HE Unboxed - FAQ's

HE Unboxed is Loughborough University’s innovative initiative that helps teachers across the country to inform and excite Year 10 and 11 students about the Post-18 options available to them. By working in collaboration with our academic colleagues, careers department and employers, we have created a suite of free resources to support teachers to deliver an aspiration raising programme of activity. 

HE Unboxed’s primary objective is to help students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, understand the range of opportunities available to them through Higher Education and to inspire them to continue learning to this level.  

HE Unboxed has many benefits, for both staff and students who use it.  

These interactive and educational resources empower students to identify and build essential transferable skills, enhancing their awareness of how these can be applied in both academic and professional settings. These resources also provide students with insights into various subjects and fields they may have not previously explored, offering a deeper understanding of these areas.   

In addition to benefiting students, HE Unboxed supports teachers in delivering programs designed to raise aspirations, aiming to inform and inspire students about their future choices. These resources enable teachers to deliver lessons effortlessly, with ready-made content and materials provided for a smooth, engaging experience.  

Many of our resources also have several links to Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring alignment with key educational standards.  

HE Unboxed consists of a variety of different subject areas and concepts. We have four main areas – Subject in a Box, Skills in a Box, Success in a Box and HE Unboxed Global.  

Each resource will come with all the accompanying documents to carry out the activity. This will usually consist of a lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation, and any additional worksheets. Our boxed resources also include the materials and equipment needed to carry out the activity.  

Any materials and equipment not included in the boxed resources are detailed on the box webpages and this is generally kept to a minimum. 

Once you have chosen the resource you’d like to book, you can click the “request a box” button at the bottom of the box webpage. This will direct you to a form which you will need to complete and submit – including your school’s name, contact information, box choice and the date you’d like to use the resource.   

We will then contact you with more information on how to proceed with the booking. 

Not every resource is a physical box – there are a few that are completely digital which is ideal for those who would like a taste before booking a box. Most of our resources within the Subject in a Box range are physical, aside for Marketing, Geography, Politics and Psychology (these are detailed as digital on the individual box webpages) 

All our resources within the HE Unboxed Global range are digital so the resources can be used across the globe! 

To comply with our terms and conditions, we simply require schools to provide us with student postcodes for the group/class intended on using the box with.  

The purpose of data collection is to track the reach of HE Unboxed for stakeholders and provide evidence to secure continued funding. We do not require student names and the data requested cannot be used to personally identify individual students.

Any data collected will be used solely for purpose of evaluating the impact of the HE Unboxed programme. All data will be processed as per the University Data Protection policy and access to this data limited to and monitored by designated members of university staff.  

With our boxed resources, you will be allocated a 2-week timeframe to use your box before it needs to be returned.  

If the resource is digital, the files will be sent via a transfer service, and you can keep these indefinitely.  

We will send the box out to you free of charge, 2/3 days before your requested delivery date. After your 2-week timeframe is up, you must then return the box. Return postage costs should be covered by yourself, and we will send you a document including the estimated postage costs for each box. These costs can vary depending on your location and the chosen courier service, so you may wish to use a quotation tool for more accuracy.  

Our HE Unboxed resources have been created for Year 10 and Year 11 students (excluding Vet Team in a Box). The resources may be used for younger students, but we would suggest talking to a member of our team to discuss suitability beforehand.  

The boxed resources are created with a class of 30 in mind. You may be able to use the box for larger groups/multiple groups, but additional resources may need to be provided. We would suggest talking to a member of our team to discuss feasibility beforehand.

We can allocate 2 boxes per school at one given time, providing that both selected boxes are available. If you wish to book 2 boxes, you will need to complete 2 separate bookings forms to do this.   

You may book as many digital resources as you wish.