Opportunities in and near Derry/Londonderry

Experience Maths and Physics is an in-person outreach event from Queen's University Belfast designed to give AS Level students a taste of what studying maths and physics is like beyond school. It is aimed at students who want to explore these subjects in more depth and hear from university staff about the kind of teaching, research and practical work involved. There are separate Physics and Maths schedules, and the university notes that each event is the same each day, so students only need to attend once. The Physics day includes a welcome, a research talk, lab tours, lunch, an introduction to a practical session, hands-on activity and a closing session. The Maths day includes welcome, interactive sessions, lunch, refreshments and a final wrap-up. Lunch and refreshments are provided, and registration is due to open in Spring 2027, with students able to email the outreach team to be notified when it opens.

Join poet Niamh McNally for an immersive creative writing workshop that explores the “darker half” of the year through the lens of Samhain. Participants will work with prompts, discussion, visual inspiration, and playful exercises to create writing inspired by Celtic traditions, rituals, mythologies, ancestry, the supernatural, and the changing season at the start of winter. The workshop is designed as a reflective and imaginative session for older teens and adults interested in poetry and creative writing. It takes place at the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh and runs for three hours, offering a focused space to experiment with ideas and develop writing in response to themes of nature, myth, and spookiness.

ScreenWorks, delivered by Into Film and funded by the Department for Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, offers young people in Northern Ireland aged 14-19 hands-on work placement experiences across the five screen sectors: Film, Television, Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects. Placements are industry-led and take place throughout the academic year, giving participants access to professionals and practical activities such as costume and prosthetic make-up, VFX, editing, production office experience, music composition, game narrative and more. Placements typically run for 3-5 days during the school day and are delivered in-person at partner studios, companies and university facilities across Northern Ireland. All programmes are free to attend and a travel bursary is available to reimburse public transport costs. Young people can apply to preferred placements via the online application form; participants are encouraged to apply directly rather than through a teacher or parent. For enquiries about applications or to request further information, email screenworks@intofilm.org or phone 07936 361786. Please check individual programme listings for specific date details and any additional requirements (for example, fluency in Irish for the Irish-language Editing programme).

Queen's University Belfast is running a "Check In To Win" competition linked to its June and October 2026 Open Days. To enter, prospective undergraduate applicants must pre-register to attend and then check in at Queen's Open Day on Saturday 6 June 2026 or Saturday 3 October 2026. The entry period runs from 00:01 on 6 June 2026 until 23:59 on 3 October 2026 (GMT). Entrants are limited to one entry each and must provide their first name, surname and email address when registering. The winner will be selected by electronic draw and contacted by 1 November 2026.

Thinking of applying to university? Ulster Universitys Open Day at the Coleraine campus is an opportunity for prospective undergraduate applicants to meet course teams, explore degree options and gather information to help choose the right path. The event takes place on Friday 18 September 2026 from 9.30am to 2.30pm at the Coleraine campus. Visitors are asked to register for the event via the registration form on the event page.

Ulster University's Open Day at the Derry~Londonderry campus is an event for prospective undergraduate applicants to explore courses, meet academic and admissions staff, and learn about student life and support services. Attendees can speak directly with course teams, get advice about applications and UCAS, and tour campus facilities to help choose the right degree pathway. The event takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026 with a start time advertised at 9:30am. It is held in-person at the Derry~Londonderry campus. Prospective students are encouraged to register via the event registration form on the Ulster University website (link labelled "Register for this event" on the listing). No specific entry requirements, fees, or accommodation details are stated on the event page.

Ulster University’s Open Day at the Belfast campus on Friday 4 September 2026 gives prospective undergraduate students the opportunity to explore courses, meet academic and admissions staff, and learn about study pathways and campus facilities. The event runs from 09:30 to 14:30 and is aimed at those thinking of applying to university, including A-level/sixth-form students and other prospective undergraduates. Attendees can speak directly with course teams to discuss course content, entry requirements and career routes, and view facilities on the Belfast campus. The Open Day is intended to help visitors decide which course or pathway best suits their interests and future plans. To attend, register using the registration form on the event page (click "Register for this event"). Further event details and any updates are provided on the Ulster University undergraduate events page.

