What is UTAS?
University Transition Autism School (UTAS) is a series of four online events for autistic students starting University in autumn 2022.
The first session will take place on September 14. It will be followed by three follow-up sessions scheduled to take place on the first Wednesday of the month in October, November and December 2022.
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 (online) autistic peers going through a similar experience.
Each online event will focus on different aspects of going to university as an autistic student. The content of the online events is based on previous in-person events we have run at the University of Bath for autistic students preparing to attend university.
You will spend time with other autistic students with similar interests to you in breakout room sessions. This will allow you to meet like-minded people that you can keep in touch with during your first term at university.
Can I attend?
You must be autistic and be starting at a UK university in Autumn 2022.
Attending these events
All sessions will take place online using Microsoft Teams.
If you want to attend, you must have access to Microsoft Teams. 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
- Date: Wednesday 14 September 2022
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Platform: Online using Microsoft Teams
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 2pm – 2:15pm | Welcome |
| 2:15pm – 3pm | Autistic strengths at university |
| 3pm – 3:15pm | Break |
| 3:15pm – 3:30pm | Student services at university |
| 3:30pm – 4pm | Talking about your diagnosis |
| 4pm – 4:10pm | Break |
| 4:10pm – 4:20pm | Clubs and societies at university |
| 4:20pm – 4:05pm | Break |
| 4:05pm – 4:45pm | Interest-based breakout groups |
| 4:45pm - 5pm | Closing summary and future online meetings details |
Follow-up sessions
The event on 14 September 2022 will be followed by three additional sessions. These are designed to provide you with additional support as you start your time at University and through your first few months of studying.
October
- Date: Wednesday 5 October 2022
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Platform: Online using Microsoft Teams.
- Schedule: To be confirmed
November
- Date: Wednesday 2 November 2022
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Platform: Online using Microsoft Teams.
- Schedule: To be confirmed
December
- Date: Wednesday 7 December 2022
- Time: 2pm - 5pm
- Platform: Online using Microsoft Teams.
- Schedule: To be confirmed
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.