Academic enrichment activities
We offer a range of opportunities and experience to enrich the curriculum, many of which are designed to stretch and challenge learners. These take activities take place both on and off campus.
On-campus activities
Our current programme of on-campus activities is available via the link below. To make an enquiry about any of these events please complete the on-campus activity booking form.
- View our on-campus activities
- On-campus academic enrichment activity booking form
| Event | Description | Date | Time/duration | Subject area | Year group | Maximum group size per school | Total number of attendees | Cost per group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science: A Bog Body Mystery | This hands-on practical gives students a chance to become a forensic scientist while getting an insight into the real-life applications of DNA analysis and archaeology in solving crime. Students will use clues to piece together the evidence and solve the mystery. | TBC | Three hours | Science | Key Stage 3 | 20 | 20 | £100 |
| Evolution Revolution | This interactive, hands-on workshop enables students to explore the theory of evolution. Students will find out about the mechanism by which evolution occurs (natural selection) and what the modern-day significance of this theory is to scientists around the world. | TBC | Two hours | Science | Key Stage 4 | 30 | 30 | £75 |
| Genetic Engineering | Led by PhD students from The University of Manchester, learners will get practical experience of modern genetic engineering techniques. They will carry out a restriction enzyme digest and visualise the results using agarose gel electrophoresis. They will also explore the moral and ethical issues surrounding genetic engineering and consider the current research applications. | TBC | Three hours | Science | Key Stage 5 | 30 | 30 | £100 |
| Taking Maths Further | Aimed at students likely to take A-level Maths and/or Further Maths, these days are designed to show learners 'what comes next' in Mathematics. The day includes a Maths talk, puzzles and information on Maths at university. | 25 March 2013 |
10am–2pm | Maths | Year 11 | 15 | 100 | £150 |
| Manchester History Day | This day, co-hosted by the Manchester Museum, the Whitworth Art Gallery and The University of Manchester, will use the collections and history of all three institutions to explore the lives, contributions and legacies of some of the key figures involved in Manchester's industrial and social development. John Dalton, Joseph Whitworth, John Owens – we see their names on buildings and street signs every day, but who were they? What did they contribute to Manchester's industrial and social development? And how do their contributions to culture and learning impact on us today? | 25 February and 4 March 2013 | 9.45am–2.30pm | History | Year 9 | 10 | 40 | £150 |
| Insight into Geography | This event will give learners who are currently studying or are interested in geography an overview of the subject at university level. Learners will participate in interactive workshops and lab activities, and experience a taster lecture from current academic staff. | 15 March 2013 | 9.45am–2.30pm | Geography | Year 10 | 10 | 30 | £150 |
| Insight into Archaeology and Classics | This event will give learners who are currently studying or are interested in Archaeology, Classics, Ancient History and Ancient Languages, an overview of this subject area at university level. Learners will have the opportunity to explore both archaeology- and classics-related workshops, as well as experiencing a taster lecture from current academic staff. | 13 March 2013 | 9.45am–2.30pm | History | Year 10 | 10 | 40 | £150 |
| Taking Maths Further | Aimed at students likely to take A-level Maths and/or Further Maths, these days are designed to show learners 'what comes next' in Mathematics. The day includes a Maths talk, puzzles and information on Maths at university. | 19 and 25 June 2013 | 10am–2pm | Maths | Year 10 | 15 | 100 | £150 |
Activities delivered in your school – 'Why Study?' presentations with optional workshops
The 'Why Study?' series provides up-to-date Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to young people so that they are able to make informed decisions about their future. This suite of presentations is delivered in schools, and raises awareness of, and aspiration to, some of the most competitive and demanding subject areas.
The presentations are flexible and may last from 30 to 45 minutes. All of the talks will:
- Provide information on popular disciplines available at university, which are not taught, or are less widely taught, in the 14-19 curriculum;
- Demonstrate some of the skills developed by studying a degree in this subject area;
- Explore some of the careers that graduates from these subject areas could progress into;
- Inform learners of any specific progression information if appropriate (eg any preferred or mandatory GCSE or A-level subjects);
- Raise awareness of additional opportunities available through degree programmes in this subject area (eg study abroad or industry placement opportunities).
The presentations can be combined with an interactive workshop should the school timetable allow. The workshops have been designed by post-doctoral researchers and postgraduate students at the University, who are at the forefront of research in their respective fields.
The workshop aims to give learners a hands-on, interactive taster of the subject area. This may last 60-75 minutes, depending on the time available. The featured subject areas provide an introduction to learners in subjects they may not have encountered yet but are interested in pursuing post-16. The subjects currently on offer include:
- Chemistry
- Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
- Engineering
- Health Care
- Law
- Maths
- Physics
- Psychological Sciences
- Social Sciences
If you are interested in making an enquiry about a Why Study?' talk, please complete the Why Study? booking form.
Please note that as the Why Study? activities takes place at the host school or college, they is only available to institutions based within approximately one hour's travelling distance of The University of Manchester.
If you have any enquiries about the above activities please contact schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.