Environmental Sciences Unlocked

Most young people don't get the chance to study environmental science until university. We want to change that.

By taking part in Environmental Sciences Unlocked, you'll gain practical experience, useful subject knowledge, and discover the wide range of disciplines that make up environmental sciences.

What is Environmental Sciences Unlocked?

Environmental Sciences Unlocked is a five-day, non-residential course for Year 10 students with an interest in environmental sciences - the study of how our planet works and how we can protect it by exploring the natural world, understanding human impacts, and finding solutions to global challenges. You'll spend a week in summer 2026 working with UEA academics, gaining practical lab experience and expanding your environmental and scientific knowledge. The best part? It's all completely free.

Environmental Sciences Unlocked is open to Year 10 students attending state-funded schools in Norfolk and North East Suffolk (additional eligibility criteria apply). Activities are pitched at GCSE grade 4 level.

Applications are open now!

Why should I apply?

If you're interested in learning more about environmental sciences, we want to hear from you.

Maybe you already know you want to study environmental sciences at university, or maybe you're only just starting to think about future pathways. Either way, Environmental Sciences Unlocked will give you access to specialist facilities and equipment at UEA, which you'll use in collaboration with our expert academics.

Do you enjoy science or geography? This activity will help you connect those subjects to real-world challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable land use. You'll learn how scientists combine biological, physical, and geographical knowledge to understand our planet and find solutions to global problems.

Looking for work experience related to an environmental or scientific subject? Environmental Sciences Unlocked could be right for you.

What will I do?

You'll spend a week working alongside UEA academics and specialists exploring different areas of environmental science and discovering the careers connected to them. Environmental Sciences Unlocked will allow you to enhance your knowledge, expand your network, and showcase your research, just as you would in a professional setting.

Throughout the programme, you'll dive into earth sciences, ecology and biodiversity, geophysics, meteorology and climate science, and sustainability. Along the way, you'll develop practical scientific skills like collecting and analysing data, using lab equipment and field tools, identifying species with the help of AI, predicting natural hazards, and communicating your findings clearly.

Here's a preview of this year's activities:

You won't be learning in just one place - you'll move between university laboratories, outdoor field sites like the River Yare, dedicated campus learning spaces, and a professional presentation environment where you'll share your research at the end of the week. This mix of settings gives you a true taste of how environmental scientists study the world and apply their work to real-world challenges.

You'll also meet current UEA students, talk to environmental scientists about their careers, and get one step closer to deciding on your future path.

When is it?

Environmental Sciences Unlocked takes place from Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July 2026.

There is a pre-event meet-up on Tuesday 28 April 2026 from 3.45-5.00pm, which we strongly encourage you to attend.

Can I apply?

This opportunity is open to Year 10 students attending a state-funded school and living in Norfolk or North East Suffolk.

This activity is designed to help people who are statistically less likely to go on to Higher Education. The work UEA Outreach does tackles educational barriers. Our selection criteria are based on evidence from the Office for Students that shows which groups face additional barriers to progression to Higher Education. These barriers can vary, and some groups face more than others.

For the full eligibility criteria, please see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

How do I apply?

Applications for Environmental Sciences Unlocked are open now!

If you meet the eligibility criteria and apply on time, then you’ll be considered for a place on Environmental Sciences Unlocked. If there are more applications than there are spaces, then we’ll randomly select people.

The deadline to apply is Monday 9 February 2026, but please note that sign-ups may close sooner than this, depending on interest.

FAQs

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team at schoolsoutreach@uea.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.