Masterclasses 2023

Our popular masterclass programme provides school students in Years 10-13 with fun, engaging and interactive insights into what it's like to study at a selective university.

Our masterclasses are designed primarily for school and college students in Years 10-13, although this year we are also offering a small number of classes for Years 7-9. The sessions provide fun, engaging, and interactive insights into a range of subject areas, and offer an opportunity to understand what it's like to learn at a selective Russell Group University. 

What will students gain?

Our expert academic and research colleagues lead sessions on a range of subjects and topics, from politics to engineering to dentistry. Pupils take part in activities, workshops and lectures which will advance their understanding of a particular topic, invigorate their interest in the subject area and motivate them to pursue further study in the field.

Masterclass programme

All masterclasses take place on the University of Birmingham campus. Masterclasses last around two hours and run on Wednesday afternoons 13:00 - 15:00 from Wednesday 8 February to Wednesday 22 March 2023.

Please click on the subject tabs below for further details about the masterclasses we are offering in 2023.

How to book a place

For pre-16 classes, we accept school bookings only and teachers can request places for a group. Teachers must accompany pre-16 student groups. For post-16 classes, we accept school group bookings or bookings from individual Year 12 and 13 students. Students who book their own place are responsible for ensuring they have the relevant parental and school/college consents to attend a masterclass.

There is a separate booking form for each class which is accessed from each masterclass description. Many of the classes have capacity limits which are indicated in the class details. Some classes may fill up quickly, so we will update the masterclass pages as soon as possible when a class has reached capacity and is closed for bookings.

Please note that where demand for a masterclass exceeds the number of places available we may need to reallocate places to students who attend our West Midlands based partner schools. If this does need to happen we will contact those affected as soon as possible.

How we confirm your place(s)

Please note that we have changed our booking process this year so if we are able to offer you the place(s) you have requested, you will receive immediate email confirmation. We ask all attendees to make their own way to and from the class location, where you will be met by a student ambassador and the staff member leading the class. If a class is full, you will receive notification that you have been added to a waiting list and we will contact you if places become available.

Non-attendance and cancellation of masterclass places

If you are unable to attend a masterclass you have booked places on, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing masterclass@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Your place(s) can then be offered to other students. Many of our classes require a certain number of students to run, and late cancellation or non-attendance can have a negative impact on the experience for other students. Please give us as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend a class.   

Masterclass Code of Conduct

Please read our code of conduct to see the requirements and responsibilities of attendees at our masterclasses.

Contact us

If you have a question about the masterclasses, please email masterclass@contacts.bham.ac.uk.