Freelance 101

Kickstart your freelance journey

Turn your skill into a successful freelance career

At the Brookes Enterprise Support Team, we’re here to help you transform your unique talent into a successful freelance career. Freelance 101 is an intensive five-day course designed to help you find your freelance style, build a personal brand, and get your business up and running legally—all within one week.

This course is designed for Oxford Brookes University students and alumni who are self-starters, ready to invest in themselves. Even if you’re starting from scratch, we’ll guide you from zero to launching your business within just one week. This competitive program is tailored for individuals with the determination to excel; we intentionally keep the cohort small to provide personalised mentoring and hands-on support of the highest quality. Over the course of the week, you’ll focus on legally establishing your business, gaining practical skills, and even competing for funding, with multiple prizes of up to £1,000 available. To qualify, participants must attend at least 8 out of the 10 sessions.

This program is proudly sponsored by Santander X.

Apply now

Course overview

Freelance 101 is designed to help you launch your freelance work quickly. Over the week, you will:

Discover your freelance style: Gain clarity on the kind of freelancer you want to be by reviewing your strengths and defining what makes you unique.
Build your personal brand: Develop a unique visual identity - complete with a logo and tagline - that truly reflects who you are.
Explore your market: Use simple research tools to discover your niche, learn what others are doing, and set the right price for your services.
Build your online presence: Establish or refine your online portfolio and social profiles to showcase your work.
Handle money, legal and practical tips: Receive straightforward advice on managing your finances, understanding taxes, and covering the legal basics so you can run your business smoothly.
Refine your pitch: Craft a brief, engaging introduction that explains your service and why you’re the best choice.
Get ready to launch: Engage in a fully hands-on experience where you work throughout the week on setting up your business and you will be selling your service at the end of the programme.

Where and when

Dates: Monday, 19 May 2025 to Friday, 23 May 2025
Time: Daily from 9.30 am to 4.30pm (with scheduled breaks)
Location: CLC.102
Additional sessions may also be held at BiPC

Attendance requirement

To qualify for the award, you must attend at least 8 out of the 10 sessions.

More details

Course programme

A peek at the week ahead

Monday, 19 May 2025

Morning: Find your freelance style
Learn what freelancing is all about, decide on the type of freelancer you want to be.
Afternoon: Exploring your niche
Visit BiPC for an immersive session on exploring your market, competitors and support available.

Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Morning: Shape your brand and offerings
Map out what you offer and what sets you apart, and start brainstorming ideas for your logo, tagline, and overall identity.
Afternoon: Build your online profile
Discover why a solid online portfolio matters and get tips on setting up your profiles on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Morning: Money, legal and practical tips
Get straightforward advice on managing your finances, dealing with taxes, and understanding the legal basics necessary for running your business legally.
Afternoon: Smooth operations and ready finances
Learn practical tips for the day-to-day running of your freelance business, from managing clients to ensuring your finances are in order.

Thursday, 22 May 2025

Morning: Test your ideas and set your rates
Experiment with your ideas in a supportive environment and gather feedback to fine-tune your service and pricing strategy.
Afternoon: Refine your pitch
Develop a concise, engaging pitch that explains your service and why you’re the best choice.

Friday, 23 May 2025

Morning: Final touches and one-on-one mentoring
Meet with a mentor to review your progress and make final adjustments to your business setup.
Afternoon: Live pitch and wrap-up (demo day)
Present your refined pitch live to peers, mentors, and guest reviewers during Demo Day, wrapping up your week of hard work with valuable feedback and a celebration of your progress.

Each day ends with a quick reflection to help you set your goals for the next session.

Why you’ll love this course

Invest in yourself

This course is all about boosting your freelance journey. You’ll gain practical, hands-on skills and the confidence to stand out in your field.

Stand out in a competitive field

Freelance 101 is designed for self-starters. By joining, you’re positioning yourself ahead of the crowd and showing that you’re committed to building a solid future.

Real benefits

Personal branding: Create a look and feel that truly represents you.
Practical know-how: Walk away with easy-to-apply strategies for working independently.
Pricing strategy: We’ll help you set the right price for your services—ensuring you never undercharge and always get the value you deserve.
Mentorship and connections: Build relationships with industry experts and like-minded peers.
Funding opportunity: Win one of up to many prizes of £1,000 to help jumpstart your freelance work.

This is about you

We focus on your growth because when you succeed, it’s a win for you. This course is designed with your personal and professional needs in mind, ensuring you leave with the skills and confidence to succeed.

Extra resources

Leverage premium databases provided by Oxford Brookes University such as Mintel, IBISWorld, and FAME to research market opportunities and effectively sell your services.
We will also provide temporary access to the COBRA database (Complete Online Business Reference Adviser), an invaluable tool offering comprehensive business references, market reports, and competitor analysis to guide your business strategy.

Ready to kickstart your freelance journey?

If you’re excited to take charge of your freelance career and invest in your future, Freelance 101 is for you. Secure your spot in this competitive course, meet the minimum attendance requirement, and take the first step toward turning your passion into a successful freelance service.

Apply now and unlock your potential - with the added chance to win a funding prize of £1,000!