Spring University - Years 10 & 11

09 - 11 April 2025

Across 3 days you’ll explore the different higher education options available to you, enjoy a range of activities, including subject taster sessions, meet current university students, and take part in social activities.

You'll stay in our accommodation and experience life as a university student.

Delivered in collaboration with the Higher Education Outreach Network

Applications Now Open!

The application form can be found in the 'How to apply' section further down the page

Applications close at 23:59 on FRIDAY 31st JANUARY

Teacher Presentation with Notes Spring University Poster

Check out the beautiful campus you'll be staying on

The week

What students have previously said about their experience of the Spring University

“I learnt a lot from the lectures we had. It was a good way to make new friends and learn what uni life is like.”

“The residential was so good the bonding between new people, activities were very interactive and a very good overall experience would do it again.”

“It was absolutely amazing and life changing, the ability to learn as well as socialise easily with others has been spectacular and it’s something I will never forget in my life.”

Academic activities

During the residential, you’ll take part in a programme of academic workshops, as well as information and guidance sessions about options available to you when you finish school like apprenticeships and university. We are working with our partners at HEON to deliver a wide range of subject activities. Our student ambassadors support these sessions, giving you real-life examples and tips about becoming a university student.

Social activities

During the few days you'll spend with us we'll give you the chance to meet new people and get an insight into the social side of university life. We will organise a set of social activities online to recreate some of the fun of a residential.

How much does this cost?

Spring University is free to eligible students.

We will cover the cost of:

Your accommodation
Meals
Resources
Social activities

Application process

Who can apply?

The Spring University is a collaboration between HEON and Royal Holloway, University of London.

To apply for the Spring University you must:

Be in Year 10 or 11
Expected to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs grades 9-4
Do not attend a fee paying school

And you meet 1 of the following

Criteria	Further information
You are living or have lived in Local Authority Care	living with foster carers living in a residential children's home being looked after at home under a supervision order living with friends or relatives in kinship care – either through a formal arrangement (e.g. a Special Guardianship order)
You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Both parents/guardians have no experience of higher education in the UK
You’re eligible for free school meals, pupil premium or other additional funding at school or college
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
You live in an area where relatively few people go on to study at university (click here to check for POLAR 4 Q1)
You are a carer
You are a member of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community
Your parent/carer serves in the regular armed forces, or as a reservist, or has done at any point during their first 25 years