Enrichment programmes for Year 12 students - social sciences / politics / international relations

[roaringwater]

Does anybody know of any good enrichment programmes open to sixth form students who want to go on to study social sciences, politics, international relations or similar?

For example, my older daughter was on the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law programme. I'm thinking something along those lines, just for the subject areas above, rather than for a profession.

DS is in Year 12 and very keen to do something like this to broaden his experience and add weight to his personal statement next year. However, it's quite hard to find anything he can apply for. His school sent details of the Yale Global Scholars programme which sounds amazing but at c. $6,000 for a 2-week summer school, sadly far beyond our reach.

If anyone's DC has done something along these lines, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

For POLIR voluntary work for organisations such as charities, think tanks and NGOs is highly desirable, as are foreign language skills. I don't know of any training suitable for that age group but once he starts Uni, this can be quite interesting to attend: www.gdforum.org/career-in-international-affairs-forum-2021
He could also look at MOOCs like these, they are usually free and put on by some of the best universities in the world:
www.edx.org/search?q=international%20relations

To be honest, just reading loads is the best prep : there are so many brilliant books and documentaries/ dramas etc to enrich understanding and knowledge.

I don't think these enrichment programmes in themselves add huge weight to PSs because not everyone can access them.

Also : entering essay competitions is good.

Model UN is excellent and fun if he is that way inclined. Does your school do it?

If he's at a state school he can apply for UNIQ, run by Oxford. It's extremely competitive to get a place though.

@roaringwater
My DC did the Springpod politics work experience. 2 weeks of webinars, modules and assignments with an MP, civil service etc. It gave lots of ideas for further work experience .

Is there a local Youth Council that he could get involved with? DD (currently 3rd Yr, IR with French) went along to the meetings of ours after one of the sixth formers at her school did a 'recruitment drive' and ended up on the YC.

www.eypuk.co.uk/

The European Youth Parliament run regional events with the opportunity for funded trips to international events.

5 days 'work experience' at the UN in Geneva, usually every August and October.

www.my-work-experience.com/

My DC did this pre-Covid and found it interesting and worthwhile. They applied for Politics Science and mentioned the experience on their PS.