VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY & APPRENTICESHIP FAIR
Dear Pupils and Parents, We are delighted to invite you to Ashford School’s first Virtual University and Apprenticeship Fair, which will take place on Wednesday 8 July from 13.00 – 18.00. With over 30 universities attending, the fair will give pupils the opportunity to learn about the benefits of Higher Education, consider the wide variety of degree courses on offer, talk to representatives from a range of different universities and learn more about the application process. For those considering alternatives to standard degree courses, several of the universities attending offer degree apprenticeships, and we will also have a talk on behalf of apprenticeship providers, about work-based training opportunities for post-18 students. We consider this to be a vital part of our university and careers guidance, whether preparing Year 11 pupils for Sixth Form and beyond, or continuing with Year 12 pupils’ university preparation, and are pleased that we can offer this event online through our Teams platform. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 8 July. With best wishes Mrs Miller and Dr Dickers
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TIMETABLE 13:00 - 14:00: Higher Education Talks From 13.00 to 14.00, pupils will be able to attend one of a range of talks on aspects of Higher Education. These are given by specialist university representatives, and will include time for questions. Applying to Competitive Universities Raoul Morley, Senior Liaison and Recruitment Officer, University College London Applying to Medicine and Dentistry Alasdair Robertson, Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Manager (Medicine and Dentistry), Queen Mary, University of London Applying to Oxford and Cambridge Siân Bex, Schools Liaison Officer, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge Study in Scotland and the Scottish Degree System Dr Kate Barrie, Senior Recruitment Officer, University of Glasgow Portfolios and Personal Statements for Creative Arts Sian Harris, Student Recruitment Officer, University of the Arts London Student Finance and Budgeting Jen Birdsall, Student Recruitment Officer, Lancaster University
14:10 - 18:00: University Meetings From 14.10 to 18.00, pupils will be able to attend a number of half hour meetings with different universities. Typically these will include a brief presentation or introduction to the university, followed by time for questions. For a full timetable, please see overleaf. As pupils will not be able to collect brochures as they would at an in-person fair, we will also provide a collection of online resources, such as prospectuses, from the universities attending the fair. These will all be made available through our Teams platform in the week of the fair.
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UNIVERSITY SESSIONS Students can choose one university from each session.
Session & Time
Universities
Session 1: 14:10 - 14:40
Cardiff Metropolitan University - session focusing on degrees and careers in sport Lancaster University University College London (UCL) University for the Creative Arts (UCA) University of Leeds University of Lincoln University of Nottingham University of Sheffield
Session 2: 14:50 - 15:20
City University, London Nottingham Trent University Oxford Brookes University Solent University, Southampton University of Bristol University of East Anglia (UEA) University of Nottingham University of Sheffield
Session 3: 15:30 - 16:00
Newcastle University Queen Mary, University of London University of the Arts London (UAL) University of Bath University of Cambridge University for the Creative Arts (UCA) University of Dundee University of Leeds
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Session & Time
Universities
Session 4: 16:10 - 16:40
Canterbury Christ Church University Cardiff Metropolitan University - session focusing on degrees and careers in health sciences City University, London University of Bath University of Cambridge University of Dundee - session focusing on science and engineering University of Edinburgh University of Surrey
Session 5: 16:50 - 17:20
Bath Spa University Canterbury Christ Church University Loughborough University University of Birmingham University of Exeter University of Glasgow University of Leicester University of Sussex
Session 6: 17:30 - 18:00
Apprenticeships – a talk from the Kent Association of Training Organisations Loughborough University New College of the Humanities Oxford Brookes University University of Glasgow University of Manchester University of St Andrews University of Sussex
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EXHIBITORS Kent Association of Training Organisations The Kent Association of Training Organisations (KATO) represents the major training providers in Kent and Medway. It supports the interests of over 60 member organisations who deliver a variety of training programmes, including Apprenticeships, bespoke training and business training. It works closely with schools to inform pupils and promote Apprenticeships.Â
Bath Spa University Bath Spa are champions of creativity, culture and enterprise. The university’s flexible courses allow students to combine course modules, include professional placement years and study overseas if they wish. Bath Spa also offers Foundation degrees and degree apprenticeships in certain subjects. All this allows students to shape their degree to suit their plans and ambitions.
Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury Christ Church offers hundreds of different courses in many subjects, from teacher education, business and nursing to creative industries, medicine, engineering and the sciences. Students are part of an extremely diverse community: they come from over 80 different countries, and include mature and part-time students, as well as those studying for postgraduate qualifications. They study at one of two distinctive and unique campuses in Kent and Medway.
Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff Metropolitan University is committed to providing its students with an outstanding experience. This includes the Cardiff Met EDGE - a series of Ethical, Digital, Global and Entrepreneurial skills to develop confidence and resilience, and prepare students for life after university and through to employment. Â Cardiff Met has established itself as one of the leading universities for student sport in the UK. It offers excellent sports facilities and an extensive range of activities to cater for everyone from elite athletes to students, staff and the wider community.
