Progression Programme
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Welcome to the Progression Webpage – the events and courses listed here are intended to support your application to university and extend your learning beyond the classroom. Please remember, however, that there will be courses at other universities available, particularly outside of London. If you have any questions regarding the courses listed here, please e-mail Mr. Short
Public Lectures
These are held in a variety of locations throughout London and are an excellent way of engaging in your chosen degree subject. They are normally free but you may have to book in advance:
London School of Economics – normally held on weekday evenings, they are even available through podcasts if you are unable to attend. Most relevant for anyone considering Economics, Maths, Law, Philosophy, History, Politics or Sociology:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/Events
Gresham College - located in the centre of London they offer an impressive array of lectures covering a wide range of different subjects; please note that some lectures are held at other venues throughout the city. Recordings of past lectures you may have missed are also available through this website. Most relevant for anyone considering Art, Literature, Classics, History, Politics, Law, Maths, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology and Science
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/attend/
Royal Society – Science-based lectures delivered by leading experts in their field on subjects ranging from ‘Could an algorithm ever write music to rival Bach?’ to ‘Decoding the Mysteries of Neurodegeneration.’
https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/
Royal Institution – Science and technology based lectures held every week on subjects ranging from ‘How the Earth drives our evolution’ to ‘Making a material difference to green energy’.
http://www.rigb.org/whats-on
University College, London Lecture Series – their wide range of lectures and podcasts (including those delivered by the Bartlett school of Architecture) covering every subject area can be found here:
http://events.ucl.ac.uk/calendar/
Geological Society – their lectures are held twice on the same day, at 3pm and 6pm. Their extensive range of lectures can be found below:
University Events
There are a wide variety of universities who offer events aimed at prospective undergraduates, and these take place either during the day or during the evening. This list is extensive but there may be others held at other institutions not listed here which you may wish to attend, so remember to research thoroughly.
Highgate School Preparation Courses – If you are considering applying for Maths, Physics or Economics to a competitive university which requires you to sit an admissions examination, you should consider attending these afternoon sessions at Highgate school. Please see Mr Short for further details.
https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/support/chrysalis-partnership-teaching-support
Cambridge University Subject Masterclasses – These events, aimed at academically able students, include two lectures by leading academics to give you a taste of the challenging curriculum offered by this institution. Early booking is essential and may cost up to £20 (please see Mr Short if you wish to attend but currently receive the 16-19 bursary)
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/masterclasses
King’s College, London Medicine in Action Lectures - Sixth-form students from non-selective state schools can register to attend these lectures given by clinicians and KCL scientists, giving them the opportunity to talk to experts and encouraging them to broaden their knowledge of science and medicine.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/study/outreach/ks5/actionlecture.aspx
University College, London Taster Days - UCL Taster Days are 1 or 2-day events which are all subject-specific and are designed to give a "taste" of what it will be like studying your chosen subject at UCL. In 2019, UCL will be putting on Taster Days in the following subjects: Ancient World, Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, Management, & Security and Crime Science
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/taster-days
Queen Mary University, London – This university hosts a wide range of courses available throughout the year, covering programmes aimed at the following subjects: Law, Medicine and STEM. This webpage is updated throughout the year so ensure that you visit it each month to gain access to their latest programmes.
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/teachers/our-activities/outreach-across-qmul/
UCL Summer Challenge - Focuses upon offering evening programmes to students throughout June and July.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/year-12-summer-challenge
King’s Factor (Maths) - This is a unique maths after-school club, hosted by King’s College London, where Year 12 and 13 students are provided with an opportunity to enrich their mathematics in a challenging and supportive environment, bringing them together with other young people who have an enthusiasm for mathematics. Details of the 2019/2020 programme will be listed here when available;
hhttps://www.kcl.ac.uk/mathematics/outreach
King’s College, London MedView and DentView - Applications are now open for KCL’s MedView Easter Holiday programme; this is an excellent opportunity of learning more about entering the medical professions and guiding you towards a successful UCAS application in Year 13. The dates of the programme are Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th April 2019. Please use the following link to find out more: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/study/outreach/ks5/medview
University Activities Aimed at Students from Lower Income Families
King’s College, London MedView and DentView - Applications are now open for KCL’s MedView Easter Holiday programme; this is an excellent opportunity of learning more about entering the medical professions and guiding you towards a successful UCAS application in Year 13. The dates of the programme are Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th April 2019. Please use the following link to find out more: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/study/outreach/ks5/medview
Bristol University Summer Schools - Bristol is currently offering two summer schools Insight into Bristol and the Sutton Trust Summer School and will be recruiting over the coming months. These are completely free residential summer schools for year 12 students that come with admissions benefits – all students who participate will get a guaranteed, contextual offer/interview as long as they are studying the right subjects for their chosen course as well as a great insight into student life. The contextual offer is typically 2 grades below the standard offer.
