Biology Unlocked

Throw on your lab coat and spend a week in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You'll gain practical experience, biology knowledge, and a whole load of useful skills.

What is Biology Unlocked?

Biology Unlocked is a five-day non-residential course for Year 10 students with an interest in biological sciences or a related subject. You'll spend a week working with UEA academics, gaining practical lab experience and expanding your biology knowledge. The best part? It's all completely free.

Biology Unlocked is open to Year 10 students attending state-funded schools and in living Norfolk or North East Suffolk. Activities are pitched at GCSE grade 4 level.

Applications are open now!

Why should I apply?

Biology Unlocked is a chance to dive into several different areas of biology, to help you think about what you might like to pursue in the future. You'll use specialist equipment and perform experiments you probably won't have encountered in school, all while learning from UEA's expert academics.

You'll conduct experiments and build knowledge that spans a range of disciplines within biology. This could include:

• Ecology: studying how living things interact with their environment

• Microbiology: the study of micro-organisms

• Molecular biology: studying the structure and function of biological molecules

• Computational biology: using computers and technology to understand biological systems

• Plant biology

• Protein biology

• Science communication

• And more...

At the end of the week, you'll work in pairs to collate your research and present your findings to your fellow budding scientists.

Looking for work experience in biology or a related subject? Biology Unlocked could be right for you.

You'll spend a week working alongside UEA academics and specialists to explore a range of topics, techniques, and careers. Biology Unlocked will allow you to enhance your knowledge, expand your network, and showcase your research, just as you would in a professional setting.

When is it?

Biology Unlocked takes place from Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July 2026.

There is a pre-event meet-up on Tuesday 28 April 2026 from 3.45-5pm, which you are strongly encouraged to attend.

Can I apply?

Biology Unlocked is open to Year 10 students attending a state-funded school and living in Norfolk or North East Suffolk.

This activity is designed to help people who are statistically less likely to go on to Higher Education. The work UEA Outreach does tackles educational barriers. Our selection criteria are based on evidence from the Office for Students that shows which groups face additional barriers to progression to Higher Education. These barriers can vary, and some groups face more barriers than others.

For the full eligibility criteria, please see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

How do I apply?

Applications for Biology Unlocked are open now!

If you’re eligible, then you’ll be considered for a place on Biology Unlocked. If there are more applications than there are spaces, then we’ll randomly select people.

The deadline to sign up is Monday 9 February 2026. Please note that sign-ups may close before this date, depending on interest.

Frequently asked questions

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team at schoolsoutreach@uea.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help.