University of Sussex Access Programme

The programme at a glance

The University of Sussex Access Programme offers students support, guidance and experiences to help navigate their post-16 education options. It aims to help you make more informed choices about your future, and the steps you need to take to get there.

The programme is completely free, and offers you all the tools you might need in one place, allowing you to shape your own journey.

What's involved?

The programme includes a variety of toolkits, on campus university visits and online content to help you make informed decisions. There are no compulsory elements of the programme, which means you can choose to book onto the events that are most useful or interesting for you. We are currently running Subject Days our beautiful campus in Sussex, following COVID guidelines..

Our programme includes the following:


  • Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)Toolkits - we've created a set of resources that brings together useful information and guidance into one place. Grouped by topics, these toolkits are available online for whenever you need them

  • Recorded IAG Webinars - these short recordings give you the chance to hear more about certain topics and ask any questions you might have. Led by our team and our student ambassadors. You will also have the option to follow-up any questions with our ambassadors on Unibuddy.


Students who meet our more targeted criteria will be able to sign up to additional events as part of our Access Plus programme, including:


  • Academic Masterclass - led by our academics, these on campus sessions give you the opportunity to explore a subject in more depth. These events are limited in number, so provide more opportunity for students to interact with our academics and student ambassadors.

  • STEM Multi Subject Taster Day - led by our academics, this on campus day gives you the opportunity to explore a range of subjects that you could study. This day focuses on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and gives you the chance to interact closely with academics and student ambassadors.

  • Humanities and Social Sciences Multi Subject Taster Day - led by our academics, this on campus day gives you the opportunity to explore a range of subjects that you could study. This day focuses on Humanities and Social Science subjects and gives you the chance to interact closely with academics and student ambassadors.

  • Summer Programme - this programme combines online and in person learning to give you the opportunity to study your chosen subject with our academics and to stay on our university campus in order to learn about the life of a student at Sussex.


  • Sussex Access Buddy Programme - this programme is designed to provide peer-to-peer support for University of Sussex offer holders. You will have a student buddy point of contact throughout the summer and beyond, guidance in the build up to results day and buddy contact in the first term of study. You will have access to Unibuddy, our online communication channel, group Zoom sessions covering key transition topics and two in-person group events.


Plus much more, including access to our student ambassadors via UniBuddy, exam support via MyTutor, on campus events, and social events, such as opportunities to explore the local area, including Brighton.


To see the range of events we have on offer, take a look at our upcoming events page here.





Who is it for?

The programme is aimed at all students who are currently in Year 12 or 13, or those students considering returning to education as a mature student. Any student from across the UK can apply. All students will have access to our universal offer, which includes Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) toolkits and online IAG events.

Students who meet our more targeted criteria will be able to sign up to additional events as part of our Access Plus programme. Our Access Plus targeting criteria includes students who:

  • are from areas identified as a low participation neighbourhood or areas with indicators of deprivation (We will check your postcode for you once we've received your application)

  • are in receipt of free school meals, school or college bursary

  • are a care experienced young person

  • are a Young Carer

  • have a disability

  • are from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

  • are a Refugee or an Asylum Seeker

  • are a Service Child

  • are estranged from their family

  • are from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background

  • are a mature student





How to apply

Once we have received your application, we will let you know which events you are able to book on to. We aim to get back to you within two weeks of receiving your application. Please note, there are certain times of the year when the University is closed for the holidays, and therefore we may take longer to get back to you. This includes the Christmas and Easter periods.

You can apply for the programme at any time throughout the year, although we encourage you to sign up as soon as you can so that you can make the most of the programme. Events will begin to run from November 2021 onwards.

For any other queries, please contact us at accessprogramme@sussex.ac.uk


Suggest an event

If you'd like to suggest a topic or a subject for a future event, please feel free to let us know via the suggestion button below.

Connect with us

Widening Participation - Academic Events

accessprogramme@sussex.ac.uk

University of Sussex