NAVIGATOR AUTUMN 2009
NAVIGATOR
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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOING TO UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE
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St. George’s University’s international programme in medicine has faculty from 32 countries, students and graduates from over 140 countries and clinical and selective programmes that span eight countries. Over 150 students from the United Kingdom have joined our School of Medicine. More than 60 of our 8,000 graduates have chosen the UK to practise—bringing their global knowledge and lifelong worldwide network of colleagues to enrich their profession. s 'RENADA 3'5 3CHOOL OF -EDICINE RANKS AMONG #ARIBBEAN COUNTRIES IN THE 53 -EDICAL ,ICENSING %XAM 3TEP AND 3TEP #+ in a 15-year study published in Academic Medicine s 5NDERGRADUATE GRADUATE AND DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE
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www.sgu.edu/uk 0800 1699061 ext. 9 380
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Contents
NAVIGATO R AUTUM
N 2009
NAVIGAT OR AUTUMN
YOUR CO
MPLETE
GUIDE TO
GOING TO
UNIVERS
ITY AND
2009
COLLEG
E
CHOICES
S
ummer is definitely over. AS Level results are in and now it is time to work out your next move. If you are thinking of going to university or college, you have to apply now. The UCAS application window has opened and you only have a few months to get your application completed. One of the biggest stumbling blocks of the process is the personal statement, so for tips and advice read our feature on page 6 to help your application really stand out. Another big hurdle to cross is working out which univeristy or college to actually apply to. Most will send you loads of information about themselves and we have listed some simple ways of getting in touch with us so that you can hear from a selection directly on page 35.
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WORK PLACEMENT
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MEDICINE
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Each and every university has its own flavour enhanced by the local dialect and culture 4 NAVIGATOR Autumn 2009 04Into.indd 4
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The NHS is continually changing in
THE REAL
reports thethe frontline order tofrom better reflect needs
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How students decided which and expectations of theuniversity patient or college to apply to
your chance to shine 22 NAVIGATOR Autumn 2009
CONSIDERING TAKING A SANDWICH COURSE AT UNIVERSITY? AS THE DEMAND FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKERS INCREASES, GAINING A YEAR IN INDUSTRY SEEMS TO BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR STUDENTS
WORLD 6
Writing the winning personal statement on your UCAS application 22-24 Medical.indd 22
student life
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Start planning what to take with you for your first term
A new direction
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Colleges of Further Education open doors to a promising future 32 Year in Industry.indd 32
Take care
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Careers in healthcare are not just limited to becoming a doctor or a nurse
united we stand!
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Editor James Donald Designer Kathleen Rayfield Sub-Editor Daniel Williams Writer Katy Parkes
How student activists are using the internet to mobilise support
Navigator is published by Educate Ltd, 84 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 OBE, 020 7902 1200. The opinions in the articles are those of the individual writers and not necessarily those of Educate Ltd or any associated personnel. Educate Ltd, the Editor and Publishers of Navigator do not necessarily agree with the views expressed in this publication and do not accept responsibility for any of the personal opinions therein. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of Educate Ltd. The paper used for Navigator is made from sustainable wood pulp. email: info@educate-direct.com
penny pinchers
Sandwich course
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Get the cogs of your career working early with a work placement
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Ways of making your student loan go that little bit further
Well connected
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How to use social media to your advantage, without becoming a slave to it
Let Party commence
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Navigator’s guide to throwing the perfect house party
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CHOICES
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CHOICES
PICK ’N’ MIX CHOOSING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY IS A BIG dECISiON AND CAN ULTIMATELY DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE AS ThERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP. kATY pARKES SPEAKS TO STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE TIME THEY HAVE SPENT AT THEIR UNIVERSITY
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hoosing my university was the first major decision I made independent of my parents. It was the beginning of living independently. It may well be the first decision that influences my career. It has been the decision that led me to three very happy years. Each university prospectus highlights in bold, underlined and italics the phrase that choosing university “is the most important decision you will make”. So where to begin?
GETTING OPINIONS I asked my brothers and sisters what they thought. Already a mistake. They listed endless ingredients: Cost of living, funding, fees, city, campus, course, union, academic reputation, weather, parking, whether you could afford the train ticket to the open day, the list went on and on. So I asked the internet; it would not bawl ideas at me, it was on mute. I found myself reading the Times Good University Guide. At the top were Oxford and Cambridge, with only the boat race to distinguish between them. I remembered that Hull has been named the ‘Friendliest University’ and I have read that Manchester receives the most applicants, which has been spun to become: ‘Manchester, the Most Popular University’. However the tables did not send any epiphany, only more confusion. Thumbing through the prospectuses offered no elimination either. I still wanted to go to all of them. The prospectuses were all on recycled paper, they all claimed to be multicultural and cosmopolitan universities set in lively cities. I needed men on the ground. So I asked people at different universities what it was that made their university experiences so good.
UNIVERSITY of cambridge Cambridge describes itself as the home of ‘world leading experts’ which turns out ‘highly employable undergraduates.’ Work is a priority. The terms are crammed into eight weeks and exams are plentiful. Students are required to write a formative essay each week which allow for writing skills to improve and for students to formulate their own arguments. The university is designed through colleges which creates a strong and familiar community rather than the Union being the centre of student life. The academic requirements alter social habits, discussions of Britain’s talent take place in the 24 hour wood panelled libraries that are straight out of Hogwarts rather than the nearest Wetherspoons. Students can let their hair down with the proliferation of lavish May Balls and garden parties as exams come to an end.
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Cardiff University describes itself as ‘an attractive and internationally renowned university’. The
must have is an umbrella, it rains a lot in Wales. The city is small and everywhere from castle, to station, to sea, to park, to shops, to cinema, to supermarket, can be reached on foot. It is an ever growing city establishing itself as a capital. The constant retail development (it is home of the second largest Topshop in the UK) and landmarks such as the Millennium Stadium and the Millennium Centre are at the core of creating an exciting and cosmopolitan city with a strong student focus. Cardiff remains one of the most cost effective universities with the average pint at £1.60, a month’s rent at £240 and there is even a four course curry banquet for £5. The Welsh language and culture adds an intrigue to student life. Welsh Love spoons adorn shop windows whilst Cawl, Laverbread and Bara Birth are regular features on food menus. The attraction of Cardiff is the fact it is a compact capital city which will not break the bank. In terms of academic study; the first year requires only a pass before it is discounted allowing for a year of settling in and milking that freshers freedom.
The university of ST ANDREWS St Andrews describes itself as the ‘third oldest English speaking University’. It is situated in Scottish seaside golf town, already it is breaking the mould. The University offers four year courses (typical of the Scottish Higher Education system) with only the last two years counting towards your degree whilst the first two years just require a pass. In the first two years, students are required to take two additional elective modules to complement their degree. Socially St Andrews is a small town, Oceana nightclubs are replaced by pubs and bars and the late night activities are dinner parties in student houses while lazy weekends can be spent on the windswept beaches. The university is not absorbed into a larger city, consequently it is a very social although some may find it claustrophobic.
SUBTLE DIFFERENCES Each and every university has its own flavour enhanced by the local dialect and the local culture. However these are subtle differences. At the core of the university experience is oneself. It is about working independently, meeting new people, attempting different pastimes and challenging oneself. Every university whether it be Oxford, Cardiff, Chichester, Falmouth or Manchester offer the opportunity of living your life independently. The one resounding similarity between university experiences is that it is fun, great fun. So when students are making this life-changing decision perhaps the seemingly insignificant reasons to go somewhere are entirely legitimate reasons to go.
