Starting Block
Supporting your transition into and through university.
What is Starting Block?
To help you get settled into university-level education, we’ve developed Starting Block – a series of activities for you to get to know your teaching team and your coursemates.
Being well-prepared and focused at the start of something leads to success. And that's what Starting Block is set up to do – brace you as you stride forward with your university experience.
Whether that's being prepared for the start of your new university life, getting ready to build on your skills, or looking towards your postgraduate life – starting every year in the best way means you're most likely to succeed.
Starting Block: preparing you for success
Starting Block Festival
Taking part in the Starting Block Festival will help you feel comfortable, connected and confident before your studies begin.
How to take part
Everyone’s Starting Block is different – and because it’s different, you need to make sure you’re engaging with Blackboard and your university email.
Enrol in MYUWE
To access Starting Block, you’ll need to complete your university enrolment in MYUWE. We’ll email your username and password to your personal email address after we’ve confirmed your place – from the start of August. Look for the Enrolment tab where you can add or confirm your personal details.
Get your IT set up before you start
You’ll want to choose a suitable laptop or computer for your course. You can download Office 365 for your computer using AppsAnywhere so you can access them wherever you are – including campus computers.
What to expect from Starting Block
Your programme team will provide you with an experience that is exciting, meaningful and completely tailored to your course. They will:
- help you understand the structure of your programme, such as key course dates and assessment methods
- explain which elements of the course will be on campus/online
- show you your course-specific facilities, such as laboratories or studios
- provide a tour of campus spaces that are relevant to your studies
- guide you through our foundation blocks – these are core elements to being a student at UWE Bristol.
The content is tailored to you, so the content will vary depending on what you’re studying.
You’ll start practising the skills you need to make your year more successful, build relationships with your coursemates and teaching staff, and feel a lasting connection to your programme and the UWE Bristol community.
We'll also make sure you have an understanding of all the digital tools you’ll be using as part of your course.
Laura’s Starting Block experience
Hear from Laura, a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science student, about her experience of Starting Block.
Digital Learning induction course
Familiarise yourself with the digital tools you’ll be using at UWE Bristol, to start confidently and be well-prepared for study.
Starting Block events
View our upcoming Starting Block events.
Thu 08 October 2026, 12:00
Passport to Friendship
The Hub, H Block, Glenside Campus
Join us for a special Passport to Friendship – meet new people, have fun conversations, and make friends from around the world.
Fri 09 October 2026
Starting Block quest
UWE Bristol, Various locations
Explore campus. Complete challenges. Meet people. Win prizes.
Sat 10 October 2026
Starting Block quest
UWE Bristol, Various locations
Explore campus. Complete challenges. Meet people. Win prizes.
Sun 11 October 2026
Starting Block quest
UWE Bristol, Various locations
Explore campus. Complete challenges. Meet people. Win prizes.
Mon 12 October 2026
Starting Block quest
UWE Bristol, Various locations
Explore campus. Complete challenges. Meet people. Win prizes.
Tue 13 October 2026, 09:00
Flourish
2L002, Frenchay Campus
A programme to help you make the best start to university.
Wed 14 October 2026, 12:00
Global café: Wellbeing get2gether
Global Lounge, 2P4, P Block, Frenchay Campus
New friends, fun games, and enjoy tasty treats.
Tue 20 October 2026, 09:00
Flourish
2L002, Frenchay Campus
A programme to help you make the best start to university.
Thu 22 October 2026, 14:00
Late arrivals Starting Block activity
Learning Hub, Bower Ashton Campus
Learn about key academic and study skills.
Fri 23 October 2026, 13:00
Late arrivals Starting Block activity
4D024, Frenchay Campus
Learn about key academic and study skills.
Tue 27 October 2026, 09:00
Flourish
2L002, Frenchay Campus
A programme to help you make the best start to university.
Tue 03 November 2026, 09:00
Flourish
2L002, Frenchay Campus
A programme to help you make the best start to university.
Hear more about Megan's experience"Going into a new year at university can be a nerve-wracking time for anyone and there are lots of ways you can prepare. As a student going into higher education for the first time last year, I was very apprehensive about the new way of learning and all the new challenges I would face. Fortunately, we had a Starting Block."
Megan student
Starting Block is a great opportunity to set yourself up for the year ahead and make sure you’re prepared with the skills you will need for university life.
Before Starting Block I felt nervous about the year ahead as well as new aspects of learning I had never had to consider before. Thankfully Starting Block was a great opportunity to test all of this out, so when it came to the first week of term I felt fully prepared and comfortable.
Five secrets to success
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