Pre-16 Summer Project

• An opportunity to experience what it is like to be a university student
• Meet like-minded students local to other schools in Leicestershire
• Develop essential skills required to be a successful university student
• Collaborate and work with other students on a group project
• Prepare to make the transition from school/college to higher education
• Have a great time!

Nothing! Our Summer Project is entirely free to participate in, including your travel* and food! 

We do ask however that students are from a commutable distance to the University – home address being a Leicestershire postcode and approximately within a 30-minute commutable distance to the main campus (LE1 7RH). Students will be required to travel to and from the university each day of the summer project.

We encourage the use of public transport to the campus. We will reimburse bus and train tickets as well as car mileage in the cases where public transport is not practical. We are unable to reimburse taxi expenses other than in exceptional cases. Please get in touch prior to applying should you have any questions. 

To be eligible to attend the Summer Project, students must:

• Currently be studying in Year 10 or 11
• Attend a non-selective state school (i.e. you do not pay for your education)
• Be available to attend for the entire duration of the Summer Project
• Live within the county and have a Leicestershire postcode (LE)
• Live approximately 30 minutes (or less) commutable distance away from University of Leicester.

Priority will be given to students who meet one or more of the below priority criteria:

• You live in a neighbourhood with a higher level of deprivation - your postcode should be in quintile 1 or 2 in the Index of Multiple Deprivation (postcode look-up).
• You received free school meals during secondary school.
• You are in receipt of, or entitled to Pupil Premium and/or discretionary payments/16-19 bursary at school or college.
• You are currently living in or have experienced local authority care for a period of at least three months in the last ten years.
• You have a disability/long term health condition and are in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• You would define yourself as being one of the priority engagement groups which include students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, refugees and children of military families.
• You are a Young Adult Carer.
• You are living independently of your parents (for at least the last 6 months) due to situations of family breakdown or 'estrangement'.

Applications for our 2025 Summer Project will open in the spring. If you would like to register your interest in attending, please check the eligibility criteria and then complete our expression of interest form and we will notify you when applications open.

Express your interest in attending