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APPLICATIONS
Shine out from
It is time to show why you really want to go to university and who you are 6 Navigator Autumn 2009 06ucas.indd 6
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APPLICATIONS
m the rest the hardest part of the application process is often writing the personal statement. However, help is at hand if you follow our guide, writes dan williams who started studying at the University of Bournemouth this autumn
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riting your personal statement can be a tricky thing as this is what distinguishes you from others applicants as well as your grades and projected grades. Deciding what to say is a difficult process as you are limited to 4,000 characters or letters. This may seem a lot of words but it is not considering you are trying to market yourself in the best way possible. When it comes to writing you need to remember that you should be yourself and not to lie as this can have repercussions. Why are you going to university is the first thing you should ask yourself. The answer can be varied and can be as unique as you want. Whether it is for personal gain or to get a great job, you should write the reasons why rather than give an answer you think the universities want to hear. It is recommended you choose one course as it will help you focus on the reasons why you choose the subject. You should explain why you have chosen this course; whether it is because you are good at it or that you want to do it just to gain more knowledge. You can relate this to your current studies or also any hobbies or interests you have out of work or school. For example you may want to do Sports Science as you do various sports as hobbies and want to learn more about the scientific side to it. You can write about work but this will be filled in on the work section of the application. However if it is relevant to the subject then it is a great way of promoting the interest you have in the particular course. Hobbies and interests are a great chance to make your personality shine through. By writing about what you do in your spare time it allows the university to see what kind of person you are. Any accredited or nonaccredited skills and awards you have achieved are a great thing to put such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award. Remember a human will be reading this, not a robot, and there is no wrong or right answers. It is a time to show why you really want to go to university and who you are.
seek advice If you are applying through a school or college most of the process will be quite easy as you will have access to computers and help from
teachers. If you are applying privately then the process can be a bit harder as you may not be sure how to get a reference or what to write in your personal statement. When visiting the UCAS website you will register to apply for university and will be taken through to a menu with various sections which you will have to fill out. It is quite self explanatory but many applicants find they have problems when it comes to writing their personal statement and getting a reference.
Reference If you are still studying then this section is fairly straight forward as your form tutor is more than likely going to give you a reference and you will not have to even get involved with this part. If you are applying privately though finding a reference can be hard. The best person to obtain a reference off should be your boss at your current employment, a careers adviser or an old teacher. It can be no longer than 4,000 characters and should focus on your personality academically. The reference should explain why they think that you are suitable for the course that you are applying for. If you are currently working, your employers will be able to relate your job to the subject if it is relevant. Information about your grades and modules is a great way to show how close or far away you were from the next grade, for instance you were only one mark away from achieving an A. Mentioning personal circumstances such as ongoing illnesses that may have affected academic performance is helpful as it can be taken into consideration when your application is looked at.
expose yourself The main thing about your application is to remember that you are applying for higher education and you will pay a lot of money for it so you should be sure of what you are doing. The application is the chance to show why you should be chosen over the hundreds of other students. However this does not mean you should lie to make yours seem better than others. By staying true to you and what you want, the universities will not just look at the grades but also at the type of person they want at their establishment.
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Mid September 2009 – Applications through UCAS start for the year 2010/2011. 15 October 2009 - Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. 15 January 2010 - Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses except those listed above with a 15 October deadline, and art and design courses with a 24 March deadline. 25 February 2010 – If you are eligible to use extra, you can refer yourself to another choice. 24 March 2010 - Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design courses except those listed with a 15 January deadline. 31 March 2010 – If UCAS received your application by 15 January, the universities and colleges should aim to have sent their decisions by this date (but they can take longer). 5 May 2010 - If UCAS receive all decisions from
your universities/colleges by 31 March, you need to reply to any offers by this date (unless you live outside the EU or are applying through Extra). If UCAS don’t receive your replies, they will decline the offers on your behalf. 7 May 2010 - If you applied by 15 January, universities and colleges need to send their decisions by this date. If they don’t, UCAS will make any outstanding choices unsuccessful. 8 June 2010 - If decisions from universities/ colleges are received by 7 May, they need to be replied to by this date (unless you are applying through Extra). If UCAS fail to receive replies, they will decline the offers on your behalf. 30June 2010 – If you send your application to UCAS by this date, they will send it to your chosen universities and colleges. If UCAS receive your application after this date, you’ll be entered into clearing. If UCAS receive all decisions from your universities/colleges by 11 June, you need to reply to any offers by this date (unless applying through extra.) if UCAS don’t receive your replies, they will decline your offers on your behalf. 6 July 2010 - This is the last date to apply through Extra.
20th July 2010 - If you applied by 30 June and are waiting for decisions, universities and colleges need to send UCAS their decisions by this date. If they don’t, UCAS will make any outstanding choices unsuccessful on their behalf. 27th July 2010 - If UCAS receive all decisions from your universities/colleges by 20 July, you need to reply to any offers by this date (this includes if you are applying through Extra). If UCAS don’t receive your replies, we will decline your offers on your behalf. 4th August 2010 (TBC) - SQA results are published and the Scottish Clearing vacancy information service starts. 19th August 2010 - GCE and Advanced Diploma results are published and the full Clearing vacancy information service starts. Adjustment opens for registration. 31st August 2010 - Adjustment closes on this date. 20th September 2010 - This is the last date that UCAS will accept applications for courses starting in 2010.
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make the right choice • The top university in the UK for the help and support offered to students* • Ranked within the top 15 in the UK for overall student experience* • One of the best university locations in the UK - a student-centred city on the North Wales coast • Low cost of living - one of the most economical places in the UK to study • Over £2.8m in bursaries and scholarships available, including £5,000 Excellence Scholarships in a range of subject areas • Guaranteed accommodation for first year students • Come and see for yourself - Open Days on Saturday, October 10 and October 31
* Times Higher Education
www.bangor.ac.uk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: THE STUDENT RECRUITMENT UNIT, BANGOR UNIVERSITY, GWYNEDD LL57 2DG Tel: 01248 382005/382015 e-mail: marketing@bangor.ac.uk
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STUDENT ESSENTIALS
BE PREPARED What do I bring?
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The most important thing you need to remember is that you don’t need to take everything you have. There will not be much room for your ‘stuff’ so you will have to think logically and practically when it comes to choosing items. Kitchen items are always something you should sort out with your room mates when you get there rather than bringing stuff with you as it will save on duplicates and money. Choose what you cannot live without first and from there choose things based on practicality and size.
Life in student accommodation Life as a student will be a completely different experience from the real world. You will be living with little privacy and a life without luxury. However this is not all bad as it is also a great excuse to socialize with everyone and get involved in day to day activities together. When moving in to student accommodation it is best to claim your territory at an early stage to avoid arguments later. By establishing what room is yours and what is your stuff people will not see you as a push over. You should set up a system with fellow roommates to avoid upsetting each other. This could involve deciding what items of yours can be used and what is off limits and also who buys bread and milk or cleans the halls. Despite all this student accommodation is fun and make sure to get involved in all the social activities that are on offer.
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STUDENT ESSENTIALS
Making it your own You will be living in your room from for at least a year so you want to make it feel like your own. If you have private accommodation you will have a lot more flexibility (if you have a good landlord) on decorations. Bright coloured objects including vases and jugs can be used to brighten the dull room up. Posters are old school but can still give the room character. Your duvet covers - although very boring - can be a great way to express you. By making the most of the little space you have you can let your personality shine through (charity shops can provide you with some little treats.)
A tight squeeze Using the space you have wisely can make it feel less like a prison cell and more like a home. You will have to go back to practicality when sorting out your storage space. Every item you add to your room must be both attractive and functional so it fits your design scheme. The room is your own so you can be more creative with storage space. Hanging cupboards will help free up space and adding a bit of colour to them will make it look nicer. Over the door hangers can also be used instead of wardrobes that clog up space. Remember that unused floor space will make the room look and seem bigger.
Budgeting Your money will usually come in a week before the official term start date, so will be around
freshers week time. This can be a dangerous time for crazy spending where you can blow the money in a heartbeat. The best thing to do is to work out what you need to pay for and know what you can live without. Also sign up to an NUS Extra student discount card for a range of exclusive discounts and offers for students. It can be used at various places including Play, Amazon, Pizza Hut and Matalan. The card only costs ÂŁ10 and can be bought at www.nus.org.uk.
Laundry This may or may not be your first time doing laundry but you will have to face up to it now. Look at the label on your clothes as there may be special requirements including hand washing only or dry cleaning. The big thing you want to remember is separating your colours from your darks as you may end up walking around like a pink marshmallow. Check the instructions on the washing machine but it will usually have a compartment for the washing tablets/liquid and fabric softener (optional).
