Thrive Creative Conference 2026

The Thrive Creative Conference is aimed at students in Years 8 and 9 with an interest in creative subjects as they choose or start their GCSE options. Students will take part in workshops led by practicing artists, see state-of-the-art facilities and network with creative sector practitioners and business owners. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and teachers alike to broaden their understanding of creative pathways, from GCSE to post-16 and beyond.

Event details

An illustration of a blue, yellow and pink monkey on a white wall, next to a red and yellow lamp shining a light on 'Step into the land of the' written underneath. The next word in the sentence is cut off from the photo.

When
1st and 2nd July, 09:30-14:15

Where
UCA Farnham, Falkner Road, Farnham GU9 7DS - transport and catering will be provided for all attendees.

Who
This event is aimed at students from Widening Participation backgrounds who have an interest in creative subjects. They may have already chosen a creative GCSE, or be in the process of making their choices for GCSE subjects. For more information around Widening Participation criteria, please see the HEON website. 

What
09:30-10:00 - Arrival and welcome, with an introduction to creative pathways by a HEON practitioner.
10:05-11:00 - Workshop 1
11:00-13:00 - Various activities including a portfolio advice session, networking, campus tour and a catered lunch.
13:05-14:00 - Workshop 2
14:00-14:15 - Closing presentation and prize 

Previous workshops have included interior design, music & sound production, animation, heat press and acting. If you are interested in attending this opportunity with your students, please complete the register your interest form linked at the top right of this page.

Feedback from Thrive Creative Conference 2024 and 2025

“I really like how we got to meet people and allow them to tell us about what they do and was able to explore lots of different paths I can take, and I really liked how friendly everyone was.”

“I loved listening to people's personal experiences with creative subjects and exploring the works of art. I felt very inspired.”

"A wonderful opportunity to try out the creative arts and hear from those in the industry. A brilliant day for students."

Useful information

This activity is suitable for students who are studying or have an interest in creative subjects and would like to develop their skills and portfolio. 

The aim of the course is to provide an opportunity for young people to access free art and design tuition from a higher education institution to support them in the development of their portfolio of work. It's also designed for students who may not otherwise have the chance to access such an opportunity. This work is funded through the UCA's Access and Participation Plan's commitment as approved by the Office for Students (OfS). The programme is aimed at supporting students who are under-represented in Higher education. For further information and a list of the under-represented groups, please refer to the OfS approach to access and participation.

We welcome applications from all, however priority will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • are the first generation in their family to study at higher education level (e.g. Degree, HND, HNC)
  • are currently eligible for Free School Meals
  • come from a neighbourhood with low overall progression rates to higher education (determined by postcode using POLAR 4 data)
  • are from a black or minority ethnic (BAME) background
  • are in, or have lived under local authority care
  • have caring responsibilities for a family member
  • have a disability
  • are studying without the support of family 
  • are an unaccompanied asylum seeker/refugee
  • are from a military family
  • are from a Gypsy, Roma or Traversal community
  • attend a KaMCOP, KMPF or HEON partnered school (a list of eligible schools is included below)
  • live in HEON or KaMCOP target postcode area

This information will be gathered via the application form and will be assessed by the University’s Outreach Manager and Outreach Officer.

Once the application deadline has passed, we will consider all applications against the priority criteria listed above to determine who will be offered a place. A decision will be sent in writing to confirm whether a place on the programme has been secured, and successful applicants will be asked to confirm their place in writing. Where the programmes are oversubscribed, unplaced applicants who meet the criteria outlined above will be kept on a waiting list and allocated spaces should they become available.

If an applicant decides not to accept their offer, they must inform UCA staff via email as soon as possible so spaces can be reallocated where possible: outreach@uca.ac.uk. 

UCA processes data in accordance with the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR). The university's data protection policies and privacy notices can be viewed here.

Refer to the Outreach & Widening Participation Privacy Notice

You have the right to review information held about you. If you would like to do so or to notify us of a change of your details, please email outreach@uca.ac.uk. If, you believe there is no legitimate reason for us to continue processing your data and wish us to delete it, please contact the Data Protection Officer dpo@uca.ac.uk