Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) with the LSE Hub for Equal Representation
A government competition in which UK secondary and sixth form students write a letter of up to 1,000 words on a big economic challenge, with cash prizes and a funded visit to the FCDO and LSE for top entrants. The 2027 competition has been announced but not yet opened.
A £500 first-year bursary, for up to ten under-represented students studying creative industries courses through the medium of Welsh at a Welsh university.
Year 13 / Year 14 (NI)
Cost not published
Partial fundingApplications not open yetQualification required
The Welsh Youth Parliament gives 60 young people aged 11 to 17 a two-year term as members, raising and debating issues that matter to young people in Wales with the Senedd.
A free non-residential four-day summer school for girls in Year 9 who enjoy maths and science, exploring different fields of engineering through taster sessions, hands-on activities and talks at Imperial College London. The 2027 round had not been announced when checked.
A free national widening participation project, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and hosted by the University of Dundee, helping senior-phase pupils explore and apply for Medicine, Dentistry and Law.
A free residential Year 12 medicine summer school at ARU Chelmsford (4 to 8 July 2027) with mock interviews, a hospital visit and a guaranteed-interview route.
A free 12-week online programme in humanities and social sciences research and essay writing for women in Year 12 in the UK, run by Newnham College, Cambridge. Applications open on 4 December 2026.
A residential outdoor adventure course from The Outward Bound Trust for ages 16-17, lasting 19 days (18 nights away, all under canvas), with courses from 28 June 2027 and charity funding available.
Department for Education (Music and Dance Scheme, GOV.UK)
The Music and Dance Scheme helps pay for gifted young musicians and dancers in England to attend specialist schools full time or Centres for Advanced Training part time. Parents apply for means-tested funding after registering with or being offered a place by the school or centre.
A one-day invite-only insight event at Goldman Sachs in London introducing Year 12 and Year 13 A-level or IB students to financial services and apprenticeship culture.
UK Parliament (House of Commons and Joint Departments)
A free online work experience programme run by the House of Commons and Joint Departments for UK-based young people aged 14 to 18, with realistic tasks across Parliament careers and a completion certificate. The current window closed on 31 October 2026 and the next cohort opens later in 2026 and throughout 2027.