector.
Students will have the opportunity to build comprehensive technical and transferable skills, utilising our state-of-the-art labs. You will also become part of our North East Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), a £50 million investment with partners including the UK Space Agency and industry prime Lockheed Martin UK Space.
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.
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.
Latest Opportunities
Psychology
Webinar (Year 12)
Psychology: Online Identities & Social Media
Monday 21st September, 2:15pm – 3:00pm
Social media plays a huge role in how we connect with others, present ourselves, and make sense of the world around us. In this interactive workshop, students will explore some of the key psychological theories that help explain online behaviour, from self-presentation and social comparison to the ways we interact with others in digital spaces.
As students begin to think about university, careers, and other exciting opportunities beyond school, we’ll also consider the role social media can play in shaping future opportunities. Through discussion and activities, students will reflect on their own online presence, think about what kind of digital identity they want to create, and explore both the benefits and potential pitfalls of life online.
Along the way, we’ll look at why things sometimes go wrong on social media and how a better understanding of psychology can help us navigate the online world more effectively.
Economics/Business
Webinar (Year 12)
Economics/Business: Understanding Financial Markets – Why They Matter to the Economy
Tuesday 22nd September, 12:45pm – 1:30pm
Financial markets are at the heart of the modern economy, helping to channel funds from savers to borrowers, support business investment, facilitate government borrowing and influence economic growth. But how do these markets actually contribute to the functioning of an economy?
In this session, we will explore the role of financial markets and the ways they enable households, firms and governments to access finance. Through real-world examples, we will examine how stock markets, bond markets and other financial institutions facilitate investment, allocate resources and support economic activity. We will also consider the importance of liquidity, risk management and confidence in maintaining efficient markets.
Drawing on contemporary events and case studies, the session will provide students with a deeper understanding of why financial markets are essential to the operation of national and international economies, and why economists and policymakers pay such close attention to them.
Designed for A-level Economics and Business students, this session directly supports the study of financial markets while offering some real-world applications.
Webinar (Year 12)
Think Tank – Cutting Edge University Perspectives & Debate with UEA and University of Reading
Tuesday 22nd September, 4:15pm – 5:15pm
Think Tank is a series of interdisciplinary online events for 16+ pre-university students, engaging academics and students in debate. We tackle some of the pressing national and global issues being faced today.
Our panel of academics each have 5 minutes at the beginning of the session to outline the key issues, as they see them, relating to The Oil Industry.
Ahead of the event, we invite students to submit questions and arguments HERE (SurveyMonkey website) within the overall session theme which, following the introductory inputs from our academics, are then either posed by the student themselves or by the host, depending upon each student’s preference.
The academics will then share their perspectives with plenty of opportunity for students to engage in the discussion. The event will progress in a similar way to ‘Question Time’.
Woven into the discussion, the speakers are encouraged to shed light on how undergraduates engage in these critical issues during their studies.
Engineering
Online session (16+)
right4me Engineering – General vs Specialism with University of East Anglia and Glasgow University
Monday 28 September · 4:00pm–500pm
A number of competing factors determine whether a general or specialised engineering pathway is right for you. In this talk, we will explore how to plan your pathway into the engineering profession by managing your own needs with those from industry. We will use our undergraduate engineering courses at UEA to illustrate this – here it is only after the first year that you need to decide about which pathway to choose: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering with Management or Engineering with Entrepreneurship.
This presentation will explore the wide spectrum of study options available at Glasgow, each leading to distinct career paths in exciting engineering fields, including Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, and address the questions that many students have when considering an Engineering degree.
Psychology/Neuroscience
Webinar (16+)
Psychology/Neuroscience: Brainspotting – The Anatomy of the Brain Behaviour & Psychological Processes
Wednesday 30th September – 11.10am – 11.55am
A number of competing factors determine whether a general or specialised engineering pathway is right for you. In this talk, we will explore how to plan your pathway into the engineering profession by managing your own needs with those from industry. We will use our undergraduate engineering courses at UEA to illustrate this – here it is only after the first year that you need to decide about which pathway to choose: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering with Management or Engineering with Entrepreneurship.
This presentation will explore the wide spectrum of study options available at Glasgow, each leading to distinct career paths in exciting engineering fields, including Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, and address the questions that many students have when considering an Engineering degree.
Physics
Webinar (Year 12)
Physics: Explosions in Space – The Sun’s Bad Days! – Thursday 24th September, 1:35pm – 2:20pm
Modern life depends on satellites that allow navigation and communication, and on the power infrastructure that keeps everything running. But what if that all collapsed overnight? What could cause that? What would the effects be?
