The University Transition Autism School (UTAS) is an online event series designed to support autistic students preparing to attend university in the UK starting in autumn 2026 or later.
There will be three online sessions running weekly over September 2026. Each will cover a different topic:
- Session 1: From where you are to where we are (10 September 2026)
- Session 2: What can I expect at university? (17 September 2026)
- Session 3: What should I expect academically at university? (24 September 2026)
All sessions will be led by current autistic PhD students at the University of Bath. They will share information, advice, personal experiences and practical advice to help you prepare for your transition to university life.
Whichever university you go to, and whatever discipline you study, you’ll be able to meet autistic peers going through a similar experience.
Attending UTAS
UTAS is open to autistic individuals (with either a formal or self-diagnosis) who are at any stage of considering or preparing for university in the UK.
This includes:
- Year 12 and 13 students preparing to apply
- Mature students preparing to apply
- Students about to start at a UK university in 2026
- Anyone exploring whether university is the right option for them
There will be three online events hosted on Microsoft Teams. These will take place weekly on Thursday evenings (6pm to 7.10pm) throughout September.
Find out more about using and installing Microsoft Teams.
How to apply
UTAS is free, but you will need to register to attend.
Following your registration, you will receive a confirmation email from us with further information about how to attend.
You only need to register once. Your registration will cover all three sessions, and you'll receive a single Microsoft Teams link to join.
This means you can join all three, or just pick the sessions most useful to you.
UTAS 2026 schedule
- Time (all sessions): 6pm to 7.10pm (BST (GMT+1))
- Platform: Online (Microsoft Teams)
Session 1: From where you are to where we are
10 September 2026
This session brings together neurodivergent PhD students to share what their journeys to and through university actually looked like, including the routes that did not follow a conventional path.
Speakers may reflect on entry requirements, choosing a course and a city, and the personal motivations that shaped their applications.
As an attendee, you can expect honest accounts of what helped along the way, what proved challenging and what a sense of belonging at university can look like in practice.
Session 2: What can I expect at university?
17 September 2026
This session will cover what the early experiences of university can actually feel like — from the practical shifts of living independently to the emotional adjustments of being away from home for the first time.
Speakers may share personal reflections on building routines, managing finances, navigating social spaces and finding the kinds of support that work for them.
The aim is to set honest and reassuring expectations that the university experience is shared and that support exists in many forms.
Session 3: What should I expect academically at university?
24 September 2026
This session will focus on the academic side of university life and how it can differ from earlier educational experiences.
Speakers may discuss the grading system, the move toward more independent study and the variety of assignments they encountered, alongside reflections on the support that helped them adapt.
Topics may also include working with tutors, using academic skills provision, and pacing oneself across longer or more complex pieces of work.
The aim is to offer honest insight into a transition that can feel demanding at first, but is rarely faced without support.
More about UTAS
UTAS is run by academics and autistic people from the Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. This year’s event is being developed and run by autistic people.
CAAR have been running hugely successful autism summer schools for more than 10 years.