Building Up to Bristol: Explore

It will offer you the best possible preparation for your degree. Working together with peers, you will develop your understanding of academic language and culture.

This free course takes place online in September and in person in October and January. You do not need to have attended the September sessions to attend sessions in October and January. 

Course content

The September sessions cover:

• Discovering differences – getting to know yourself, each other and the University’s values.
• Becoming a University of Bristol student – understanding academic expectations and building your academic community.
• Listening to a lecture – applying note-taking and active listening skills in a live setting.
• Thinking about how you learn – reflecting on and improving your academic skills, ready for university.
• Writing with confidence – strengthening your writing.
• Feedback and criteria – learning how to offer and receive feedback, and what criteria the University uses.

You will also build resilience, motivation and community, all of which are essential for thriving at university.

Getting ready for your first assignment: Reading, writing and planning 

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 2-4pm 

• Reflect on previous learning to recognise academic strengths and areas for development 

• Analyse your first assignments to identify the skills and strategies needed for successful completion 

• Evaluate and select study strategies to support effective reading, writing, and planning 

• Develop a personal action plan to build confidence in preparing for the assignment 

Reflecting on your past assignments and feedback: Understanding strengths and identifying how to improve 

Wednesday 28th January 2026 2-4pm  

• Reflect on past assignments and feedback received during the course 

• Identify key areas to develop and apply feedforward strategies 

• Set clear, realistic targets to support your future academic progress 

• Recognise where and how to access academic support and resources at the University 

The course is not assessed or accredited.

Class size and teaching staff

You will be in a group of up to 30 students. There will be opportunities for small-group work built into the course.

You will be taught by staff from our centre. We specialise in helping students to develop their communication in academic contexts.

Course dates, timetable and workload

This online course will take place on 9, 10 and 11 September 2025 from 1.30 pm to 4 pm. Each session will have a 30-minute break in the middle.

If you would like to speak to a staff member before the session starts, there will be an optional drop-in from 1 pm to 1.30 pm each day.

This in-person course will take place on 22nd October 2025 from 2pm to 4pm and 28th January 2026 from 2pm-4pm. Each session will have a break in the middle. 

You will not be expected to do any work outside of class.

Location

The September sessions will take place online only and will be delivered via Blackboard, the teaching platform used by undergraduate students. This course will help you understand how Blackboard works, ready for the start of term.

The October and January sessions will take place in a central teaching space, exact venue details will be emailed to students offered a place.   

Cost

This course is free for participating students. You will need access to a laptop or tablet, and a good internet connection, in order to join.

Eligibility

This course has been developed specifically for students who self-identify as being from a lower socio-economic group and who are beginning a degree programme at the University of Bristol in September 2025. Please make it clear on the sign-up form how you meet these criteria.

When allocating places, we will initially prioritise students who live in an ‘Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile 1’ area. You can use the IMD postcode checker on the contextual offer page to check your own home postcode for eligibility.

We will then prioritise students who have been eligible for free school meals or are receiving the Bristol Bursary. 

How to apply

To apply for the October and January sessions, please complete the sign up form

If you have any questions, please email explore-uob@bristol.ac.uk.