For those interested in conservation, there are field course opportunities at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, one of Britain's most famous rewilding sites. This summer they are inviting students to join them for field courses (either 1 or 2 weeks in length) which are aimed at giving a head start into careers in UK conservation as well as building a great practical skill set. Students will be taught the foundations of the R statistical package and learn techniques for surveying a range of different flora and fauna. Find out more here and reserve your place using this link. 

In2Science Chemistry and Psychology work experience placements within Cardiff are still accepting new student applications. 

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; This month, Professor Victoria Baines will address human issues in the IT sector in Cybersecurity for Humans and the representations of cyber threats. Professor Raghavendra Rau will look at the hot topic of AI in Business. In Do We Need the Police?, Professor Leslie Thomas KC will weigh up the state of and alternatives to a police force. By considering The End of the Universe, Professor Katherine Blundell OBE will the examine the critical implications of the expansion of the universe.

Delving into more Unexpected Mathematical Lives Professor Sarah Hart looks at The Mathematical Life of Florence Nightingale by exploring the importance and legacy of her work. Continuing his fascinating series All The World's A Microbe, Professor Robin May will imagine A Microbial Future by proposing how microbes may be the solution we need to venture beyond Earth. Finally Professor Myles Allen will discuss How the World Agreed on Net Zero.  For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here.

General advice

Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni. 

Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar. 

To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering.

Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website,

Lots of Summer School opportunities are coming up. Use the links here to see whether you meet the criteria. I only highlight the Summer Schools which are free so be aware that there are other opportunities which would involve a cost; look for those on the university websites. 

UCL Summer schools

Southampton Summer school

Gloucester Summer School

Bath Summer School

Birmingham Summer School

Imperial London

UWE Bristol have an Upcoming Open Day - Saturday 10 June, 09:00-15:00

From subject-specific talks to sessions on accommodation, fees and funding and the application process. It’s a really good opportunity for you to explore their campuses, chat to students and staff and see for yourself what it’s really like to study there. Find out more and register here. 

They also have spaces available on their upcoming subject taster days, which are designed to inspire and support you with your future career and progression choices. Please visit their website for full itineraries of each day. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Widening Access team.

Education, Primary Education and Early Childhood Studies

• Thursday 8 June - Frenchay Campus

Accounting & Finance, Law, Marketing, Business & Management and Team Entrepreneurship

• Tuesday 13 June - Frenchay Campus

Art and Design (including Fine Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Fashion Textiles, Fashion Communication and Interior Design)

• Wednesday 28 June - City Centre Campus

Health and Social Care (including Nursing [adult, learning disability and mental health], Midwifery, Radiography, Social Work and Occupational Therapy)

• Friday 30 June - Glenside Campus

Aberystwyth University is organising a new FREE five-day residential programme designed to promote equality of opportunity for students in Wales by offering support to those who have the potential to enter Higher Education and succeed. Access All Aber is for Year 12 students who hope to progress to higher education next year.  The programme will be held from lunchtime on Monday 10^th to Friday the 14^th of July, in Neuadd Pantycelyn, on the main Penglais University campus.  The aim is to give students a taste of university life and an introduction to what is on offer at Aberystwyth.Here is the link for the application form, and the deadline is next Friday, 19 May 2023. Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Cardiff University AS Physics Summer School

Applications for Cardiff Universities 3 day non-residential Y12 Physics Summer Programme (19-21 June 2023) are open. Further information can be found on their website.

They also have  Open Days coming up on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July.

Newcastle University has a series of Open Days coming up. Book your event here: 

The University of Sheffield has online subject taster sessions to help students experience what it is like to study there. Register here. 

Next Steps for Y12 Conferences 2023

Join representatives from the University of Exeter, University of Bath, Cardiff University, Keele University, Lancaster University and the University of Warwick to find out more about applying to, and studying at, university. Please complete the form here and select the events you wish to attend to register your place. Date - 10th June.

Bath University is now accepting applications for both of these free-to-attend residentials.

Discover Bath

The students who completed the Discover Bath residential programme last year had early offers which were lower by one grade than the offers for most applicants. 

Discover Bath is a 3 night summer residential for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds and aims to give prospective students a taste of first-year life and study at Bath. Discover Bath is free, including on-campus accommodation, meals for the duration of your stay, a programme of academic sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops) and fun social activities. 

Discover Bath is available to all Year 12 students who are academically able to study at Bath in their chosen subject and who meet our widening participation criteria.

Applications are now open via their website.

Bath Sports Summer School

Their Sports Summer School is a 2 night summer residential for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds who want to learn about competitive sport at Bath and gain experience of studying at Bath as an athlete. This event is free-of-charge, including on-campus accommodation and meals for the duration of your stay.

Applications are now open via their website.

Swansea University has a series of subject-specific webinars designed to support you as you begin thinking about which subject/s you might want to study at undergraduate level. Book your place on one here. Other opportunities they currently have:

• Their Head Start webinars focused on Student Life. Have a look at the programme here. 

Cardiff Met have a series of Open Days and Campus tours available:
https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/study/opendays/Pages/default.aspx

The PwC Virtual Insight programme is a 3-day experience (Monday 24 July - Wednesday 26 July 2023), designed to give students in Years 11-12 an insight into PwC: their lines of service, their culture, the work they do and how you can join them as a school leaver - roles in Consulting, Tech, Tax and Audit will be covered by this programme.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with PwC employees and ask questions so that you can make informed decisions about your next steps. They’ll provide application insight and guidance too, equipping you with the skills you need to thrive in the workplace. Further information, including full eligibility criteria can be found in the link here. 

The deadline to apply is next Friday, 19 May 2023. 

RAF Apprenticeships are now open. Their upcoming webinar which will highlight the opportunities available. Register here. 

Deloitte's ASPIRE programme: Deloitte’s ASPIRE program is your chance to see how different career paths align to your unique talents and strengths. Register your interest here.

• Use the website here to explore Degree Apprenticeships
• Use the website here to explore Degree Apprenticeships
• Network 75 offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities as well; use the link here: 

Network 75