Eton Summer University Preparation Course

The first Eton Summer University Preparation Courses (ESUPC) was run during the first two weeks of July 2022. ESUPC is a series of free non-residential subject-based courses designed for Year 12 students from state schools and led by Eton masters.

284 Year 12 pupils from 40 local state schools travelled to Eton College for three-five days to study one of nine available subject courses taught and curated by Eton’s teachers. State schools were asked to nominate students who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to gain extra university application support. These students were then asked to make a direct application to the course. A team of Eton staff reviewed nearly 400 applications and allocated places based on both the students’ grades and level of need.  

The courses showed participants what it might be like to study the subject at degree level, with the course content extending beyond the A Level curriculum. The primary appeal of the summer school was enabling like-minded students to work and socialise together alongside dynamic teaching delivered by Eton’s teachers.

The nine subject courses offered by Eton College were: Mathematics, English, Economics, French, Biology with Chemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Theology and Philosophy, and Classics. As part of the summer school, general university preparation talks for the students were led by Oxford, Cambridge and Reading universities, all held at Eton College. These talks covered university preparation topics such as student life at university, how to write a personal statement, understanding student finance, and the support available for students at university (including mental health support). 

Impact

‘My favourite thing was 100% all my lessons. All the teachers we had were brilliant and the content we were being taught was eye opening. It was so well taught, and I feel as if I have learnt so many new things I never knew before.’ - R, The Westgate School 

‘The teachers were absolutely wonderful and I appreciated all the support, help, and guidance they showed us throughout the whole week. They were so lovely and connected with us, showing us so many different routes of philosophy and just giving general advice for university. They were so kind, and I genuinely have so much appreciation for them.’ - M, Heston Community School 

Pupil Involvement

284 Year 12 students attended from 40 different local state schools (45% male and 54% female).
59% of students who attended would have been the first to attend university.
20% of the students qualified for the 16 – 19 bursary.
29% of the students had an annual household income under £25,000.