Cooking Cooking is a great way to save money and also a way to impress fellow housemates. Cooking can be very simple depending on what you are making, but the main point is to try and keep as healthy as possible. Spaghetti Bolognese is not classed as healthy if you have it every night. If you are worried about your cooking skills the internet is a great place to get student menus.
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Make a
STUDENT ESSENTIALS
Essentials List A quick checklist of things to bring to your new accommodation that you may not think of
GMS1 Form If you are living away from your usual doctor, you will have to sign up to a local one. A GMS1 form can be given to your new GP and will allow you to change doctors.
Bottle Opener This will make you the life and soul of your halls as you will find that many people forget that all those bottles of alcohol need to be opened.
Clothes Horse If you are not fortunate enough to have a tumble dryer this will really help. By putting all your clothes up on the horse it will allow them to dry quicker and stop clothes being draped all over the place.
Memory Stick Great for storing all your university work on and can be bought online for less than a tenner. Extension Lead Will be your saviour if you have more than two electrical appliances.
Passport You will need some identification to pick up your keys for your accommodation and when you enroll.
National Insurance Number You will more than likely be looking for a part time job when you are at university so don’t forget this or you will not be getting any work!
TV License If have a TV or a PC that you watch television on you will have to purchase a TV license. Visit www. tvlicensing.co.uk to pay the yearly cost of £142.50. Make sure you do this as the company preys on students who do not pay and the fine can be up to £1,000.
Clothes Hangers There are not usually supplied so you may find that your jackets and shirts will end up creasing if they cannot be hung up.
Booze It’s a great ice breaker and will make the introductions easier. It is also a great way to get on the good side of everyone!
Ethernet Cable If your accommodation has not provided you with one this will help you get the internet up and running on your computer.
Screwdriver Can be handy in situations where you find yourself locked in the bathroom. Just make sure it stays in the bathroom though!
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Make a Difference advert_Navigator:Layout 1
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you can make the difference Nursing Midwifery Optometry Radiography Speech and Language Therapy
A degree in the health professions can take many forms yet they all have one thing in common. Excellent career prospects. Because we’re proud to have one of the best graduate employment records in the country. Add to this a career where you can make a real difference to the community in which you work and the prospects are even more rewarding. To find out more register for one of our Inside Health Information evenings. Visit: www.city.ac.uk/insidehealth Call: 020 7040 5780
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FURTHER EDUCATION
A new direction T You don’t have to go to a university to get a degree. A College of Further education may offer a sound alternative and still lead to a promising career
here are many different routes to a degree and not all of them involve university. For those who are contemplating their UCAS application, there are lots of other avenues to try, and some of them lead to Colleges of Further Education (CFEs). Many people don’t know about CFEs: they are still one of education’s best-kept secrets. Students can get all the way into a job without knowing that they can do everything from basic skills to job-related training at their local Further Education College. Students can learn almost any subject that comes to mind in an FE college, and though they might think of them as just somewhere for evening classes, they are increasingly offering a huge range of Higher Education subjects as well. The differences between colleges and universities are more than you think. There are variations in the type of courses offered and the cost of studying. Generally, students will go to a college in their local area so the location and ease of access is more convenient. Some colleges specialise quite narrowly in particular areas so the facilities and resources can be of a very high quality.
The differences between colleges and universities are more than you think
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Educat
FURTHER EDUCATION
FACILITIES
Location, Location, Location In towns and cities there are usually several colleges to choose from, but there’s at least one in every local authority area. Higher Education (HE) courses include sciences, management, hospitality, engineering, tourism, games technology and more. Across London you should be able to find any HE course you can imagine - South Thames College focuses on business, ICT and creative industries. Those who don’t know where their nearest college is should try the Aimhigher website (www.aimhigher.ac.uk) and go to the “uni finder” page: choose the “Further Education colleges (FE) offering HE” option to get an A-Z listing of colleges or search by postcode. Alternatively, to find a college offering the course or subject desired, go to the UCAS website (www.ucas.com). Most colleges now offer some HE study and it’s very easy to access. There are many reasons why some students want to stay close to home – or want to study in a town where there isn’t a university – and colleges can make this happen.
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER Most colleges are smaller than universities, although some have recently been formed by mergers. However, many people like the personal touch that comes with smaller organisations. Teaching groups and tutorials are often smaller in colleges, so students can build up relationships with tutors and fellow students. However in order to offer the Higher Education (HE) course, the college has to meet the same Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and validating body requirements that a university does. This means that all the resources a student needs will be there. Recently, many colleges have had a complete rebuild or significant refurbishment. Although there’s currently a halt on this programme, college facilities are as modern as universities with the full range of IT resources, learning resources and student support. The larger colleges in major cities have as much diversity in students as any university – adults, international students, professional and business students and 16-19 year olds.
FROM THE STUDENTS’ MOUTH Research carried out in 2006 by Sali MidjekConway, Aimhigher Development Manager for Bury, showed that most Higher Education (HE) students in Further Education colleges (FE) made a positive choice to go for the personal touch colleges offer, the specialist nature of many of the courses, and the good reputation the college had for the course. Focus group comments included: “You have more time with your tutors … you feel you are more valued by your tutors in a college” and 92 per cent of the students surveyed said they would recommend studying a higher education course in a further education college.
The standard of facilities that universities or colleges offer are vital for students. They can range from the quality of the computer rooms to the size of the library. Students rely on the facilities as they can significantly improve the teaching and learning quality. Many institutions are investing more money into the facilities such as the sports halls, the libraries, computer rooms and lecture halls. Most of the universities and colleges dedicate a section to facilities on their websites so students can find out what they have to offer.
Subject Specialism Colleges don’t offer the full range of Higher Education (HE) subjects that universities do, but they do offer significant specialisms. Most colleges have one or more vocational specialist areas and can offer HE courses in these areas. Examples include Guildford College, which merged with landbased Merrist Wood College and now offers degrees including Animal Management, Horticulture and Garden Design at this specialist site. Macclesfield College is home to the European Centre for Aviation Training where HE options include mechanical, electrical and aircraft engineering. Once students start looking at the range of HE colleges on offer at college, they’ll find they can provide a real alternative to university study. In addition to the links with validating universities, colleges are expected to gain the ability to create and award their own foundation degrees, which will be designed with employer input. Therefore the HE course will be even more closely linked to employer needs, skills gaps and future employment.
Type of course Most colleges offer a range of foundation degrees which are two year Higher Education (HE) courses usually closely linked to a career. Foundation degrees (FD) have been put together by colleges and universities in partnership, and are usually validated by a local university – for example, Colchester Institute by the University of Essex. Employers are also involved in course design, so colleges that offer FDs usually have excellent links with employers to allow students to get the most out of the mix of academic and work-related study required. Work placements are part of the course to give students the insights on a specific career. It also brings the subject to life. Successful completion of the foundation degree gives a qualification recognised by employers across the career range – auto engineering, dance, IT, horticulture, theatre etc. Students can top it up to a full degree with a further year’s study, either at the college or at the partner university. Depending on the subject and college, you can also do full BA and BSc degrees at the institute. Otherwise, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNCs) – vocational qualifications in subjects like IT and business that can also be topped up to full degrees later – are also an option.
BargAin Hunt The fees for Higher Education (HE) courses at many Further Education colleges (FE) are lower than those of universities, so students can save while they learn. Fees for parttime HE study at college are lower again, and one could combine study with a part-time job to help with studies. Grants, loans and bursaries are available in the same way as at university. Added to this, the abundance of colleges in the UK (around 400 in total) will make travel and living costs much lower than for university.
