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For many students, the transition to university can feel overwhelming, especially for those who may not have studied in formal education for a while, or who didn’t follow a conventional route through A-levels and exams.

This new pre-arrival course developed by ¹ú²ú̽»¨’s Skills Hub, has been carefully designed to demystify university life, build academic confidence and provide early access to essential university skills and support – all before term starts.

It aims to level the playing field by making sure every student – including those coming through Clearing, mature learners, and first-generation university-goers – has access to the skills, tools and support they need to hit the ground running.

Running online from 15–19 September, the course - called Bridging the Gaps: Getting Academic Ready for University - features daily lunchtime sessions (12.30–13.30 BST) to accommodate different schedules and time zones. Delivered by academic professionals in collaboration with student ambassadors, these interactive one-hour workshops use quizzes, breakout rooms and Padlet to create a relaxed, engaging space for students to learn and connect. 

True to ¹ú²ú̽»¨’s student-first ethos, the Skills Hub collaborated with a focus group of current students – including library assistants and ambassadors – to design the course around the real academic challenges new students often face.

The week-long series of one-hour sessions will cover:

• Monday: Digital skills – navigating My ¹ú²ú̽»¨, My Studies and essential online tools (Learning Technologies and Innovation team)

• Tuesday: Research and referencing – how to find, use and correctly reference academic sources (Library staff)

• Wednesday and Thursday: Reading and writing skills – effective reading strategies, note-taking, avoiding plagiarism, academic writing styles and the writing process (Skills Hub team)

• Friday: How to ‘be’ at uni – a student voice-led session on university life, language, self-advocacy, resilience, time management and wellbeing services, led by a former student ambassador

The course will be accessible from mid August, and students will be invited to sign up via a short registration form included in the promotional email on 18 August. Alongside live sessions, students will have access to a rich collection of university resources – from podcasts and Instagram videos to study guides and pdfs covering key topics like essay writing, using academic sources, and understanding university expectations.

Rudab Fadul, Health Promotion MSc student, said: “It’s great to see a course like this being offered before students even start. Starting university can be overwhelming, so learning how to manage time, understand academic expectations, and use support tools like SkillsHub and the library is really important. What I like most is that this course was shaped by student voices – it shows that ¹ú²ú̽»¨ truly listens to what students need to succeed.”

“What I really appreciate about being at ¹ú²ú̽»¨ is that I’ve never felt alone or left behind, especially as an international student. Every time I’ve needed help, I’ve discovered that the university has a support system in place, or someone has guided me to the right specialist support. The staff are genuinely kind and supportive. They don’t just give you answers, they take time to explain things and make sure you feel confident. That kind of care really makes a difference when you’re settling into a new country and a new way of learning.”

This new pre-arrival course is part of the ¹ú²ú̽»¨’s wider, long-standing commitment to equity, access and student success. It builds on a proven track record of supporting underrepresented groups and reflects a deep belief that no student should feel unprepared, unsupported, or left behind.

It also complements a range of initiatives designed to reduce barriers to higher education – including the newly launched ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Summer Boost. For the first time in 2025, this targeted financial support package will be available to students applying through Clearing, offering up to £700 in relocation or commuting assistance. By extending the successful ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Boost scheme to Clearing applicants, the university is ensuring that even those joining later in the year receive the practical help they need to start university with confidence.

From tailored skills-building courses and free academic resources to financial support, wellbeing services and peer-led mentoring, ¹ú²ú̽»¨ is empowering every student to succeed – whatever their starting point. Because at ¹ú²ú̽»¨, widening participation isn’t just a mission – it’s a promise.