In this presentation, we will see how the Sun on a bad day could cause such blackouts. And we’ll look at how we try to forecast the Sun and space weather to keep our technology safe.
Criminology
Webinar (16+)
Criminology: Cybercriminals – Offender Motivations & Behaviours
Thursday 1st October – 12.15pm – 1pm
With an increasingly digitally connected world, there has been a rapid rise in the amount of information being shared online, alongside the myriad of ways in which we conduct ourselves across our personal and professional lives. In turn this has increased the attractiveness for individuals, groups, organisations and nations to use cyberspace for more nefarious purposes.
Cybercriminals seek to exploit users for personal, financial, ideological and other gains. Cybercrimes range from everyday cybercrimes (e.g. digital piracy, bullying, online fraud), through to (semi) organised crime groups conducting ransomware attacks and Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS), and nation-states seeking to conduct campaigns of espionage and sabotage.
This talk will introduce cybercriminals and their activities, before drawing upon theories of cybercrime from criminology and beyond to explain offender motivations, behaviours, and ways in which they may be challenged.
Literature/Theatre/Classics
Webinar (16+)
Literature/Theatre/Classics: Sophocles’ Theban Plays in the 21st Century: Tragedy, Politics & Adaptation
Monday 5th October – 12.45pm – 1.30pm
In this session, we will explore Sophocles’ Theban plays, which are among the most influential and popular dramatic texts of all time. Focusing on Antigone in particular (but also drawing on Oedipus the King), we’ll first explore Sophocles’ approach to tragedy: what makes his protagonists and their fates tragic? What is the essence of Sophoclean tragedy?
We’ll then explore the plays from a contemporary perspective, considering ways in which modern adaptations, such as Kamila Shamsie’s recent novel Home Fire (2017), have restaged their tragic conflicts within different political and cultural contexts. We’ll thereby gain an insight into the ways in which these classic texts can still compellingly speak to us and to our contemporary moment.
Geography/Politics
Webinar (16+)
Geography/Politics: The Geopolitics of the Arctic
Tuesday 6th October – 2.15pm – 3pm
In recent years the Arctic has been in the news like never before. Since re-taking office in January 2025, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of the self-governing Danish Territory of Greenland – a move which Greenlanders oppose, and which would torpedo US alliances across Europe. Meanwhile, Russia is investing hugely in ports and infrastructure on its northern coast, anticipating that these waters will become increasingly navigable as global temperatures rise due to climate change. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO, contributing to the increasing militarisation of the high north. And although not an Arctic state, China has declared its interest in the region, and has begun to forge alliances and partnerships with Russia with a view to ensuring it is not left behind.
Why has the Arctic suddenly become such a prominent site of geopolitical competition? What role is it likely to play in shaping global-political futures? And what can we learn from the Arctic about international affairs more broadly? Dr Alister Wedderburn, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Glasgow, will explore the past, present and future of Arctic geopolitics in pursuit of answers to these questions.
Politics
Webinar (16+)
Politics: Rights in the UK – Past, Present, Future
Wednesday 6th October – 1.35pm – 2.20pm
In this live, interactive Politics session, we will be joined by Toby James, Professor of Politics & Public Policy in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies at the University of East Anglia, who will explore Rights in the UK – Past, Present, Future.
Demands and protests for human rights have been historic moments in UK history. The suffragettes marched for voting rights for women, winning full equality at the ballot box in 1928. The Chartists demanded fair elections throughout the nineteenth century. Long before that, the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 protected the right to trial by jury.
But today, there are common criticism of human rights. Why? Are those concerns legitimate? Should we all have human rights in law?
The session will consider:
- What are human rights? How is it related to democracy?
- How do we guarantee that they are upheld?
- The history of human rights in the UK
- Arguments for and against why human rights laws should be changed.
Politics
Webinar (16+)
Prevent What? Contemporary Issues in Terrorism and Counter-radicalization
Thursday 8th October – 10.10am – 10.55am
Recent cases of mass violence and public protest raise questions about the definitions we have for terrorism in the UK.
This session will consider some areas of controversy such as the classification of the Southport killings, and the Palestine Action protests and prosecutions. These cases can illustrate both the definitional process, and the policy framing of terrorism to provide reflections on why it continues to be such a difficult phenomenon to cleanly describe.
We will briefly consider the government’s key counter-radicalisation strategy ‘Prevent’ and what it tells us about how competing rationales and lack of conceptual clarity generate new problems in pre-emptive policy responses.
