Applications for the Year 10 Residential are now closed.
‘This residential has been co-designed by a group of year 10 students who are determined to create the best experience for other year 10 students and to show them what life is like as a university student.
In this experience, we have learned how to work as a team, and come up with different solutions to different problems we may have come across. We have given each other effective feedback on our work to see where we can improve, and have developed new ideas when doing so.
I have really enjoyed having weekly meetings and having the chance to share my work and gaining feedback so I can see where I need to improve. We worked as a group to improvise and make it a better plan.’
- Year 10 Youth Consultants 2023-24 -
What is the Learn with US Residential?
The Learn with US Residential is a three-day, two-night residential where you will immerse yourself in university life and experience what it’s like to study at university.
You’ll experience our world class facilities, stay in our halls of residence, get involved with taster sessions, and find out what student life is really like.
This is a free opportunity for Year 10 students who meet our Widening Participation eligibility criteria. Your meals, accommodation, and all activities for the duration of the residential are included. We will also contribute to the cost of your travel to and from the residential.
This year, our Residential has been co-designed with our Year 10 Youth Consultants, who described this opportunity as ‘a short trip away to experience and learn new things. This residential is about what to expect from university life and will give you a real taste of university life. You will live like a university student for a few days and explore subjects that are on offer. You will get to experience the social side of university life and meet your friends and peers throughout the day in different sessions.’
Aims of the Residential:
- Understand what university life is like and see what you can do/learn at university
- Have an authentic experience of university life with like-minded students – both academic and social
- Talk with current university students who will share their own journey to higher education, and ask questions that relate to your future pathways
- Gain an insight into the wide range of study and research options available at university
- Advice on the pathways you can follow to access those opportunities
- Build your confidence working with new people in a new environment, and learn new skills that can be useful in future situations
What you will be doing:
- Consider what your unique university experience might look like
- Experience your choice of subject taster seminars, talk to subject specialists, and explore facilities
- Engage in activities designed to highlight the diverse nature of student life, both on and off campus
- Live like a student in university accommodation (in your own ensuite room)
- Complete a group project based on your residential experience
Am I eligible to attend?
The Residential is for Year 10 Students living and studying in the United Kingdom.
Applicants should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be in receipt of Free School Meals, or have been in receipt of Free School Meals, at any point during secondary school studies.
- Be in local authority care OR have been looked after for three months or more.
- Be a Young Carer.
- Be in the first generation of immediate family to go into higher education, excluding brothers or sisters.
- Be a refugee or asylum seeker.
- Have a current home post code showing that you live in an area with low levels of progression to Higher Education (Postcodes are 1 or 2 as a POLAR4 quintile).
- Have a current home post code showing that you live in an area that falls within the lowest 20 per cent of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) (Postcodes are 1 as a IMD quintile).
- Have a current home post code showing that you live in an area that falls with low levels of progression to Higher Education (Postcodes are 1 or 2 as a TUNDRA quintile).
FAQs
How much will the residential cost me?
The residential is a free opportunity. Your accommodation, meals, and all activities during the residential are included. We will also reimburse your travel expenses to and from the residential.
Where will I be staying?
You will stay in our halls of residence in your own fully equipped room with your own ensuite bathroom. You will not share a room. All bedding and towels are provided. Access Team staff and student ambassadors will also be staying overnight in case of any emergency.
What do I need to bring with me?
You only need to bring yourself! Pack clothes with some weatherproof options, sensible shoes, personal hygiene products, and any necessary medication. All bedding and towels are provided, as is all of your food. Although you will not need any money, we would suggest having access to some, especially if you are travelling to the residential alone. Please note: Highfield Campus is a cashless campus so although there shouldn’t be the need to spend anything, shops and vending machines will only accept card payments. We will provide further guidance on what to bring closer to the time.
How do I get there?
The residential is based at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ. There is a bus stop on campus with buses from all over Southampton including Southampton Airport Parkway and Southampton Central train stations. If you are arriving by train or bus we will ensure you will be met by our student ambassadors. If you are arriving by car we will provide parking information closer to the time, and again you will be met by our student ambassadors. We will also contribute towards your transport costs.
What will I eat?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided for the duration of your visit, and there will be multiple options to choose from at every meal. We will ask for dietary requirements in advance which will be taken into consideration and suitable meals will be provided.
How many people will be attending?
There will be a maximum of fifty Year 10 students attending the residential. There will be staff working for the duration of the event, including overnight, and you will be accompanied by our student ambassadors during all activities.
Who will be supervising?
The Learn with US residential will be run by Joe Cunningham, the Pre-16 Access Manager. Other members of staff in the Access team will be present for the whole residential, including overnight. Student Ambassadors will also be in attendance at all times. All members of staff and student ambassadors have enhanced DBS checks.
Contact Us
If you want to ask any further questions before submitting your application, please contact Joe Cunningham (J.A.Cunningham@soton.ac.uk) who will be happy to help.