Subject Spotlights give young people the chance to try a university course before they apply. Delivered by the lecturers themselves, students will gain insight into what it’s like to study the course and give their personal statement a boost.
Springpod
Find out more about the UCAS collaboration with Springpod and how their Subject Spotlights and Virtual Work Experiences can help students explore their options
Who is Springpod?
Springpod partners with universities and employers to create interactive, experiential learning programmes which empower the next generation and enable them to take their future into their own hands by giving them equal access to opportunity.
From university course tasters to work experience, Springpod's programmes enable young people to explore, interact and learn about university and the world of work before they apply.
UCAS is collaborating with Springpod to offer students free access to their Subject Spotlights and Virtual Work Experiences.
Over 300,000 young people
have enrolled in a Springpod programme in the past 24 months
62% of students
are more interested in attending a university open day after completing a Subject Spotlight
What will students have access to?
By logging into their UCAS Hub, students will have virtual access to:
- Subject Spotlights: Interactive university course tasters which feature real-life lectures, seminars and academics, giving prospective students the opportunity to experience a variety of degree subjects that they may be considering studying. Subject Spotlights are around 30-40 minutes long and can be completed on-demand around a student's schedule.
- Virtual Work Experiences: Immersive and informative virtual work experiences with leading employers such as the NHS, Barclays, and Airbus. These incorporate real workplace activities – from observing a live surgery to designing a lunar landing module – and the chance to speak with, and hear from, industry professionals. Virtual Work Experiences vary in length, from 6-10 hours, and students can pause and come back to the program at any time. The in-depth experiences are recognised by employers, and students receive a completion certificate at the end of the program.
As well as giving an insight into studying at university, the practical, task-based learning programmes help to boost employability skills and better prepare students for work. Students receive certificates of completion from universities and employers which they can evidence on their personal statements.
Virtual Work Experiences help young people understand industries and organisations, thanks to programmes led by industry experts from the world's leading employers. These programmes give students a taste of what a career would look like, as well as giving them invaluable experience to include in their personal statements, CVs, and apprenticeship applications.
Getting started with Subject Spotlights
Finding them in Discover
Students are able to search and filter by subject and university to see suggested Subject Spotlights in our search tool, to help them understand what a subject truly entails and see if it's right for them. Subject Spotlights can also be found on relevant subject guide pages.
In the Hub
Once a student has signed up and logged in to the Hub, they will then be able to watch any full length Subject Spotlight after completing the Springpod sign up process. Trailer content is accessible without an account.
Favourites and For You
Students can favourite a Subject Spotlight in order to watch them later; they'll be saved in their Favourites in their Hub dashboard. Relevant Subject Spotlights will also be suggested for them in their personalised For You section.
80% of students
who have taken part in a Subject Spotlight say it gave them a better perception of that degree and has led to them considering applying
Sign up to the Hub
Students can sign up to the Hub easily and quickly in order to access tools, advice, and personalised information to help them make their choices and explore their options.
Getting started with Virtual Work Experiences
Finding them in Discover
Students are able to search and filter by industry or employer to see suggested Virtual Work Experiences in our search tool, to help them understand what a career truly entails and see if it's right for them. Virtual Work Experiences can also be found on relevant industry guide pages.
In the Hub
Once a student has signed up and logged in to the Hub, they will then be able to start any full length Virtual Work Experience after completing the Springpod sign up process. Trailer content is accessible without an account.
Favourites and For You
Students can favourite a Virtual Work Experience in order to start them later; they'll be saved in their Favourites in their Hub dashboard. Relevant Virtual Work Experiences will also be suggested for them in their personalised For You section.
99% of students
completing Springpod’s programmes rate the awareness of careers in their chosen industry as good or excellent
Subject Spotlight and Virtual Work Experiences adviser resources
Presentation: An introduction to Subject Spotlights
PowerPoint presentation to introduce Subject Spotlights to students in the classroom, running through how to get started, what sort of topics they can expect to find, and the benefits to engaging with Subject Spotlights.
Read morePDF guide: How to get started with Subject Spotlights
This one-page, step-by-step guide is aimed at helping students understand how they can get started with watching, favouriting, and engaging with Subject Spotlights, in a simple and easy-to-follow format.
Read morePresentation: An introduction to Virtual Work Experiences
PowerPoint presentation to introduce Virtual Work Experiences to students in the classroom, running through how to get started, what sort of topics they can expect to find, and the benefits to engaging with Vitual Work Experiences.
Read more
PDF guide: How to get started with Virtual Work Experiences
This one-page, step-by-step guide is aimed at helping students understand how they can get started with starting, favouriting, and engaging with Virtual Work Experiences, in a simple and easy-to-follow format.
Read more
PDF guide: Meeting Gatsby Benchmarks with Springpod
Find out how Springpod’s experiences, Subject Spotlights and Virtual Work Experiences, can help you meet Gatsby Benchmarks through flexible, self-led programmes.
Read more Frequently asked questions
Who is Springpod?
Springpod is an online learning community that connects young people with world-leading employers and universities.
What does Springpod offer?
Students gain experience with top employers and universities and earn certificates to reference on their CV or personal statement. It’s 100% free!
How is UCAS collaborating with Springpod?
We're integrating Springpod’s extensive experience library into UCAS, allowing students to explore university courses and careers before applying. The Springpod library will be embedded within the UCAS experience. Once your students create a Hub account, they can launch Springpod experiences directly from UCAS.
What is a Subject Spotlight?
On-demand, interactive video content to help students gain valuable insight into degree subjects, learn about the type of study and modules they will undertake, as well as hear from leading academics, feel more confident about their choices and discover new options they may not have known or thought about before.
How do you/students start a Subject Spotlight?
Once you or your student sets up a UCAS account, a user can browse Subject Spotlights via UCAS search, subject guides, and university profiles. On finding the perfect Subject Spotlight, click ‘Take Subject Spotlight’ and follow the steps to create and link a Springpod profile.
What are Virtual Work Experiences?
Springpod’s in-depth and interactive Virtual Work Experience programmes help young people understand industries and organisations as if they were already working there. Thanks to programmes led by industry experts from the world's leading employers, Virtual Work Experiences give students a taste of what a career would look like, as well as giving them invaluable experience to include in their personal statements and apprenticeship applications.
How do you/students start Virtual Work Experiences?
Once you or your student sets up a UCAS account, a user can browse Virtual Work Experiences via UCAS search, industry guides, and across UCAS.com. On finding the perfect Virtual Work Experience, click ‘Take Virtual Work Experience' and follow the steps to create and link a Springpod profile.