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.
- 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
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
Featured New Courses
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.
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.
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.
Latest Opportunities
Selected Subject Areas
Summer School
Y12
Bitesize Uni – Summer School – Applications now open and close on 27th March 2026
This free Year 12 Summer School gives students the opportunity to stay on campus, try out a degree subject they’re interested in and take part in the fun social activities.
Areas on offer:
- Medical Sciences
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science
- Agriculture
- Engineering
Computer Science
In Person Workshop
Yr 12
ByteBuilders: Your Future in Computer Science – Wednesday 4 February 2026 & Wednesday 11 March 2026, 9:45am – 2:30pm – St Peter’s Campus
Students can take part in interactive hands-on workshops, and also learn about the exciting careers opportunities available in the field of computer science.
Join our expert academic staff who will guide your students through a series of hands-on workshops including:
Zumo Wars
In this fun-packed workshop your students will learn to programme an Arduino-controlled mini-robot to take part in a sumo-style battle. Students will:
- Experiment with changing values to alter motor speeds and turning durations to customize the robots’ fighting style.
- Learn basic microcontroller programming and see how the robot uses its sensors to detect the edge of the fighting arena.
- Analyse the impact the changes have on the behaviour of the Zumo robot and ultimately how it performs in the competitive arena.
- Face each other in a battle to see if they can fight their way through multiple rounds all the way to the Grand Final of the tournament to become the Ultimate Zumo Wars Champion
Hack the Web
Have you ever wondered how secure websites really are? This session will introduce you to different website vulnerabilities such as directory issues, authentication and injection attacks. You’ll then be given the chance to force your way into a series of websites, with each one being more secure as you progress through the challenges!
Criminology/ Psychology
Webinar
Yr 12 & 13
Inside the Mind of a Killer – How Criminal Profiling Really Works – Monday 9th February, 12:45 – 1:30
When a violent crime is discovered, the most unsettling question is not what happened… but why.
Intense, thought-provoking, and psychologically rich, this talk offers a rare insight into how investigators attempt to understand human behaviour at its darkest point – and why the greatest danger in any investigation is believing you already know the truth.
Mathematics/ Computer Science
Webinar
Yr 12 & 13
The Mathematics of Cryptography – Monday 9th February, 4:30pm – 5:15pm
How can you whisper a secret across a crowded room without anyone else understanding? This is the fundamental problem of the internet. In this interactive session, journey through the evolution of secrecy, starting with the classical ciphers used by Roman generals and moving to the complex mathematics behind modern cybersecurity.
Dissect the arithmetic of RSA encryption to see why factoring integers into prime numbers protects your credit card, and uncover how drawing lines on special curves is all that protects Bitcoin from being hacked. Join us to visualise group theory, modular arithmetic, and the cryptographic structures that keep our digital world from collapsing.
Sociology
Webinar
Yr 12 & 13
Masculinity & Contemporary Society – Growing Up Masculine: Offline Spaces, and Social Change – Tuesday 10th February, 1pm – 1:45pm
This session explores the cultural environments and activities associated with young men, connecting them to themes in Sociology. We’ll examine how ideas of masculinity circulate through peer cultures and physical spaces, as well as what happens when those physical spaces shrink and disappear.
Politics
Webinar
Yr 12 & 13
Political Thinkers and their Relevance Today – – Tuesday 10th February, 2:30pm – 3:15pm
In this Politics session, Dr Alexander Brown, Associate Professor (Reader) in Political and Legal Theory in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies at University of East Anglia, will run an interactive talk for students entitled Political Thinkers and their Relevance Today – John Stuart Mill and John Rawls.
This session explores the theme of free speech by comparing the philosophies of John Stuart Mill and John Rawls and applying these theories to contemporary debates.
Journalism
Webinars
Yr 12 & 13
The Journalist’s Toolkit – Thursday 12th February, 4:15pm – 5pm
What does it take to be a journalist in the digital age? You might be surprised at some of the new (and old) things you need in your toolkit.
Journalism is changing fast, each year a new set of skills are required to do the job, and we have to be ready to adapt to them.
From smartphones to cameras and from curiosity to people, skills, in this session, we’ll look at some of the practical skills you can develop as well as the all important mindset approach.
Exploring Law
Online Course
Yrs 12 & 13
Exploring Law: Studying Law at University – Study in your own time. Last enrolment 9th March.
This online course has been developed by the University’s Faculty of Law to help students decide whether law is the right course for them. The course is hosted on the FutureLearn platform.
Learn the basics of law, explore fascinating issues in depth, develop key skills, and hear first-hand from university law students and inspirational figures from the world of law. Free enrolment gives access to the course for six weeks.
There are six weekly modules, and to get the most out of the course, students should aim to spend around 4 hours on each module.
