Super-Curricular Activity Guide - Making your Personal Statement Stand Out - Amazon AWS

Super-Curricular
     Activity Guide
Making your Personal Statement Stand Out

Preface
For those of you considering applying to
universities in the UK, you will need to make
a UCAS application in Year 13. Over the
course of the next few months St Olaves will
begin to launch the process, guiding you
through it and so do not worry too much
about it at this stage.

As a part of this application you will be
asked to write a ‘Personal Statement’ in
which you will be able to demonstrate your
interest in your chosen subject of study.
One of the best ways to do so is to show
that you have taken part in super-curricular
activities. These are activities that involve
you engaging with your subject beyond the
A-level syllabus such as, but not limited to,
writing an article for a journal, entering an
essay competition, completing an online
course, reading a book, attending a
summer school and doing relevant work
experience.

When the time comes to write your
personal statement it will be made much
easier by already having a few super-
curricular activities under your belt. In order
to help you get started with this, the
Academic Prefects have each put together a
list of three to five super-curricular
opportunities for you to get involved in. The
deadline for these vary from January to
August so make sure to take a look now so
as not to miss out!

 We sincerely hope that this resource will
make your upcoming application process as
           smooth as possible,
        The Academic Prefects
               2019-2020
                                              1

Contents
 General Opportunities
        Page 3

 Biology Opportunities
         Page 4

Chemistry Opportunities
     Page 4 and 5

 Physics Opportunities
         Page 5

   DT Opportunities
      Page 5 and 6

  Maths Opportunities
         Page 6

Economics Opportunities
        Page 6

Geography Opportunities
        Page 7

 History Opportunities
      Page 7 and 8

 Classics Opportunities
          Page 8

   MFL Opportunities
        Page 9

                          2

General Opportunities
Uptree
Make and account for free access to many work experience, internship and workshop
opportunities with big companies such as HSBC, IBM, Credit Suisse and more
All subjects - particularly useful for STEM, law and finance
More info at: https://uptree.co/students/

The Oxford Scientist School’s Writing Competition
Opens several times a year
More info at: http://oxsci.org/schools/

New College of the Humanities Essay Competition
2021 - Now open; closes February 2021
More info at: https://www.nchlondon.ac.uk/essay/

Immerse Education
Oxford and Cambridge residential summer schools: over 30 subjects
2021 - Open; scholarship application open now and close in January
More info at: https://www.immerse.education/bursary-programme/

Duke’s Education Essay Prize: all subjects
2021 - Opens February
More info at: https://dukeseducation.com/essay-prize/

The Libre Essay Prize: all subjects
2021 - Opens February; Closes June
More info at: https://www.libraeducation.co.uk/essay-prize

UCL Online Summer School: 14 subjects
Opens January 2021
More info at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/year-
12-summer-school-online

Science Crest Award (Gold)
Open all year
More info at: https://www.crestawards.org

University of London: University Taster Courses and Lectures
More info at: https://london.ac.uk/ways-study/study-campus-london/university-taster-
courses

The Big Bang Competition: STEM and engineering
2021 - Opens in January; Closes in March
More info at: https://competition.thebigbangfair.co.uk/get-started/starting-your-project/

                                                                                            3

Biology Opportunities
Imperial Y12 Work Experience Programmes - National Heart and Lung Institute
and Life Sciences
This summer school is fully funded (free to successful applicants), which includes all
course fees, materials as well as lunch.
2021 – TBC
More info at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/student-recruitment-and-
outreach/schools-and-colleges/students/on-campus-activities/summer-schools/work-
experience/

Kelvin Science Essay Competition
Opens: February 2021; Submissions close: April 2021
More info at: https://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/essay-prizes

Royal Institution Lectures – Biology and Medicine
Past lectures can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLbnrZHfNEDZyGeNsqVL3jmXMpJbNcPXsC (Biology)
And: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnrZHfNEDZxEvWydldVLllk_bA8_rs2
(Medicine)
Current lectures can be signed up to at: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on

Imperial Online Events
Register Online for free – most events are virtual, often via zoom
Topics range from ‘Sickle cell disorders in the UK (History, Sciences and Culture)’ to
‘Targeting the synapse in Alzheimer’s Disease’ – but also talks that are unrelated to
biology
Find at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/whats-on/?ends=2020-12-
13&show=between&starts=2020-12-12
and recordings of past events and podcasts can be
found at: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/social-and-multimedia/lectures-online/

             Chemistry Opportunities
The Biochemical Society: Science Communication Prize
2021 - Not yet open
More info at: https://www.biochemistry.org/education/science-communication

Newnham College Essay Prizes: The Biological Sciences Essay Prize
2021 - Opens December 2020
(Female students only)
More info at: https://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduates/newnham-essay-
prizes/

                                                                                         4

UCL Science Lectures
2020 Christmas Series
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/outreach/science-centre-lectures

                 Physics Opportunities
Cambridge/Isaac Physics Senior Physics Challenge
As a reward for solving questions on IsaacPhysics, you can be invited to the University of
Cambridge for a 5 day all-paid for residential course. Here you will engage in problem
solving in the field of Quantum Mechanics, with 50 other students
More info at: https://isaacphysics.org/pages/spc

I Want To Study Engineering
A website for practicing problem solving for both Physics and Engineering; Highly
recommended for those wishing to apply for a Physics/Engineering related degree
More info at: https://i-want-to-study-engineering.org/

