Course information

STRIVE is a student success programme, designed to support YOU to achieve your personal and professional development goals. STRIVE celebrates cultural community in all its forms and the diversity and excellence that you bring to our university community.

We are proud that were awarded ‘The Union Award for Outstanding Achievement 2024′ at the Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony and was a finalist at the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Awards in 2025.

The programme has had a transformative impact on the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of students who have undertaken it.

The programme has 3 communities;

STRIVE mentorship & peer support – Any first year student can apply for a STRIVE mentor and access peer support via STRIVE

STRIVE Hosts sessions – Access sessions via Rise to support your learning & career readiness, invitations to engage in safe spaces to talk about difficult issues and experiences, focused well-being sessions to support your mental and physical health and of course our popular STRIVE socials!

STRIVE Leaders – Students who are selected through a process of recruitment and selection. They will undertake training that develops their, inclusive leadership and cultural humility and competency skills. STRIVE leaders be also be paid to represent the programme to advise and influence our university education strategy. STRIVE leaders will also undertake exclusive STRIVE opportunities & community projects that will develop them into exceptional leaders of the future.

By engaging with STRIVE you have the opportunity to earn the STRIVE digital badge hosted on Rise. To earn this badge you will have demonstrated engagement with a wide range of challenging and stretching personal and professional development activities. These activities may range from academic coaching excellence, mentoring or employability focused sessions. You will also have engaged in reflective practice to better understand and learn from your experiences and the impact your experiences have had on your personal and professional development.

Your engagement with STRIVE will also earn you Rise points. These build towards your STRIVE digital badge and any other Rise digital badges associated with different events, activities or resources. You can also self claim for your engagement where prompted on the site. All your engagement will appear on your Rise transcript and work forwards the opportunity of submitting a Rise assessment for additional academic credit if your degree of study allows for this. 150 points of engagement through STRIVE/Rise will also lead to an additional line on your academic transcript acknowledging your engagement in Rise activities.