Learn with US Year 10 Summer School | University of Southampton

Tuesday 12 July – Thursday 14 July 2022

What is the Learn with US Summer School?

A brand-new addition to our programme for 2022, the Learn with US Summer School is a three-day, two-night residential where you will immerse yourself in university life and experience what it’s like to study at a Russell Group University.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience our world class facilities, stay in our halls of residence, and get involved with taster sessions. Through the Learn with US Summer School we aim to provide you with a real taste of university life.

Successful applicants will:

Have an authentic experience of university life from an academic to a social/personal perspective.
Be connected with current university students who will share their own journey to higher education and give you the opportunity to ask the important questions you want answered.
Gain an insight in a the wide range of study and research options open to you at University and advice on the pathways you can follow to access those opportunities.

Is this for me and what will I do?

At this stage of your academic journey, you’ll likely be considering your next steps and how these decisions impact access to a degree programme. It can feel a little overwhelming, but through a series of sessions, we can help to inspire those decisions.

Southampton offers a broad range of subjects with 309 undergraduate study programmes across 65 subject areas, and during the summer school you have the chance to explore a broad range of topics and identify the areas that interest you most.

Above all else, we want students to come and have an enjoyable experience at our university, particularly considering the difficulties of the past couple years. The university experience goes beyond the qualification you receive. It’s an opportunity to meet new like-minded people, find and develop new interests and to provide an environment where you can grow personally, academically and professionally.

Taster sessions: learn more about the range of subjects on offer at university from our programmes within science, technology engineering, maths through to our arts and humanities subjects. You will initially be exposed to sessions across these disciplines before choosing a pathway to explore further.

Research Project: Research is an important part of university study, so get ready to investigate, probe and explore a research topic. This will underpin your main project and will be accompanied by lectures and seminars delivered by our world-class academics.

Campus Tour: a chance to really picture yourself at university by exploring our vast range of facilities, lecture halls and social spaces. You’ll get to discover Highfield Campus’ rich history and explore of our Hartley Library, Valley Gardens, Jubilee Sports Centre and some of our working labs!

Social Activities: dive into the social side of university by mixing with other Summer School students in and around campus including our own students’ union, SUSU. With over 300 sports and activities available to take part in, there’s something for everyone with taster sessions provided during the residential.

Staying in Halls: get the full experience of student life by staying in our halls of residence at Glen Eyre! You’ll share a flat with some of your fellow summer school participants; but don’t panic, your room comes fully equipped with your own en-suite and we provide all the essentials.

When is it?

The summer school takes place Tuesday 12 July – Thursday 14 July 2022.

You must be available all day across the three days and able to stay in halls of residence.

Arrival on the Tuesday is between 09:30 – 10:00 and we will finish the event by 16:00 on the Thursday.

I am eligible to attend?

The Summer School is for Year 10 Students living and studying in the United Kingdom.

Applicants should meet at least one of the following criteria:

In receipt of a 16-19 bursary or similar grant OR received Free School Meals during at any point during your secondary school studies
Been in local authority care or looked after for three months or more OR are estranged from your family
Are a Young Carer
Current home post code shows that you live in an area with low levels of progression to Higher Education. (Postcodes within the lowest 2 POLAR4 quintiles)
Current home post code shows that you live in area that falls within the lowest 20 per cent of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).
In the first generation of immediate family to go into higher education, excluding brothers or sisters.

POLAR4 measure can be checked at www.officeforstudents.org.uk

IMD measure can be checked at dclgapps.communities.gov.uk

If the above has been met, selection will be based on the following criteria in priority order:

Meets more than one of the criteria
Student Personal Statement
Character References (Provided by Teacher/Referee)
Prior Attainment

What is the application process?

To apply for the Learn with US Year 10 Summer School you must complete, in full, the Application Form.

The application form will include the following details:

Personal information, such as name and, date of birth
Contact information for parent/career
School information
Character reference from a teacher (preferably your tutor)*
Student Personal Statement

*The character reference – must be written on school headed paper along with the teacher email. It should include a full list of GCSE subjects you are taking and target grades where available. A template can be found here: Character Reference.

This information will be confirmed with the teacher/referee following your application.

Closing date for applications on Monday 23 May 2022 at Midnight.

All applications will be considered providing you met the criteria set out above and you will notified if your application has been successful by, Friday 27 May 2022.

Additional Support & Information

Our summer school is completely free. This includes your accommodation, catering and all associated activity costs.

Appropriate support will also be provided for travel costs for successful participants. This will include mileage travel claims and/or reimbursement for use of public transport to and from campus.

Contact us

If you need to contact the team, please email us on outreach@soton.ac.uk where we’d be delighted to answer any further questions you may have.