Future Ready: Your Path to University and Beyond

Programme detail

The Future Ready programme provides essential preparation to ease the transition to university. It provides a unique opportunity for students to bridge the gap between college and university while equipping them with essential scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills. The programme emphasises the development of critical thinking and global sustainability literacy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and enhances communication and teamwork abilities through practical, collaborative activities. 

Future Ready explores a range of science-related subjects through workshops, practical activities, and interactive sessions, covering topics such as:

• Applied Engineering
• Applied Research and Scientific Investigation
• Biology and Biomedical Science
• Chemistry and Materials Science
• Data Science, Mathematical Modelling and Artificial Intelligence
• Forensic Science
• Physics and Astrophysics
• Sustainability and Environmental Science

The programme includes 25 hours per week of classroom time and an additional 2 hours per week of language and culture.

Week One: Foundations in Scientific Thinking
Students take part in themed academic sessions across biosciences, physics and engineering, alongside an introduction to data analysis. They explore core concepts, research methods and practical techniques while developing the analytical thinking skills expected at university level.

Week Two: Applied Research in Action
Students move into a collaborative research phase focused on a real-world global challenge. Working in teams, they design investigations, analyse evidence and communicate their findings through a scientific poster.

The programme concludes with a student-led mini-conference, where participants present their work in an authentic university setting. By the end of the programme, students will have experienced independent research, academic collaboration and formal scientific presentation.

As this is a pre-university Summer School (for 16-17 year olds), applications will be taken from School or College groups with a chaperone in attendance.