College and Sixth Form events and opportunities
Explore the Sussex Inspires programme’s full range of events throughout the year.
College/Sixth-Form co-ordinator information
Find out more about what you can book and expect from the Inspires Team at the Â鶹´«Ã½ of Sussex.
Sussex Inspires
Sussex Inspires applications are open and are reviewed on a regular basis. We prioritise students who meet one of our three key criteria:
• in receipt of free school meals in the past six years
• from a Gypsy, Roma or Traveller background
• experience in care.
Students who meet other criteria including: caring responsibilities, disabilities, or living in an under-represented postcode, are also welcome to apply.
Attendees will be allocated a strand based on what they'd like to study. These strands are Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences or STEM.
The programme includes a series of university visits focusing on aspects of higher education such as choosing a course, exploring graduate careers and helping with your application to Â鶹´«Ã½, before culminating in a residential summer school.
2024 applications
Applications for the Sussex Inspires programme are now open.
If you have questions about Sussex Inspires, or want to speak to someone in the Access team, email inspires@sussex.ac.uk.
I have taken part in most of what Sussex Inspires Programme has offered, from master classes, tasters, open days, subject trial days, and their summer school. Each allowing me to feel and experience a different part of what university life would be like. I loved each one as they accommodate any person who wants to take part and help in any way they can.” 2023/2024 Sussex Access Programme student
Varndean College, Brighton
Event programme
We welcome bookings from any sixth form or college, however places will be prioritised to Access team partner institutions, as well as colleges/sixth forms with a high number of students meeting widening participation criteria.
Study and See: subject introductions
Thursday 21 January - Arts and Humanities
Wednesday 22 January - Social Science
Thursday 23 January - STEM
Our Study and See sessions gives attendees a chance to have a university-style experience in some of their favourite subjects, or try out subjects they may not have considered before.
They will take part in three 45-minute taster sessions. The sessions are led by academic staff and supported by current Sussex students. Your students will learn more about what topics you can study within a subject, explore possible career pathways and speak to students currently studying in that area.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 12 January
Careers Day
Tuesday 4 March
Where can a degree take you? What have Sussex alumni gone on to do? Do you have the option of continuing on to post-graduate qualifications like Masters and PhD? We will give your students the knowledge and skills to consider their own potential pathways to future careers and hear from people who have had similar journeys.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 16 February
Find your Future: Â鶹´«Ã½ Essentials
Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 19 June
Our Find your Future conferences give Year 12 students the chance to discover what student life is like, in addition to offering a springboard into potential Â鶹´«Ã½ applications. They’ll leave knowing exactly what they need to do to complete a UCAS application, understand the student finance system and gain an insight into student life.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 18 May
Subject Session Talks
Our subject sessions involve a Â鶹´«Ã½ of Sussex academic visiting your sixth form or college to deliver a university subject taster talk. These sessions are designed to connect with your current curriculum. These sessions are supported by a member of the Widening Participation team and Student Ambassador to offer additional guidance on university and student life. We recommend allowing 1.5 hours for the session.
Key information
- An application for an event does not guarantee you a place.
- We will email successful applicants with further information.
- We can pay for coach, train or bus travel and we provide food for all attendees on campus.
- We reserve the right to close applications early.
- We request that at least 80% of attendees meet at least one widening participation criteria.
Contact
If you have any queries, email accessprogramme@sussex.ac.uk.