Outreach at Kingston University
Find out how we support schools and colleges through our outreach activities.
Empowering all to pursue higher education
We are committed to widening access for students from all backgrounds to higher education.
Our Education Liaison and Outreach team offers a range of free, engaging and impartial activities. These activities aim to inspire and support learners on their journey to academic success, helping them access higher education and beyond.
We offer free, progressive and interactive outreach activities tailored to the specific needs of learners. Organised by Key Stage, these activities include:
• Curriculum linked STEM activities
• Higher education advice and guidance presentations and skills workshops
• Subject-specific sessions with academics
Sessions can be delivered on campus, in schools and colleges and online.
Our offering extends to non-selective, non-fee-paying schools (including PRUs and SEND schools), sixth-forms and further education colleges. More information on our targeting and eligibility criteria can be found below.
Access and Participation Plan (APP)
Our APP sets out how we will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education. It also outlines our fee limits, and the access, student support and progression measures we intend to put in place.
Our earlier APPs are available to view on the Office for Students website. The plan that applies to you is based on the academic year when you started your undergraduate studies.
Access and Participation Plan 2024–2028
Summary of Access and Participation Plan 2024–2028
Targeting and eligibility
Our offering extends to non-selective, non-fee-paying schools (including PRUs and special schools), sixth-forms and further education colleges.
We prioritise requests and individual applications (National Saturday Clubs) based on our access target group (outlined in our Access and Participation Plan) and capacity within the team:
- Those with a high proportion of students in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM), supplemented with Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) data where FSM data is unavailable.
- Those Kingston University has an existing, formal partnership with, namely those outlined in our Access and Participation Plan.
This ensures we can improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups at Kingston University to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.
Our work with schools and colleges
Our free, comprehensive offering to schools and colleges enables learners to gain an insight into Kingston University. Split into phases and linked to Key Stages 2 – 5, we have curated our activity to support learner progression to higher education.
Our STEM skills-focused programme aims to empower the next generation of STEM professionals and bridge the gap in STEM education. Activities take place on campus and in schools and colleges (where possible).
Tailored to your group’s needs, each visit adopts a theme and focuses on age-appropriate topics and activities:
Key Stage 2: IGNITE
With a focus on taking on the role of a STEM professional, learners will explore what they do and why through “day in the life” activities including experiments.
Key Stage 3: DISCOVER
Learners will build fundamental STEM skills in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, to support in school STEM learning. Activity focuses on key skills such as taking measurements, observations, experimental design and using scientific terminology.
Key Stage 4: EXPLORE
Our Science & Engineering Saturday Club (run in collaboration with the National Saturday Club), enables Y10 students to gain insight into STEM subjects and careers.
Key Stage 5: ACCESS
Through access to advanced STEM equipment, learners will conduct curriculum-linked experiments and explore a university STEM experience. Experiments include:
- Advanced Microscopy
- PCR
- Aspirin Synthesis
- NMR, IR and UV Vis
Our HE and Skills Workshops provide clear, progressive and impartial information, advice and guidance to learners exploring higher education. Activities take place on campus, in schools and colleges and online (where possible).
Tailored to your group’s needs, each visit adopts a theme and focuses on age-appropriate topics and activities:
Key Stage 2 – INSPIRE
Through interactive activities and discussion, students will begin to imagine their future, build confidence in asking questions, and develop curiosity about the world around them. By igniting excitement about education, this session lays the foundation for lifelong learning and exploration.
Key Stage 3 - DISCOVER
Providing an engaging introduction to university life, activities include an introduction to higher education, an overview of what a university is like, and allows students to discover the variety of subjects available. Students can interact with our Student Ambassadors, ask questions, and start building the foundations for future academic success.
Key Stage 4 – EXPLORE
Considering their post-16 options, learners will explore topics such as student life and the benefits of university, and skills workshops on exam revision and self-confidence.
Key Stage 5 – ACCESS
To support learner’s access to higher education, activities will focus on UCAS, admissions processes, what to study and where. Specific workshops we offer are:
- The UCAS Application Process
- Writing an effective personal statement
- Student Finance
- UCAS Next Steps
In collaboration with the National Saturday Club, we deliver two sustained Saturday Clubs for Year 10 learners. Running across 16 Saturdays from January to July annually, learners gain an insight into the club’s subject specialism, related careers and skills, and develop a project for public exhibition. Activities take place on primarily on campus, with off-site visits to industry and a final showcase at Somerset House in central London.
We offer two Saturday Clubs:
- National Saturday Club – Science & Engineering
- National Saturday Club – Art & Design
Both programmes are free to attend.
Interested learners need to apply directly to Kingston University.
Applications for 2025-26 open in Autumn 2025.
In collaboration with academics, we offer one-day taster days for Year 12 students aiming to provide insight into subjects offered at Kingston University, university level study and Future Skills. Activities take place on campus in Summer and Autumn term.
Events are delivered in collaboration with our faculties:
Kingston University staff and students regularly attend UCAS and Higher Education (HE) Fairs across the UK, to speak with prospective students about our courses and answer any questions they may have. These events are a great way for learners to explore their options and find out more about university life.
We welcome invitations to attend HE events at your school or college. Attendance is subject to our targeting and eligibility criteria.
Meet the team
The Education Liaison and Outreach team includes:
- Katie Willis – Education Liaison and Outreach Manager
- Melissa Wortman – Education Liaison Coordinator
- Lisa Moylan – STEM Outreach Officer
- Martin Wood – STEM Outreach Officer
- Mark Alger – Education Liaison Officer
- Joe Thornton – Education Liaison Officer
Want to book an activity or ask a question?
Get in touch to submit an activity request or find out how we can support your learners.
We'd love to hear from you!
