Year 10 Summer Residential

• 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).

We encourage the use of public transport to the campus. We will reimburse bus and train tickets as well as car mileage for attendees of the residential.

Come along and experience being a student at the University of Leicester, immersing yourself in our campus and taking part in a range of exciting workshops and sessions.

If you’re keen to learn all things Leicester, experience student life and accommodation alongside meeting new friends; this is the residential for you!

The full programme will be shared with students ahead of attending the event.

Please note: this residential does not include sessions led by academic teaching staff.

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

• Currently be studying in Year 10
• 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 approximately 90 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 Summer 2025 are now open. If you would like to apply, please complete the online application form: 

Book your place now

What is the accommodation like? 

At the residential, you will stay in our newest student accommodation. You will get your own bedroom with an en suite bathroom. You will share the kitchen space with your flatmates which will consist of a small number of fellow attendees and your group mentor who will be around to support the group. Staff and mentors will consistently be on hand for any support required in the accommodation. We also have accessible rooms available; please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements so that we can make necessary adjustments. 

Do I get to choose who I stay with in accommodation? 

Rooms will be allocated randomly so you can meet lots of new people across the residential. You do have the option to choose to be in a single or mixed sex flat and, if successful in gaining a place, you will be asked for your preferences. 

What kind of support do I get at the residential?

Students will be put into a mentor group for the residential. This consists of a small group of residential attendees and two mentors who will support the group. Your mentors will be current students at the University and will be able to support you and answer any questions throughout your time at the residential. Alongside this, there will be lots of University staff working at the residential who you can go to for support. 

What support is available if I need reasonable adjustments? 

We want to ensure every person attending has the best possible experience with us on the Year 10 Summer Residential. If successful in gaining a place, you will be asked about any adjustments so we can ensure these are in place for your arrival. 

I’m worried I won’t know anyone at the residential

Don’t worry! Most students will be in the same boat. On arrival, you will be assigned a group with other attendees and your mentors who will welcome you and support everyone with getting to know each other. The residential will include some icebreakers and fun activities to support you with making friends! Lots of people won’t know each other when they arrive but leave with friends from lots of different schools! 

Will I get to see my parent/carer whilst at the residential?

During the residential, you won’t be able to see your parent/carer as we like to encourage students to get the most out of their experience and chat to all the new people you will meet! However, on the second day of the residential there will be an opportunity for your parent/carer to attend and see what you have been up to before the end of the event. More details of how they sign up for this will be provided if you are successful in gaining a place. 

What can I expect from the residential sessions?

Throughout the residential, you will get to take part in a range of sessions focusing on skill development and activities that focus on student life. You will work on a group project across the two days which you will get the opportunity to share at the end of the residential. Don’t worry - this won’t be presenting to everyone and is more of a ‘fair’ style activity to share what you have learnt with small groups at a time.