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City, University of London City, University of London is located in the City of London, at the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It has a strong reputation for academic excellence and a close relationship with business and the professions. Students benefit from these relationships both during their studies and when the time comes to start their careers. Almost all degrees offer the opportunity to undertake a work placement, a clinical placement or a period studying abroad, allowing students to broaden their horizons and professional network while gaining critical skills for the future. City University is ranked 11th in the UK for highest graduate starting salaries (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).
Lancaster University Lancaster University ranks in the top ten in three main university league tables, and is also highly ranked in international league tables such as the QS World Rankings. They have been named International University of the Year by The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. Lancaster is a collegiate university, and the colleges are central to the university experience. They provide a place to live and socialise, as well as a community and support network for students.Â
Loughborough University Loughborough University is situated on a stunning single-site campus, measuring 440 acres in total (equivalent to 250 football pitches). For the last four years, it has been ranked as the best university in the world for sports-related subjects, and plays host to many of the highest performing student athletes and teams in the country. In addition, there are campus-wide opportunities for all students to participate in sports. Loughborough was ranked first in England for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019.
Newcastle University Newcastle University is a world top 150 university, with a beautiful campus situated less than two minutes’ walk from the city centre. With additional campuses in London, Singapore and Malaysia, the university has a global reach. It is home to teaching and research across a diverse and exciting range of subject areas, and has over 200 undergraduate degrees to choose from.
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New College of the Humanities Based in the heart of London, New College of the Humanities has developed a reputation for delivering an unrivalled university experience. Undergraduates study combined honours degrees, comprising subjects including Art History, Creative Writing, Data Science, Economics, English, History, Law, Philosophy, Politics & International Relations and Psychology. They also study the College’s liberal arts-inspired NCH Diploma, which offers a vibrant mix of Applied Ethics, Critical Reasoning and Science Literacy, as well as a unique professional development programme that teaches students the skills and behaviours they need to succeed in the increasingly competitive graduate recruitment market.
Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University ranks 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2020, a national league table focusing on student satisfaction, graduate employment and quality of teaching. It was recognised as the Guardian 2019 University of the Year, and 93% of current NTU students would recommend studying there (National Student Survey 2019).
Oxford Brookes University For four consecutive years, Oxford Brookes has been the only UK institution in the QS list of the top 50 world universities that are under 50 years old. The university brings together high-quality teaching with courses designed for the real world, great employer links and a first-class careers service. Partnerships with 150 universities mean that there are many study abroad options, including in Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and the USA. The university is split into three campuses around Oxford, and a state-of-theart facility for healthcare-related courses in Swindon.
Queen Mary, University of London With students from over 160 nationalities, Queen Mary is one of the most diverse institutions in the world, located in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Its students leave university with a global network of friends and contacts. In addition to its location in London’s vibrant East End, Queen Mary has sites in China, Malta and Paris.
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Solent University, Southampton Solent University is focused on the practical side of higher education – giving students the connections, experience and confidence to turn their newfound knowledge into a career with real, meaningful impact. Employability sits at the heart of everything they do, and Solent’s curriculums, created in collaboration with industry employers, guarantee that students gain skills and knowledge with real market value.
University of the Arts London (UAL) UAL is a global leader of undergraduate creative education, ranking second for Art and Design in the QS University World Rankings by Subject 2020, behind the Royal College of Art (which is dedicated to postgraduate degrees). UAL offers pre-degree and undergraduate courses in art, design, fashion, media, communication and performing arts. It is made up of six Colleges, each with its own unique personality and focus: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts.
University of Bath The University of Bath is a leading university with an international reputation for teaching and research excellence. It is ranked sixth in the UK overall, and fourth for graduate jobs (employment six months after graduating) by the Guardian University Guide 2020. It offers over 190 undergraduate degree courses in subjects including engineering, humanities, management, science and social science.
University of Birmingham The University of Birmingham is a world top 100 university, characterised by a tradition of innovation and research. It offers over 350 courses, including arts and humanities, social sciences, management, science, engineering and medicine. The beautiful, green campus is a thriving hub of student life, and lies only a stone’s throw from Birmingham city centre.
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University of Bristol Bristol is one of the UK’s top ten (QS World University Rankings 2020) and Europe’s top 30 (Times Higher Education) universities. The teaching is innovative and informed by researchers at the forefront of developments in their field. This provides a challenging, high quality education and encourages students to become independent thinkers, equipped to respond to their university experience and the future. Bristol graduates are highly employable and in demand, and the university is one of the top five targeted by employers in the UK.
University of Cambridge Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world, ranking in the top three in the 2019 Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The university is known and respected across the globe for the excellence of its teaching and research, and the quality of its graduates. As well as being taught in the lecture theatre by academics who are experts in their field, students also receive more personal tuition via the supervision system. The collegiate structure means that every student is part of a smaller community within the university, with colleges providing accommodation, social life, educational and pastoral support.
