Leeds Futures - Environment

What is Leeds Futures - Environment?

Leeds Futures - Environment is designed to inspire Year 12 students across the country who are interested in studying a degree related to geography, geology, sustainability, environmental sciences, or geosciences.

On the programme, you will develop your subject knowledge through a series of academic taster workshops, giving you the opportunity to experience teaching from academics in the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment. The programme also includes activities that support your skills development, insight into life as an undergraduate student, awareness of career prospects and support your university applications.

What’s included in the Futures Programme?

The programme, running from March in Year 12 to December in Year 13, comprises a series of online sessions, as well as two in-person visits to the University of Leeds campus.

Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to attend taster sessions focusing on human or social sciences side of the degrees on offer in the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment, or on the the physical or STEM side of the degrees offer in the schools above.

You will be choosing to attend sessions based on the subjects you study at A-level, as many of our STEM based degree programmes require one or more science A-Level at application.

The information below gives you a general idea of what the activities involved.

Our online sessions will take place in the evenings after school/college, in the hope that the programme has minimal impact on your current studies.

Year 12

Online launch event in March, providing you with more information about the programme. An opportunity to meet the other participants on the programme as well as staff and students in the School of Geography and School of Earth and Environment
A visit to the University of Leeds in April 2026, giving you the opportunity to experience life as an undergraduate student, taking part in taster lectures and seminars
Online subject taster sessions, helping you develop your insight into the courses taught in the School of Geography and School of Earth and Environment. Some of the sessions delivered in 2024-25 have included:
- Microplastics in the Environment
- Going with the Flow: Building Flood Resilience in Leeds
- Building a Research Woodland
- An Introduction to Climate Change and Impacts
- From the Gallery to the Streets: The Social Life of Public Art
- Geosciences: The Hidden Industry 
Online Progression to University workshops such as ‘Student Finance’ and 'Applying to UCAS and Personal Statements' to ensure you have the information you need as you prepare your university applications

Year 13

Online Admissions talk, to find out about courses on offer at Leeds within the School of Geography and School of Earth and Environment, information about the admissions process and engage in a Q&A
Online Progression to University workshops, such as 'Study Skills' and 'Transition to University' to help you prepare for your next steps
Another visit to the University of Leeds in October 2026, which centres around the extra-curricular opportunities available at the University, and career prospects for School of Geography and School of Earth and Environment graduates
A Leeds Futures Graduation – an online celebration of your achievements throughout the programme and information on how we will continue to support you as you transition to university

Why take part?

Discover new subjects

Through taster sessions in a broad range of areas, you will explore new subjects and find out about exciting environment fields you can choose to study

Experience University life

Experience university-style teaching, take part in sessions taught by academics, visit the University of Leeds campus and meet current students

Enrich your UCAS personal statement

Throughout the programme, you will have developed plenty of useful experience and knowledge to write about in your personal statement.

What are the eligibility criteria?

The Leeds Futures - Environment programme is open to current Year 12/first year college students who are interested in studying geography, geology, earth sciences, environmental sciences, or geosciences.

We will prioritise applications from students who meet the criteria to be eligible to Access to Leeds, our contextual admissions scheme, but all are welcome to apply.

Applicants who have submitted applications to the scheme can expect to find out if they have been successful in gaining a place mid-February 2026.

The programme will then commence with our online launch event in March.

You can find out more about how we process and store your data in our Privacy Notice.

Applications for Leeds Futures - Environment

Express your interest in Leeds Futures - Environment

Fill out this quick form and we'll be in touch when applications open late November 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Will participating in this programme help my university applications?

Leeds Futures – Environment will provide you with useful experience and knowledge to write about in your personal statement. You’ll also gather a range of insights in several areas:

Taking part in taster sessions to broaden your understanding of what studying environment related subjects at university entails
Knowledge of courses available at Leeds at the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment to help to make an informed decision
Experiencing visiting a university campus and meeting current students and academics
Understanding the admissions process
Awareness of careers available to graduates in environment related subjects

How long is the Leeds Futures - Environment programme?

Leeds Futures – Environment starts in March, with the final Graduation being in December.

Will I get to visit the University?

As part of the Leeds Futures – Environment programme, you will invited to attend two Campus Days in April and October.

What courses will I be finding out about?

Throughout the programme, you will have the opportunity to take part in sessions to give you a taster of the environment courses on offer at Leeds:

School of Geography:

School of Earth and Environment:

When are the online sessions?

Online Environment subject tasters take place on Thursdays 17:00-18:00. You will also be invited to two Campus Days in April and October, and a series of Progression to University workshops between May and October.

What happens if I can't attend an online session?

If you cannot attend a session in your pathway, please contact [email protected] so that we know not to expect you.

Will I receive a certificate for completing Leeds Futures - Environment?

Yes, you will receive a certificate.

You can read our privacy notice to inform you about how we process your personal data.