As part of our widening participation outreach activities, we welcomed a group of Sport Coaching and Development Foundation Degree students from East Sussex College to the Eastbourne campus.

The event provided further information to the students about top-up degree options and other sport-related courses at the university. It also gave them an insight into university life.

The students listened to an overview from Dr Jim Wallis, Sport Coaching BSc course leader, and then took part in a coaching session led by second year students. They then visited the physiology sport lab and participated in a sport and exercise science session led by Dr Mark Hayes using equipment to test grip strength and jump distances.

Two student ambassadors also gave a student life talk and a tour of the halls of residence.

Della Lawson, Sports Coaching and Development Foundation Degree Tutor at East Sussex College said: “Visiting the University of Brighton today was a great experience for our students.

“It was highly supportive by giving them insight into their future options through a variety of informative and fun practical sessions and talks. Thank you for having us.”

Dr Jim Wallis, commented: “Our experience tells us that the transition to the top-up programme is key for foundation degree students. In this respect the event was a big success as students gained experience of university life, curriculum content in science and coaching, whilst also meeting some of the students that they may well be studying with next year.”

Charlotte Avery, a student recruitment and outreach ambassador who is the final year of the Sport and Exercise Science BSc said: It was a lovely day sharing my experiences with the students who had similar questions as I did about university life. The students found it useful hearing my journey to university through the BTEC route and that university is definitely still possible.”

Thank you to all the staff and student ambassadors who led and supported the sessions.

Find out more about the Top-up degree in BSc Sport Coaching and Development and BSc Sport and Fitness

Applicant days are offered to all students holding an offer from the University, and are the chance for you to get a real taste of your course. You can explore the campus and town that may be your home for three years and ask loads of questions.

Applicant days are a fantastic way to experience your chosen subject in a greater depth than at an open day. It comes with the chance to find out more about your subject area, giving you the chance to access details about the course structure and methods of teaching. It also provides you with the chance to speak to professors and academic staff, who will be your course leaders and lecturers if you choose to enrol at Brighton. The day also comes with the chance to take part in interactive activities and workshops, which are centred around specific modules you may be studying. It is also a chance to meet potential future peers that will be on the course with you, providing a great chance to meet new people and make friends before even beginning University.

Present on the day will also be current students studying the course, who will be able to answer any questions you may have about the studying at the University and their experiences of living in Brighton. It is also a chance to visit the city, explore the campus and see the teaching and social facilities. You will also have the opportunity to check out some of the accommodation options on offer.

Here are my top tips for making the most of a University of Brighton applicant day:

1. Plan your journey – Avoid the last minute panic and work out how you’re getting to the campus before the day. If you’re coming by car, not all of our campuses have parking so it may be necessary to look at local public car parks near to the campus, details of which will be sent upon confirmation of your booking.

By train? Our Falmer and Moulsecoomb campuses are a few minutes’ walk from their nearest stations, and our Grand Parade campus is about a ten minute walk from the central Brighton station. At our Eastbourne campuses, we will provide a free shuttle service from the station to the campus.

2. Once at the campus, our friendly student ambassadors will guide you to registration, and your applicant day can begin! Look out for our students in blue t-shirts.

3. Remember to make the most of the students and academics available on the day, and feel free to ask any questions that you have. No question is a silly question!

4. Most of all have fun!