Realising Aspirations students have the opportunity to visit a university across the country as part of the programme.

Students choose a particular strand that interests them most and recently, Life Sciences students visited Newcastle University. Year on year, the list of strands available to students changes and grows, both with the demand and as specific interests change.

Making the journey, nearly 150 miles north, Ashton Sixth Form College students were able to explore the Russell Group university that is currently ranked 22nd in the UK by the Complete University Guide.

On arrival students got stuck in straight away, experiencing a session on Genetics and DNA. After a brief overview of the topic, students took part in an practical. They mixed their own solutions using micro pipettes. Students were able to build their skills using industry standard equipment they would not otherwise have the chance to use in the first year of their college studies.

They then embarked on a campus tour to explore the city-based campus that currently houses over 18,000 undergraduate students. Due to their particular interest in Life Sciences subjects, the campus tour took them to particular areas of interest and buildings they could potentially end up studying in. They also explored some of the facilities such as the sports hall, gym, library and Student's Union.

While on the Realising Aspirations programme at Ashton students also attend lectures and seminars relating to their chosen strand. These in-college sessions welcome leading professors and lecturers in their field. They deliver engaging and interesting seminars on topics that are extremely prevalent in society today. For example, Life Sciences students can attend lectures on 'Phanton Pain', 'The Biochemistry of Communication' or 'Did fire kill Bambi?' For the first time this year, students on the programme can also attend in-college sessions from any strand, not just their own. 

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Find out more about the Realising Aspirations programme here.