Newcastle University

It was all part of Bitesize Uni, an annual event organised by Newcastle University that allows future learners to live, study and play like university students without the tension of exams and submission deadlines. It is designed to give youngsters who may not consider going to university a taste of what student life is like.

This year’s event took place from July 14 to 16 and featured more than 30 subject taster sessions that provided students with firsthand experience of different subject areas.

In addition, different teaching methods and group sessions kept the future university students engaged and gave them a chance to interact with other visitors and current undergraduate students. For a complete experience, the guests were accommodated and catered for at University halls of residence.

The social activities programme of Bitesize Uni included a trip to the cinema, eating on a budget and a night out in the Students’ Union.

The hands-on approach of the event appealed to Connor Thomas, 17, from Halifax, West Yorkshire who was unsure about going to university but the Bitesize Uni experience sparked his interest in higher education. He said: “I would be the first in my family to go to uni so it’s a big step and this taster has been very useful. It has definitely helped me make up my mind about going to uni. Here I actually started to enjoy learning. Living in student accommodation for a few days was great and I really enjoyed the social events and subject sessions where I had a chance to meet and chat with other students. I’m really looking forward to starting a degree programme in Natural Sciences.” 

Reanne Evans, 17, from Bedlington, Northumberland, attended the event with two of her hometown friends. She sees higher education as a gateway to better job prospects and a confidence builder. She said: “I am interested in studying Computer Science and Mathematics at Newcastle University. I enjoyed being on campus and meeting faculty and staff, the lectures were interactive and I liked working with other students on group projects.  After visiting Newcastle, I feel more confident in my decision to study here, I definitely made the right choice in going to university.”

All of the young people who attended the summer school are the first in their family to go to university.