In 2025, our Summer University will take place from Wednesday 25 to Thursday 26 June. You’ll explore a range of activities, including Subject Insight sessions, meet current university students, and take part in social activities.
You'll stay in our accommodation and experience life as a university student.
Applications are now open. Apply here.
Application process
Who can apply?
To apply for Summer University you must:
- Be in Year 12
- Study A Levels or equivalent, predicted no lower than CCC (or equivalent)
- Have 5 GCSEs grades 9 - 4 (A* - C) including Maths and English
- Not attend a fee-paying school
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years
Then meet 1 of the following:
| You’re living, or have lived, in Local Authority Care |
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OR 2 of these other Widening Access criteria:
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Both parents/guardians have no experience of higher education in the UK |
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You’re eligible for free school meals, pupil premium or other additional funding at school or college |
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You have a disability or health condition that impacts on your daily life |
We use the 2010 Equality Act as our basis for categorising disability and health conditions |
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You live in an area where relatively few people go on to study at university (this is identified as a Polar 4 Q1 postcode) |
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You identify as being from a Black or Mixed Black heritage |
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You have care responsibilities |
Application Timeline
- 3rd February 2025 - Applications open
- 10th March 2025 - Applications close at midnight
- 17th March 2025 - You should hear a decision from us on this date
- 4th April 2025 - You need to confirm your place before midnight
Once we have reached full capacity we will close applications. This could be before the closing date so please make sure you apply as soon as possible to ensure an application.
After your application
If you are given a place on Summer University this is what will happen next:
- We'll ask you to confirm you accept the place
- We'll contact your school/college to confirm the details you've provided and inform them you wish to attend this activity. You will still need to ask permission to attend as well.
- We'll contact your parents/carers to confirm the details you've provided and inform them you wish to attend this activity.
- We'll keep in touch with you every so often to give updates including sending timetables and a list of what to bring. If you have any questions you can contact us at wa@rhul.ac.uk
Waiting lists
Places are limited due to cost and room availability, therefore please double check before applying that you can attend on these dates.
We expect to have more applications than we have spaces for. Therefore we may have a waiting list and spaces that later become available and if so we will communicate this to students.
Stay. Study. Socialise.
Student accommodation
As part of the Summer University residential you'll stay in your own student room with an en-suite bathroom and shower.
You'll share a kitchen area with up to seven other students from different schools/colleges across London and the South East.
- All rooms include free WiFi
- A full list of what to bring will be provided nearer the time
- Staff and student ambassadors stay overnight to ensure safety
Here are some photos to give you an idea of what to expect (actual rooms may differ).
Explore subjects, learn something new
As part of the Summer University, students will take part in Subject Insight sessions.
We cannot cover all subjects or guarantee what subjects and sessions will be included, however we will aim to match students suitably based on the subjects they are currently studying.
The Subject Insight sessions are academic activities led by expert staff and current student ambassadors aiming to showcase the different learning styles and opportunities available. These may include:
- Group seminars
- Group lectures
- Practical department sessions
- Subject Q&A's
- University student led interactive workshops
- Group activities
There's more...
We'll also deliver a number of information sessions and be there to answer any questions you have so that you feel more prepared to choose your next step after school/college.
It's not all about work
Yes, studying towards a degree is why you go to university, but there is much more to it than that!
During the day and into the evening you'll take part in social activities and workshops to bond with your peers and get an authentic university experience.
Support from our current students
Our current degree students will be supporting you during the week, helping out during academic sessions, answering your questions and sharing their experiences of being at university.
Our student ambassadors will make sure you have an incredible time with us from the moment you arrive. They really are amazing if we do say so ourselves.
Cost
The Summer University is free!
If you meet the eligibility criteria and you get a place on one of our Summer University residentials we'll cover the cost of:
- Your accommodation
- All food and drink
- All resources and academic activities
- All social activities
We just ask that students are able to get to and from the university to attend the residential as, unfortunately, we are not able to organise and cover travel costs.
We will let students know nearer the time a schedule of activities and list of things they will need to pack and bring with them.
