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Overview

The Schools' Partnership Unit offers an extensive portfolio of aspiration and attainment raising activities designed for delivery in schools across Northern Ireland.

We endeavour to make as much use of technology to  build relationships with schools and develop an improved sustainable solution to equip pupils with curriculum aligned resources which demystify our degree offerings.

Schools Discovery Academy

The Schools Discovery Academy launched on 15th September 2021, with dozens of subject specific courses, co-designed by Educational Outreach Officers and Academics across all four of our University faculties;

This Virtual Learning Environment allows us to reach a wider audience, gives us a much wider impact and ensures we offer 'Outreach for All'. It allows allows us as a University to be more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint.

The Academy is fully accessible, mobile/tablet friendly and has its own App.

Enrolment within the Academy is completely FREE and there are no additional cost or technology requirements to the user other than needing access to a web browser.

All courses will help pupils understand the different disciplines they could eventually study at Ulster University. All courses are self paced and available 24/7.

Getting Started

To start you will need to create an account on the  Schools Discovery Academy website.

Full instructions are provided in our Pupil Login Guide to Ulster Schools Discovery Academy

Why not browse the Ulster University Discovery Academy Prospectus to see what opportunities are available by clicking the link.

You can also click on the Outreach Academy Curriculum Mapping link to see how this can help support your learning at GCSE, A Level and BTEC.

Blended Learning Opportunities

Over 3000 pupils from 100+ post primary schools across the region have enrolled in the Schools Discovery Academy.

As well as the opportunity for pupils to learn at their own pace independently,  we also offer live online interactive lessons so pupils can experience working directly with our staff.

One school taking part in this blended approach has been Belfast Boy's Model School. Teaching staff from the school have been delighted with this interactive medium for engaging with pupils.

The Schools Outreach Academy has strengthened our partnership with Ulster University.

It has allowed our boys to develop a range of skills such as communication, team-work and problem solving using these interactive and engaging courses.

IT has been an invaluable resource and we will continue to use these courses to compliment our teaching curriculum and skills development in pupils.

Pupil Reward

Each course finishes with an end of course quiz. On successful completion of this quiz, pupils will receive an Ulster University Course Completion Certificate.

We also recognise pupils achievement with the Schools Outreach Academy Scholar Pin. Pupils can apply for the pin by emailing schools@ulster.ac.uk