University College London (UCL) UCL is one of the world’s best universities, currently ranked eighth in the QS World University Rankings 2020. It is a multi-disciplinary university, home to centres of teaching excellence in subjects from medicine to languages, law to engineering and history to astrophysics. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged, and students are able to take an active part in the thriving research culture at UCL. Around 41% of students come from outside the UK, from more than 150 countries, and academics work hard to embed a global perspective in all their teaching. There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad, and around 25% of students spend some time in another country as part of their degree programme.
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University of the Creative Arts (UCA) UCA is the highest placed specialist creative university in the UK league tables, and the number one specialist creative university for employability (Destinations of Leavers in HE data). It offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Creative Arts, Business and Technology. There are campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham and Rochester, and the Business School for the Creative Industries is the first of its kind in the UK. Students at UCA develop their skills and thinking in environments that replicate the studios found within the creative industries, alongside peers on courses spanning arts, business and technology.
University of Dundee The University of Dundee is University of the Year for Student Experience in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. This reflects its outstanding scores for teaching quality and the wider student experience. It is internationally recognised for its expertise across a range of disciplines including science, medicine, engineering and art, and ranks particularly highly in medicine and the wider life and medical sciences.
University of East Anglia (UEA) UEA is one of the top 25 universities in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times 2020 rankings). Focused around six themes, its research spans the global challenges that we face; from meeting the needs of an ageing population to understanding the unique and fragile environments we live in and tackling energy, food and water security so we can make the best use of the planet’s resources. UEA’s landscaped campus is located in the city of Norwich.
University of Edinburgh Founded in 1583, Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities. Its entrepreneurial and cross-disciplinary culture attracts students and staff from across the globe, creating a unique Edinburgh experience. It is ranked in the top ten UK universities, and provides a hands-on and innovative approach to teaching and research. Flexible degree programmes, world-class facilities and award-winning support services combine to ensure that the experience at Edinburgh is exceptional and unique.
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University of Exeter Exeter ranks in the top ten UK universities in the Guardian University Guide 2020. Its 20,000 students are spread across three campuses in Devon and Cornwall, which means that Exeter offers the academic excellence and facilities of a major university, but also a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
University of Glasgow Established in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the top 100 universities in the world. Its four-year degree programmes offer flexibility and choice. Alongside singlesubject degrees in professional subjects such as accountancy, law, engineering, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing and teaching, it also offers flexible degrees in arts, science and social sciences. Students have the flexibility to study several subjects, before choosing a specialism of one or two in their final year.
University of Leeds The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, and is renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research. It is in the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Research is at the heart of undergraduate studies, and students have the opportunity to take part in research, hear about new discoveries as they are happening and tailor their experience with discovery modules.
University of Leicester Leicester ranks 31st in the UK in the QS World University Rankings. It is consistently one of the most socially inclusive of the UK’s leading universities with a long-standing commitment to providing fairer and equal access to higher education. The very compact university campus is about a mile south of Leicester city centre. The university won the first ever series of University Challenge in 1963.
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University of Lincoln The University of Lincoln is ranked 17th overall in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. It is situated at the heart of Lincoln, one of the UK’s great historic cities. The combination of vibrant city centre and a historic Cathedral Quarter, both offering a rich variety of attractions, activities and amenities, makes Lincoln a fantastic place to live and study.
University of Manchester The University of Manchester has been named as the world’s 27th best university in the QS World University Rankings 2021, and is the most targeted university by the nation’s top graduate employers (High Flyers Research). The university offers a host of transformational academic and extracurricular activities to help students stand out, including a range of opportunities to volunteer and develop as an ethical leader. In 2019, the city of Manchester was voted the top UK city to live in.
University of Nottingham The University of Nottingham is a pioneer in global education, and was the first UK university to establish overseas campuses in both China and Malaysia. A wide range of subjects is taught at each campus, and the university delivers an exceptional researchled education.
University of Sheffield Sheffield is the best university in Yorkshire and Humber, and second among all northern universities. The city is a cultural and creative centre, home to the largest community of artists and designers outside London. It is one of the UK’s top ten most affordable student cities (RBS Student Living Index 2019) and England’s safest major city (UK Peace Index).
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University of St Andrews St Andrews is top in the UK for student academic experience according to the National Student Survey of 2019. Teaching is supported by the flexible nature of the Scottish system, which allows students to study multiple subjects during the course of their degree. A small town nestled on the east coast of Scotland, St Andrews is a unique place to study and live. Not only does the university have a world-class reputation, it also offers a diverse range of social activities, including over 140 student societies and 50 sports clubs. Historic buildings are juxtaposed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions make studying at St Andrews an unforgettable experience.
University of Surrey The University of Surrey is a leading university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the south east of England. The self-contained campus is an inspiring place to be, with a rich culture and diverse student population. It is made up of more than 17,000 students across all study levels from over 140 countries. Surrey ranks 26th in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
University of Sussex Sussex is a highly ranked university that uses research-led teaching, a unique location and a strong sense of purpose to broaden its students’ perspectives. It offers over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university is situated near the seaside city of Brighton, which has been ranked the happiest city in England for students in a survey by accommodation providers Student Living by Sodexo. Dynamic, inclusive and cosmopolitan, Brighton is just a few minutes away from the university campus.
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