What are UK summer schools really like? Could applying be right for you? Head of Programmes Binda Patel, welcomes the launch of our flagship UK Summer Schools programme and encourages applications for this potentially life-changing opportunity. 

January is often a glum month for most – we roll out of the festive period, head back to work and are faced with cold, dark mornings. For me, January signals a month of energy and activity as we launch applications for our flagship UK Summer Schools. It’s always a busy time of year and we have already received over 2,000 applications in just over a week. It reminds me of how important our work is and how much appetite there is amongst young people to access higher education. Having visited several summer schools over the years, I have seen first-hand the transformation students go through whilst on the programme and via our evaluation and tracking, we can see the long-term impact of our programmes.

Whilst on the programme, students have the opportunity to experience university life by living in halls of residence, attend academic lectures, receive support with UCAS applications and meet like-minded students from across the UK. The evening are spent getting involved in social activities, from learning circus tricks, karaoke, quiz nights and learning to dance the Ceilidh to name just a few! Students walk away with a boost of confidence, increased knowledge and skills and the support to make informed choices about their futures.

Applications are open now and will close at 5pm on Thursday, 8th March. For more details on the range of summer schools available this year, our criteria and instructions on how to apply, take a look at our website.

“My thoughts on university have now changed. I used to think of university was a big, scary place with no support whatsoever, however my experiences on the Sutton Trust have made me realise that university is an extremely welcoming environment with incredibly compassionate and caring people. This makes my views on my future a lot more positive and I am excited about my journey to university.” – Radha Yagnik, UK Summer School 2017

“I applied to the summer school as my English teacher recommended it as he believed that it would help me to decide whether university was for me and I wanted to have a chance to see whether psychology was what I wanted to study.” – Leigh Glancey, UK Summer School 2017

“From the personal statement workshop to living in university halls, my time at Warwick has enabled me to make well informed decisions about my forthcoming university options. This opportunity provided me with an insight into life as a student which will hopefully better prepare me for the future.”  – Gloria Olajide, UK Summer School 2017

“If anyone was considering going to University and was hesitating about whether it was the right choice for them then I would say that programmes like the Sutton Trust Summer School will give them a brilliant insight into uni life, just like it did for me.” – Aidan Hubbard, UK Summer School 2017