Teachers and careers advisers
Teacher and Adviser Conference 2026 – what’s on
Friday 3 July 2026, 8.45am – 4.30pm
Join us on campus for a full day of updates, insights and practical guidance designed to support you in advising students through the ever-evolving higher education landscape. Below you’ll find the full programme for the day.
8.45am to 9.10am — Welcome and refreshments
Arrive, register, and enjoy tea and coffee before the day begins.
9.15am to 9.30am — Vice-Chancellor’s welcome
Nishan Canagarajah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester provides an introduction to the day and an update on the University’s vision, priorities and developments.
9.30am to 10.00am — General admissions Q&A panel
Join Dan Flatt, Head of UK Student Recruitment & Widening Access; Kathy Thompson, Deputy Director of Future Students and one of our Student Ambassadors in this interactive panel discussion. We'll address your questions on admissions, recruitment and the student experience, with insights from both staff and students.
10.00am to 10.10am — Break
10:10 to 11:00 Breakout session one
1.A UCAS References: What You Need to Know
Dianne Fothergill, Undergraduate Admissions Manager, University of Leicester
Want to feel confident when writing UCAS teacher references? This practical session covers best practice, key considerations and helpful tips to ensure you are giving your students the strongest possible support with their UCAS applications
1.B Medicine Admissions Panel
Dr Jane Goodfellow, Medicine Admissions Tutor, University of Leicester Medical School
Join our Medicine Admissions Tutor for an open Q&A on applying to study Medicine at Leicester. Learn more about entry requirements, selection processes and how best to support aspiring medics
1.C Campus Tours
Led by University of Leicester Student Ambassadors
Explore our campus and facilities on a guided tour led by our friendly student ambassadors.
11.00am to 11.15am — Break
11.15am to 12.00pm — Breakout session two
2.A From Enquiry to Enrolment: Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
Kylie Cracknell, Applicant Support & Enquiries Officer, University of Leicester
Discover the most common questions undergraduate applicants ask — and how to anticipate and answer them with confidence. This session shares practical advice on supporting students through their UCAS journey and provides insight into how Leicester supports applicants from first enquiry to their first day on campus.
2.B Striking the Balance Between AI and Human Connection in the Student Enrolment Journey
Amy Downes, Customer Success Director, Unibuddy
As AI becomes more embedded in higher education, how can institutions balance automation with meaningful human engagement? Drawing on insights from over 1,000 students, this session explores when speed and automation work best — and when human connection truly matters.
2.C Foundation Year Courses – Everything You Need to Know
University of Leicester Academics
Hear from academic colleagues about Leicester’s Foundation Year programmes, who they are designed for, and how they support student progression. Gain valuable insight to help you advise students considering alternative pathways into higher education.
12.05pm to 12.50pm — Breakout session three
3.A – Supporting students into mental health careers
Dr Rachel Winter
A practising psychiatrist shares her personal journey into mental health, offering insight into careers across psychology, psychiatry and mental health nursing. Learn about training routes, qualifications, financial considerations and how to help students make informed decisions about their future careers3.B Let’s Talk Comms: A Roundtable for Teachers and Advisers
Joe Glover, Widening Access Officer, University of Leicester
Join an informal, interactive discussion on communications — what works well for you, and how we can communicate more effectively. Explore our current communications plan, tools such as Mailchimp, sector best practice and our move toward LinkedIn. Bring your experiences, ideas and questions to the table
3.C The Network Advantage: Levelling the Playing Field from Classroom to Career
Alex O’Connor, Head of Education Partnerships, Zero Gravity
Access to education and careers is often shaped by social capital. This session explores Zero Gravity’s “Network Advantage” concept and findings from the Gap Zero report, highlighting how mentoring, masterclasses and networks can support students from low-opportunity backgrounds into university and competitive careers.
3.D Campus Tours
Led by University of Leicester Student Ambassadors
Another opportunity to explore campus and learn more about student life at Leicester.
Lunch — 12.50pm to 1.30pm
1:30pm to 2:15pm — Keynote Session
UCAS Insights: Your Essential Update for Results Season and Beyond
Dave Penney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, UCASA must-attend session offering the latest UCAS insights, trends and updates. Learn what’s changing, what’s ahead, and how to confidently support students through results season and into the 2027 admissions cycle.
2:20pm to 3.10pm — Breakout session four
4.A Navigating Results Day: Clearing and Confirmation 2026
UK Student Recruitment Officer, University of Leicester
Stay up to date with Clearing and Confirmation for 2026. This session covers timelines, UCAS processes and practical strategies to help students make informed decisions on and after results day.
4.B Five Must-Knows to Help Your Students Master Their University Journey
Jon Cheek, UniTasterDays.com
An interactive session breaking down five key stages of the 18-month university journey. From deciding whether to go to university, choosing a course and institution, understanding student finance, and navigating offers — you’ll gain practical advice and free resources to better support your students.
3.10pm to 3.25pm — Break
3.30pm to 4.15pm — Keynote session
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement: Student Funding, Eligibility and Entitlement
Ahmar Ehsan, Funding Information Services Account Manager, Student Loans Company
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) represents a major change to post-18 student finance in England. This session introduces the key elements of the LLE, focusing on funding eligibility, entitlement and what advisers need to know to effectively support students navigating this new system.
4.15pm to 4.30pm — Thank you and goodbye!
A final chance to reflect on the day, connect with colleagues and close the conference.