I couldn't recommend it more! Abby, former Get Set attendee
This event is amazing as it truly shows how dedicated the team at St Mary's are and how much they care for their students. Thank you again and I can’t wait to begin my three-year journey at St Mary's
Anonymous, Get Set attendee
Please note: Get Set for Success and Get Set Mentoring are offered to select students only. To find out if you are eligible to apply, please see our FAQs below and "Who is invited and why".
First established in 2012, Get Set for Success (GSFS) is a yearly event held shortly before Welcome Week and main induction, designed to settle you in a bit with a "head start" before everyone arrives and things get very busy.
The programme features a variety of sessions and activities to provide you with key information. It will help you to get to know the University and the support we can offer you — you will meet a lot of friendly faces across the staff team! — and it will also give you a chance to meet and get to know each other a little before term starts.
Get Set for Success 2025 will be held from Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 August 2026. It is set to include lots of exciting elements, from workshops on academic skills, joining societies and making friends, to inspirational speakers to get you excited for your next steps with us, fun icebreakers and competitions, and opportunities to meet 1-2-1 with different support services. You will also get to have a cup of tea with some of your programme team, so you can meet your lecturers and some of your classmates too, and have the opportunity to stay overnight on campus.
The WP Student Engagement team is passionate about inclusion - and therefore all places at Get Set are fully funded, meaning there is no cost to you once you arrive. The programme, food, and accommodation is provided by us!
Want to see a bit of Get Set? Take a look back at Get Set for Success 2024.
*Please note: while the majority of programmes will start late September this year, some dates do vary from programme to programme.
FAQs
Research into student access, retention and success has suggested that people in certain categories benefit from the opportunity to undertake short programmes or events before entering university.
These categories include students with academic backgrounds other than A levels, students with disabilities, care leavers and students from neighbourhoods where a small proportion of people go to university. Therefore, we invite students where one or more of these categories applies.
The programme is designed to enhance your understanding of the expectations of university level study, mainly for students going into university for the first time and to increase your confidence with regards to going to university.
Every year, we invite selected students to attend, but additionally we would like to provide all prospective undergraduate (Level 4) home students* with the opportunity to opt-in, if you feel that you would benefit from this extra support.
We especially invite expressions of interest from students in the following groups:
- Students who have previously been eligible for free school meals
- First generation students (the first in family to go to university)
- Estranged students (students no longer in contact with their families)
- Care experienced students (students who have spent some time in local authority care)
- Young and current carers
- Students from Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller (GRT) backgrounds
- Students with academic qualifications other than A-levels (for example, BTEC or diploma qualifications)
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
If you feel that Get Set for Success would be of benefit to you, please contact getsetforsuccess@stmarys.ac.uk and we will provide you with an Expression of Interest form.
Please note: places are limited, so we cannot guarantee spots to all applicants, as the programme is overbooked every year.
*Get Set for Success is unfortunately not available to international students and is on offer only to Level 4 students (students starting the first year of their undergraduate degree programmes). International students will receive transitional support from the international team (international@stmarys.ac.uk).
If you feel this programme would be of benefit to you, we encourage you to apply quickly as we have limited numbers for how many students we can accommodate!
When and where is Get Set for Success?
We are hoping to run a blended (a mixture of online, and face-to-face elements) version of Get Set for Success this year and are making plans for 27-28 August. For online elements, full instructions will be sent to attendees in advance of the event.
We are hoping to run a blended (a mixture of online, and face-to-face elements) version of Get Set for Success this year and are making plans for 25-27 August. For online elements, full instructions will be sent to attendees in advance of the event.
How much is it?
The GSFS opportunity is entirely free to you.
How do I apply?
If you do not receive a postcard or email in the summer, but feel strongly that you would benefit from this programme due to one of the reasons provided above (for example, you are the first in your family to go to university, or you are an estranged student) you can email us outlining why you think you are eligible for and would benefit for this programme at getsetforsuccess@stmarys.ac.uk
Can I apply if I was not invited by post?
You cannot apply directly, but you can email us at getsetforsuccess@stmarys.ac.uk for an Expression of Interest form.
If you are deemed eligible, you will be sent a link to register for a place on Get Set for Success. Please bear in mind that when eligible students apply, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis so we:
- encourage you apply as soon as you are sent the application
- ask that you only apply to take a space if you are certain you will be able to attend (when you are sent the application form link you will be given more information on exact confirmed dates and details).
What do our staff and students say about Get Set for Success?
GSFS is a well-valued programme that has received consistently positive feedback over the years.
"Get Set is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I believe it has a genuine positive impact on students by making the transition to university feel significantly less daunting. It provides an opportunity for students to begin their studies with greater confidence, having already familiarised themselves with key aspects of university life, gained valuable knowledge, and often connected with fellow students. Many arrive at the start of term feeling they have a head start and recognising familiar faces around campus. Over the years, several students have feedback to staff that they met some of their closest friends through Get Set and have remained in contact long after graduating, which highlights the lasting value of the programme."
Professor Claire McLoughlin, Head of Academic Student Experience & Enhancement
"I found Get Set a great way to meet new people, prepare for uni & get to know my way around the campus before the semester started. It made my first day less daunting and meant I knew a few familiar faces."
Pippy Hull-Octave, second year Communications, Design and Marketing student
"Get Set for Success is a great programme that gives you a 'pre-university warm-up' and an exclusive and first-hand experience before all other students."
Ahmed El-Hana, second year Sport Rehabilitation Student
Here are some more examples of what previous Get Set students have said.
- "The best part was meeting people and making new friends and knowing how university will be like."
- "I felt really welcomed and learnt a lot."
- "It was good to see that other students had the same worries that I do, especially with things like money and stuff. It made me feel less alone."
- "I loved the session with careers and it’s great to know they’re there."
- "Learning about time management was really useful."
- "I really liked meeting the Student Ambassadors. It was good hearing from the students already at St Mary’s what it’s like."
- "I feel like I have clarity for the next few weeks."
- "Hearing about other people’s experiences made me feel more confident."
- "I just wanted to say thank you very much for this week, it has been an eye opener and it has really cleared up some of my worries and concerns about starting Uni."
Have a question?
You can get in touch with us by emailing getsetforsuccess@stmarys.ac.uk