THRIVE at Ravensbourne

THRIVE is a welcoming and inclusive programme that provides enhanced support to students starting their undergraduate journeys. 

We recognise that all students face different barriers to making the most out of their university experience, and have developed this programme in collaboration with current students to address different challenges in their journey to and within higher education.

THRIVE also aims to:

• help students prepare for and settle into university life
• increase awareness of, and access to, the wide range of support services across the University
• support students to meet and make friendships with other students who may have a similar lived experience
• increase students’ confidence in their ability to succeed
• support students to apply for paid work opportunities and access career enhancing support and guidance

Events are open to all UK Undergraduate students - we would love to see you all there!

The programme itself forms part of Ravensbourne's Access and Participation Plan, which you can find more about here. While all UK Undergraduate students can benefit from THRIVE, it has been shaped particularly around the voices and experiences of students from these backgrounds and the barriers they might face in higher education:

• Students who are the first in their family to go to university 
• Students who are care experienced and estranged (CEES)
• Students who are carers
• Disabled students, including those with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), neurodivergence or a mental health condition
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students
• Students who were service children
• Students returning to learning aged 21+ (mature students)
• Students with parental responsibilities
• Students from low-income households (household income below £30k annually)
• Students who were eligible for free school meals

THRIVE is made up of a variety of exciting activities and opportunities that span across the first year at university and aim to give you the edge when it comes to navigating university life as a first-year undergraduate. You can opt into the opportunities and activities that are in line with your interests and are at times that work for you.

How does THRIVE support you at Ravensbourne?

1. Pre-arrival - online sessions
   
   Kickstart your journey to Ravensbourne with bespoke online sessions designed to introduce you to our university student services and provide you with information to help you settle in before you arrive on campus. Topics include advice for commuter students, navigating support services at university, budgeting, and what your first week might look like. These sessions aim to ease anxiety, provide a space for you to ask questions, and share specific information and advice. 

    

2. Pre-arrival summer school - in person

   Our 3 day Summer School in July will allow you to explore the campus at a quieter time with other new students. You'll begin building your university community, familiarise yourself with the building and local area and meet key staff from student support services. Mainly, we hope you'll have fun, make some new friends and start to feel more confident about starting in September.  
   
    

3. On course 
   
   Our in-person sessions after enrolling provide a space for you to snack, chat and meet students from different courses. Each session will be loosely structured around a different theme, with topics ranging from from support to find paid work, to study skills advice, to tips on saving and managing money. We are very open to suggestion and are happy to listen to students with ideas for topics! 

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If you are starting your degree at Ravensbourne in September, you should have received e-mail communication about our Summer School and pre-enrolment online sessions. If you have not, please contact Joanna on [email protected]. 

After enrolling, you will receive more information through your Ravensbourne e-mail, tutors, and through our online learning platform, 'Canvas'.

We are looking forward to supporting you to THRIVE!