Opportunities in and near Newcastle upon Tyne

Karl Egeland-Eriksen leads a six-week course exploring the geology of the Great Whin Sill. The course is hosted at Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne and appears to be delivered as an in-person educational event rather than a formal qualification-bearing programme. The session is ticketed, with prices starting from £100, and is aimed at people interested in learning more about geology through guided study. It offers a structured opportunity to explore one specific geological topic over several weeks in a museum setting.

Join the University of Sunderland for an interactive event celebrating National Bone and Joint Week. The session is designed for students interested in physiotherapy and sport and rehabilitation therapy, and offers a chance to explore how bones, joints, muscles, and movement work together in the body. Participants will take part in hands-on activities, educational demonstrations, and collaborative exercises. The event includes time in the Anatomy Centre, where students will look at the structure of the lower limbs and learn how physiotherapists and rehabilitation therapists use anatomical knowledge in practice. There is also a practical movement analysis section where students apply what they have learned in real time. Activewear is required for this part of the session, and school bookings are limited to five places per school.

Explore a range of taster workshops linked to the University of Sunderland’s Media and Journalism courses. The day is designed to give prospective students a practical introduction to what studying in this area can look like, with activities that connect course content to real creative and media careers. Participants will get to experience the facilities used by current students and take part in four workshops: a journalism escape room, a podcasting session, a TV studio experience, and a creative game-writing activity. Each session gives students a chance to try different skills, from verifying sources and presenting on camera to planning, recording, editing, and storytelling. The event is aimed at Year 12/13 students and can be booked by school groups or individuals. It offers a hands-on way to explore university study in media and journalism while learning how the courses link to different career paths.

The Northumbria Undergraduate Award is a cash award for UK/Home students starting a full-time undergraduate course at Northumbria University. It is designed to support students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds in Higher Education and help with budgeting and study costs during their degree. Successful applicants receive a total of £4,000, paid in instalments across the first three years of study. The award is made on an annual basis, provided the student progresses to the next year of study, and it is not paid during a placement year or repeated year. Students who receive this award cannot also receive another Northumbria undergraduate award in the same cycle. Applicants must meet the university’s residency, enrolment, funding and offer conditions, and they must satisfy at least one of the award’s priority criteria. These include living in a low-progression neighbourhood, being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, or having a declared physical or mental health condition, long-term illness, or learning difference. Applications are submitted online, with a short written response or optional video statement explaining how the award will support success in Higher Education.

Preparing for Derby Day is a hands-on sports journalism event from the University of Sunderland focused on the build-up to the Tyne and Wear Derby. Participants explore what journalists and pundits need to think about before a major football fixture, both on and off the pitch. The session covers the historical rivalry between Sunderland and their opponents, recent meetings and results, the clubs’ current positions, and the players and managers people will be talking about. Attendees are also given the chance to research the game, prepare content, and do some writing as if they were working in a press environment. There is also an opportunity to take part in a press conference with guests from the university’s Sports Journalism programme. The event is led by Neil Farrington, programme leader for BA (Hons) Sport Journalism, and supported by current Sports Journalism students.

Youth Focus: North East is recruiting volunteers to support Focus Coffee House in Chester-le-Street. Roles cover a wide range of activities including administration, design, youth work, training, events, café support, basic maintenance and decorating, gardening, and digital communications. Tasks will be matched to individual skills, abilities and confidence levels. Volunteers will carry out practical tasks (DIY, minor repairs, painting), help run the café (welcoming customers, preparing and serving food/drinks, supporting community activities), or support promotion and social media (content creation for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, photographing and short videos, designing simple graphics). Full induction, role-specific training and ongoing support are provided. Travel expenses can be reimbursed according to the volunteer expenses policy. Opportunities are flexible and available Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:00 with options for short sessions, weekly placements, project-based support or supported placements. The role is suitable for young people, students, people returning to work, retired or semi-retired volunteers, and neurodiverse individuals seeking to build confidence, practical skills and employability experience. Some roles will require an enhanced DBS check and may require references or safeguarding checks.

The Vaughan Oliver Graphic Design Scholarships (in association with 4AD) will award two incoming BA (Hons) Graphic Design undergraduate students £2,500 each to enhance their first-year university experience. The scholarship is for students starting full-time at Northumbria University's Newcastle upon Tyne campus in September 2026 and is paid as cash across the first academic year (25% in Nov 2026, 25% in Feb 2027, 50% in May 2027). Funding is provided for the first year only. Applicants must be UK/Home applicants, self-funded (not sponsored), and have applied for Government Student Finance. To be eligible applicants must apply and enrol on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, meet entry requirements, choose Northumbria as their firm choice by 30 June 2026, and consent to share Student Finance data with the University. Priority consideration is given to applicants who meet at least one of: live in a low HE progression neighbourhood (POLAR4/TUNDRA MSOA quintile 1 or 2), are from a BAME background, or have declared a long-term health condition/learning difference on their UCAS form. Selection is competitive and based on an online written application (up to 3000 characters) addressing how the award will support aspirations to succeed in higher education. Applications close at 16:00 on 3 July 2026 and successful applicants will be notified following results day in August 2026. Recipients must provide a thank you letter and a progress update to the donor; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.