Health & Social Care
Visit Days
Yr 12 & 13
Health & Social Care Visit Days – Thursday 12th February to Wednesday 8th July
Health and Social Care visit days offer students the opportunity to explore the various healthcare courses on offer. Meet our academics, who through a number of subject taster sessions, will bring their courses to life. They will also get the chance to speak to our current students and have a tour of our campus and clinical skills facilities. Finally, students will hear from admissions staff, who will go through the application process.
- Thursday 12th February
- Wednesday 11th March
- Wednesday 6th May
- Thursday 11th June
- Wednesday 8th July
Policing
Online Event
Y12 & 13
Routes into Policing – Thursday 12 February 2026 – 6pm – 7pm
Thinking about a future in policing? Join us for an informative and inspiring event that shows how a Professional Policing degree can prepare you for a career that makes a real difference.
Join us online for an insightful and engaging session designed for students interested in a career in policing, for an in-depth overview of the academic pathways available, including course structure and career opportunities.
This event is an excellent opportunity to hear from experts in the field, each with a professional policing career behind them.
Medicine
Webinar
Yr 10 – 12
So You Want to be a Doctor? – Friday 13th February, 5pm – 6pm
An opportunity to join a relaxed and informative webinar featuring two medical students and a doctor, who all come from backgrounds currently under-represented in the medical profession.
Chatting honestly about their journed in to medicince, what medical school is really like, and what they wish they’d known earlier. There will also be the opportunity to ask our speakers some questions, which we hope will help you decide whether a future career is a doctor is right for you.
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.
Psychology
Webinar
16+
Psychopathology – Sleep as a Target for Improving Mental Health – Monday 2nd March, 2:15pm – 3pm
Sleep problems are remarkably common, with difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting enough quality sleep. There is now good evidence that poor sleep doesn’t just make you tired – it can affect your mood, increase stress, make it harder to concentrate, and contribute to more serious mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and psychosis.
This talk will explore current research in this exciting field, looking at how we sleep, why sleep matters so much for mental health, and the innovative ways scientists and clinicians are using sleep interventions to help us thrive.
Education
On Campus Event
Y12 & 13
Exploring Education, Childhood and learning – Wednesday 4 March 2026 – 9:30am – 3pm
Join us for an interactive on-campus event for students interested in studying Primary Education, SEND, Education Studies or Childhood Studies at undergraduate level.
Built around the theme of World Book Day, the event offers a taste of university study through a range of engaging, hands-on workshops led by academic staff. Students will explore how stories, literature and debate shape learning, childhood and education, all in a fun, creative and thought-provoking environment.
Where – University of Sunderland – St Peter’s Campus
Students wishing to attend should get permission to be absent from lessons from Sixth Form office.
English
on Campus Event
Y12 & 13
Lets Start a Novel – Wednesday 4 March 2026 – 12:30pm – 3pm
Ever wondered how to start writing a novel?
Beginning a novel can feel daunting, no matter the genre. Most writers start with a clear structure and plan before putting pen to paper. They need to think about the main storyline, compelling characters, and even those surprising plot twists that keep readers hooked. Where will the story be set? Will some of the side characters have their own arcs?
Where – University of Sunderland – St Peter’s Campus
Students wishing to attend should get permission to be absent from lessons from Sixth Form office.
Criminology
on Campus Event
Y12 & 13
Where can a Criminology Degree take you? – Wednesday 18 March 2026 – 1pm – 3:30pm
Are you interested in crime, justice, and how society responds to offending? Curious about where a Criminology degree could lead you after university?
This event is designed for anyone who is considering studying Criminology at undergraduate level and wants to explore the exciting range of careers and opportunities the subject can offer.
You’ll gain an insider’s view of what it’s really like to study the subject, from the topics you’ll explore to the skills you’ll develop and how these can shape your future career. Whether you’re interested in working in criminal justice, policy, research, charities, or beyond, this event will help you understand how a Criminology degree can open doors.
Where – University of Sunderland – St Peter’s Campus
Students wishing to attend should get permission to be absent from lessons from Sixth Form office.
Biology/Health
Webinar
16+
The Role Of The Ear In Vision & What Happens When This Goes Wrong – Thursday 5th March, 2:15pm – 3pm
You will know that ears are important for hearing and balance, but you may not know that they are important for seeing too.
In this session, we are joined by Dr Daniel Rowan, Lecturer in Audiology at University of Southampton, based in the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research. Daniel will to explore how your ears stabilise your vision (and balance) during head movement via an amazingly fast and accurate neurological reflex, as well as the most common cause, and associate effects, of that going wrong (rotating eye syndrome).
We’ll cover the recent developments in medical and DIY treatment and discuss why some patients continue to have symptoms of dizziness even when the cause seems to have been cured.
This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in Biology, Medicine, Audiology, Psychology and Physics to develop your knowledge about the ear, its components and functions, whilst connecting with the latest research and advances in medical treatment.
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.