What is UTAS?
University Transition Autism School (UTAS) is a series of two events (in-person or online) for autistic students starting university in autumn 2023.
The first session will take place on 20 September 2023 (12pm-5pm). It will be followed by a final online session in December 2023.
UTAS aims to provide support to autistic students as they begin university and throughout the first term. Whichever university you go to, and whichever discipline you study, you’ll be able to meet autistic peers going through a similar experience.
Can I attend?
You must be autistic (formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed) and be starting at a UK university in autumn 2023.
Attending these events
The first session on Wednesday 20 September will take place at the University of Bath in the 10 West building. You will be able to attend:
- in person (from 12pm-5pm)
- remotely via Microsoft Teams (2pm-5pm)
The second session in December will take place online using Microsoft Teams. The date and time of this session is TBC (we will update this page with details once they are confirmed).
Find out more about using and installing Microsoft Teams
How do I apply?
UTAS is free, but you will need to pre-register your interest in attending.
Please note that we may not be able to offer a place to all applicants. Please register your interest early, as we may need to close registration if we receive too many applications.
At a later date, you will be invited to complete a more detailed registration. As part of this process, you will be asked some questions about your interests and any worries or concerns you may have.
All responses will be anonymised and will inform the content of UTAS, so that it can be tailored to the needs of those attending.
UTAS schedule
Day one (part one): Wednesday 20 September 2023
- Time: 12pm - 1:45pm
- Platform: In person only
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12pm - 1:45pm | Lunch and structured activities |
Day one (part two): Wednesday 20 September 2023
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Platform: In person and online
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 2pm - 2:15pm | Welcome |
| 2:15pm - 2:45pm | Autistic strengths at university |
| 2:45pm - 3pm | Student services at university |
| 3pm - 3:15 | Break |
| 3:15pm - 3:45pm | talking about your diagnosis |
| 3:45pm - 4pm | Clubs and societies at university |
| 4pm - 4:15pm | Break |
| 4:15pm - 4:35pm | Fun quiz |
| 4:35pm - 4:55pm | Student panel |
| 4:55pm - 5pm | Closing summary and future meeting details |
Exact times may change. Please check this page regularly for updates.
Day two: December 2023
- Time: TBC
- Platform: In person or online using Microsoft Teams
The schedule for this event will be finalised by 1 December 2023.
Who is running UTAS?
UTAS is being run by academics from the Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath.
CAAR have been running hugely successful autism summer schools for around 10 years.