Applications for the Sutton Trust’s UK Summer Schools and Apprenticeship Summer Schools closed in March and we are now in the process of selecting our cohorts for 2023. These programmes always see huge demand from Year 12 students across the UK, and this year is no exception with record numbers of applicants for both programmes.

Widening access to post-18 options can have a significant impact on social mobility. 2023 marks the 26th year in which the Sutton Trust has delivered our UK Summer Schools programme, which started with a group of 60 students spending a week at The University of Oxford in 1997 and has now supported over 25,000 students to learn more about studying at top tier UK universities. We also believe that high-quality apprenticeships have the potential to be a great tool for social mobility and as such, have been developing our Apprenticeship Summer School, a new and growing programme which is now in its fourth year.  After their summer schools conclude, students have access to ongoing support via Sutton Trust Online as they continue their studies and prepare for their next step after Year 13.

Over the course of a 3-5 day residential summer school, students on our UK Summer Schools programme will immerse themselves in life at a leading university, and those who attend our Apprenticeship Summer School will meet leading employers and learn more about how to access apprenticeships.

UK Summer Schools

  • 14,000 students applied to take part in a UK Summer Schools programme this year, choosing from over 200 courses on offer at 13 partner universities across the UK. Of these students, over 2500 will be selected to spend several days on an intensive programme at their chosen university, with all costs covered by The Sutton Trust and our partner universities.

Apprenticeship Summer School

  • Our Apprenticeship Summer School was also extremely popular this year, with just under 400 students applying for the three-day residential programme. Over 150 students have now been offered places where they will gain real life experience and practical advice, ensuring they feel inspired and confident about whether an apprenticeship is right for them.

Although young people have a range of high-quality post 18 options to choose from, they do not always receive high quality information and guidance about these routes. Last year, the Trust found that nearly half of 17- and 18-year olds say they have received a large amount of information on university routes during their education, compared to just 10% who say the same for apprenticeships. Our Summer Schools support young people to explore all the options open to them in more depth to ensure they can make an informed choice and choose the right path for them.

No matter which programme students take part in they will leave equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make an informed choice as to which post 18 option is right for them. The vast majority of the remaining students who applied to either our UK Summer Schools or our Apprenticeship Summer School will still receive structured support from the Trust in the form of Sutton Trust Online – our online platform which provides all the information, skills and advice students need as they explore their options, apply to, prepare for, and succeed in the world of university or apprenticeships.