Programs

Auditions for instrumental musicians to play in NYMT pit bands under a professional Musical Director in 2027, with a self-tape and an optional ensemble workshop audition.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• Fee: £25

A self-paced online course from the University of Essex for Year 12 and 13 students, covering study skills, applying to higher education, student finance and student life. A certificate is issued on completion.

• Year 12–13
• Cost not published

A team space engineering challenge in which students design, build and launch a mini satellite that fits inside a drinks can, with a UK national final. Registration for 2026-27 closed; the 2027-28 edition had not been announced when checked.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• No fee

A week-long residential maths summer school for top Intermediate Mathematical Challenge scorers in Years 10–11.

• Year 10–11 / S3–S4
• Cost not published

A Year 12 writing competition from Girton College, Cambridge: write an essay or a creative piece inspired by objects in the college's Lawrence Room museum.

• Year 12 / S5
• Cost not published

Every two years about 160 young people aged 14 to 25 are elected as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) to represent their local area or a national voluntary organisation; the 2026 candidate window has closed.

• Grades not published
• Cost not published

Short-term volunteer placements of 3 to 12 weeks at the British Red Cross, open from age 15 across the UK, with a bursary for young volunteers from low-income households.

• Year 11–13 / S4–S6
• Cost not published

The UK's largest festival series for young musicians: groups of two or more players aged 21 or under perform at one of 20+ regional festivals or submit a recording online, with a route to the National Festival in Birmingham each July. The 2026 regional applications are closed and 2027 has not been announced.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• Fee: £24

Auditions for the 2027 Youth Band of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, for brass and percussion players aged 12-19 at around Grade 8 standard.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• Fee: £820

Free five-day residential summer schools at Wadham College, Oxford, for Year 12 pupils at UK state schools and sixth-form colleges.

• Year 12
• No fee

A four-day medical work experience programme at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for post-16 students considering Medicine: clinical skills, basic life support, phlebotomy and two days shadowing doctors.

• Year 12–13
• Cost not published

A free three-day residential at Magdalen College, Oxford for 40 Year 12 state-school students interested in English, Classics or a related subject.

• Year 12 / S5
• No fee