The University of Southampton

Summer Residential Taster Courses:

Electronics and Computer Science Residential Taster Course

Biomedical Engineering Residential Taster Course

Monday 31st July – Friday 4th August 2023

What are the Taster Course(s)?

Our popular summer Taster Course(s) have been running successfully for many years. They are a great way to find out more about subjects, which are at the cutting edge of technology to explore whether this sector is right for you. These one-week residential courses will enable you to experience either Biomedical Engineering or Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. 

You will live life as a university student and enjoy a busy programme:

  • Try your hand at real experiments in our state-of-the-art laboratories
  • Learn about our teaching and research from our globally renowned lecturers
  • Get to know our current students and recent graduates
  • Enjoy social events and meet fellow students and a visit to the city centre
  • Experience life on campus and in our halls of residence
  • Meals included
  • Meet leading employers at our annual Taster Course Careers Fair
  • Aid you in your decision making for a University Course.
  • Just £349 for a one-week residential experience [reduced rate and full bursaries available]

 

Eligibility

Typical requirements for our Summer Taster Course(s) are:*

  • attained mostly grades of 7 or above at GCSE
  • currently in year 12 and age 16+ on 29 July 2023
  • currently studying in the UK, or are a British citizen studying abroad
  • for the Electronics and Computer Science Taster Course: currently studying A-Level Maths and either Physics, Computing, Electronics, Biology, Chemistry or Further Maths
  • for the Biomedical Engineering Taster Course: currently studying A-Level Maths and either Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Further Maths

* Equivalent qualifications apply if you have studied outside the UK

 

You are welcome:

  • No prior experience or knowledge of computer science, electronics or programming is necessary.
  • There is no obligation to apply to the University of Southampton following the course.
  • You may just want to explore these subjects further and have no plans to study them at university.
  • We are committed to providing opportunities for all, regardless of gender. 50 per cent of our initial allocation of places are reserved for students who identify as female. 

 

Application Process

If you would like to apply to attend one of our Summer Taster Course(s):

  • Complete our online application form
  • We will acknowledge your application and notify you of our decision within 14 days
  • If we offer you a place on the course, you will have a further seven days to pay.

Please note these courses are very popular and are usually over-subscribed. All applications are individually reviewed by our admissions team.

 

Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships

Course Fees

The fee for attending the course is £349, which includes overnight accommodation Monday - Thursday nights, and all food and drink for the week. 

If you would prefer to arrive on Sunday 30th July, overnight accommodation and dinner on Sunday night, and breakfast on Monday are available for an additional charge. Overnight accommodation is not possible on Friday 4th August 2023 but we can provide a list of local hotels on request.

Bursaries and Reduced Fees

You may be eligible for a full bursary (covering the full course fee), or a reduced fee of £239.

Full bursaries are available to students who meet at least two of the following criteria:

  • you will be the first generation in your family to attend university, excluding brothers and sisters
  • your current home postcode is in an area with low levels (POLAR4 quintiles 1 or 2) of progression to Higher Education
  • you attend a school/college in the lowest two quintiles for average QCA points per A level student (refer to this list)
  • you are in receipt of a 16-19 Bursary or similar grant OR received Free School Meals at any point during your secondary school education
  • you are living or grew up in Local Authority care OR are estranged from your family
  • you are currently a Young Carer or Young Adult Carer

A reduced course fee of £239 is available to students who match one of the criteria above OR whose current home postcode is an area with medium levels (POLAR4 quintile 3 or 4) of progression to Higher Education*

Please note bursaries do not cover the cost of additional accommodation and meals on Sunday night, or any travel expenses. Full bursary holders may be able to claim a contribution towards reasonable travel expenses by public transport. Please contact us at ecstaster@soton.ac.uk for more information.

 

The Zepler Scholarship 2024

Exclusive £1000 degree scholarship for course attendees.

This exclusive scholarship from the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton provides £1000 for all students in the first year of their degree* who meet all of the following conditions:

  • attended* our Electronics and Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering Taster Course in 2020, 2021 or 2022 - all students that attended will be considered;
  • enrolled on an ECS degree course
  • meet (or exceed) their offer and obtain at least A*AA at A-Level (to include/exclude any subjects specified in the wording)
  • are eligible for UK fees

* 2021 and 2022 participants who have received an attendance certificate are regarded as having attended. As the 2020 Taster Course was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any student who was accepted onto that Taster Course will also be considered to have attended.

 

Cancellation Policy

After payment is received, the University will begin to arrange services for your attendance at the summer school. Therefore, no refunds will be no refunds will be possible after the 7-day 'cooling off' period. This does not affect your statutory rights. However: 

We accept that our best-laid plans may have to change as a result of external factors outside our control. We are committed to running a safe and enjoyable course. 

  • If we decide to cancel the course, you will receive a full refund;
  • If we decide to change to online delivery, you can choose to either 1) cancel and receive a full refund, or 2) attend the online course and receive a partial refund for the difference in course fee;
  • If you are unable to attend due to government guidance at the time of the course, you will receive a full refund. 

 

Contact us

The University of Southampton has an outstanding reputation for Electronics and Computer Science. We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research universities and our degrees are ranked amongst the best in the UK. Our graduates are highly regarded by leading employers and we work closely with industrial galleries, both in our research and our teaching.

We are keen to hear from you should you have any queries. Please get in touch with us: ecstaster@soton.ac.uk