Fusion Academy Summer School 2026 (Manchester)
Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026
Held at University of Manchester
We are excited to offer Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students aged 13-16 years old, an opportunity to be part of the Fusion CDT’s free Fusion Academy Summer School: A week-long introductory course to learn about the exciting world of nuclear fusion!
The academy will run daily 10am to 3.30pm from Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026 and will take place at the University of Manchester campus. You must be aged between 13 and 16, must be a resident in Manchester and must be available for the entirety of the summer school.
The week will consist of a range of exciting, hands-on fusion themed activities, integrated with a series of talks and lectures designed to give you both an understanding of the world of fusion power and a taste of life as a university student studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). The course will cover some of the key areas of fusion including:
- What is Fusion?
- Energy Generation Methods (Past, Present and Future)
- What is a Scientist and Breaking Down Stereotypes
- Intro to Materials Science
- Intro to Plasma Science
- Reactor Engineering
- Robotics and 3D Printing
- Careers, Access to Higher Education and Apprenticeships.
Additionally, the course aims to provide guidance and information on the wide range of lesser known pathways and careers in STEM and both traditional and alternative routes to pursuing a career in the STEM sector.
Why Should You Apply?
Are you:
- Unsure what to do after GCSE?
- Interested in STEM but feel like it’s not for you or out of your reach?
- Curious about the world around you?
- Passionate about the environment and preventing climate change?
- Do you wish you had access to science outside of the required GCSE content?
- Have you heard about nuclear fusion and want to know more?
If any of the above apply to you then you should consider applying for the Fusion Academy Summer School 2026.
What can we offer you?
- A week of STEM learning and fun based on curiosity and passion
- An insight to lesser known careers and fields in STEM and how to access them
- An understanding of varied routes into STEM careers
- A chance to make friends with likeminded students from all over Manchester
- A chance to experience university life in real lecture theatres with university style seminars to help you decide if university is right for you
- Support, encouragement that STEM is for everyone regardless of background or school grades
- A range of mentors with jobs in the fusion industry to demonstrate that there is no ‘one way’ of being a scientist.
- A unique opportunity to gain skills and experience that you can use in university or job applications
Application Process
Applications are now open and will remain open until 30th April 2026.
The application form consists of two sections: applicant background and motivation. We encourage applicants to be honest about their situation in their application as the programme will recruit on a widening participation criteria. For applicants meeting this criteria, we are then looking for enthusiasm, curiosity and interest so please use the written answer section to convey this to us.
The application does not consider academic achievement, predicted grades or similar measures. We are simply looking for students who are keen to know more about the world of STEM, fusion power and how to break down barriers to pursue these careers.
You’ll be notified whether you have a place by the end of May 2026. We regret that we are unable to confirm places in advance of this date. Places on this course are limited, therefore allocation will be based on a combination of written responses and widening participation criteria.
FAQS
- Where is the summer school taking place?
The summer school will be held at the University of Manchester Campus. It is a fully in person programme so applicants must be able to commute to and from the campus for all five days of the programme.
- When is the summer school?
The summer school will run from 10am – 3.30pm, Monday 3rd – Friday 7th August 2026.
- Is there any cost associated with the programme?
Through funding from the Fusion CDT, we are able to offer the programme for free and lunch will be provided each day. The only requirement is that you should be able to commute to the University of Manchester campus for all five days of the programme.
- Can I apply if I live outside of Manchester?
The 2026 programme is only open to those who live in/currently attend school in Manchester. However, please keep an eye out for future programmes which we are hoping to extend to cover a wider area.
If you have any questions, please contact fusion-summer-school@fusion-