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I WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY
WHATEVER YOU WANT FROM YOUR UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE IT. I WANT TO KNOW MORE. VISIT WWW.MDX.AC.UK/YOUCAN CALL 0800 069 6112 OR EMAIL ENQUIRIES@MDX.AC.UK TO REQUEST AN UNDERGRADUATE PROSPECTUS. MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY, LONDON
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[WITH US, YOU CAN ] 29/09/2009 17:08:16
CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT
ADVICE ABOUT This autumn there are a number of admissions tests that students applying to certain universities and courses will be required to sit, writes Cambridge Assessment’s SARAH LONGFIELD THINKING SKILLS ASSESSMENT (TSA) - OXFORD Students applying to the University of Oxford to study: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Economics and Management (E&M) Experimental Psychology (EP) Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology (PPP) will be required to take a pre-interview admissions test this autumn. The University of Oxford receives a high number of applications for the above courses and these are growing annually. Admissions decisions are complex because candidates come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and studying the above courses requires a range of abilities. The Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Oxford helps tutors to assess whether candidates have the skills and aptitudes that are required to study these subjects.
What is the Thinking Skills Assessment? The Thinking Skills Assessment for the University of Oxford consists of two components: Section 1: Aptitude and Skills is a 90-minute multiplechoice component, which consists of 50 questions designed to measure a candidate’s problem-solving (reasoning using numerical and spatial skills) and critical thinking (reasoning using everyday written language). Section 2: The Writing Task is a 30-minute task, giving candidates the opportunity to show that they can communicate effectively in writing, organising their ideas and presenting them clearly and concisely.
When does it take place? This year’s TSA Oxford will take place on Wednesday 4th November 2009, on the same day as some other admissions tests such as the English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) and the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT).
Where do candidates take the test? Typically, candidates sit the test at their school or college; however, Cambridge Assessment also hosts an extensive network of open centres in the UK and overseas, where candidates can register for and sit the test if their schools or colleges do not have the facilities in place to administer the test.
What does it cost? Candidates will not be charged an entry fee for taking TSA Oxford in November 2009. Some open centres may charge an administrative fee
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for organising and administering the test on behalf of their external candidates.
Where can I find out more about the TSA? website: www.tsa. cambridgeassessment.org.uk email: tsainfo@ cambridgeassessment.org.uk
ENGLISH LITERATURE ADMISSIONS TEST (ELAT) The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is produced on behalf of the University of Oxford.
What is ELAT? The ELAT is designed to enable applicants to show their ability in the key skill of close reading, paying attention to language, imagery, allusion, syntax and form, and to the verbal, formal, and structural elements of texts. It assesses how far students have developed this understanding and, with it, the ability to shape and articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. The test is designed to be accessible to all
29/09/2009 17:12:27
T
CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT
ADMISSIONS TESTS students in their last year of pre-university literary study. It is important to stress that the ELAT is not a test of wide reading, nor is it based on the assumption that there are certain texts that all students should have read by this stage in their education. Marks will not be awarded for references to other texts or authors, nor will candidates be expected to try to apply any theoretical frameworks to their essay.
Who has to take ELAT? All students applying to read English Language & Literature (Q300), combined English & Modern Languages courses and Classics & English (QQ38 and QQH8) at the University of Oxford are required to take the ELAT.
When does it take place? This year’s ELAT will take place on Wednesday 4th November 2009.
Where do candidates take the test? Typically, candidates sit the ELAT at their school or college; however, Cambridge Assessment also hosts an extensive network of open centres in the UK and overseas, where candidates can register for and sit the ELAT if their schools or colleges do not have the facilities in place to administer the test.
What does it cost? Candidates will not be charged an entry fee for taking ELAT in November 2009. Please note, however, that some open centres may charge an administrative fee for organising and administering the ELAT on behalf of external candidates. This administrative fee normally covers the cost of invigilation, despatch costs and room hire, where applicable.q
Where can I find out more about ELAT? website: www.elat.org.uk email: elatinfo@ cambridgeassessment.org.uk
BIOMEDICAL ADMISSIONS TEST (BMAT) Cambridge Assessment is also responsible for the development and administration of the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), which is taken by students applying to some of the UK’s leading medical and veterinary institutions.
What is BMAT? The BMAT is a two-hour, pen and paper admissions test consisting of three sections: Section 1: Aptitude and Skills (60-minute multiple-choice paper testing thinking skills); Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications (30-minute multiple-choice paper testing maths and scientific understanding); Section 3: Writing Task (30-minute paper asking candidates to write a single-side of A4 in response to one of three essay questions).
When does it take place?
autumn 2010 should take the test. The universities take an unfavourable view of candidates who are taking the test only for practice purposes.
Where do candidates take the test? Typically, candidates sit the BMAT at their school or college; however, Cambridge Assessment also hosts an extensive network of open centres in the UK and overseas, where candidates can register for and sit the BMAT if their schools or colleges do not have the facilities to administer the test.
What does it cost? The BMAT entry fee is £32.10 within the UK, and £55.90 elsewhere for entries registered up to Wednesday 30th September. Late entries will be accepted up to Thursday 15th October and will be subject to late entry fees. An entry made between 30th September and 15th October will be charged £64.20 within the UK and £111.80 elsewhere. Centres will be invoiced following the late entry closing date.
Wednesday 4th November 2009.
How can I find out more? Who should take the test? Only candidates who are applying in the 2009/10 admissions cycle for entry to a university in
website: www.bmat.org.uk email: bmatinfo@ cambridgeassessment.org.uk
RESULTS ONLINE: Please note that from 2009, paper results will no longer be issued. All results will released via our Results Online system. Information about how to retrieve results will be provided at the time of the test.
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CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT
Key Dates for BMAT, ELAT and TSA Oxford
30 September
Standard entry closing date
15 October
Last date for late entries
4 November
Test takes place
BMAT
www.bmat.org.uk bmatinfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk
ELAT
www.elat.org.uk elatinfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk
TSA Oxford
www.tsa.cambridgeassessment.org.uk tsainfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk
COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN EVENTS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S ON OFFER, OR SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A FULL COURSE LISTING.
HIGHER EDUCATION OPEN EVENT For undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses Wednesday 14th October, 5pm–7pm
BOOK NOW ONLINE!
AUTUMN OPEN EVENTS Information about all courses Saturday 14th November, 10am–1pm Wednesday 18th November, 4pm–8pm Thursday 19th November, 4pm–8pm
(01206) 712777 www.colchester.ac.uk Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3LL
A partner college of
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THE TRAVELING MEDICAL STUDENT Carlon Fitzpatrick, a UK native, hopes to become a US neurosurgeon. He is finishing his first year of clinical studies in North Middlesex and plans to complete his final year in Brooklyn, New York. Being a student from St. George’s University School of Medicine gives him the freedom to choose where he studies. Starting in Grenada, West Indies, Carlon has chosen to take full advantage of the opportunity and experience it all. In the St. George’s University School of Medicine program, the medical students can complete their clinical studies at any affiliated hospital in the UK, US and Canada. “The first two years cover the basic sciences,” says Carlon. “Now in clinical, it’s very different. The real emphasis is on seeing as many patients as you can. Your learning is a lot more self-directed.” Because Carlon wants to practise in the US, spending one year in North Middlesex was very appropriate. “Since I hope to get residency placement in the US, there’s a chance I may not be home for a while,” Carlon states. “It made sense to come back home while I had the chance.”
