Your Future Summer School

Are you aged 16-17 in Year 12/FE1? Thinking about your next steps after Sixth Form or College?

Apply now for the University of East London’s Your Future Summer School 2026 at Docklands Campus from 6th to 10th July.

Applications have now been extended and will close on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

What is the summer school?

It is a five-day, non-residential Summer School designed to support Year 12 and FE1 students in exploring their future pathways and next steps beyond sixth form and college. Delivered in collaboration with Make Happen, the Office for Students’ Uni Connect programme for Essex, the Summer School offers engaging academic taster sessions, practical workshops, and insightful university experiences.

This year’s theme shines a spotlight on Entrepreneurship, giving you the opportunity to develop your business awareness, creativity, and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and collaborative challenges.

The Summer School will encourage entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, and innovation, inspiring you to work with like-minded students, turn ideas into action, and bring your entrepreneurial ambitions to life!

What you can expect

Explore degree subjects through academic taster sessions to develop entrepreneurial ideas, skills and knowledge in collaboration with UEL schools (CSC, HSB, ACI, RDSBL and ACE).
Experience university life at UEL while building skills, confidence, and connections.
Collaborate with others to develop their ideas and bring a product to life through a dynamic Dragon’s Den-style interactive pitch workshop.
Have access to Industry Experts and experienced UEL academics.
Practical workshops like Personal Statements and Student Finance to help you become HE Ready, Future Ready and Career Ready!

Travel support

London students: Travel costs are reimbursed up to £25 after the programme, subject to eligibility, evidence, and full attendance (exceptions may apply).
Essex students: Travel costs are covered in advance by Make Happen, subject to eligibility and full attendance (exceptions may apply).

Eligibility

The Summer School is open to students who:

Are aged 16-17 and in Year 12/FE1
Are living in the UK
Have permission from their school or college to attend the Summer School during term time.
Have permission from their parents/guardians to attend the Summer School during term time.

Our Summer School is aimed at students who are underrepresented in higher education, and priority will be given to students who:

Are or have been in care
Have a disability, learning difficulty, or long-term physical or mental health condition
Are from a white working-class background
Are from a Black or Asian ethnic minority group
Live in a neighbourhood with low progression to university
Have a family with little or no history of attending university
Are estranged from family (i.e. not in contact with or supported by family)
Are Service Children (i.e. have a parent/guardian who serves or has served in the military)
Are young carers
Are refugees

Priority will also be given to students studying at schools or colleges in the following areas: Newham, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest, Hackney, and Essex (including Southend-on-Sea, Basildon or Thurrock).

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term physical or mental health condition and would like to discuss support before applying, please get in touch.