Academic Summer School Sunday 29 June - Friday 11 July 2025*
You must successfully complete the PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS) to meet the requirements of the lower contextual offer. *Exact dates for 2025 tbc.
The PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS) is designed to give you an early introduction to various aspects of Higher Education study and help you to prepare for life at Newcastle University.
PASS is taught by undergraduate lecturers in the same subject field that you apply to as your firm choice course. During the event, you will meet some of your undergraduate lecturers, use Newcastle University facilities to complete academic tasks and get to know other students on your course.
Upon completion of PASS, we hope this will mean that you feel more confident in your ability to be successful at Newcastle University and that you'll be more than ready to begin studying at Higher Education level once the first semester begins in the autumn.
When is PASS?
PASS 2025 will take place between the following dates (finalised dates will be confirmed later in the year):
- Sunday 29th June – Friday 11th July 2025
It is highly likely that PASS will take place over one week only but please keep the the above dates in mind at the moment. We will confirm exact event dates ASAP.
Attendance at PASS is compulsory to take advantage of any lower contextual PARTNERS offer that you may receive from Newcastle University. Therefore, make sure to keep the above dates free if you aim to select Newcastle University your Firm Choice through UCAS.
In order to successfully complete PARTNERS. you will need to submit a formative assessment. This will be outlined by your strand leader during PASS and the deadline may be after the Summer School, therefore we recommend that you keep some time set aside to complete your formative assessment in the week after PASS.
Absences from PASS are only acceptable under extenuating circumstances, such as an illness that is evidenced by a doctor’s note.
PASS Induction Week
In the week before PASS, the PARTNERS team will be running an informal induction week:
- Monday 23rd June - Friday 27th June
This week is completely optional and will run 100% online.
Induction week will be made up of informative sessions about PASS, hints, and tips to help you get the most out of the Summer School.
It's a fantastic opportunity to familiarise yourself with Canvas, get involved and prep yourself for PASS!
What happens at PASS?
There are over 30 subject strands on the Academic Summer School, each with its own subject-specific timetable. You will be allocated to the subject strand which most closely relates to your chosen (firm choice) course of study.
Your time is made up of sessions and activities within four key components:
- Academic sessions
- Higher education study skills
- Careers & Employability module
- Social events
The amount of time you spend in each kind of session varies according to what course you apply for.
Check out Hannah's experience of the summer school, she took part in the historical studies subject strand during PASS 2023.