Course information

STRIVE is a student success programme, centring the experiences of BAME*/ global majority students. STRIVE is 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.

*BAME a problematic homogenous term used to describe racially minoritised people.

I would recommend this programme to any student because it’s an opportunity to know yourself better and there is a lot to gain in terms of cultural understanding to be a good leader and to help others strive in their life!       

                                                                       Atta Timothee Kouame

Introduction by STRIVE Founder and Academic Lead Prof. Iwi Ugiagbe-Green

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 in your Rise portfolio and work forwards the opportunity of submitting a Rise assessment for additional co-curricular practice credit.