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