Events and activities for schools

Assemblies

We have developed a range of online activities and resources at University of Brighton.

Our short assembly presentations are pre-recorded videos tailored to year groups for use in tutor time.

Years 7, 8 and 9

Theme: What could I do at university? Will I fit in?
To provide pupils with examples of university life, increasing their confidence that they could succeed at university. We explore the academic, social, economic and personal benefits of university, so students understand the opportunities available in higher education and at the University of Brighton.

Years 10 and 11

Theme: What do I need to do to go to university? What should I do at college? Why should I go to university?
To provide knowledge of the university application process and financial support, increasing pupils' confidence in their capacity to go to university. We explore learning styles and transferable skills required for university, and provide information on the range of university subjects available. We discuss pathways available in higher education and at the University of Brighton.

To access pre-16 activities please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

Revision workshop resources

These resources introduce revision skills to years 10 and 11. They will help students with planning, organising and reflecting on their studies in preparation for exams and further learning.

The PDFs and presentations can be used as a set or individually, and can also be used as a workshop session.

Resources include:

• Get ready for revision
• Revision techniques: an introduction
• How to use mind maps
• Creating flash cards
• Active listening

To access pre-16 activities please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

Saturday clubs

Our Saturday clubs offer secondary school students the chance to take part in a subject-based project led by University of Brighton staff and students. Participating in our Saturday clubs is free, but we ask you to commit to attending all sessions for your chosen club.

Clubs running in 2025:

• Sports Club – for years 7 and 8
• Art and Media Club – for years 8 and 9
• Formula 24 Club – for years 8 and 9
• Geography, Ecology and Environmental Science Club – for years 10 and 11

As clubs are run as part of our widening participation programme, priority is given to students meeting our criteria.

All clubs are closed for applications now.

“I have learned loads about photography and photographers. About cameras and depth of field and shutter speed about how to compose a picture. I also learned about developing ideas and so many different ways of expressing them. It was so interesting and I am sad it is finished now”.

Quote from student attending the online photography Saturday club

Parents evenings

This year we are attending both virtual and in person parents evenings you are hosting.

Parent’s option evening: years 8 and 9

Our team can attend virtual or in person school parents evenings to be on hand for parents to discuss their child’s GCSE pathways and university subjects.

Parent’s pathways evening: years 10 and 11

Our team can attend virtual or in person school parents evenings to talk about pathways and post-16 subject areas and courses available, along with any general university questions.

To access pre-16 activities please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

Mentoring

We are working with East Sussex County Council to develop existing activities into online interactive sessions which will meet Gatsby benchmark 7.

Schools in an area with higher number of students not engaging in higher education can access mentoring support.

The university experience project

We offer an online or in person academic mentoring project for year 9 or 10 pupils. Student ambassadors from a number of subject areas prepare research tasks for pupils to work on in groups. Pupils are guided through how to research and write an academic piece of work, supported with carefully prepared resources, essay plans and online mentoring.

Year 10 and 11 online mentoring

This mentoring project consists of five sessions focusing on study skills and learning about university experiences through interactive workshops and presentations with our student ambassadors. The aims of the programme are to:

• present education as a positive step toward future careers and goals 
• help students (re)engage with education ahead of GCSEs 
• use our student mentors as positive role models
• improve self-confidence of students in their own abilities 
• challenge and discuss methods of overcoming obstacles to learning 
• examine career aspirations and identify steps to progress in different career fields.

To access pre-16 activities please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

Subject tasters

Join us for an introduction to what it's like to study a subject you are interested in at university. Our subject taster sessions will help you focus in on the courses that interest you. These interactive and informative sessions with University of Brighton lecturers and current students will help you get a feel for the subject that you want to study at university.

Subject tasters are held on campus and online. Please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

Post-16 talks

Our Outreach team offers a comprehensive programme of talks to provide support throughout college, covering all aspect of applying to university. These talks are delivered monthly online as a rolling programme. To discuss talks being delivered in your college please contact outreach@brighton.ac.uk.

Thinking about university

We help students to think about what to consider about going to university including; types of higher education institution, researching course options, and whether higher education is right for them.
Autumn (year 13, Access students), any time (year 12).

Student life at university

Our students deliver this talk about the student experience. It gives an insight into life as a student and covers transition issues such as moving in, living in halls of residence or the private sector, adapting to a different learning environment, spare time, clubs and societies, support available and living on a budget.
Autumn (year 13, Access students), any time (year 12).

Applying to university, including personal statements

We cover the UCAS application process, including the UCAS timeline, what universities are looking for in applicants, and focusing on how to write a strong personal statement. We look at how students can identify and write about their transferable skills and help students to get started on their own personal statement.
Autumn (year 13, access students), summer (year 12).

Interview preparation

How students can prepare for a university interview, providing tips, advice and information on the process.
Autumn or spring (year 13, access students).

Student funding and finance

We cover student funding, finance and repayment arrangements as well as tips on how to manage money at university and information on bursaries.
Spring (year 13, access students).