The real emphasis is on seeing as many patients as you can
A lifetime experience… A campus-based college… where all you’ll need is in one place Friendly atmosphere… where you won’t be lost in a crowd Excellent student life… with an active Students’ Union that gets you involved in College life Fantastic location… which is easy to reach and has spectacular countryside and coastline
01267 676767 www.trinity-cm.ac.uk
Scholarships available… to help you make ends meet
it’s got to be Trinity! Autumn 2009 NAVIGATOR 21 21sgu.indd 21
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MEDICINE
The NHS is continually changing in order to better reflect the needs and expectations of the patient 22 Navigator Autumn 2009 22-24 Medical.indd 22
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MEDICINE
head off in a new direction
A career in healthcare does not necessarily mean becoming a doctor. Navigator outlines some of the other job options within the sector
I
f you’re searching for the silver lining in today’s gloomy economic outlook, then you need look no further than the boom in people turning to a more fulfilling career. And many are finding this in caring for others. The pay can’t promise to reach the dizzy heights of that enjoyed by City boys and girls during their glory days, but if it is variety and job satisfaction you’re interested in, the health sector has it in spades. Utter the words “a career in health” and it’s most likely to conjure up images of doctors and nurses. And you wouldn’t be wrong, but you would be forgetting the countless other exciting and challenging careers in health for people who are passionate about having a positive impact on the lives of others. David Astley, Chief Executive of St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust explains: “St George’s Hospital employs over 6,000 people, working in hundreds of different roles. “The NHS is continually changing in order to deliver healthcare that better reflects the needs and expectations of patients. As a result of these changes, many new roles have been introduced.” Many existing roles have also progressed. Take the diagnostic radiographer, for example. These professionals provide a vital role in healthcare by assisting clinicians in the diagnosis of injuries and diseases, and contribute towards establishing treatment plans for patients. While most diagnostic radiographers carry out a range of procedures, they may specialise in techniques such as computerised tomography scanning,
or magnetic resonance imaging which uses magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce cross-sectional images of the body. Diagnostic radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession, and long-term career prospects include management, research, clinical work and teaching. Ricky Lawless has just completed his first year of the BSc diagnostic radiography course at St George’s, University of London. He opted for this role because he “wanted to be part of the team that saves, rebuilds and maintains people’s lives.” “As well as emerging new roles, health professionals are also benefiting from excellent career development opportunities and better long-term prospects than ever before,” explains David. “Consider nursing, which used to be thought of as a low paid role with few opportunities for career development, but now offers lots of different career paths which can lead to rewarding, influential and well-paid jobs. “Nurses can progress to advanced clinical levels and can even become nurse consultants, managing their own caseload of patients/clients. They can also progress to managerial positions within hospitals and other health and social care organisations.” Increased opportunities have played a big part in renewed interest in health careers and this is reflected in university course applications. This year nursing courses have proved particularly popular, receiving 24 per cent more applications by the 2009 UCAS closing date than the same time last year.
f Autumn 2009 Navigator 22-24 Medical.indd 23
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I actually feel my current course choice is a better one than my original St George’s, University of London received more applications to its health related courses through Clearing 2009. “University applications closed at the end of June and figures showed that, nationally, applications for all courses were up 9.7 per cent compared with the same point in the applications cycle last year,” explains Kenton Lewis, Head of Student Recruitment at St George’s. Throughout the UK there have been disproportionately high increases in applications to study courses offering ‘hard skills’, including the likes of nursing and subjects allied to medicine. “As these are the types of courses St George’s specialises in, we’re preparing for more applications through Clearing than in previous years,” Kenton concludes. “We hope to be able to offer applicants Clearing places on our courses in biomedical sciences, biomedical informatics, radiography, paramedic science and physiotherapy courses.” Boon Yap joined St George’s BSc in Biomedical Informatics through Clearing in 2007. He has just completed year two and is finding the course “invigorating”. He is also looking forward to his future in the health sector. He says: “After graduation I could work as an Informatician, liaising between healthcare professionals to support patient care. Or I could go on to study technical genetic modelling and computer programming on an MA.
“Right now, I’m hoping to apply for a medicine place at St George’s, with the aim of becoming a doctor specialising in informatics, but there are a lot of options open to me. I actually feel my current course is a better choice than my original one would have been – a happy surprise after all.” Those who have been working in the sector are “unsurprised” by the increased interest in a career as a health professional. Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St George’s, University of London and clinician at St George’s Hospital, has been working as a clinician for almost four decades. And even after all this time he “continues to be passionate about this great service and making a difference to patient care”. In fact, his life-long passion has just seen him appointed a Knights Bachelor for services to medicine, but he explains that, knighthood aside, his work reaps “huge rewards of its own.” As a leading UK provider of health education, St George’s, University of London trains over 3,500 medical and healthcare students. As well as degrees in medicine and biomedical sciences, the University also offers courses in midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography, paramedic sciences and social work in partnership with Kingston University. Visit www.sgul.ac.uk for St George’s full list of courses.
24 NAVIGATOR Autumn 2009 22-24 Medical.indd 24
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CALLING ALL BRIGHT SPARKS Amy Reza attended the Commitment to medicine and Clinical skills courses summer 2009 The four day future doctors course gives a real insight into life as a medical student, from the core medical lectures to the entertaining and useful practical skills. This course allows students to experience all the different areas of medicine and gives them a chance to gain a liking for a particular section from respiratory medicine to plastic surgery! For students who are unsure whether medicine is the right career choice for them, this course will help them decide. The opportunity to discuss any worries with the range of friendly doctors is extremely useful as with their extensive knowledge they are able to answer any queries. The medical presentations presented by university lecturers feels like you’re actually a medical student at university; you forget that you’ve still got to go through the whole application process! In regards to this, the futuredoctors course dedicates time to how to apply to medicine with presentations about the BMAT and UKCAT as well as personal statement and interview techniques. The whole experience is very worthwhile and helps you with any aspect of medicine. It is exactly what medical-students-to-be need to prepare themselves for becoming a future doctor.
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Find out more: Future doctors up in order to provide Come towas anset Open Day: relevant,www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/sro/open_days precise and timely guidance about everything you need to know about the Medical Profession and gettingtheinto Medical School. Download Brunel Podcast episodes: www.brunel.ac.uk/podcast London Based Courses: ) Commitment toaMedicine and Clinical Skills Order prospectus: 01895 265599 or www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/prospectus ) Certificate Courses.
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Book online today at www.FUTUREDOCTORS.co.uk 22-24 Medical.indd 25
05/10/2009 14:05:32
University challenge? Ask the students www.thestudentroom.co.uk
Get advice on institution and course choice from the UK’s largest student community www.thestudentroom.co.uk
Private Higher Education
www.regents.ac.uk
Regent's College is situated in central London within Regent's Park. We offer a wide range of undergraduate degrees through our internationally recognised, specialist schools, within a superb campus environment.
NEW FOR 2010 - The London School of Film, Media and Performance (LSFMP) is a new addition to Regent’s College. LSFMP offers programmes in subjects ranging from Screenwriting and Producing to Acting and Global Theatre, with a focus on gaining practical experience that complements academic learning. • Foundation in Acting • BA (Hons) Creative Industries*
We design our business programmes in consultation with the business community, to ensure that we equip you with the most highly sought after skills, knowledge and expertise.
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STUDENT ACTIVISM
D E T I N U S T N E D U ST
W
hen Cosimo Montagu along with 10 other students from Cardiff University went to the 56th session of the Harvard Model United Nations he felt humbled and excited that he may just be in the same place as quite a few world leaders. The conference that was held in the Park Plaza hotel in Boston, USA, was Cardiff’s first international adventure! Gathered in and around Boston were over 3,000 students from 40 countries around the world. During the day in ball rooms, conference rooms and lobbies the conference organised about 40 different committees of around 150 people discussing and debating “pretty much any international issue you could imagine”. During the evenings 3,000 students were free to have fun “and believe me fun was had” says Cosimo. “Highlights included a huge party in the hotel where booze was easy to come by even for the under 21s and watching the NBA slam dunk contest. There were others which shouldn’t be mentioned...” The Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the United
Nations including the General Assembly and Commission for Sustainable Development. In each meeting “students step into the shoes of UN ambassadors to debate current issues on the organization’s vast agenda”. Members of MUN are praiseworthy of the skills it fine tunes “it improves people’s ability to engage in problem solving and teaches aspects of conflict resolution, research skills, and communication”. Most importantly it encourages students “to engage in their world” and become politically aware.
POLITICAL SOCIETIES Cos is optimistic that students are interested in what goes on around them, however “it can often be a real challenge ensuring that the political awareness is widespread enough. More often than not their work is submerged in other university activities and news such as sports and drinking!” At university, the range of societies is vast consequently they are all in competition to draw in members. Even the more “widespread political societies do not have nearly the same membership figures as a society such as Custard wrestling or Harry Potter.”
