Over 200 students and their progress tutors embarked on an inspiring journey to the Newcastle Utilita Arena to the annual UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) event.  Alongside their peers, they went to visit over 100 university, college and apprenticeship representatives to find out about different options and pathways after they leave Durham Sixth Form Centre. The UCAS Discovery Exhibition is a popular event and, having been prepared by several CORE sessions focusing on progression, students arrived ready to find universities and apprenticeship providers that matched their interests. 

Throughout the day a series of live talks provided advice and information on a range of topics. This included experts from a range of fields including STEM, Social Sciences and Creative Studies. Students with an interest in pursuing careers in the NHS attended talks on medicine, nursing and midwifery. They were also able to get advice and information on important topics such as student finance and how to make their application stand out. 

In between live talks, students had time to explore the different stalls where representatives from a wide range of universities were available to answer students’ specific questions about their courses, campuses and cities. Many students wanted to know what it is like to live and study at university and were able to gain greater insight through this than by online research alone. 

Universities from all over the country were represented, from the Russell Group institutions to specialist sports and performing arts academies. The calibre of apprenticeship providers was equally high, with the armed forces, Dyson and PwC out in force to convince our young people to apply for their competitive higher level apprenticeship programmes. 

The trip was a huge success, with students returning to school enthused and motivated to start planning their future.