Year 10 Summer School FAQ

The summer school is your opportunity to find out what it's like to live and learn as a university student. Through taking part in the summer school, you will be able to:

• Visit and explore our campus, and meet current staff and students
• Better understand what university is about and why people go
• Explore a range of university subjects
• Make informed choices about your future and what to do when you leave school
• Meet and work with students from different schools
• Develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence  
• Have fun!  

The programme is targeted at gifted and talented young people from less advantaged backgrounds who are likely to have little or no knowledge of higher education, but who have the academic potential to consider future progression to university. Students must be in Year 10 at the time of application and meet specific criteria to be eligible to apply. 

You can apply directly on our website. Once you’ve applied, your school coordinator will review your application and send it to us. Two weeks after the deadline, we’ll contact all students to let them know if their application has been successful or not.  

We are following the latest government guidance as well as University policy relating to COVID-19. Our campus is an open site and place of work and study for students and staff members from both the UK and overseas. Although all staff and students have been encouraged to take up the vaccination, we cannot guarantee that every individual on campus will be fully vaccinated. We advise sensible precautions for instance, regular hand washing and adhering to social distancing guidance where possible. At present, all visitors are asked to wear masks when moving around inside buildings. These can be removed when seated, for instance when listening to talks or lectures or kept on if that is your preference. We will update you if any specific regulations change before you’re the residential but if you have any questions about the University’s COVID-19 policies, then please do ask. 

We are running three summer schools in 2022 running across the dates below.Different subjects are available across the dates whilst all other content remains the same.

DISCOVER, Sunday 10 July – Tuesday 12 July 

On this subject stream, sessions are likely to include Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Biomedical Science, and Biology. 

EXPLORE, Sunday 10 July – Tuesday 12 July

On this subject stream, sessions are likely to include Business, Psychology, Law, Engineering, and English. 

ACHIEVE, Wednesday 13 July – Friday 15 July 

On this subject stream, sessions are likely to include Sports Science, Medicine, Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, and Sports Coaching.  

We do understand that for some of you this will be the first time you have been away from home on your own. We aim to make your stay here at Birmingham as enjoyable and fun as possible. It is bound to feel a bit strange at first, and if you are feeling homesick, talk to your ambassadors (current university students) or the other residential staff. We are confident that by the end of your stay, you will have really enjoyed the experience and will want to stay longer!

No, you are unable to attend for one day and by applying, you are registering for the full programme. Make sure you double check your family have not booked a holiday or you have any trips with school when you are applying. The summer schools will take part during school time and your school will be monitoring your attendance.

No. The residential is for the Year 10 students selected onto the programme only. Unfortunately, parents and carers cannot attend due to the focus being on the Year 10 students.  

Everyone who is attending the summer school will have signed a Code of Conduct. Therefore if someone does go against this, discussions will take place and if necessary, a decision will be made about whether to send the participant home or back to school. We will also communicate with the school of the pupil to discuss the situation.

The University has its own security section that monitors the campus 24 hours a day. At the halls of residence, there is CCTV, electronic access control and a member of staff on site at all times. 

You’ll have your own en-suite bedroom within a corridor of our student accommodation.  A student ambassadors will also stay on your corridor and be on hand throughout the night if you are to have any issues.

Yes. A travel expenses form will be available once you are at summer school, which asks for details of your travel arrangements to the University and the costs incurred. You need to keep any receipts or train tickets that are used, so that we can verify the travel expenses you are claiming. Once everything is confirmed, the money you are claiming for will be paid directly into your bank account. If coming by car, we will pay a cost towards the petrol so please record your mileage. We are unable to pay for transport by taxi unless there are special circumstances, which must be discussed with us in advance.

Most students coming won’t know anyone else either and we plan our programmes to help you get to know everyone quickly. On arrival, you will be put into a group with around nine other students and two student ambassadors, who are there to help you settle in and answer any questions you might have. Our first afternoon is all about getting to know you, with plenty of activities to help you feel at home. 

Your enthusiasm first and foremost! You will only need to bring clothes for the day and comfortable shoes. On the second evening we will have a party so you can dress up if you want, but if you don’t want to that’s also fine! You will not need to go out and buy any new clothes though. We will provide bedding, toiletries, and towels as well. You will need to bring anything personal and anything you will need for an overnight stay such as a toothbrush.  

We do cater for any dietary requirements such as vegetarians, vegans and students who require Halal food. Please make sure you have informed us if you have any specific dietary requirements and/or food allergies prior to the event starting.

All meals, refreshments and social activities during your stay are provided free of charge. You may wish to bring a small amount of money to buy something extra from the campus shop. 

Parents are invited to attend the parent information evening on Tuesday 28 June 6 – 7:30pm. This event is held on campus and is a great way for parents to find out more about the programme, meet the staff and understand what their child will gain through taking part. Refreshments will be provided for all guests. More information will be sent to you via the email address provided on the application form.  

If your child has been invited to apply for the programme, please complete the application form with them, checking the information carefully before they submit.

Once on the programme, they will be sent further information by the summer school team, so please encourage them to read and complete the form as soon as possible. At the start of the event, encourage them to get involved with all the activities and opportunities presented on the programme. Reminde them that the more they get involved, the more they will gain from the programme.

After the event, sit with them and reflect on their thoughts and explore what they have learnt further.  

All meals, snacks, and academic and social activities during their stay are provided free of charge. You may wish to provide a small amount of money for your child to buy something extra from the campus shop. 

No. The summer school is for the Year 10 students selected onto the programme only. Unfortunately, parents and carers cannot attend due to the focus being on the Year 10 students.  

Participants will be supervised at all times by the University’s Outreach Team - responsible adults who have years of experience working with young people and have all been police Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. Academic sessions are run by University staff who are experienced tutors with relevant qualifications. There will also be specifically trained summer school Student Ambassadors with the groups at all times, who have also been police Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.

You will be able to contact us on a 24-hour number that will be given to you before the residential begins.