Glasgow Caledonian University is hosting a Northern Ireland Information Evening in Belfast for prospective applicants and those who have already applied for 2026. The event will take place at the voco Belfast by IHG and gives attendees the chance to hear directly from university staff about studying in Glasgow, the range of courses available, and what life is like in Glasgow for students from Northern Ireland. Attendees can ask questions about career prospects, funding and scholarships, and other aspects of student life. Registration is required via the online form. For further information, prospective attendees can contact the university by email at ukroenquiries@gcu.ac.uk.

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) at Queen's University Belfast supports STEM Learning's Research Placements and Experiences, a summer programme that gives Year 12 students hands-on laboratory experience alongside WWIEM researchers. The scheme runs over July and/or August and offers either a two-week Research Placement or a five-day Research Experience, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real research projects and to learn about research career pathways. The programme is aimed at talented, enthusiastic Year 12 students and is described as supporting students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Projects hosted by WWIEM provide supervised, practical experience in laboratory settings and exposure to research and industry professionals. Students should have at least five GCSEs at Level 5 or above and be studying one or more A-levels in relevant subjects such as science, technology, engineering, computing, statistics, or maths. Students apply via the STEM Learning online application portal. WWIEM researchers who wish to host students can register as providers through the linked provider portal. Further details and guidance are available on the STEM Learning placements webpage linked from the WWIEM page.

The A-Level Lecture Series at Seamus Heaney HomePlace is a Key Stage 5 education programme built around Heaney and Frost. It combines an exhibition tour, a lecture, and a seminar, giving students the chance to explore the poets’ work in an engaging and academically focused setting. The series is delivered by experienced university lecturers and school practitioners, with seminars facilitated by PhD students from Queen’s University and Ulster University.

Students examine key themes through comparative readings of poems from the A-Level syllabus, making the day especially useful for classes preparing for examinations. The programme includes a structured timetable with arrival, exhibition tour, lecture, lunch, seminar, and departure, and it is designed to support teacher-led study while offering an interactive experience for pupils. Booking is confirmed by returning the completed form, and schools are asked to provide notice if they need to cancel.

Tune Supply’s online "Dance the Tune" workshop with Nic Gareiss explores the musical potential of percussive step dance. Through imitation, idiomatic ornaments, and extended techniques for shoe sounds and textures, participants learn how to shape rhythm lines that echo melody and create rhythmic counterpoint, while developing listening, responsiveness, and sonic awareness.

The workshop is designed for dancers and interested instrumentalists of all levels. It is taught by ear and recorded for registered students, so you can join live or catch up later. Participants should wear comfortable smooth-soled shoes with a low or no heel to get the most from the session.

Hearing the Archive is an online Tune Supply workshop led by Cleek Schrey that explores how contemporary traditional musicians can learn from historic audio and digitized field recordings. The session focuses on listening deeply to archival sound, identifying what counts as musical information, and translating older styles into present-day playing.

Participants will take part in shared listening, close analysis of specific historic performances, and practical discussion of the technical, technological, and aesthetic challenges of working with archive recordings. The workshop is designed for players of all melody instruments and all levels, and it is presented in a way that welcomes both new and experienced participants.

Attendees receive a curated roadmap of historic performances, a resource guide for finding online traditional music archives, and a framework for turning style, tone, and inflection from old recordings into usable ideas in their own music-making. Registered students also receive the class recording after the session, so they can revisit the material later.

This online Tune Supply workshop focuses on building strong tune sets for traditional music performance and session playing. Participants will explore how to construct consonant sets by paying attention to keys, moods, and the movement from one tune to the next, including both seamless and more dramatic transitions.

