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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the summer schools?

The Sutton Trust Summer Schools offer an opportunity for over 700 young people each year to try university life. The one week taster courses consist not only of lectures, seminars and tutorials, but also a varied programme of social activities, to give participants an accurate idea of life as an undergraduate at a research-led university. The programme started in 1997 at Oxford and the Trust has subsequently expanded the scheme to Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham and St Andrews Universities and - this year - to Imperial, Durham and UCL.

When and where are they held?

Our summer schools operate at Imperial College, UCL, and the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Nottingham and St Andrews. The dates for the courses can be viewed here. (back to top)

Isn't there a course on offer at the University of Oxford?

The University of Oxford now runs its own summer school programme and is no longer part of the Sutton Trust scheme. Details of the Oxford summer schools can be found at www.ox.ac.uk/uniq (back to top)

What subject courses are available?

For more information on the courses in detail and which subjects are available at which universities look at the summer school brochures and visit the university websites, which can be accessed from here. (back to top)

How much does it cost to attend?

The summer schools are completely free! The Sutton Trust and the universities will meet all costs incurred by students, including travel to and from the summer schools, food and accommodation, and all trips and activities. Students need only bring pocket money with them for any personal spending during their week away from home. (back to top)

Who can apply?

The summer schools are open to students (home uk only) currently studying in Year 12 or equivalent at maintained schools or colleges in the UK. Priority will be given to students who meet all or most of the eligibility criteria, which can be read here. (back to top)

How do I apply?

For detailed information on how to apply for the scheme please read the 'How to apply' page.

Remember that you can only apply for one summer school - multiple applications may result in rejection of all applications. However, involvement with another Sutton Trust programme, such as Reach for Excellence, will not affect your application (but please do check that there are no clashing dates!). (back to top)

What does my teacher have to do?

You will need a teacher from your school or college to complete the online Teachers' Confirmation Form. They can get all of the details on how to do this on our Teachers' Information page.

Please keep your teacher informed and direct them to this website. (back to top)

When are the application deadlines?

Student applications will open on 10 January 2012 and close on 9 March 2012. Teachers will have until 19 March 2012 to sumbit their confirmation forms. (back to top)

What do I do? - I'm having problems submitting my application/ teachers' confirmation form.

If you have any kind of technical difficulties with your form, please contact UCAS's Sutton Trust customer support team on 01242 223714 or suttontrust@ucas.ac.uk. Please do not contact the Sutton Trust. (back to top)

What do I do? - my school isn't listed as eligible on the application system.

Only students from UK state-funded schools and colleges are able to apply for the scheme, and therefore if you are from an independent/ private institution your school will be listed as ineligible.

If your school or college is state-funded and is still listed as ineligible, please contact UCAS's Sutton Trust customer support team on 01242 223714 or at suttontrust@ucas.ac.uk. (back to top)

What do I do? - My qualifications are not listed on the form, how do I add these?

If you are studying alternative qualifications at post-16 , please tick the ‘Alternative Qualifications’ box on the application form. The teacher who verifies your application will need to provide information about the qualification/s you are studying for in the ‘Further Details’ section of the Teachers’ Confirmation Form.

If you completed qualifications other than GCSEs at pre-16, please indicate the subjects you studied using the drop down boxes on the application form. The teacher who verifies your application will need to clarify the qualification/s you have completed using the ‘Further Details’ section of the Teachers’ Confirmation Form.

What do I do? - I've submitted my form but I need to change some details/ can no longer attend the course I applied for.

Each host university makes its own decisions on which pupils to accept. If you cannot make one summer school, it is unlikely that there will be a spare place for you on another. However, you may want to contact the relevant summer school coordinator to check (click here for contact details). Wherever possible, please check the dates before you apply. (back to top)

Why is the programme not open to students from private/ independent (fee-paying) schools?

Our programme is designed to support those with the potential to excel but who have had little assistance and limited opportunity. The Sutton Trust Summer School scheme is only open to students in Year 12 (or equivalent) from UK state-funded schools and colleges, with priority given to those from non-privileged backgrounds and from schools working in challenging circumstances. As such, we cannot accept applications from students in private/independent schools, including those who receive scholarships or bursaries. (back to top)

I'm an international student studying at a UK college. Am I eligible for the scheme?

No, this particular scheme is specifically for students at UK schools and colleges and classed as having home (UK) status. If you entered the UK primarily for educational purposes, you are not eligible for this scheme. Many UK universities offer summer school programmes for prospective international students, and you should contact the International Offices of your preferred universities for details of activities you might be eligible for. (back to top)

Why are the grades demanded by the summer schools so high?

Our summer school universities are amongst the most academically selective in the country. In order to benefit most from what these universities have to offer, the programme is particularly designed for high achieving students with the potential to study at one of these institutions. We do not want to falsely raise the hopes of those who may not be plausible candidates for undergraduate study at one of these universities. (back to top)

When will I hear if I have been successful?

Applicants will be notified of their application status by 27 April 2012. (back to top)

Why are schools/ teachers not kept informed of their students' progress?

Unfortunately, due to data protection and logistical issues, we are not in a position to notify teachers of the progress of individual applications or applications from their school or college more generally.

Applicants will be notified of their application status by 27 April 2011.

Queries regarding individual applications should be directed to the relevant summer school team and not to the Sutton Trust - click here for contact details. (back to top)