What is "super-curricular"?
Super-curricular means going deeper into the subjects you love — beyond homework, and beyond hobbies. It's the wider reading, lectures, projects, competitions and programmes that show genuine curiosity. It's also exactly what selective universities look for, and the surest way to find out what you'd actually enjoy studying for three years.
What selective universities look for
Top courses rarely ask for "well-rounded". They want depth and genuine interest in their subject. In practice that means evidence that you have:
- Read and explored beyond the syllabus — and can say what you made of it, not just list it.
- Pursued something independently — a project, an investigation, a competition entry.
- Thought critically — formed and defended your own views, and changed them when the evidence demanded.
Build your super-curricular profile
You don't need money or connections — you need curiosity and a record of it. Five things that genuinely count:
- Keep a log of what you read, watch and attend, with a sentence on what you thought of each.
- Read around your subject — start from the Further reading list.
- Do a project — turn a question into an independent research project.
- Enter a competition — there are real ones in the diary.
- Attend lectures — many of the free options below are open to anyone.
Taster & access programmes
UNIQ
Oxford's free access programme for UK state-school Year 12 students — a residential plus a year of online support. Applications usually open in December.
Visit →Sutton Trust Summer Schools
Free summer schools at leading universities for eligible Year 12 state-school students; applications usually open early in the year.
Visit →The Brilliant Club
Work with a PhD researcher on a university-style course. Ask your teachers whether Macmillan can take part.
Visit →Ri Masterclasses
Royal Institution Saturday workshops in maths and computer science, well beyond the curriculum.
Visit →Smallpeice Trust
Residentials and days that let you try engineering before you commit to a degree.
Visit →Go deeper for free
Gresham College
400 years of free public lectures across every subject — watch online any time.
Visit →BBC In Our Time
Deep, accessible discussions on history, science, philosophy and culture.
Visit →FutureLearn
Free short courses from universities worldwide — ideal super-curricular reading.
Visit →Careers & work experience
Springpod
Free virtual work-experience programmes across dozens of careers and university subjects.
Visit →National Careers Service
Official, free guidance on careers, skills and what different jobs really involve.
Visit →UCAS
Explore degrees, entry requirements and degree apprenticeships — university isn't the only route.
Visit →Plan your path
Produce & share
Make something: Draft a short paragraph — your 'why I want to study X' — naming one thing you've read or done that sparked the interest. Email it to Mr King for feedback before it ever becomes a personal statement.
Talk to someone
Not sure where to start, or which programme fits you? Email Mr King — he can point you to the right opportunity and help with applications and references.