The session draws on historic sets as a template, but it is also highly practical and participant-led: learners will work with family favourites and ideas shared in the Zoom room. The workshop is suitable for all melody instruments, and accompanying players may also find useful material for their own playing.

The class is taught by ear and is open to all levels. Registered students receive the recording after the workshop, so it can be useful both for live participation and later review.

This workshop looks at the music of Pádraig O’Keeffe through his manuscript notation and the slides and polkas that have come down through the Sliabh Luachra tradition. It introduces the ideas behind his notation methods and how his bowing directives shape the rhythmic personality of these tune types. Participants will learn a number of tunes from the manuscripts while also gaining context about one of the most influential Irish traditional musicians of the twentieth century. The class combines ear learning with sheet music, and the recording is made available to registered students after the workshop.

This conversational workshop explores the elements that make a beautiful Irish slow air, with an emphasis on listening, discussion, and practical application. Although the class is based around whistle playing, the ideas and techniques are framed so they can be adapted to any musical instrument. Class participation is encouraged throughout, with time for shared reflection and musical exploration. The workshop is taught by ear and includes a recording for registered students, so it can be enjoyed live or revisited later.

This online Tune Supply workshop explores how to build tasteful variations into traditional Irish flute and whistle playing. The session focuses on why tunes often change subtly from one repeat to the next, and how players can use chord structure, rhythmic shifts, and melodic ideas to create variation that still feels authentic and musical.

The workshop goes further into the instrument-specific details that shape variation on flute and whistle, including octave jumps, breathing placement, and characteristic notes such as the hard D and bent C natural. Participants will also look at how these ideas can be applied to specific well-known traditional tunes, making the material practical and directly usable in performance or session settings.

The class is suitable for flute and whistle players at all levels, and it is taught in a combination of ear learning and sheet music support. Registered students receive the class recording immediately after the workshop, so it is designed to work both for live attendance and for later viewing.

This workshop focuses on effective chord shapes and progressions for Irish guitar playing in standard and drop-D tuning. The class is centred on building ease and fluidity in accompaniment, with an emphasis on supporting traditional Irish music and songs. The session is taught by ear and is designed for players who want practical tools they can use straight away in session or performance settings. A class recording is provided to registered students, making it suitable for both live attendance and later practice.

Lancaster University’s Practical Budgeting webinar is designed for applicant students who are due to commence their studies in the 2026/27 academic year. It introduces practical money-management skills for young people who may be living independently for the first time, covering everyday costs such as meals, rent, household items, toiletries, haircuts and bus tickets. The session aims to help attendees understand how to budget effectively and make smarter spending decisions as they prepare for university life. There will be time at the end for questions, giving applicants the chance to get advice and clarify any concerns about managing money. This is an open event and registration is required. Participants can use an alias when signing up and do not need to switch their camera on, making it easy to attend comfortably and privately.

Mentoring United’s MU Mentorship Programme is a year-long mentoring offer for boys aged 11 to 18 in the UK. It is designed to help students strive for excellence in their studies, careers, and communities through structured support and guidance. The programme includes online group sessions built around the PAGE curriculum, which focuses on purpose, career awareness, good grades, and emotional intelligence. Participants also take part in in-person enrichment trips, one-to-one coaching calls, essay writing feedback, and a personal development report to track each student’s progress. The programme is offered on a rolling basis and spaces are limited.

This online careers talk gives an overview of the wide range of careers available in the creative industries, with a particular focus on Art and Design. It is designed to help prospective students understand how creative study can connect to different career paths and destinations after university. A member of the academic team will be joined by current students and graduates to discuss the courses offered, the experiences and opportunities available during study, and the kinds of roles graduates go on to pursue. The session also highlights ways students can build industry experience while studying, including placements, live projects, collaborations, and other professional development opportunities. Attendees will also hear first-hand insights from the student and graduate panel and can ask questions using the live chat function. The event is suitable for school groups in Year 12 and Year 13, as well as individual sign-ups, especially for those already applying or thinking about applying to study Art and Design.