Schools' In For Summer

Nearly 100 pupils aged 15 and 16 from West Midlands schools will have the opportunity to experience University life first hand next week, when they attend a week-long residential at the University of Birmingham.

The pupils will get a real taster of student life, attending lectures on a range of topics from forensic linguistics to robotics, and also staying in halls of residence for the week.

Two programmes are on offer: one focuses on the health sciences, and the other gives a more general introduction to University life at Birmingham. Trips to the School of Dentistry and Good Hope Hospital are incorporated for those on the health sciences programme. Recent graduates James Eder and Dayo Alegbe will run workshops on entrepreneurship, sharing their experiences of life at the University and how they set up their own businesses, for those on the general programme.

Each team of participants will also get the chance to put the research and presentation skills that they have learnt during the week into practice by giving a short presentation on a subject of their choice. Previous topics have included bird flu and passive smoking.

Social activities including bowling, a murder mystery evening, a cinema trip and a talent show will be led by current University students.

Carolyn Moody, Student Recruitment Officer from the University of Birmingham, said: "This is a great opportunity for the young students to find out more about higher education and make informed decisions about their future. A key aim is to cement the students' ambitions and enhance and develop the skills needed for both A level and degree study."

Thomas Straw, Assistant Recruitment and Outreach Officer from the University of Birmingham, added: "The residential is run to promote the idea of university education and raise aspirations and the commitment of young people to consider Higher Education as a viable option. All activities aim to break down barriers and preconceptions and to give students a fun but realistic picture of what being at university is like."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Summer School runs from Sunday 16 to Friday 21 July 2006 at the University of Birmingham.

More information about student recruitment and outreach activities for schools and colleges is available from the University's Student Recruitment Office on 0121 414 2242.

Further information: Rachel Robson - Head of News Team, University of Birmingham Tel: 0121 414 6681 / mob: 07789 921165 / email: r.a.robson@bham.ac.uk