International orientation programme

Our orientation events are organised by the International Advice and Support team, and are designed to help prepare new international students for life in the UK and at the university.

International orientation is made up of: 

So, whenever you are starting your course, we will be ready to welcome you!

The below orientation information is for our semester two intake, joining the university in February 2026. Details for September 2026 students will be updated in July 2026.

Group of students in the Pavilion gardens

Pre-arrival online events

As part of the Belong at Brighton programme we run a series of events aimed specifically at new international students, which cover information on life in the UK and at the university. These include preparing to arrive in the UK, managing your money as an international student (including how to open a UK bank account), accessing the UK healthcare system and looking after your wellbeing, as well as working in the UK with a Student visa. 

For students starting in February 2026, instead of group pre-arrival talks we are offering individual one-hour orientation sessions on Microsoft Teams with an International Student Adviser. Our advisers will be able to answer any questions you have about life at the University of Brighton and living in the UK.

You can book a 1-1 online call with an International Student Adviser on the same booking form as the orientation programme activities below.

In-person orientation programme

For students starting their course with us in February 2026, we are offering in-person orientation activities to help you get to know the university, Brighton and the surrounding area! 

Your school will have timetabled activities during Welcome Week: Monday 2 February to Friday 6 February. We have tried to avoid any clashes for the main events, but this is not always possible. You will be able to access your Welcome Week timetable once you have completed online registration. The sessions run by your school should be your priority so please make sure you know when those are.

Campus tours

Join a tour of the Moulsecoomb campus. These are leaving from the main reception in Cockcroft building and there's no need to book – you can just turn up at the advertised time! Tours will leave on time so please don't be late.

If you have any access requirements as the result of a disability or health condition, please email us on orientation@brighton.ac.uk, so that we can advise you of the campus tour route and check if any adjustments need to be made.

Campus tour dates and times

  • Monday 2 February: 12.15-1pm or 1.15-2pm
  • Tuesday 3 February: 12.15-1pm or 1.15-2pm
  • Wednesday 4 February: 12.15-1pm or 1.15-2pm

Orientation events

Thursday 5 February

Morning: Moulsecoomb campus, room to be confirmed 

  • 9.30-10am: Arrival and registration with tea, coffee and pastries
  • 10-11.30am: Welcome and Skills Hub session – find out more about the academic and English language support available to you as an international student
  • 11.30am-12.30pm: Travel to city campus

Afternooon: City campus, Grand Parade building

  • 12.30-1.30pm: Free lunch provided
  • 1.30-2.30pm: Mindful arts and crafts session
  • 2.30-4pm: Tour of Brighton city centre and hot chocolate at a local cafe

Friday 6 February

Join a day trip to legendary beauty spot, Devil's Dyke, in the South Downs National Park.

  • 10-10.30am: Meet at Cockcroft building main reception, Moulsecoomb campus
  • 10.30-11am: Travel by coach to Devil's Dyke
  • 11am-2pm:
    • Option one – outdoors: Take part in a circular guided walk through the surrounding countryside (approximately 5km), stopping at the classic English country pub The Shepherd & Dog, before returning to the top of Devil's Dyke.
    • Option two – indoors: If the great outdoors is not your thing, you can enjoy the view from the warmth of the Devil's Dyke pub, where there will be board games, jigsaw puzzles and craft options.
  • 2-2:30pm: Meet to get the coach back to campus
  • 3pm: Arrive back to the Cockcroft building on Moulsecoomb campus

How to book

You can book an 1-1 online call and orientation events on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February through our online booking form. 

You will need your 8-digit University of Brighton student ID number to complete the form. 

 

Book your orientation sessions

What our students say about international orientation

 Julianna from the US

I met my closest friend at international orientation! Her and I both went to a 'careers connect' event that was being held, got chatting and realised we were both international students doing masters programmes. We went to lunch after and have been practically inseparable since! We probably would have never met if we hadn't attended the orientation events.  
Julianna Horvath, Curating Collections and Heritage Management MA student from the USA
Julianna Horvath

Trisha from India

The international orientation programme really helped me ease into life as a student in Brighton, I would definitely encourage new students to attend.
Trisha Dasgupta, Interior Design MA graduate from India
Trisha Dasgupta

Optional day trips

These trips are an opportunity to meet other international students, make new friends and explore local English landmarks. There are limited spaces available on these day trips and we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis so please do sign-up early to secure your place.

Day trips are free for you to join, with all transport paid by the University of Brighton. However you will need to pay for your own food and personal expenses, such as souvenirs. The transport for all day trips is either by coach. Coaches will typically depart from our Falmer campus at approximately 9am and return to Falmer campus around 5pm. You will be sent more details closer to the date of the trip via email.

East Sussex day trip, Saturday 21 February

You will travel by coach to local landmark Beachy Head – a chalk headland on the coast, where you can admire the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters, which feature in many British films and TV series.

After exploring the coast, you will visit the local town of Alfriston and then to Chiddingly, where you will stop for lunch in an English country pub. Main meal prices start from approximately £15.

Rye and Bodiam Castle day trip, Saturday 7 March

Travel by coach to the picturesque English town of Rye that has cobbled streets and historical buildings.

You'll also visit Bodiam Castle, a 14th-century moated castle. You can choose where to buy your own food on this trip.

Arundel day trip, Saturday 25 April

You will be taken by coach to the town of Arundel, steeped in history with a medieval castle and Roman Catholic Cathedral.

You can choose to visit the characteristic town centre with its grand cathedral, take a walk around Swanbourne lake, eat in one of the many local cafes or tea rooms, visit the medieval castle and gardens*, plus more. You can choose where to buy your own food on this trip.

*Please note that visits to the Castle and Arundel Museum are optional and the fees to enter are not included in the day trip.

Complete the online booking form

Get in touch with us

If you have any queries about the orientation programme or our other welcome events, please email the International Advice and Support team on orientation@brighton.ac.uk.

For all other queries, you can:

International support team