Reserving a place
The 2-day programme costs £180. All food and drink are included, but participants need to make their own transport arrangements. Accommodation is not included.
Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Bursary Spaces
We have free bursary spaces available for those students who meet 1 of the following criteria:
- first generation to Higher Education and you attended a lower-performing school, check your school status for eligible schools
- free school meals at any point during your secondary school education
- being a young or young adult carer
- living or grew up in local authority care
- living in an area with a postcode which falls within the lowest 20 per cent of Index of Multiple Deprivation or IMD Quintile 1, check your postcode
We offer students the chance to apply for a bursary place for the Lifelab Summer School through an online form. Please complete the form and a member of the team will get back to you in the spring.
For bursary placements, we shortlist applications together in April and again in May.
LifeLab Summer School - FAQs
The Summer School is full, can I be added to the reserve list?
Once the summer school is full, we’ll start a waiting list. If you’d like to join it, please email LifeLab@soton.ac.uk. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The summer school runs every year, so you can also register to be the first to know when applications open next time.
I don’t live near Southampton, can you help with accommodation?
Accommodation is not provided for the Summer School. We are based at Southampton General Hospital (SO16 6YD) and there are plenty of places to stay nearby and in the city centre, which is about a 15-minute bus ride away.
I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
If you let the team know at least 2 weeks before the event starts, we can arrange a refund for you. After that, please contact the LifeLab team and we’ll do our best to help. Refunds after this point are not guaranteed and depend on whether your place can be filled.
How do I secure a bursary place and what does it include?
There are 10 bursary places available for the summer school. These are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To apply, you must:
- meet the eligibility criteria (see the website for details)
- provide a teacher’s contact and reference
- write a short statement explaining why you would like to be considered
If awarded a bursary:
- you will not pay the attendance fee
- you can claim up to £100 towards travel costs (travel only, not accommodation)
- accommodation is not provided
A bursary can only be awarded once
I’m in Year 8, can I attend?
Unfortunately not, this event is for students studying in Year 9, 10 and 11 only.
Is there anything similar for students in Year 12 or Year 13?
Yes! We have opportunities for students in Year 12 and 13 including Experience Medicine with LifeLab Online and Widening Access to Medicine Taster course and Virtual Work Experience.
Is there funding available for travel to the hospital?
Funding is only available for those students who obtain a bursary place.
Is parking available?
Yes. Paid parking is available at the hospital, but it can get very busy. There is also a drop-off option and some parking in the surrounding area. More details will be included in your joining pack.
Where should my child meet you?
On day 1, student ambassadors will meet summer school attendees in the hospital foyer. Full instructions on how to find LifeLab will be included in your joining pack.
What should I wear to the summer school?
Please dress appropriately for a professional work experience setting.
You should wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up. You should not wear open-toe shoes or ripped jeans or hoodies.
Can I bring my phone?
Yes, but you will not need it during the course. Valuables can be left in the lockers securely at LifeLab.
Can I bring a friend?
Only students who have secured a place can attend the summer school.
I have a dietary requirement, will suitable food be available?
Yes, we will support all dietary requirements where possible.
Does attending the summer school count towards contextualised admissions?
If you secure a bursary place, the summer school counts as one intensive activity.
