UniFest 2026 (Aimhigher West Midlands)
Aimhigher West Midlands
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Curious what uni feels like? Join UniFest 2026 to explore courses, try hands-on tasters, tour campuses and connect with academics; build skills and boost your next steps.
UniFest is a targeted summer programme run by Aimhigher West Midlands that gives Year 10 students the chance to explore higher education and experience life as a university student. Multiple UniFest events are hosted by universities across the West Midlands (University College Birmingham, University of Worcester, Birmingham City University, Aston University, University of Birmingham).
Activities vary by host and can include hands-on subject tasters, campus tours, workshops led by academic staff, social activities and sessions with current student ambassadors to help participants learn about university study and careers. UniFest is intended for Year 10 learners from state-funded, non-selective secondary schools in the West Midlands who are less likely to consider university.
Places are offered on a targeted basis and require school approval and parental/carer consent. The programme is free of charge; residential events include meals and accommodation, and universities will assist with travel planning.
Applications are scheduled to open on 1 December 2025 and applicants are advised to complete the online form with parents/carers and inform their school as part of the application process.
01 Dec 2025
UniFest 2026 — Year 10 summer school events (approximate summer 2026 window; exact event dates not listed on page)
UniFest Next Steps — Autumn 2026 (Year 11 follow-up day; page states 'the next event will happen in the Autumn of 2026'; exact date not listed)
Location
- Learners must be in Year 10 at non-selective, state-funded secondary schools in the West Midlands
- Application must have the support of the applicant's school
- Parental or carer consent is required for applicants
- Applicants should be able to answer 'Yes' to at least one of the following: live in an area where not many young people go to university; are a young carer; have a disability or learning difficulty; are in the care of the local authority; receive Free School Meals / Pupil Premium; parents/carers did not go to university
UniFest is totally free of charge. For residential UniFest events, meals, accommodation and organised activities are provided and paid for by the universities. Universities will help plan travel to and from events; if travel costs are a barrier applicants should contact aimhigher@contacts.bham.ac.uk for support.
Free to attend. Residential events include meals, accommodation and activities paid for by the host university. Contact aimhigher@contacts.bham.ac.uk if travel costs may prevent attendance.
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