About Unifresher
Our roots go back to 2012 when the team launched a student newspaper in Nottingham. In the next five years, we rolled out monthly newspapers in 16 uni cities, producing over 250,000 copies each month. Then, in 2017, we made a big move to go completely online. In 2018, Unifresher.co.uk was born leading us to cover all the major uni cities and reach even more students across the UK. You can also find us on Instagram and Tiktok.
Our Leadership Team
Phoenix Zhao
Founder
When I was studying, I thought it would be really handy to have a resource that offered practical advice to students as well as being a place where you could find things to do in your city. Especially as I was new to Nottingham and didn’t know it well. That’s where the idea for Unifresher came about. Now when I'm not working, I'm usually doing some sort of fitness class – or attempting a new fitness challenge! Safe to say weekends look a lot different to when I was at university.
Which uni did you go to? Nottingham Trent University
What did you study? Business Management and Marketing
Best uni memory? I lived in a house of 10 girls and we always created our own theme to dress up for Ocean Wednesdays. One Wednesday we went as different coloured crayons, full body paint, bottle in our hair. Safe to say we weren’t going unnoticed that night.
Top tip for students? Take your studies seriously but also create the best memories. It’s the time of your life and it goes so quickly.
Aminah Barnes
Content Editor
Aside from editing and writing, I love travelling, cooking, learning languages and anything psychology or true crime-related. I've been lucky enough to live abroad in Barcelona, Sicily and Rome for many years, but happily based in Manchester again where I grew up! Also (importantly) a Man United fan.
Which uni did you go to? Manchester Metropolitan University
What did you study? Sociology (BA Hons) and Psychology (MSc)
Best uni memory? House parties, meeting new people and learning all about society and the human mind.
Top tip for students? Make time to socialise if you can - having a balance is so important! Also, Google scholar is your friend for those extra references!
Felicity Pease (Fizz)
Operations
As a self-confessed nerd, I love all things colour-coding and spreadsheets, which extends well into my personal life. I head up the operations team at Unifresher, making sure everything runs smoothly. I live in Cambridgeshire with my husband and children (and currently trying to convince my husband of the merits of adding a dog too.)
Which uni did you go to? The Open University
What did you study? An Open Degree (focused on history and geopolitics)
Best uni memory? The relief of results day (yes, I'm a nerd).
Top tip for students? Don't feel pressured into making decisions about your career - chances are you have 50 years of work ahead of you which is plenty of time to change your mind!
Rich Moss
Partnerships
I work within the partnership team and look after new and existing partnerships. Outside of work I enjoy spending time in the gym. I've also developed a keen interest in Mycology in recent years and have started growing my own mushrooms.
Which uni did you go to? University of Worcester
What did you study? Web Development
Best uni memory? Living in a shared house with friends.
Top tip for students? Don't avoid being outside of your comfort zone, take part in new experiences and don't overthink things too much.
Adam Learoyd
Campaigns
I'm the Campaign Manager at Unifresher, which involves handling the delivery of our partners' advertising campaigns. I'm currently based in Birmingham, spending most of my spare time making music and annoying my dog.
Which uni did you go to? University of Birmingham
What did you study? History
Best uni memory? Moving into a shared house in second year, buying a table tennis table and playing with my housemates until 3 am the next day.
Top tip for students? Remember to go to your lectures! (even if you stay up playing table tennis).
Chris Moss
Senior Partnership Manager
I lead the partnership team here at Unifresher. In the past, I've worked with tons of youth brands to create campaigns suitable for students. And even in my free time, I'll still be reading marketing books. That, or drinking way too much coffee.
Which uni did you go to? Nottingham Trent University
What did you study? Business Marketing Management
Best uni memory? My first year living in halls and exploring new places with my friends.
Top tip for students? Make the most of every day and check out our things-to-do recommendations for your city so you don't miss anything!
Featured student writers
Hi, I'm Amelia! I'm an English Language and Linguistics student studying in Brighton. Outside of my studies, I'm either writing poetry or on spontaneous outings with my friends.
Top tip for students? Say YES to as many things as possible! Even if that means pushing yourself out your comfort zone, you'll be grateful you did it!
Hi I’m Thea! I'm an undergrad anthropology student at the SOAS. I love all things pop culture, going to concerts, journaling and reading romance books.
Top tip for students? Time management is key - waiting until the deadline to start your assignment will only make your life harder (trust me I would know).
Hi I’m Holly, a Politics and International Relations student at the University of Sheffield! In my free time I love going to the gym, seeing my friends, reading and travelling as much as possible.
Top tip for students? Make the most of everything, time at university goes by so quickly!
Hi I’m Sophie! I’m a creative writing student currently studying in London. I love writing both fiction ranging from short stories to flash fiction and non-fiction consisting mainly of book reviews. In my spare time aside from writing fiction I'm usually head down into a book or two.
Top tip for students? You deserve to be exactly where you are and deserve to want more. Always be willing to take on opportunities that will help you move forward in your career.
Hi I'm Mia, a History & Sociology Student studying in Manchester. My current favourite hobby is taking photos of rave culture at events with my friends in the city, as an EDM music lover myself. I love to post my pictures on my personal blog and fall into wormholes on Pinterest. If I'm not with a camera in hand, I'm probably curled up with a cuppa creating another vision board collage.
Top tip for students? Don't let bad grades in your first year get you down too much. It is such a huge step up from the school system and everyone, even the overachievers (me) need time to adjust. Academic validation isn't everything, but you are capable of anything if you take it one step at a time!
I’m a post graduate student at the University of Birmingham who is currently studying to become a primary school teacher! In my free time, I love all things artsy, particularly reading, crocheting plush toys and journaling. I’m also an avid language learner of Portuguese and Welsh (I have a 2+ year streak on Duolingo!)
Top tip for students? Try not to worry if you’re the introverted type. There are tons of quiet/indoor activities for like-minded people 🙂
Hi, I'm Hayley! I'm 19 years old and originally from Wales. Outside of uni, I enjoy spending my time reading (obviously), playing video games like Pokemon and Stardew Valley, and spending time with my friends.
Top tip for students? Join societies! It can be really hard to find friends in university, but joining societies allows you to make friends with like-minded people. Also joining group chats for your course can be a great way to socialise 🙂
Hi I'm Amy, a University of Salford BA Film Production student. I have a strong passion for creative writing; whether it be scripts or fiction, I can turn almost anything into a story if given the opportunity. Outside of my studies I enjoy reading, taking sky pictures and playing DnD with my friends.
Top tip for students? Don't let any doubt or fear you have take over. You are exactly where you deserve to be. Take university by the horns and make it the experience you want it to be, not what others want it to be.
join our team of student writers
Advertise to our student audience
Partnering with Unifresher means joining a community committed to supporting students before, during, and after their time at university. We’re here to ensure that every student has access to the information and resources they need to make the most of their university years.
Visit our Partner with Unifresher page for more information.
