Your learning starts here

Today we are sharing some resources that you might find helpful in preparing for your studies. We’ll make sure that your student experience gets off to a great start – while looking after your safety and wellbeing.

Our guide to a safe campus

You will hear the term ‘blended learning’ being mentioned. It’s how we are describing the mix of on-campus and remote learning that has been put in place, together with carefully managed access to libraries, labs, workshops and studios, so that your studies are as collaborative, practical and enjoyable as possible.

In case you missed our previous email, we recommend watching Our guide to a safe campus video and we are asking all students to sign up to COVID-19: our university community commitment.

Check you have the right digital kit

Having access to a suitable laptop gives you maximum flexibility to study and to work when and where suits you best. You can also check the IT specifications for your course by viewing the ‘What to expect this autumn’ section – you’ll find this by searching for your course description and going to course content.

Help for those without access to a suitable laptop or internet

We have put in place two funding opportunities to help those without access to their own computer and for those who need to buy additional data for online learning.

Our Digital Access Fund is open to all full-time UK undergraduate students in greatest need who do not have access to their own computer.
Our Broadband and Data Access Fund provides a non-repayable contribution to students who need financial assistance to buy broadband and data to support blended learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find out how to apply for these funds

Complete your academic tasks now

As soon as you have completed enrolment, you can log onto My Brighton using your university email address. Our new student portal brings together your email, calendar and timetable, study modules and lots more. There are some quick tasks that you should complete now, to help you prepare:

Click on the My Studies tile in My Brighton, then My School and / or My Course to find out more about your course and to complete the new student academic tasks that have been set by your school. This is all part of feeling ready to start. My Studies is a secure online space for students with access to learning materials, assessment and other study related content.

There’s also a range of collaborative tools for sharing information, as well as signposting to other University of Brighton services, such as libraries. You’ll be able to log in to the My Brighton portal after you enrol. Then, when you access My Studies through the My Brighton portal you’ll be automatically signed in.

Complete your other online tasks following your online enrolment. These include how to access key university online services such as Microsoft Teams for your online learning.

Refresh yourself on how to study

Whatever your course and whatever your learning style, it’s useful to think about how you will study as much as what you will study. Have a look through our study tips for information that’s relevant to you, to supplement the expert tuition you will receive on your course.

Read our tips for university study

As a university student you’ll study independently and organise your own time outside of your timetabled teaching sessions – which for the start of the 2020–21 academic year will include both on-campus and remote learning. There are lots of resources to help you to get familiar with university-level study and build your skills such as:

We’ve also curated playlists on LinkedIn learning (and available via My Brighton) for some video-based study skills.

Libraries and online learning resources

It’s also important to familiarise yourself with our library services and opening hours. Find out how to use the library and online learning resources.

Build your study and digital skills

We are here to answer your questions

Have a look through our checklist of 10 things to do before you start university and also our Student FAQs. Our students are also here to chat to you online and answer any questions you may have about your university experience, supported by our university enquiries team.