Unifrog's Virtual Skills Academy (27 October 2026) FAQs
21st September 2026 copy
Are your students ready to take their learning to the next level? Are they looking for subject-specific experience and skills to help them stand out from the crowd in their university applications? Welcome to Unifrog’s Virtual Skills Academy.
What Unifrog’s Virtual Skills Academy is
Virtual Skills Academy is a free event for Unifrog students around the world who are currently in Year 12 and 13 / Grade 11 and 12.
Students can choose to join up to three live skills masterclasses from the programme, each led by a top university. They’ll have the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, connect with university representatives, and develop skills that they can reference in applications for university, apprenticeships, and the world of work.
With 13 sessions to choose from, they could tackle challenges like cracking algorithms, unlocking Shakespeare’s secrets, or tracking digital footprints!
When the Skills Academy is taking place
Unifrog’s Virtual Skills Academy will be a live event on Tuesday 27 October 2026, with the first session starting at 12:30pm (BST) and the final session ending at 4:30pm (BST).
Students can attend up to three live masterclasses on the day. After the event, they’ll have access to all the sessions to watch on-demand.
What sessions students can take part in
There are three blocks of sessions:
- Block one from 12:30-13:30
- Block two from 14:00-15:00
- Block three from 15:30-16:30
Students will only be able to join one skills session in each block. They will, however, receive the recordings of all the sessions so they can watch on-demand any they missed.
The sessions students can take part in are below.
Block one: 12:30-13:00
‘Case closed: learn how to problem-solve like a police officer’ with the University of Aberdeen
‘How to start your own business: build your entrepreneurial skills’ with the University of Huddersfield
‘Making life-saving decisions: identify and treat disease as a biomedical scientist’ with the University of Plymouth
‘Why don’t people listen to you? How to use psychology to influence others’ with the University of Worcester
Block two: 14:00-15:00
‘Designing the future of travel: develop sustainable event planning skills’ with the University of Westminster
‘Gamechanger or overhyped? Learn how to critically evaluate as a tech consultant’ with University College London
‘Telling stories with images: master the art of creative communication’ with UWE, Bristol
‘Think like a computer scientist: solve a maze with algorithms’ with the University of Essex
Block three: 15:30-16:30
‘Can you spot what matters? Think like a nurse in a clinical bay’ with Liverpool John Moores University
‘Learn how to track digital footprints: cyber security and forensic investigation’ with Teesside University
‘Reading between the lines: how to unlock Shakespeare’s secrets’ with Queen Mary University of London
‘Analysing global events: making sense of geopolitics’ with the University of Birmingham
‘Secrets, ciphers, and symbols: using maths to develop your codebreaking skills’ with the University of Surrey
How students join
Students can sign up to the Virtual Skills Academy through the Events tool.
What students get out of Virtual Summer School
Subject expertise
Alongside a stronger skillset, students will get the chance to learn more about their preferred subject through a genuinely academic, university-style experience.
Each masterclass will also include a short project set by a university, helping students put their learning into action.
Connections with university representatives
They’ll also be able to make connections with representatives from the universities themselves to support them in the future, by choosing to share their details when they first sign up.
Supercharged applications
Students will be able to use their experience and their project work in their future applications, whether that’s for university, an apprenticeship, or something else!
In their applications, students will be able to write about what they learnt, what they were inspired to learn next, or how it confirmed their choice of next steps. Many university systems (e.g. UCAS and the Common App) have dedicated parts of the application processes where students can detail activities they have completed that they’re proud of.
And a little extra…
Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end of all three subject sessions, and those who join the live event will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a 100 GBP voucher to a store of their choice (international winners will receive the equivalent value in their own currency).
FAQs
Can students join more than one subject?
No. Due to the scheduling of the live sessions, students will only be able to complete one subject strand. If students sign up to more than one subject, they’ll be automatically assigned to the first subject they choose.
If they want to watch more than one session, they’ll receive all the recordings after the event to watch on demand.
Can students change their mind about which subject they want to join?
Yes. When students join on the day, they will be able to join any of the 13 live sessions.
How much does the experience cost?
The Virtual Skills Academy is free of charge to students at Unifrog schools.
Can any student join, or is this for specific groups?
The programme is designed to support anyone who wants to explore a subject and develop their skillset more deeply.
While any student can join, the sessions have been designed for students in Year 12 and Year 13 (or equivalent). Students don’t have to be studying the subject they sign up for.
What’s the time commitment?
Students can attend up to three live one-hour masterclasses on the day.
Do students get a completion certificate?
Students will receive a certificate after completion of at least one subject session. However, we strongly encourage students to explore sessions across all three time slots to get the most out of the day.
They will not receive a certificate if they register but do not attend.
Is there a deadline for students to sign up?
No. Students can join the Virtual Skills Academy at any point in the lead up to the event.
If students can’t attend live sessions, can they still take part?
Yes. Students will be able to access the sessions on demand for a limited time after the event.
Can students take part using mobile devices?
It's possible for students to watch the webinars on a mobile device, but they'll need access to a computer to complete their project.
In the webinars, will students need to appear on camera or talk on the mic?
No. In the sessions, students won't need to appear on camera or use the mic.
Will there be any interaction between students and universities?
Each session will have a range of interactive elements and Q&As which will allow students to interact with the university. They can also choose to share their details with each university during the event sign-up process to be contacted at a later point.
Where can students record this activity on Unifrog?
Students can add their experience to the Activities tool. They can use it in their personal statement or supplemental essay, or in a CV or cover letter.