Opportunities
The stuff that actually moves an application.
Work experience, apprenticeships, summer schools, scholarships, competitions and auditions — with who they're for and when they close.
Hospital and care work experience
Care setting experience that medical and nursing schools look for — virtual options count when placements are scarce.
Provider: NHS trusts and virtual work experience programmes
Ages: 16–18 · Nationwide
Deadline: Rolling
Fields: Medicine & Dentistry, Healthcare & Allied Health
Widening participation summer school
Residential programmes that can lead to contextual offers and reduced grade requirements.
Provider: Russell Group universities and access charities
Ages: 15–18 · UK campuses
Deadline: Spring applications
Fields: Medicine & Dentistry, Law & Justice, Finance & Professional Services, Engineering, Education & Psychology
Spring week (first-year insight)
The single most effective entry point into finance — fast-tracks you to a summer internship.
Provider: Investment banks and professional services firms
Ages: 18+ · London and regional offices
Deadline: October–December
Fields: Finance & Professional Services, Business & Enterprise
Solicitor apprenticeship openings
Six-year paid route to qualifying as a solicitor with your degree funded.
Provider: Law firms across the UK
Ages: 17–19 · Nationwide
Deadline: Autumn a year ahead
Fields: Law & Justice
Engineering degree apprenticeships
Salary, real projects and an accredited degree with no tuition debt.
Provider: Rail, aerospace, energy and defence employers
Ages: 17–19 · Nationwide
Deadline: Autumn to spring
Fields: Engineering, Built Environment, Technology & Data
Engineering and science taster course
A week living on campus doing lab and design work — strong personal statement material.
Provider: University engineering faculties
Ages: 16–17 · UK campuses
Deadline: Spring
Fields: Engineering, Technology & Data, Medicine & Dentistry
Drama school audition rounds
Audition and recall rounds; fee waivers are available if cost is a barrier.
Provider: RADA, Guildhall and other conservatoires
Ages: 17+ · London and Manchester
Deadline: Autumn to early spring
Fields: Performing Arts
Portfolio review days
Get honest feedback on your portfolio from the tutors who'll assess it.
Provider: Art schools and UAL colleges
Ages: 16–19 · London and regional
Deadline: Autumn and spring
Fields: Creative Industries
Film school short courses
Craft-specific short courses that build a real showreel.
Provider: National Film and Television School
Ages: 16+ · Beaconsfield and online
Deadline: Rolling
Fields: Creative Industries
Scholarships and bursaries search
Subject, context and sport-based funding that most students never apply for.
Provider: Universities, trusts and professional bodies
Ages: 16+ · Nationwide
Deadline: Varies
Fields: Medicine & Dentistry, Law & Justice, Finance & Professional Services, Engineering, Creative Industries, Education & Psychology, Performing Arts
Professional mentoring programmes
One-to-one mentoring with someone doing the job you want.
Provider: Access charities and employer networks
Ages: 15–19 · Nationwide
Deadline: Termly intakes
Fields: Law & Justice, Finance & Professional Services, Medicine & Dentistry, Technology & Data, Business & Enterprise
Skilled trade apprenticeship vacancies
Paid Level 3 training into a licensed trade with a genuine progression ladder.
Provider: Electrical, mechanical and construction employers
Ages: 16+ · Nationwide
Deadline: Rolling
Fields: Skilled & Technical Careers, Built Environment
Graduate schemes
Structured training with professional qualifications funded.
Provider: Employers across every sector
Ages: 20+ · Nationwide
Deadline: Autumn, year before starting
Fields: Finance & Professional Services, Business & Enterprise, Technology & Data, Engineering, Built Environment
Subject olympiads and competitions
Competition results are one of the few things that genuinely stand out at Oxbridge and Imperial.
Provider: Maths, physics, chemistry and design bodies
Ages: 14–18 · School based
Deadline: Termly
Fields: Engineering, Technology & Data, Medicine & Dentistry, Finance & Professional Services