Film
Webinar (16+)
Film: When the Woman Directs – An Introduction to Female Filmmakers, from Alice Gu Blache to Chloe Zhao
Monday 12th October – 1.30pm – 2.15pm
This session will explore the world of women directors, looking at their foundational presence at the birth of cinema, as with Alice Guy Blache, director of the first fictional narrative film in 1896, right through to their present-day triumphs across a range of international film, like the Chinese-born filmmaker Chloe Zhao’s Best Director Oscar win.
Some of the questions we will address in this session will include: why have women traditionally been outnumbered by men in being directors, and why, despite some improvements, is this still the case? How has the work of women directors been understood by critics and historians, and how have female filmmakers been visually represented, in different time periods and national contexts? Do you think women’s films are different to men’s? How do women directors reflect upon their situation and try to build careers for themselves, in spite of the problems they must often overcome?
Medicine
Online Lecture (15+)
Mini Medical School 2026 – Various Dates, Thursday 5th November to Thursday 10th December, 5pm – 6pm
Open to anyone aged 15+, this free online lecture series offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from Newcastle University experts about the latest advances in health and medicine.
- Thursday 5th November – Paediatric Research at Newcastle
- Thursday 12th November – Bugs and the Bowel: Gastroenterology
- Thursday 19th November – Research in Surgery
- Thursday 26th November – The Case of the Pregnant Patient with Leukaemia: How Doctors Approach Impossible Decisions
- Thursday 3rd December – Human Movement Science: Measuring Balance to Prevent Falls
- Thursday 10th December – Applying to Medicine
Psychology
Webinar (16+)
Psychology: Experiencing Live Research Design as a Participant Before Following Project Progress & Research Outcomes – Seminar 2
Wednesday 11th November, 11.10am – 12pm
Seminar 2: Research Hypotheses, Identifying Gaps in Our Understanding & Our Methodological Approach
In the research project, we will characterise different elements of social behaviour during this developmental period (late adolescence) and explore how they can be influenced by different factors in our daily lives. We will look at the interplay between individual traits (internal factors) and external environmental factors on shaping social behaviours that are key for our role in society. Further details will be made available to teachers in advance and full details will be revealed to participating students in Session 2, once the research task has been completed.
To find out more and book (Channel Talent Website)
Contact Sixth Form if you need a space to join this webinar.
Professional Policing
Webinar (Year 12)
Routes into Professional Policing – Thursday 19th November, 5pm – 6:30pm
Thinking about a future in Policing?
Join us for an informative and inspiring event to discover how a Professional Policing degree can prepare you for a rewarding career.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the Professional Policing degree. This includes course content, learning opportunities, and the wide range of career pathways it can support. This event is an excellent opportunity to hear from our expert academics, all of whom have extensive policing experience. You’ll learn how studying at university can help you:
- Build knowledge, confidence, and professional skills
- Prepare to enter the workplace, by gaining a strong platform for future success.
This session will give you a clear insight into what a Professional Policing degree can offer and how it can support your long-term career goals. It’s ideal whether you’re exploring your options after college or considering a career change.
Various
(Yr 12 & 13)
Various Opportunities with the University of Leeds
- Autumn Open Days – Saturday 3 and Saturday 17 October 2026
- Autumn Online Events – Book now to secure your spot at one or more of our online Undergraduate support events. Throughout September and October focussed on helping you navigate starting university.
- Access to Leeds applications opening soon Access to Leeds is our contextual admissions programme for UK undergraduate applicants. It offers additional consideration for applicants based on their personal circumstances.
Medicine and Health
Virtual Session (Yr 12 & 13)
Medicine and Health Taster Sessions: Various dates
Bangor University’s College of Medicine and Health is delighted to invite you to our upcoming series of free online Taster Sessions – a programme of live lectures designed specifically for students exploring their options ahead of university.
Sessions are available across the following subject areas:
Sport Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Nursing, Midwifery, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, Psychology, Health and Social Care
These sessions offer students the chance to:
• Hear directly from Bangor University’s leading researchers and academics
• Get a genuine feel for university-level study in medicine and health
• Ask questions live during dedicated Q&A segments
• Attend from anywhere – no travel required, and no commitment to attend every session
Registration is completely free, and students can sign up for as many or as few sessions as they like. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to deepen your subject knowledge, build confidence, and make more informed decisions about your future studies.
All Subjects
Online Information Sessions (Year 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 (Year 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
Languages
Poetry Prize
Calling all young translators! Bring creative translation into the classroom this summer with the Stephen Spender Poetry Prize 2026. Translate ANY poem from ANY language, or a Polish poem for the Polish Spotlight. Free entry for all UK and Irish schools, for pupils of all ages!
Cateogries include the Individual Youth Entry (ages 18 and under, and ages 14 and under).
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.