The Raman Sehgal Scholarships at Northumbria University will award two students a total of £4,000 to support UK/Home students who will be studying full-time from September 2026. The award targets underrepresented and disadvantaged students in Higher Education; all eligible self-funded applicants will be shortlisted and considered. Payments are made by bank transfer and the page lists a payment schedule across the first academic year (payments by November 2026, February 2027 and May 2027). To be eligible you must be a UK/Home applicant enrolling on a Level 4 (first year undergraduate) programme at the Newcastle Upon Tyne campus starting September 2026, choose Northumbria as your firm choice by 30 June 2026, meet your offer conditions, be self-funded (not employer-sponsored), register/apply with the appropriate Student Finance body and agree to share consent via your Student Finance provider. Students on Level 3/Foundation Year or progressing from a Foundation Year are not eligible; no award is made for placement years or resits. To apply submit an application via the online form (link on the Northumbria page) of no more than 3,000 characters (500 words) answering: "How will this Award support your aspirations to succeed in Higher Education?" Video submissions are accepted via the form 'file' upload. Applications close at 16:00 on Friday 03 July 2026; applicants will be notified of outcomes following results day in August 2026.

Join the University of Sunderland for a Schools and Colleges Open Day designed specifically for Year 12 students. The event offers an immersive campus experience where students can explore subject areas, tour facilities, and get a taste of student life through extra-curricular activities. Students can choose from over 20 subject-specific demonstrations and speak directly with experienced academics and current students to gain insights into courses, teaching, and student support. University support services will be available to provide guidance on student finance, accommodation, scholarships and bursaries. The Open Day is split into two sessions on Wednesday 22 April to offer flexibility for school timetables: a morning session (9:30-12:15) and an afternoon session (12:15-15:00). Schools and colleges can book places via the registration links; contact student.recruitment@sunderland.ac.uk for questions or further information.

The University of Sunderland Open Days 2026 invite prospective students to explore campus life, meet academic staff and current students, and learn more about course content and support available. Attendees can join subject talks, view facilities and take part in campus tours led by Student Ambassadors. Campus tours (including accommodation tours for Panns Bank and Scotia Quay) give a guided view of study spaces, social areas and specialist facilities. The university also runs talks on student finance, scholarships and bursaries, and has a Student Finance stand where visitors can ask questions. Staff from support and wellbeing services will also be available to discuss pastoral and academic support. If you cannot attend an open day, the university offers bookable campus tours and a wide range of other events (public lectures, applicant subject events) both in person and online. International visitors are asked to contact the International Office to arrange a tour.

St Oswald’s Hospice currently advertises a wide range of volunteer roles across hospice and retail services. Opportunities include clinical-support roles (e.g. Lymphoedema Volunteers, Bereavement Support), specialist roles (Podiatry Volunteer, Hairdressing Volunteer), horticulture and maintenance (Gardening, Facilities Volunteer), and retail and logistics roles (Shop Volunteer, Vinted Volunteer, Van Crew, Volunteer Book Scanner, eBay Sales Assistant, Sorting Volunteer and Donation Point Receptionist). Role descriptions and application forms are available for download on the site. Many roles offer flexible hours and full training where required; some roles seek specific skills or qualifications (for example, qualified podiatrists or experienced hairdressers). The Bereavement Support Volunteer training is a 9-part programme run over eight weeks; cohorts are recruited periodically - see the role page for the next intake. Locations include the Hospice, Gosforth clinics and the Retail Hub/Ouseburn (NE1), with roles sometimes based at Kingston Park or other local sites. To apply, download the relevant role description and return the completed volunteer application form to volunteer@stoswaldsuk.org. Role-specific contacts (e.g. AnnTraynor@stoswaldsuk.org, Ouseburn@stoswaldsuk.org, brendahodgson@stoswaldsuk.org) are listed on role pages for enquiries.

Visit Newcastle University’s Undergraduate Open Day to explore the university in person and get a feel for what studying there could be like. It is aimed at prospective undergraduate students who want to learn more about the institution and see the campus for themselves.

An open day is a chance to visit the university, find out more about courses and study options, and understand more about student life and the wider university experience. It is a useful opportunity for anyone considering higher education and wanting to compare their options before applying.

The page presents this as an in-person visit to Newcastle University rather than an online event, so attendees can expect a campus-based experience. No specific dates, times, or booking details were visible in the provided source text.

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.