Most importantly it encourages students ‘to engage in their world’ Autumn 2009 NAVIGATOR 26-29 Activism.indd 27
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STUDENT ACTIVISM
RISE IN POLITICAL PROTEST Over the last year there has been an increase in political protests across the country. In January a lock in of students from the School of Oriental and African Studies successfully managed to force university director Paul Webley to agree to demands to cancel the Ministry of Defence exhibition ‘We Were There’ which was to take place in the Brunei Gallery. Meanwhile in Cardiff, students occupied the Shandon Lecture theatre for three days and successfully managed to force Cardiff University to divest money from the arms trade and re invest, consequently they have sold all shares in BAE and General Electric. A group of students from several London universities protested for the ’Stop the War Coalition’ by occupying the BBC offices on Portland Square, before being removed from building by police. Over 30 university campuses have been involved in outright protests against Israel’s 60 year occupation of the Gaza strip. Whether or not people agree with the political protests or the manner in which they are performed it is important that the seemingly dormant student population are waking up to ‘engage in their world’.
The election of President Barack Obama has meant “there has been a new wave of optimism strengthening the belief that changes can be made”. Cos also predicts that “we are yet to see the worst of the student loans protests what with the talk of student fees being raised to £7,000 potentially in some places”. Other areas that have attracted widespread involvement have been the world credit crisis and the political parties have all been up to their usual tricks again. Social networking sights such as Facebook are the ideal forum to launch political movements. In light of the expenses scandal ‘Take Back Power’ boasting over 3,000 members aims to “change politics for good” listing demands such as the right to sack your MP and the right to know that MP cannot be bought out.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER Cos is the first to admit that “there is so much to get involved with or be aware of that it is understandable people lose interest as it seems like effecting any change is impossible”. Instead “if you see a problem that engages you and needs
addressing, whether it be global food shortages, deforestation or something within the university the best thing you can do is concentrate on that.” At Manchester Metropolitan University students have recently begun to contribute their text messages as a form of feedback to the lecturers. Students have been asked to text LATE if the lecturer has not turned up at the timetabled time, WHAT if they are unable to understand what the lecturer is saying and MISSING if a library book is unavailable. The incoming texts have revealed that four to five lectures are cancelled each day. At Bolton University students activists have taken it further, inviting students to leave anonymous postcards in the lecturer’s pigeonholes with marks out of 10. This initiative is intended to reflect what many students feel when their work is handed back absent of feedback. Action is possible in all shapes and sizes; chaining yourself to railings is not the only option. “If you don’t think enough people know then organise a debate, raise some money, protest if needs be… all these things could make a huge difference before you even know it.”
How do www. I choose which uni and course to apply to? Get advice from the UK’s largest student community
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PROFILE
BANG ON Students have enough on their plate without having to worry about the standard of their accommodation, so Bangor University has recently invested heavily in their halls of residence
A
t Bangor University, a £35 million development project on the main accommodation site has meant the opening of several new halls and an increase in the number of en-suite rooms available to students. “Living in Halls was awesome!,” says Jamie Gibson, from Chester, studying History. “It doesn’t matter what hall you end up in – the fact of the matter is that you make lots of new friends- many for life. The atmosphere is so vibrant. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but I promise that you will have many fond memories of hall.” Jamie goes on to describe the overall experience he had at Bangor: “Personally I think the best thing about Bangor is its size. I never wanted to go to a big city university, but at the same time wanted to meet lots of new people and have new experiences. Here at Bangor I’ve definitely been able to do that.” Six new halls of residence opened at the start of the 2008/09 academic year, and for September 2009 three brand new halls – providing another 250 en-suite single study bedrooms – opened on the main accommodation site. Lisa Cook, from West Bromwich, studying in the School of the Environment and Natural Resources, agrees with Jamie that staying in halls is all part and parcel of the student experience: “Living in halls of residence is a brilliant experience, particularly for first years as you’re all in the same boat. You have all the freedom and independence you could want, but you know the security staff are only a phone call away if you need any help.”
Bangor University has over 2,300 student rooms available, varying from rooms in traditional halls to modern self-catering units and newer bedrooms with en-suite facilities. These places are predominantly for first year undergraduate students, although rooms are also allocated to some postgraduate students as well as a limited number of second and third year undergraduates who apply to live in halls. All of the accommodation is self-catered, and you share the kitchen with fellow students. The halls of residence have either en-suite facilities (where you have your own private shower and toilet) or standard facilities where the facilities are shared (shared bathrooms and toilets). All rooms have a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, bookshelves, and access to the Internet so that those of you with your own laptop computer can use it in your room. Living in self-catered accommodation gives you flexibility and independence, so that you can decide what and when you want to eat. The shared kitchens have basic facilities such as cookers, fridges and freezers, but cutlery, pots, pans and crockery are not provided. Shops and supermarkets are close by for your grocery needs, and there are also plenty of cafes, pubs and takeaways if you want a break from cooking for yourself. To prepare yourself for sharing the kitchen, Sam Comery, from Shropshire, studying English Literature, suggests cookery lessons: “My advice to prospective students would be learn how to cook, clean and do the washing. Your parents won’t be there to bail you out!” www.bangor.ac.uk/accommodation
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PROTESTS
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PROTESTS
Students may have better resources than PREVIOUS GENERATIONS for organising protests, but still nothing beats on the ground campaigning when it comes to galvanising support, Writes GARETH BRACKEN
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here has been talk in the press recently of a new era of student protest. The ‘ipod generation’, one report suggests, has thrown off the clichéd imaged of the lazy, selfish student to bring the ‘spirit of ‘68’ back to campuses across the country. “I think it is fair to say that the past 15-20 years have been quiet on the student protest front, certainly in comparison to huge upheavals in the ’60s and ’70s” says Dominic Kavakeb, Gaza campaigner and President of the University of Essex Students’ Union. “The Iraq war in 2003 must be seen as the turning point. It has served the same purpose to our generation that Vietnam did for the ’68 generation. It opened up the idea of protest and demonstrations to a layer of young people who had never previously experienced such events.”
face to face contact There does appear to be a certain shared spirit between the protesters of the 1960s and those of the current generation. That’s not to say they have everything in common though. Those in the 60s certainly didn’t have the internet for starters, and blogs are now a big part of student occupations. “It was really exciting to be sitting in the CAAT office and reading updates that were being posted directly from the occupations,” says AnneMarie O’Reilly, Local Campaigns Coordinator for CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade), Protesters are becoming more and more internet savvy suggests Barnaby Pace, member of the CAAT steering committee and former coordinator of the ‘Weapons out of Warwick’ campaign. “New media outlets in some areas vastly exceed the abilities of traditional media,” he says. “For example, Indymedia UK is where activists from all over the country post articles and photos from their protests for all to see.” Dominic Kavakeb is keen though to point out that the protest movement is not reliant on the internet. “It is human nature to adapt to your surroundings,” he says, “and so whatever new technology exists we will use, but we will not be dependent on it.” He feels that the internet is extremely useful for debating issues and showing solidarity with those who share your opinions, but isn’t so convinced of its worth when it comes to encouraging people to get involved with a particular cause. “We mostly rely upon face to face contact” he says. Andrew Cunningham, a former University of Manchester student and current active campaigner agrees. “The real organising,” he says, “comes from face to face discussions and on the ground campaigning.” Barnaby Pace’s Warwick protest also put a lot of emphasis
on meeting people in the flesh. His campaign included creating street stalls, attending careers fairs, holding talks and distributing leaflets. Campaigners know the importance of actually getting out there and meeting people, but they also realise the importance of the media when it comes to creating an effective communication strategy. “We have tried to get our message heard through our student radio station and weekly newspaper, and other publications such as our termly activist magazine Dissident Warwick,” says Barnaby. “We also use local and national newspapers and radio where we were able.” Dominic’s campaign even appointed a press officer to help spread the word in the media.
raising awareness Good publicity and the short-term interest it can gather is all very well but what about actual success? Andrew Cunningham says protests can be judged on three counts. 1) Did it achieve its demands? 2) Did it strengthen the movement and deepen the mobilisation for its cause? 3) Did it radicalise the people that took part? “Many protests achieve one of these but it is more difficult to achieve all three,” he explains. Whilst it could not be said that recent protests have put a stop to the conflict in Gaza or the trade of arms, progress has definitely been made. Barnaby is proud of CAAT’s achievements. “In recent years Campaign Against Arms Trade has managed to successfully take the government to court over its treatment of corruption at BAE Systems, has successfully shut DESO, the huge government department selling arms abroad and forced the publisher Reed Elsevier to sell the arms fairs it owned and operated,” he says. Anne-Marie O’Reilly agrees that the campaign has ‘real momentum.’ With regard to the situation in Gaza, Dominic’s campaign in Essex has ensured that the university will now organise a fundraising day for Gaza, review its scholarships procedures for students from war torn backgrounds and send any surplus resources to the University in Gaza which was bombed in December. With regard to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Dominic says that simply raising awareness is an achievement in itself, pointing out that the problems there “became the main point of debate amongst students for weeks”, adding: “And surely the fact that people are now thinking and talking about the issue shows some degree of success.” Few would argue with that opinion, but whether the generation of 2009 can match the legacy of their 1968 counterparts remains to be seen. Perhaps we won’t truly know the answer until the year 2050.
