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.
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) aims to encourage students to aspire to have professional careers / go to university. The students they support are from backgrounds where financial disadvantage might make this more challenging or where their family’s experience of education and employment might mean they are less likely to do so. 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. Applying early allows them to concentrate on their studies in the coming months, knowing when they start university, they’ll have their money in time to start their course. Students should apply for student finance based on their first-choice (Firm) course and university. They can easily change this before their studies. The most important thing is to get the application in!
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.
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.
Psychology
Online
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
Various
Scholarships
Widening Participation
Year 13
Leeds University – Scholarships, application deadline 12pm on Monday 2nd June
Applications for one of our undergraduate scholarships for UK students are now open. Students who have applied for an undergraduate degree starting in September 2025 and have a household income which meets our criteria, could be eligible for a scholarship worth £3,000 for three years.
Students can check if they are eligible and find out more about the application process by visiting our website.
Economics
Interactive Talk
Year 11+
University of Leicester – Two dates, see below
Explore the current state of the UK economy against a number of economic indicators, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), inflation, interest rates, unemployment and balance of payments. Compare the current UK economic performance against other economies before looking at current economic forecasts, such as those from the IMF and OECD.
- June 4 @ 10:10 – 10:55 Economics: Current UK Economic Performance – Leicester (16+) Find out more
In another highly topical talk, if you haven’t already signed up or shared, Professor Emiliya Lazarova and Professor Corrado Di Maria join us on Thursday to offer an economic analysis of the Heathrow Airport expansion.
- May 15 @ 14:10 – 14:55 Economics: Heathrow Expansion – An Economic Analysis – UEA (16+) Find out more
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
Interactive Talk
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.
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
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.
Oxbridge Focus
- University of Cambridge Website
- University of Cambridge Events Page
- 22nd October 2024 – My Cambridge Application Deadline
Think Cambridge Webinar Series
Think Cambridge 2025 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 27 January to 31 January 2025. 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 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
- Applications are now open for 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 website uniq.ox.ac.uk.
When From April 2025 through to point of application in Year 13.
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 2025.
- Oxford Opportunities
Opportunities from the Oxford for North East colleges
North East Residential
What Free travel and accommodation to enable you to join us for our University Open Day on Wednesday 2 July 2025.
Who Year 12 students in state schools across North-East England.
When Coaches will leave the North East on the morning of Tuesday 1 July, leaving Oxford for the return journey on the morning of Thursday 3 July.
Where in colleges and departments across Oxford, staying at one of three colleges.
Links Applications are open now at North East Residential application and will close at 12 noon on Friday 11 April.
St Anne’s College Super-curricular Club
What St Anne’s Super-curricular Club is a series of online academic taster sessions aimed at Year 12 students who want to broaden their academic interests and gain insight into university-level research and undergraduate-style teaching. Each taster session will be one hour long and will introduce students to our researchers’ work, and what this subject area might be like to study at Undergraduate level.
Who Year 12 UK state school students who would like to get a taste of their subject at this level and learn from an Oxford University academic!
When 4.00-5.00pm on Thursdays, from 20 March to 22 May.
Where online
Links To register please follow this link.
Christ Church Women in PPE Programme
What Christ Church is offering a ‘Women in PPE’ programme, with a study day scheduled for Tuesday 27 May 2025 and online admissions-related workshops after the event.
The study day will include an introduction to Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Oxford, taster sessions in each strand of the course, as well as an opportunity to ask questions to our PPE tutors directly. The participants will have a chance to meet students who study PPE at Oxford, have lunch in the Christ Church Hall, and go on a tour of the College. Participants are automatically eligible for our online admissions test workshops, interview workshops, and accommodation at the September Open Day (if living far from Oxford).
Who Year 12 UK women who would like to get a taste of PPE at Oxford.
When Tuesday 27 May 2025, followed by online admissions workshops.
Where Christ Church, University of Oxford – then online
Links You can see further details and apply at Christ Church Women in PPE.
Other University of Oxford Outreach Opportunities
Choosing Oxford – Our annual online Choosing Oxford student conference
What Our four-day online conference offers you an ideal opportunity to find out more about applying to Oxford, course information and the support available for students while studying here. If you’re not sure if Oxford could be for you, the Choosing Oxford conference will allow students, teachers and parents to hear from experts, chat to current students.
Who for prospective applicants hoping to apply in 2025. There are events for teachers, too.
When from 4pm daily on Monday 17 to Thursday 20 March 2025.
Where online
Links see the full conference schedule and register at Choosing Oxford.
An extensive list of current advertised University outreach opportunities can be found from this web page:
All Current Advertised Outreach Opportunities
University Personal Statement Plan