Feel supported to make the most out of your university experience by building connections and discovering new opportunities from day one.
Join Thrive todayWhat is Thrive?
Starting university can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure what to expect.
Co-designed by students for students, Thrive is a year-long welcoming and inclusive Student Success programme for foundation and first year students from backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented at university.
Thrive is jam packed with activities, events and opportunities to give you the edge when it comes to navigating university life. Our goal is to help you to settle in, grow and succeed in first year and beyond!
Hear more about the programme and the benefits it can bring from our Student Success Officer in this short video.
What does Thrive include?
Thrive supports eligible students to reach their potential in five ways. You can take part in as many activities and events as you like, based on your interests and availability:
Who can join the Thrive programme?
Thrive eligibility criteria is based on the latest data to ensure our support reaches the students who need it most, when they need it most.
Check below for eligibility criteria for the 2025–26 academic year:
- Students who are a care leaver, care experienced or estranged*
- Students who were eligible for free school meals
- Students entering university from a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, and students from low-income households (Check your postcode).
- Students with caring responsibilities*
- Students who hold refugee status
- Students who identify as Black, Asian or from other minority ethnic groups*
- Students who did not study A Level qualifications, e.g. BTEC.
*These student groups may receive priority access to certain parts of the programme as per our commitments in our Widening Access and Student Success Strategy.
Thrive Plus
As past Thrive participants, your journey with us doesn’t end after completion of first year. We’re still here to support you to adapt, grow, and succeed. You can benefit from:
- Facilitated peer support through Action Learning Sets
- Enhanced support to access and apply to the Thrive fund
- Exclusive access to career focused insight experiences
- Mentoring opportunities with renowned employers
- Exclusive access to Get Ahead appointments
- Access to unique and inspiring guest speaker/panel sessions
All previously registered Thrive students will receive regular email updates on the opportunities available throughout the academic year.
Thrive Fund
The Thrive Fund is an exciting new initiative which will contribute financial support to helps you to take part in activities which enhance your employability, build your confidence and develop your transferable skills. Further information on this will follow.
Student profiles
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from students first-hand.
Hear from a current Thrive alumni student about their experience on the programme in this short video.
Diversity Student Success Programme
The Student Success team are working in collaboration with the charity Grit and their delivering trainers who have lived experience to share with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students to support you to:
- Shift limiting beliefs and step into your full potential
- Meet new students and build a support network of friends
- Build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging
- Celebrate your identity and discover what drives you
- Own your brilliance
These transformational workshop opportunities are promoted throughout the academic year and places are limited so check your inbox for further information.
Get involved
Thrive is free and open to eligible first and foundation year students.
Join Thrive todayThrive FAQs
Contact us
Still got questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you make the most of your university experience.