What we do
We aim to ensure that young people are informed about their higher education (HE) options and see it as an exciting choice. Through collaboration with educators, we deliver engaging activities for learners of all ages, helping them make informed decisions about their future.
Who we support
While we support educators in inspiring all students to consider university, some of our outreach activities prioritise students from under-represented groups in HE.
This includes young people living in low participation neighbourhoods, students from low socio-economic backgrounds, young people in care, estranged students and young people with caring responsibilities. For these groups, we offer tailored programmes designed to meet their specific needs.
Find out more
Primary schools
We aim to inspire a love of learning in primary age children, encouraging them to see HE as a future possibility. We work with a small number of primary schools and focus our work on students from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. This means we cannot always support requests from other schools.
In 2025, we’re offering dedicated campus visit dates for Year 6 pupils eligible for free school meals or pupil premium from non-target schools. Each school can bring up to 15 students for a scavenger hunt tour and our ‘Future Me’ workshop. These visits are currently fully booked, but please email our Schools Liaison Team: [email protected] to be added to the waiting list in case a space becomes available.
Deputy Headteacher in 2023:
An excellent tour which was well led by BU’s ambassadors. The children loved seeing and hearing about the university and its facilities. They left motivated to go to university.
Secondary schools
We aim to showcase the opportunities and benefits of HE to your students, helping them to see how it can play a key role in achieving their future aspirations. We have developed a series of activities and events, including campus visits, workshops (both on and off-campus) and presentations, all tailored to meet the needs of your students.
Summer Residentials 2025
Our fully funded residentials, open to eligible students meeting specific criteria, offer students an immersive university experience, including accommodation, meals and a variety of activities.
Participants will enjoy academic tasters, practical workshops and group projects, led by experts and supported by current students. Social highlights include a beach BBQ, Students’ Union events and optional sports activities, all while staying in student accommodation.
Applications are open:
Group 1: Sunday 27 July to Tuesday 29 July 2025
Group 2: Wednesday 30 July to Friday 1 August 2025
HE guidance – campus visits & presentations
We can visit your school to deliver presentations on topics such as student finance, student life, preparing for HE fairs, the benefits of higher education, revision and wellbeing, university applications and more.
We also welcome students of all ages to campus to experience life in HE, including meeting current students, exploring facilities, and learning about applications and finance. Visits accommodate up to 65 students, with priority for partner schools and underrepresented groups.
If your group is interested in a specific subject area, we may be able to arrange tailored activities, either on campus or at your school, subject to academic and facility availability.
Campus visits for 2024-25 are now fully booked for secondary schools. Please contact our Schools Liaison Team: [email protected] to book in advance for the 2025-26 academic year.
Colleges and sixth forms
Our inspiring faculty staff are passionate about sharing their career journeys, showcasing expertise in their subject areas and introducing students to our incredible facilities. Whether through campus visits or in-school sessions, we can connect your students with subject specialists and help them explore the career paths BU can support with.
Get in touch to arrange subject-specific activities, tailored workshops or opportunities to meet your teaching counterparts at BU. Our goal is to inspire young people to pursue careers they’re passionate about and consider university as an essential step in their journey.
We also offer a range of activities to support HE decision-making, including presentations on applications, student finance and life at university. To discuss bespoke visits or events, whether at BU or your school, email our Schools Liaison Team: [email protected]
Teachers and Career Leaders
To enable you to support your students, we think it’s important for you to have the opportunity to keep up-to-date with your professional development, specifically in relation to HE.
Teachers and Career Leaders Conference 2025
This free, annual, one-day conference offers teachers, careers leaders and education professionals the latest updates in the sector. This year's event will be held on Wednesday 14 May on Talbot Campus, focusing on our faculties, course provision and support services, including health and wellbeing, additional learning support and careers and employability.
Stay tuned as we finalise the programme for this year. Bookings will open in January.
EnablED: Dorset’s Path to Higher Education for Neurodivergent & Disabled Learners
This free, annual, one-day conference empowers educators, SENCOs, sixth form leaders and careers teams to support smoother transitions from school or college into higher education for neurodivergent and disabled learners.
Our inaugural 2024 event took place on our Talbot Campus with ‘The Learning Journey’ as the theme.
We’re currently developing our 2025 event. To register your interest, email our Schools Liaison Team: [email protected]