Easter STEM Work Experience taking place on Wednesday, 12th of April from 9am-3pm. The event is with 4 FTSE Engineering and Science based firms; Spectris, Malvern Panalytical, HBK and Servomex. Spectris are a FTSE company and own all the other science and engineering-based companies; collectively they operate in over 30 countries, employ over 7,500 people globally, and have generated a revenue of over a billion pounds as of 2022. Each of the companies Spectris owns specialises in a very specific areas of science and engineering and during this work experience day you will get the opportunity to take part in workshops and network with each of their companies. Apply here. 

NHS Allied Healthcare Work Experience is coming up on Sunday 2nd April. Whether you’re  considering nursing, medicine, or any other healthcare profession, this work experience gives you valuable insight to help you make an informed decision. During the work experience day, you follow 2 patients from their initial presentation to recovery, getting an insight into how patients interact with a variety of healthcare professionals and what it’s like to work in an NHS multidisciplinary team. This includes: Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy and Pharmacy

You will have the opportunity to interact with healthcare professionals throughout each day. Once you’ve registered, you will be emailed links to a virtual work experience portal. Register here.  Be aware there is a £10 a session to cover administrative and technological costs.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Youth Summer Volunteering programme (16-25) Dates: 24th July to Friday 1st September (6 weeks)

Visit their webpage for more information on this 6 week volunteering programme using the link here.  Closing date for applications is tomorrow, Tuesday 28th March. 

You don’t have to be interested in a career in the NHS or medical profession to volunteer on this project. They are interested in young people from all walks of life who are looking to volunteer during the summer and are reliable.

The programme can help you to develop your communication, teamworking and problem-solving skills and it will also boost your confidence as you move through the various areas and volunteer roles.

• The volunteering duty is two hours per shift, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays (your times and days will be allocated to you and may not be the same every week).

• Successful applicants will be allocated their two slots at either University Hospital Wales or University Hospital Llandough. You therefore must be able to get to either Hospital site and be available on those times during the week. We will do our best to make sure that you volunteer in pairs throughout the whole programme.

• YSP volunteers are required to attend for the duration of the 6-week programme unless illness or other agreed absence prevents attendance.

• At the end of the programme volunteers will receive certificates and a reference.

• There will be opportunities for you to continue volunteering after the programme end date and these will be outlined towards the end of the programme.

The In2science summer programme is a free programme for Year 12 students consisting of an in-person work experience placement, live online workshops and competitions. By taking part, students gain hands-on experience working with leading scientists, researchers and professionals, and expand their personal and professional skills.

You can learn more about the In2science summer programme on their website and submit an application form. The deadline for all applications is this Friday 31 March 2023 and students must meet their eligibility criteria in order for your application to be considered.

The Nuffield Research Placements for Year 12 - Summer 2023. Over the years several of our students have completed the Nuffield placement and Laibah from Yr 13 won a £1000 prize for her report this year. Be aware there are eligibility criteria. The closing date is this Thursday 30th March 2023: Link to get more information and apply: Apply 

• Nuffield are particularly looking for Year 12 students who meet at least ONE of the criteria below to apply:

• From a household with an income of less than £30,000

• Receiving free school meals or have done in last 6 years

• Receiving EMA

• Living or have lived in social care

• First in your immediate family to participate in higher education

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; March’s lectures include: Professor John Mullan will be looking at Historical Fiction and why Georgette Heyer is so undervalued; Professor Myles Allen will examine the Carbon Cycle Behind Net Zero, Professor Leslie Thomas KC asks, Does the Adversarial System Serve Us Well? and IT Professor Victoria Baines will look at Defeating Digital Viruses: Lessons from the Pandemic. 

Professor Robin May will look at the fascinating ways that Microbes Manipulate Life - which may even make us want to re-evaluate the concept of free will. Professor Katherine Blundell will be speaking on The End of Life on Earth. Finally Professor Marina Frolova-Walker will discuss Famous Chords. They have the first lectures in a new series on archaeology, a series on engineering, and an art history series.  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

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

There is a big Discover University of Reading Science event at the Clayton Hotel Cardiff on 3rd April. There will be taster lectures from academics, University students to chat with, and more general university sessions. Sign up 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.

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. 

• A Sociology and Social Policy Webinar. Use the link here to register. 

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

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 

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