Eligibility

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

• attained mostly grades of 7 or above at GCSE*.
• currently in Year 12 (English system, or equivalent) and age 16 or over on the 28th of July 2024.
• currently studying in the UK, or are a British citizen studying abroad.
• for the Electronics and Computer Science stream: currently studying A-Level Mathematics and either Physics, Computer Science, Electronics, Biology, Chemistry or Further Mathematics*.
• for the Biomedical Engineering stream: currently studying A-Level Mathematics and either Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Further Mathematics*.

* 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. Half of our initial allocation of places are reserved to ensure a balance of genders.

Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships

Course Fees

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

If you would prefer to arrive on Sunday 28th July, we offer overnight accommodation and dinner on Sunday night, and breakfast on Monday for an additional charge. Overnight accommodation is not possible on Friday 4th August.

Bursaries and Reduced Fees

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

Full bursaries are available to attendees on a first-come first-served basis, 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 
• 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 applicants 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. 

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.