Please see below for the exciting new Work Insights programme ‘Discover Finance’ which will take place in the February half term (w/c 24th February 2025) in Cardiff. 

The programme brings together multiple employers from the financial services sector, giving Year 12-13 students the opportunity to visit 3 different employers in the sector, under one cohesive 3-day work experience. Discover Finance aims to broaden student’s understanding of the financial services sector, helping them to identify which areas interest them, whilst developing skills and networks with 3 top employers. Students will undertake group workplace projects and receive feedback on them. They will also have access to mentoring with employees post programme and support to apply for early careers roles/apprenticeships. 

Students have until mid-January to apply.

Please note: this programme has social mobility criteria and is aimed at the following students: 

• You have been, or are currently, in local authority care. 

• You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals or Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). 

• You are, or have been, a full-time or part-time carer. 

• You came to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker. 

• The occupation of your main household earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation.  

• You grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended University. 

To apply, fill out this short application form with your details and why you would like to take part in the programme. They will let you know if your application has been successful by the end of January 2025. 

The Medical Schools Council acknowledges virtual work experience as an equal alternative to in-person shadowing based on a discovery report conducted by Health Education England. Students interested in medicine to participate in a FREE National NHS Virtual Work Experience programme. They offer a variety of medical specialties, with a focus this month on palliative care. This enables students to gain a well-rounded perspective of working within the NHS.

Developed in collaboration with Birmingham Universities Hospitals Trust, this Virtual Work Experience has proven to be transformative for thousands of secondary school students over the past year. It also provides a strong foundation of knowledge for students who are preparing to undertake future in-person placements. They have designed a 6-month medical e-learning work experience programme, focusing on one specialty each month, allowing students to set their own pace of learning. From structured teaching to direct interaction with doctors and healthcare professionals, their programme ensures students not only observe procedures but also gain a broader understanding of roles within the medical field.

Covering everything from confidentiality and ethics workshops delivered by the GMC to clinical procedures, the virtual work experience provides a crucial overview, thereby enhancing students’ UCAS applications.

Signing up is easy –  just fill out the online application form:

Northeastern University London is inviting competition entries from students who are currently in their penultimate year of secondary education.Their selection of essay titles engage across a broad range of technology, social science and humanities topics and they are keen to accept entries from talented and intellectually curious students who show passion in their subject area. Have a look here for more details. 

The Sutton Trust still has places open for some of their courses. All courses are completely free to attend. From work experience to employability skill sessions to ongoing university and apprenticeship application support, you’ll get the opportunity to build your CV and immerse yourself in the possibilities of your future career.

Check here:Sutton trust

In2STEM is a programme offered by In2ScienceUK which empowers young people to achieve their potential in STEM. The 2025 programme is free and matches Year 12 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds with STEM professionals. The experience provides students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their future. 

The programme consists of:

• A one or two week in-person work experience placement

• Online skills, employability and careers workshops

• Public engagement competitions

• Student inductions and celebration events

• A bursary to cover travel and lunch costs

Interested students can apply by filling in the Application Form by 2nd February 2025. Students must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be shortlisted.  

Programme activities will take place between 21st July - 22nd August 2025. Students will be provided with a bursary to cover travel to any in-person events, travel to their work placement and lunches.

Find out more and apply here. 

UEA offer a comprehensive programme of online taster lectures, open to all

Taster days are a great way to see if you like a subject and it can help with your UCAS application next year. Register here

There’s a fantastic opportunity with the organisation tutor2u who are offering a new Free Online Course for all Sixth Form students. The course includes a mix of videos, engaging activities and resource downloads and covers:

• An overview of the options for students beyond their time in sixth form

• Finding out more – suggested research links

• Advice on how to make strong applications to higher education institutions

• How to complete an effective personal statement

• Specialist higher education applications (including Oxbridge, medicine etc)

• All about apprenticeships

• Gap years

• Student finances – a practical guide

Use the link here to register: Studentshttps://ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/beyond-sixth-form-skills-booster

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. January’s lectures include:

Who’s Afraid of Robots? Professor Victoria Baines, today, Tue, 07 Jan 2025, The Modern Goddess Professor Ronald Hutton, Wed, 08 Jan 2025 Writing a British Constitution Prof Clive Stafford Smith, Thu, 09 Jan 2025 Science-Based Targets, Greenwashing and Brownscraping: Net Zero in the Private Sector Professor Myles Allen, Tue, 14 Jan 2025 Touching the Sun Professor Chris Lintott, Wed, 15 Jan 2025 [Nb. later start time: 7pm]

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.

The University of Reading’s Priority Application for the 2025 Reading Scholars Scheme is open. As a Partner School, our pupils are invited to apply for their Scholars Programme as soon as possible. You can find out more about the academic strands for their residential programme here, and by reading the Reading Scholars Booklet for 2025 - your LC will add it to GC. 

Priority applications will run for two weeks, after which applications will open to all non-fee paying schools and colleges in England and Wales. They will prioritize applications that are submitted from eligible students at partner schools which are made in this priority application window. Therefore, if you like the look of the programme, apply as soon as possible.

Your home postcode is the most important aspect of eligibility – if you fall within WIMD Quintile 1 postcode areas, you will be eligible for the programme. WIMD Quintiles in red are Quintile 1 postcodes. You can check their own postcodes here or ask your LC/me to help you.

You can apply using this link.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 20th of January 2025 but I would encourage you to apply sooner rather than later as applications received in the first two weeks will be given priority when allocating places on the scheme.

Bangor University has a good series of free online lectures from The School of History, Law and Social Science. These lectures are tailored for students thinking about studying at University. Designed to give you a taste of what it's like to study at University level, they are a great way to get to know a subject area better and get a taste of what's to come as well as add to your supercurriculars.

Use the link here to register and book. 

Cardiff University has their ‘Discover Cardiff’ webinar series: this is an ongoing webinar series aimed at students looking to apply to university. Students are welcome to attend as many sessions as they like with new topics regularly being added to the schedule.

Cambridge University

Here are some super curricular opportunities from Cambridge; they are for all students, not just prospective Cambridge applicants.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

You might also want to check out the advice given on the ‘Better uni choices’ site which has some helpful tips on how to get the best out of attending Open Days. 

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

Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/  and also the different events they have on offer https://schools.uptree.co/events/ 

Network 75 

PwC has more information for potential accountants, business management or technology students interested in degree apprenticeships with them. Use the link  here to find out more