University College, London Masterclasses – These are entertaining, hands-on sessions run by UCL academics and PhD students. You will get the chance to look around UCL, and you’ll meet current UCL students and other young people from across London. They will be held during the week of April 8th– 12th2019.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/masterclasses
LSE Choice - An outstanding summer school programmeaimed at Year 12 students who meet the eligibility criteria,followed by a series of Saturday lectures throughout Year 13. This programme covers History, Law, Maths, Sociology and Politics. Applications for 2019 entry open on January 21stand you should ensure that Mr Short advises you on your application before it is sent off
http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/widening-participation/Sixth-form-college/lse-choice-years-12-13
University College, London Target Medicine – This is UCL Medical School’s widening participation initiative aimed at raising the attainment and aspirations of young people from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education and medical school.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-school/partnerships-and-consultancy/target-medicine/mentoring-scheme
Queen Mary University, London – This university hosts a wide range of courses available throughout the year, covering programmes aimed at the following subjects: Law, Medicine and STEM. This webpage is updated throughout the year so ensure that you visit it each month to gain access to their latest programmes.
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/teachers/our-activities/outreach-across-qmul/
The Sutton Trust Pathways Programmes help young people from low or middle incomes to access careers in the leading professions. Each pathway offers a programme of support that may include careers events, mentoring, work experience placements and excursions. Particularly useful for students who are the first in their family to go to university. Currently there are exciting opportunities available in the following areas: Law, Coding, Medicine, Banking & STEM
https://www.suttontrust.com/browse-programmes/?wpv_view_count=9447-TCPID9823&wpv-programme-type=post-16-programmes&wpv-yearg-roup=0&wpv-programme-subject=0&wpv-programme-location=0&wpv-university=0&wpv_filter_submit=Search
Nuffield Research Placements - This programme providesover 1,100 students each year with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists (including quantitative social scientists), technologists, engineers and mathematicians
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements
Lloyds Scholars - A full package of support for students from low income families who have accepted offers from one of the scheme’s nine partner universities (Bath, Queens Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, UCL, Oxford, Sheffield and Warwick)
https://www.lloyds-scholars.com/
Social Mobility Foundation - APP City supports high achieving students from low income backgrounds across the UK from Year 12 into competitive universities, and the top professions. It is open to ambitious students from less privileged backgrounds in London.
http://www.socialmobility.org.uk/programmes/app-city/
University of Exeter Scholars, Year 12 Summer Residential - Exeter Scholars is a free programme giving you the opportunity to find out more about university, develop a passion for a chosen subject, and gain first-hand experience of student life at the University of Exeter. Applications for our Exeter Scholars Summer Residentials 2020 will open in March / April 2020. Information about the residential and the subject activity strands available will also be published at this point. If you would like to receive an email to notify you when applications open, please complete the Expression of Interest form by following this link.https://www.exeter.ac.uk/exeterscholars/apply/year12/nationwide/
University Summer Schools
University College, London Summer Schools - Every year, UCL runs a number of non-residential summer schools for Year 12 students attending state schools. They aim to give students a taste of university life and the degree programmes they offer. Applications will open in January 2019, and are open to those students who meet the eligibility criteria .
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/non-residential-summer-schools
Bristol University Summer Schools - Bristol is currently offering two summer schools Insight into Bristol and the Sutton Trust Summer School and will be recruiting over the coming months. These are completely free residential summer schools for year 12 students that come with admissions benefits – all students who participate will get a guaranteed, contextual offer/interview as long as they are studying the right subjects for their chosen course as well as a great insight into student life. The contextual offer is typically 2 grades below the standard offer.
