Academic Sessions for Schools and Colleges

Sixth Form Study Day on Soviet History

On Thursday 17th September we held a Soviet History taster for Sixth Form learners. 

 This event covered key aspects of Soviet history, from the Russian Revolution to the Cold War, running from 10am to 3pm.

There were three lectures from academic experts: Dr Lara Douds (Northumbria University), specialist in early Soviet government; Dr Robert Dale (Newcastle University), specialist in Stalinism and the Second World War; and Prof. Daniel Laqua (Northumbria University), specialist in international movements and organisations.

This was then followed by an interactive seminar exploring primary sources on Soviet history, before concluding with a roundtable discussion where students could ask broader questions about the period and how it's studied at university. 

Description

We hosted our annual NUSTEM Experience Week, welcoming around 50 Year 12 students from local schools and colleges to Northumbria for a week-long insight into university life. Each student's programme focused on one of four pathways: Physics, Maths, Chemistry, or Space Physiology. The experience offers a unique opportunity that stands out on UCAS applications for STEM subjects.

Throughout the week, students took part in the following activities:

Interviewed an academic about their research area

Learned how to source information at university level

Attended a first-year lecture

Created their own research poster

Took part in a lab-based practical activity

Toured our campus

Attended a "Careers in STEM" talk

Presented at a poster conference alongside academics and peers

Throughout the 2025/26 academic year, Northumbria University hosted 10 subject taster days for Year 12 and 13 students. These events gave prospective students the opportunity to experience what it is like to study at Northumbria, offering a taste of student life alongside the chance to explore our world-class campus.

Over 500 students attended, engaging with the following subject areas:

2025/26 Taster Days

Fashion

Geography and Environmental Science

Humanities and International Relations and Politics

Law

Maths, Chemistry and Physics (NUSTEM Experience Week)

Midwifery, Nursing & Health (Health Alive)

Psychology

Social Sciences

If your school/college is interested in signing up for a 26/27 taster event, please fill in this form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Throughout the 2024/25 academic year, Northumbria University hosted more than 15 subject taster days for Year 12 and 13 students. These events gave prospective students the opportunity to experience what it is like to study at Northumbria, offering a taste of student life alongside the chance to explore our world-class campus.

Approximately 550 students attended, engaging with the following subject areas:

2024/25 Taster Days

Applied Sciences

Architecture

Business

Geography and Environmental Science 

Law 

Maths, Physics & Chemistry Week (NUSTEM Experience Week)

Midwifery, Nursing & Health Courses (Health Alive)

Psychology