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WORK PLACEMENT
THE REAL cONSIDERING TAKING A SANDWICH COURSE AT UNIVERSITY? AS THE DEMAND FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED WORKERS INCREASES, GAINING A YEAR IN INDUSTRY SEEMS TO BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR STUDENTS
WORLD
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s you plough through all the information about the different university courses you are considering, you’ll probably be thinking about what these courses entail and which modules will be on offer. You’ll also come across a number of courses which include the option of a year in industry. You may have dismissed an extra year of university as something you do not want to do, or think fulltime work at this point in your studies is far too scary. Or perhaps the idea of experiencing real working life appeals to you, but you’re not sure what taking a year out actually entails. Whatever your initial thoughts are, it is worth spending some time seriously considering applying to courses offering a year in industry placement. They provide industry experience and new skills, as well as an income and a chance to meet new people and explore a new place.
A CUT ABOVE THE REST Year in industry placements generally take place in the third year of university, extending what would be a three-year Bachelor’s degree to four years. Whether there are courses that offer such a placement is dependent on the type of subject. Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll find these incorporated into a History or English Literature degree, if a subject has a vocational edge, and an obvious industry related to it, it is likely a number of universities will offer placements. The subject range is vast, from Travel Management, to Law, to Molecular Cell Biology, so it is always worth checking if a placement year is possible in your chosen subject area. With an increased number of people going to university and gaining degrees, competition for jobs is extremely high. Any experience you can gain prior to the arduous task of job hunting will be hugely beneficial. Ceri Roberts graduated from the University of York with a degree in Molecular Cell Biology in 2008 and believes her industry placement was integral to securing her current job as a trainee clinical scientist. “Quite a lot of employers [in my field] are looking for at least 12 months of lab experience. I learnt so many new skills, became
much more confident in my work and very much doubt I would have secured my gradate job without that extra year’s experience.”
ONCE IN A LIFETIME If you’re not yet sure what job you want to do after university, do not see that as a reason to dismiss the idea of a year in industry. Very few university applicants know what they want to do in four or five years time. A placement year is as much an opportunity for you to figure out what you want and don’t want to do after university, as it is to impress future employers with your experience. Becky Lewis, a Genetics graduate, also from the University of York, undertook a year in industry at the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham. It helped her decide that Forensics is not the career for her, but that doesn’t mean she regrets choosing to do a placement. “I’d recommend it to anyone. I now have a better idea of what I do and don’t want to do. I know that I can survive in a research/laboratory environment and I have more confidence in these areas because of it.” Placement years can also provide a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to work for a big-name company, even if only for a year. For example, at the University of Manchester, a Computer Science student managed to secure a place working on one of the Harry Potter games at the video game developer EA for the year, whilst another was fortunate enough to have spent the past year working for the Formula One driver Jenson Button’s current team, Brawn GP. The real world after university can be a scary place for new graduates, with many experiencing full-time employment for the first time and not knowing what to expect. A year working in industry gives you an insight into this world whilst you are still a student. Undertaking a year in industry could also help you financially. Depending on the university, students on placement usually only pay around half the fees for that year, and still receive half their student loan. In addition to the loan, they also receive a salary. These vary considerably, within and between industries and areas of the country, but you can expect between £10-15,000 a year, possibly more with London weighting.
Competition for jobs is extremely high
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STUDENTS RETURNING TO STUDY FIND THE FINAL YEAR PROJECT A VERY MANAGEABLE ACTIVITY
And remember, officially you’ll still be a student, and therefore will still be eligible for all the usual student discounts. Manage your finances well, and you could alleviate some of the financial pressure during the final year of university.
INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Some students choose to find a placement closer to home and live with their family for the duration in order to save the money they earn during the year. Michelle Hester, a Bournemouth Law graduate, moved back into her bedroom at her parents’ house. “I deliberately only looked for placements in driving distance from my parents’ home so that I could save as much money as possible,” she says. Michelle got on so well at her placement firm that not only did they extend her contract, she also secured a graduate job there, and she is now excelling as a trainee solicitor. A placement year not only offers experience that will benefit your future employment, it can also be invaluable to your studies, especially in more practical subjects where skills learned in the workplace can be transferred to final year projects. Alexandria Walker, a Director of the Computer Science department at the University of Manchester explains: “Experience shows that students returning to study find the final year project a very manageable activity and 98% of returning students raise their overall average
mark, quite often resulting in lifting the level of their final degree classification.” For many students who opt out of taking a year in industry, it is the fear of leaving friends to complete final years without them that is the most influential factor in their decision. However, Ceri Roberts admits: “ I completely underestimated how much fun I would have on my year away. I made friends from all over the country, but the people I met at York are still some of my best friends.” Don’t let a fear of commitment put you off. The majority of courses are run on an opt-in opt-out system, giving you the chance to change your mind, often as late as the second year in the course. It is wise to remember though, that most courses will set a target grade for participants, and therefore you will be required to work hard in your first two years to earn the right to take part.
setting yourself up Applying for a course that incorporates a year in industry is about providing yourself with the most opportunities for the future. Unlike in the past, it is now necessary for young people to do more than just a degree in order to gain the best jobs. A year in industry will help you to improve your CV and your confidence, gives you professional experience and new skills, as well as introduce you to new places and new people.
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GET IN TOUCH
You never write, you never call. Now there is no excuse. There are four ways to get in touch with us to receive more information from universities and colleges and to make sure you receive your next free copy of Navigator magazine. So choose a way and we look forward to hearing from you.
NAVIGATOR AUTUMN 2009
HELPING HAND NAVIGATOR AUTUMN 2009
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOING TO UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE
TEXT 07984 331979 Send us your name, address, including postcode and email, followed by the number next to any unis in the box below that you are interested in, such as: Ian James, 95 Any Street, Anytown, AT1 5PP, ianjames175@hotmail.com, 05, 06, 07. If you are interested in them all, just type ALL. EMAIL infoclub@educate-direct.com Email us the same information as for texting. POST Navigator, Freepost RSCX-GYEZ-ZAJG, London, SE1 0BE Complete the response sheet on the back of the address label which came with the magazine and post to us at the address above, or just post us the same information as for texting. It’s all free. WEB www.clubnav.com You can also tell us which unis you are interested in just by filling our online form. Go to www.clubnav.com and click where it says “Register for Info”. Simple.
Help with your choice
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Information is key when it comes to choosing your uni. And we can supply that information. Get in touch by any one of the four ways above and we will make sure you receive further information from any of these unis listed below, or all of them if you fancy it. Sit back, relax and wait for information to come straight to you.
01 Bangor University
09 University of Hertfordshire
02 Brunel University, West London
10 ie University, Madrid
03 City University London
11 Middlesex University
04 Cambridge Assessment
12 Northumbria University
05 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
13 Regent’s College London
06 Colchester Institute
14 St George’s University – School of Medicine
07 Future Doctors
15 Trinity University College
08 University of Glamorgan
16 The Student Room Autumn 2009 NAVIGATOR
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FINANCE
Pinching the Yes university is an expensive experience, but there is a lot of financial support available for students so you need to know what to apply for
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eing a student has always been synonymous with being strapped for cash but in the current economic climate, financing your way through university can seem like an even bigger worry to those about to embark upon three years of study. But there are still many ways to lighten the financial burden.