LSE Choice - An outstanding summer school programmeaimed at Year 12 students who meet the eligibility criteria,followed by a series of Saturday lectures throughout Year 13. This programme covers History, Law, Maths, Sociology and Politics. Applications for 2019 entry open on January 21stand you should ensure that Mr Short advises you on your application before it is sent off
http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/widening-participation/Sixth-form-college/lse-choice-years-12-13
Sutton Trust Summer Schools – These take place at one of thirteen leading universities for students who meet the eligibility criteria. You will experience lectures and workshops with leading academics in this programme; all costs involved are met by the Sutton Trust. Applications will open in January 2019.
https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/
Oxford UNIQ Spring & Summer Schools – A highly regarded programme which allows over 1350 potential Oxbridge students to experience learning opportunities in a wide variety of courses at this university. Applications for 2019 entry open shortly and you should ensure that Mr Short advises you on your application before it is sent off.
http://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/courses
Cambridge University Summer Schools – These are delivered through the Sutton Trustand will introduce you to the depth and breadth of a Cambridge undergraduate course. The subject timetables are varied: you might undertake your own research project, participate in seminars, laboratory sessions or fieldwork, go behind-the-scenes at museums or test out Cambridge’s supervisions (specialised, small-group teaching).
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/summer-schools
Some Oxford and Cambridge colleges offer their own outreach summer programmes. Look for these via individual colleges, searching for ‘outreach’ or ‘widening participation’. Please check their websites regularly! Recently our students attended the Classics Summer School at Wadham College, Oxford as well as numerous other programmes at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
Imperial College London’s Global Summer School is an intensive two-week residential programme for the highest achieving students from across the world. Applications can be made from January 9thfor this inspiring programme
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/global-summer-school/
King’s College London Summer Schools – These summer schools are open to all students although they often charge a fee for you attending. It involves a week long programme of inspiring lectures and targeted advice. The full programme will be available shortly and the application deadline is normally in May.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/summer/summer-schools/pre-university/pre-university-summer-school.aspx
Queen Mary University, London – This university hosts a wide range of courses available throughout the year, covering programmes aimed at the following subjects: Law, Medicine and STEM. This webpage is updated throughout the year so ensure that you visit it each month to gain access to their latest programmes.
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/teachers/wp/post-gcse/#d.en.399304
Nuffield Research Placements - This programme providesover 1,100 students each year with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists (including quantitative social scientists), technologists, engineers and mathematicians
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements
University College, London Architecture Summer Schools
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/programmes/short-courses/bartlett-summer-school-2019
London Metropolitan University Summer Schools – their full programme for 2019 will shortly be available, and the link below will give you a taste of the types of programmes offered in previous years
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/school-programmes-and-outreach/summer-school/
University of Exeter Scholars, Year 12 Summer Residential - Exeter Scholars is a free programme giving you the opportunity to find out more about university, develop a passion for a chosen subject, and gain first-hand experience of student life at the University of Exeter. Applications for our Exeter Scholars Summer Residentials 2020 will open in March / April 2020. Information about the residential and the subject activity strands available will also be published at this point. If you would like to receive an email to notify you when applications open, please complete the Expression of Interest form by following this link.https://www.exeter.ac.uk/exeterscholars/apply/year12/nationwide/
Super Curriculum Learning
Leading universities will expect you to have extended your knowledge considerably beyond the remits of the A level syllabus. Here are a few suggestions of how you can make this happen:
My HE Plus - an excellent site where you can explore your subject beyond the A level syllabus – each different subject area has been designed by postgrad students and academics at Cambridge
http://www.myheplus.com/
Staircase 12 - a website dedicated to help you ‘read around’ your subject and thus demonstrate your ability to extend your knowledge beyond the A level syllabus – there are different recommendations depending upon subject
http://staircase12.univ.ox.ac.uk/
Hodder A level Review Magazines – this wide variety of publications covers the following areas and are available in the Hudson Library: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Geography, History, Politics, Law, Physics, Psychology, Sociology
Isaac Physics - a great website for helping you to solve Physics-related problems
https://isaacphysics.org/alevel
Why Not Chem Eng - a highly informative website for those students interested in applying for Chemical Engineering
https://www.icheme.org/education/whynotchemeng/
Clever Podcast- inspiring interviews with contemporary designers and architects
http://www.cleverpodcast.com/
Oxford University Help Page for Applicants - A superb collection of resources aimed at those students seeking to enhance their subject knowledge beyond the classroom which includes blogs, subject resources, recommended areas for study and interview guidance.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/increasing-access/ug-digital-resources/students-over-16
University Open Days
Before you book a university open day make sure that you have checked the entrance requirements for the course that you are interested in and that they match your predicted grades.
Most universities have open days on Saturdays. You should book these before you take time out of school to attend. There's no point knowing all about your prospective university if you miss out on the learning that will get you there. You are allowed up to three days absence from school in order to attend open days. These should be taken in the last two weeks of the summer term which is when most of the midweek open days are scheduled. Your attendance at these must be approved by your Director of Studies before you go.
Opendays.com has a complete timetable and booking system.