On Saturday 18 May, colleagues from our Access, Recruitment and Outreach team worked in partnership with five other universities to deliver a joint online conference for Year 12 students, designed to support informed decision-making about higher education.
The event brought together the Universities of Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Keele, Lancaster and Warwick in a cross-institutional collaboration, and formed part of a broader programme of information, advice and guidance (IAG) for prospective students.
The free online event was open to all Year 12 students and attracted participants from across the UK. Sessions were designed to demystify key aspects of the student journey and build confidence ahead of the UCAS application process. These included:
- Writing an effective personal statement: guidance on how to reflect individual strengths, experiences and aspirations, and tailor content for different course types.
- Choosing a course and university: tips on comparing courses, considering location and teaching styles, and understanding the difference between campus and city universities.
- Managing your money: practical advice on student finance, budgeting tools, understanding living costs, and managing part-time work.
The event also featured live Q&A panels with admissions specialists and current students from each university, giving attendees the opportunity to hear a range of perspectives and ask their own questions.
This initiative was a fantastic example of what can be achieved through sector collaboration, drawing on the expertise of multiple institutions to deliver high-quality support at scale. It also allowed us to showcase the University of Bath as a leading voice in student engagement and outreach.
Huge thanks to the team who made this happen, and to our university partners for their shared commitment to widening access and empowering student choice.