Oxford Scientist Essay Contest
700 words on the question; “How important is creativity important in science?”
Deadline 1st February 2021
More info at: http://oxsci.org/schools/

The Feynman Lectures on Physics
A series of lectures from Nobel Prize winning Physicist Richard Feynman
More info at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRE0GxT6Zbw

                       DT Opportunities
Product in a Tin
Competition is open now until 1st August 2021
More info at: http://www.julieboyd.co.uk/my-competitions-events-/product-in-a-tin-
compe.html

D&AD New Blood Awards 2021
Kick start you're career in advertising and design - Deadline for entries: 23 March 2021
More info at: https://www.dandad.org/en/d-ad-new-blood-awards/

                                                                                             5

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge: Architecture Essay Competition
500 words; not open yet
More info at: https://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/study-us/undergraduate/opportunities-
prospective-applicants/essay-competitions

                   Maths Opportunities
The British Society for the History of Maths: Schools Plus Essay Competition
Not open for 2021 yet
More info at: https://www.bshm.ac.uk/plus

Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures and Events
Access to recordings of previous lectures held at the University of Oxford
More info at: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/events/public-lectures-events

King's Factor
After-school maths club organised by King's College London for sixth form students
Applications for 2021-2022 are in September
More info at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/mathematics/outreach

             Economics Opportunities
Royal Economic Society/Financial Times: Young Economist of the Year
Essay Competition; Spring 2021 – not yet open
More info at: https://www.res.org.uk/education/young-economist-of-the-year.html

Institute of Economic Affairs: The IEA Budget Challenge
Open now until 29 January 2021
More info at: https://iea.org.uk/the-iea-budget-challenge

Sutton Trust Summer Schools Summer 2021
At a range of universities – not yet open
More info at: https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/browse-courses/

LSE Essay Competition
Not yet open
More info at: https://lsesueconsoc.org/economics-essay-competition-2020/

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Geography Opportunities
The Young Geographer of the Year
The Royal Geography society and geographical magazine organise an annual
competition for those aged 9-18
2021 – Not yet open
More info at: https://www.rgs.org/schools/competitions/young-geographer-of-the-year/

The National Schools Geology Challenge
Open to any students studying geology, geography or any other science A-Levels
Submissions must be made by 12th February 2021
More info at: https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/geochallenge

FutureLearn
Offers a wide range of free, short courses on a variety of geographical topics. These
include (but are certainly not limited to):
Concepts in sustainable development: An introduction to key issues -
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/sustainability
Migration and cities - https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/migration-cities
Future food: Sustainable food systems for the 21st century -
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/future-food
Valuing nature: should we put a price on ecosystems? -
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/valuing-nature-should-we-put-a-price-on-
ecosystems

Geographical Podcasts (Apple Podcasts)
University of Stanford
The School of Geography and Environment, Oxford
‘Geography Island Jams’, LSE

Mark Blacksell Public Lecture Series
More info at: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/school-of-geography-earth-and-
environmental-sciences/mark-blacksell-public-lecture-series

               History Opportunities
University of Sheffield History Essay Competition
Now open; Submissions by 29th April 2021
More info at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/history/essay-competition

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The Julia Wood's Prize
History essay competition ran by St Hugh's College Oxford.
Opens early 2021
More info at: https://www.st-hughs.ox.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/outreach/julia-wood-
site/

Peterhouse's Vellacott History Prize
History essay competition ran by Peterhouse College, Cambridge. Contains Ancient
History too which is applicable for Classics students.
Opens in February
More info at: https://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/essay-prizes

                 Classics Opportunities
University College, London Classics Taster Day
Wednesday 27th January 2021, 2:00-4:00 pm GMT
Free to register
More info at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-classics-and-ancient-world-taster-day-ii-
2020-tickets-130784478897

Classics & Ancient History Summer School - Durham
8th-13th August 2021
No academic entry requirements
More info at: https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/course/durham-university/classics-
ancient-history/

Newnham College Classics Essay Competition for Year 12 Female Students
Now open
More info at: https://www.theclassicslibrary.com/newnham-college-classics-essay-
competition-for-year-12-female-students/And:
https://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduates/newnham-essay-prizes/?
fbclid=IwAR2VLfzFtTzFiXXxGVTrK-cDYnax0a4P47j0HsTD7ca7lQIFeirjqIDlufc

Classics Summer School - Cambridge
30th July 2021
No academic entry requirements
More info at: https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/course/university-of-
cambridge/classics/

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MFL Opportunities
         Linguistics Essay Competition - Trinity College, Cambridge
         Not open yet
         More info at: https://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/essay-prizes/linguistics/

         Oxford Languages Competitions
         Ran by the faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages. Includes: French Flash Fiction
         Competition, ONG German Olympiad, ONG German Classic Essay Prize and the Spanish
         Flash Fiction Competition.
         More info at: https://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/schools/language-competitions

         Newnham Modern and Medieval Languages Essay Prize
         Now open for 2021- only applicable for female students
         More info at: https://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduates/newnham-essay-
         prizes/

                   We wish you the very best of
                    luck with your university
                          applications!
                      Follow @olavesspt on Instagram for
                            more info and updates

Thank you to Sophie Lu for the artwork                                                         9