Getting ready for university talk

What happens next for students after applying, including information on confirmation, results day and Clearing as well as the enrolment process.
Spring or summer (year 13, access students),

Getting ready for the University of Brighton

This talk is specifically for students who have applied to the University of Brighton. We look at what happens next after applying, how to manage your application, booking onto applicant or interview days, consider our accommodation options and discuss enrolment and settling into life as a student with us.
Spring or summer (year 13, access students).

EPQ Library Session

An opportunity for students to explore how a university library works and develop their academic and information literacy skills, helping to prepare them for their extended project. Library staff provide tips and advice on research.

Studying healthcare courses at university

This talk is for students interested in NHS professions including nursing, midwifery, paramedic science, occupational therapy, podiatry, physiotherapy, nutrition and social work. We include information about these courses, routes into the professions, placements, admissions, personal statements and funding.

Studying teaching courses at university

This talk is for students who are interested in training to become a teacher, either at primary or secondary level. The talk will take students through the course options for both undergraduate routes and postgraduate routes including gaining experience, bursaries and personal statements.

Studying art and design courses at university

This talk is for students interested in art and design-related courses at university level. We include information about the application process, including producing a portfolio and entry requirements, as well as considering foundation degrees and career options.

Virtual subject talks 

Subject talks are a valuable opportunity for students to learn about all aspects of studying a subject at university level, from application, course content, the skills you develop, placement opportunities and potential career paths.

Academics from the University of Brighton deliver the talks and currently cover the following subject areas:

• art and design
• architecture and interior architecture
• business
• civil engineering and the built environment
• creative writing

• education
• early childhood education and care
• geography
• history of art and design
• humanities
• law
• linguistics
• marketing
• media
• philosophy
• product design
• social sciences.

Parents and carers seminars

We offer a series of seminars, which aim to demystify the process of planning, applying and starting at university. The seminars offer impartial guidance which is relevant to all students.

Our rolling programme includes five seminars.

1. Thinking about university
2. Applying to university
3. Funding and finance
4. Making the most of summer
5. Getting ready for university

Taster sessions 

These sessions give insight into study at university level. These are some examples of the taster sessions we offer. Other sessions are available on request.

Archaeology

• The origins of our species 
• Prehistoric cannibalism – what did it mean? 

Art and design

• What studying dress can tell us about Orientalist taste in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries 

Business

• Consumers 10.0: How do modern marketeers keep up with consumer trends? 

Creative writing

• A hands-on exploration of creative writing
  

Hospitality

• The baker, the waiter and the academic 

Law

• The myth of common law marriage – or how you are really not equal if you don't get married! 

Marketing

• The sustainability and the future of business: the weary art of building reputation with corporate social responsibility 

Media

• Why (media) ethics? 

Philosophy

• What can philosophy offer a world divided by poverty, exclusion and inequality?

Summer schools

Our summer schools offer sixth form and college students the chance to experience what it’s like to study at university, helping you to make a decision about what’s right for you. They are a great opportunity to find out more about the university experience from academics, students and university staff.

We offer two types of summer school – on-campus residential (staying overnight in halls) and online.

In 2025 we are offering residential summer schools in art & design, business, engineering, health professions, humanities, law, science, social science and sport. These will take place 8-11 July. Our online summer schools cover a wide variety of subject areas and run from 22-25 July.

Applications are now open for all our summer schools.

Printmaking example by summer school student

Who can apply

All sixth form and college students are welcome to apply to attend our summer schools. If we're oversubscribed, we will prioritise students in year 12 (first year of sixth form/college) who:

• are in care, or have ever been in care, of the Local Authority, or under a special guardianship order.
• are currently, or have ever, lived in supported accommodation.
• live in an area where not many people go to university (we can check this by postcode).

Fairs, open days and campus tours

Visiting us is a great way to get a feel for whether we're the right university for you. There are usually events throughout the year at each of our campuses.

Fairs

If students can’t make it to one of our open days, they can chat to a member of our student recruitment team at a higher education fair. We attend these fairs across the UK and internationally. With events on hold at present, we are running online Q+A sessions.

We hold our annual careers fair in Brighton in November each year. It’s a great opportunity for students to speak to employers across the full range of industries.

Find out about our upcoming HE fairs.

Undergraduate open days
We are running online open days regularly.

Undergraduate applicant days
Applicant days are for students who have already applied and would like to learn more about the course and get a real sense of their chosen subject at Brighton.

Campus tours
We're so pleased to be able to invite you back on campus to get a real feel for what it is like to study here.

Virtual tours
You can also explore online and visit us for a virtual tour, including 360 tours of all four of our campuses.

Get in touch

Contact the outreach team

• General outreach enquiries, email outreach@brighton.ac.uk
• If you know who you are looking for, visit our meet the team page

Enquiries team

• Call the university enquiries team on 01273 644644​, or they're available on live chat.

Chat to a student​

• Our students are also available to chat online www.brighton.ac.uk/chat

Follow us online

• YouTube: UniversityBrighton
• Twitter: uoboutreach
• Facebook: universityofbrighton
• Instagram: uniofbrighton
• TikTok: uniofbrighton
• The Student Room

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