Sixth-formers from across the UK have been finding out first-hand what it would be like to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

The Headstart Focus Course: Physical Sciences, which is running from July 18-22, aims to give its 36 Year 12 participants a realistic taste of academic life as a Cambridge undergraduate.

The sixth-formers, who all hope to study science at university, have been attending lectures and seminars, carrying out laboratory experiments and working together on projects - just like first-year undergraduates on the Natural Sciences degree course.

Headstart has been co-hosted by the University of Cambridge's Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy and King's College, Cambridge; it is being run in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The course's organisers, Rob Wallach and Lianne Sallows, said:

"Headstart provides an excellent opportunity to see what university life is really like. The University prospectus gives you some idea of what you will be doing whilst studying at Cambridge, but this course goes much further because it allows you to step into an undergraduate's shoes and get a real feel for the science subjects offered on the Natural Sciences degree course."

The students will also be spending time at the University of Cambridge's Departments of Chemistry and Physics, and in the Institute of Astronomy.

Headstart is a national scheme, which is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's 'Best' programme. The courses are open to students in Year 12 (or equivalent) who are interested in knowing more about working in the world of science, engineering and technology. More than 700 students from all over Great Britain attend Headstart courses each year.


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