Activities at your school or college
Our interactive workshops, presentations and talks can help your students to explore their options and consider higher education.
We offer a range of interactive workshops, presentations and assembly talks to help your students learn more about post-18 pathways, higher education and student life.
Sessions are delivered by UWE Bristol Widening Access team and student ambassadors at your school or college or via a suitable online platform.
We are committed to breaking down barriers to higher education (HE) for prospective students, particularly those from backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in HE. We work specifically with schools and colleges in and around Bristol, as well as some that are further afield.
To find out more about what we can offer to your school or college, please contact the team at widening.access@uwe.ac.uk.
Talks on post-18 options and exploring higher education
How to build your skills for the future
Explores why transferable skills are important and encourages students to audit their own skills and consider how they can evidence them in a range of future applications.
- Suitable for: Year 12
- Suggested timing: Term 1-2
- Gatsby Benchmark: 5
Your pathways at 18
Provides an up-to-date overview of all the post-18 options available, including higher education, apprenticeships, gap years and employment.
- Suitable for: Year 12
- Suggested timing: Term 2-4
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
Why go to university?
Explores the employability and wider benefits of higher education, as well as challenging some of the myths and misconceptions about university.
- Suitable for: Year 12
- Suggested timing: Term 3-5
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
University life: meet our students
UWE Bristol Student Ambassadors share personal insights into student life at university and how to make the most of the higher education experience, as well as field any questions your students have. We aim to select ambassadors who are former pupils of your school/college where possible.
Student Ambassador talks must be supervised by a DBS-checked member of school or college staff.
- Suitable for: Years 10-13
- Suggested timing: Term 2-6
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
Exploring apprenticeships
An overview of apprenticeships, including the wide range of sectors and levels available. This talk covers information on higher and degree apprenticeships, as well as advice on finding and applying for vacancies.
- Suitable for: Year 12
- Suggested timing: Term 1-4
- Gatsby Benchmark: 3
Jobs of the future
Explore jobs of the future, emerging trends and the key skills employers will be looking for. This presentation also examines how university-level study develops skills and prepares students for future roles.
- Suitable for: Year 12-13
- Suggested timing: Term 1-6
- Gatsby Benchmark: 2
Talks on applying to university and transition into higher education
How to choose a course and a university
Explains the various types and levels of higher education courses, highlighting key factors that influence students' choice of courses and institutions.
- Suitable for: Year 12
- Suggested timing: Term 4-6
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
Student funding and how to budget
A summary of all financial aspects university students need to consider, including fees, financial support, bursaries, scholarships, budgeting and money management.
- Suitable for: Year 12-13
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
How to write a successful personal statement
Advice and guidance on structuring and writing personal statements to maximise the chances of a successful UCAS application.
- Suitable for: Year 12-13
- Suggested timing: Term 5-6 (Y12) or Term 1-2 (Y13)
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
Transition to university
This talk provides guidance on successfully transitioning to university life. It encourages students to make the most of their time and take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in higher education.
- Suitable for: Year 13
- Suggested timing: Term 4-5
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
Your options after the UCAS deadline
These are small group sessions for students who may have missed the January UCAS deadline or struggled to get offers. The session supports students to explore their options and offers advice about making applications after the UCAS deadline.
- Suitable for: Year 13
- Suggested timing: Term 3-5
- Gatsby Benchmark: 7
UWE Bristol stand at your event
UWE Bristol Student Ambassadors can attend higher education or careers fairs at your school or college to meet your students and answer questions about higher education and student life. We will need at least three weeks' notice, so please get in touch as early as possible if you’d like us to support your event.
Contact us
Subject talks
We can arrange subject talks by academic staff about degree-level study or a specific subject.
Examples of subject areas include art and design, business, law, economics, politics, philosophy, English, nursing and midwifery.
Workshops are dependent on the availability of UWE Bristol staff.
- Suggested timing: Term 2-6
- Gatsby Benchmark: 4
To find out more and check availability, email widening.access@uwe.ac.uk.
See also Resources for teachers and advisers.
STEM workshops
The Digital Engineering Technology and Innovation (Inspire programme) at UWE Bristol offer a range of hands-on workshops for students in Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5.
All workshops are run by trained outreach coordinators and often feature real-life STEM Ambassadors and students.
Workshops aim to:
- connect the curriculum to real-world careers and problem solving
- challenge stereotypes and dispel common myths about STEM
- engage pupils with local careers in engineering
We can deliver in schools based in the West of England area: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset local authorities.
View the full collection of current workshops at Digital Trailblazers.
To make a booking or find out more, email: engineeringourfuture@uwe.ac.uk.
Careers information session for parents and carers
This session provides parents and carers with key information about post-18 options and outlines the journey into higher education.
- Suggested timing: Term 1-6
- Gatsby Benchmark: 2
Outreach activities and resources
Resources for teachers and advisers
Useful resources to support, guide and signpost students considering higher education and post-18 options.
Campus visits and taster days
Discover opportunities for your students to visit our campuses and explore higher education and university life.
Meet the Widening Access team
Our goal is to break down barriers to higher education, especially for under-represented groups, by providing the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for success.
You may also be interested in
Undergraduate Open Days
Find out what’s waiting for you at an undergraduate Open Day.
Undergraduate applications
Let us guide you through the process of applying to UWE Bristol, including what to do before you apply, how to apply, and next steps after you've applied.
Life
Student life at UWE Bristol is what you make of it. Clubs, societies, friends, support are all there for you.
Campus tours
Join us for a guided or self-guided campus tour and get a feel for student life on campus.