Loans and grants: Full time undergraduate students can apply for a number of loans to help you through your time at university. A Maintenance Loan, for example, can be obtained to cover living costs, with the amount dependent on whether you are living at home or in student accommodation, in London or at another campus. Tuition fees, of up to £3,225 per year for courses starting this autumn, are another financial headache for students today but you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan in addition to any other funding. The loan is paid back in instalments after graduation, once you are earning above a set threshold of £15,000. Part time students can apply for a tuition fee grant, related to intensity of study and a course grant. Many students will be eligible for either a Maintenance Grant or, in some cases, a Special
Support Grant (usually if you are in receipt of Income Support or Housing Benefit) to help with accommodation and other living costs, neither of which need to be repaid. Applicants can find out more about all these funding options and apply online via Student Finance England on one single form, called a PN1 form. Visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance for full details.
Discretionary funding from universities:
The bursary awarded by a university is likely to be dependent on your household income and whether or not you are in receipt of a maintenance grant, but is currently between £560 and £1,060 at TVU. The TVU bursary is processed through your Local Authority or Student Finance England for those, in receipt of the maintenance grant or equivalent’. Many students find employment whilst they are studying in order to finance their way through university but you should be careful that it doesn’t affect your overall university experience.
Once you arrive at your institution, there are likely to be a number of discretionary funding options for which you may be eligible to apply. For students facing financial hardship at TVU, for example, the Access to Learning Fund is a discretionary fund provided to us by the government, to help ‘home’ full-time and parttime undergraduate and postgraduate students who need additional financial support to meet certain costs not covered by statutory funding. If you explore most university websites, you will find that they offer some sort of bursary fund to students. The amount of funding varies depending on your circumstances, but unlike many other forms of funding, you will not have to pay it back.
Research published this summer by Thames Valley University looking at students’ “work/life/study” balance found that the number of undergraduates doing paid work is gradually increasing, with the vast majority saying that working impacted on their work/life/study balance. Nearly a quarter said it made them more stressed and almost as many said it affected their grades. It’s therefore a good idea to consult your university’s student services team for advice about financing your degree course, to get help with counting your pennies to make your time at university really count. Thames Valley University: www.tvu.ac.uk.
work/life balance
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FINANCE
pennies Most universities will offer some sort of bursary fund to students
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business
learn to earn Many students need to earn money whilst they are studying. Some students even set up their own businesses, writes Katy Parkes
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tudents everywhere are taking advantage of the minimal contact hours by starting their businesses within their university campus and aiming at the market they understand the most, students. In November 2008, Richard and James French, twin brothers, launched The Real Easy Sandwich Company at Bristol University. They realised there was a gap in the market for good quality food at reasonable prices, the only options were the over wrapped and under filled expensive café sandwiches or the low quality buns in the university canteen. Setting up their mobile café “seemed the most obvious thing to do”. After a couple of beers and an evening spent trawling the internet they purchased an old 1960s ice cream tricycle off ebay and spruced it up to become the ultimate accessory to sell sandwiches direct to students. Costs were low as the delicious and healthy sandwiches could be sold rent free on the premises. The first day of business simply involved “pitching up one day at the main university and waiting for people to buy, at this point street trading was legal. At first people steered clear but soon we were surrounded, students were even queuing, the most popular sandwich has to be grilled chicken breast, roasted peppers, fresh rocket with our homemade herb mayonnaise”. Soon the French twins were selling over 150 sandwiches a day. They “source all the fruit and vegetables from Bristol fruit and flower market, James will be getting up at 5:30am twice a week to source the freshest salad, tomatoes and vegetables and our baguettes are baked fresh every morning from the bakery we lived above last year, very convenient”. In 2009 they met their first problem: “changing regulations meant we had to apply for a licence”. Fortunately after some persuasion and support from the hungry loyal clients, via a petition on Facebook the council has awarded them with a permanent spot outside the university. When asked where they plan to go next they replied that “a brand new bike is on its way, thanks to a friend who is a genius welder”, and they plan to sell more sandwiches each day and are getting new bikes at Oxford Brookes University and the University West of England.
online takeaways At the other end of the country and steadily spreading itself over the internet is the company ‘e-resistible’. Essentially this simple but extraordinarily successful business “facilitates takeaway ordering meaning restaurants get more sales” by enabling
customers to order online. The idea came to Stephen Leguillon in his first year being disposed with an entrepreneurial spirit he had “planned from the start to be running his own company by the end of the three years”. After numerous attempts to discover where to get a good Chinese takeaway he realised that nobody in halls could find numbers and menus for takeaway restaurants. There is nothing more appealing to students than a good value curry delivered to their doorstep. Having won over the dragons den of judges at the Warwick Business School, Leguillion got his housemates, Velin Djidjev and Steve Barnes on board. For the first three months the idea was tested around campus and proved not only to work perfectly but be very popular too. Using simple marketing strategies of word of mouth e-resistible has grown from 16 partners to over 300, gaining exposure in over 20 towns and cities. This group of three students can now boast a client base over 10,000 and growth rates of 5% per week. In spite of the dizzy heights e-resistible has reached they insist that setting up a company is a very quick process once you have the investment. In as little as a week the company can be set up and registered, “there are really no barriers all you need is an idea. Leguillion originally from France says it would take long over a month to get anything done in France with the proliferation of ministries, solicitors and advisors. Instead “the UK is definitely a great place to have a go at being an entrepreneur”. E-resistible has propelled the three students out of university with a blooming company which they can see “having global coverage” within 10 years. The founders of e-resistible believe that it is all in the idea, “if it is a good one, it will do the work for you, setting up the business from an administrative point of view is easy. Ask for advice and just copy the way others did it”. Initially it is important to save on running costs such as “working hard to find the cheap solution if you are able to do it yourself, do it”. To launch the business to the next level hard work and motivation are needed in abundance. Laguillon says “give yourself milestones to achieve, and make sure you always beat those targets”. Setting up a business is not the life consuming project that many students expect. On the contrary one has time and independence a plenty to give it a go. Once you have settled into the late nights and the handfuls of lectures try your hand at starting up a business. Do not wait for the new series of the Apprentice as Leguillon says “if you have an idea and think it can break even, go for it”.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
WELL CONNECT ED social media has taken the world by storm. but is the bubble about to burst? could it all become a forgotten fad? Katy Parkes reports
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here was quite a reaction back in April when it was reported on an education news website that the Government had announced plans to rank universities using Twitter. ‘Disgraceful!’ roared one reader clearly not in favour of the idea of students giving feedback on their lecturers using the popular social networking tool. Not everyone was against it though, with one person seeing “the benefit of instant feedback”. By the way, the date was April 1st and the story was a hoax. The fact that a number of people believed the report shows how far social media has come. The fact that a number of people were in favour of the idea shows the potential some people believe social media has. It’s such a new and relatively unexplored territory that
fresh ideas are constantly being put forward about how best to make use of it. However, the fact that some liked and some disliked the Twitter feedback idea also shows that opinion is divided on how useful it can actually be to those in education.
Masters of networking One man has actually made social media an education in itself. Jon Hickman has created a new Masters course based on the subject at the University of Birmingham. He explained to Navigator that the course will explore social media from a “cultural studies perspective” and also cover political economy, social enterprise and social media organisations. Jon says there’s been a lot of interest in the course, partly because it has been mentioned
in a number of recent news articles. A number of these articles have quoted a student who questions whether the £4,000 course is worth studying or not. Jon is sure that it is. “These new technologies are radically altering the traditional media,” he says, “and media workers need to understand and be able to operate in these new media environments.” In a time of high graduate unemployment Jon also feels that the course provides a good opportunity for a self-employed career as a social media consultant. Although the Social Media MA is the first of its kind in the country, many universities and student unions have embraced web 2.0 technology. Dozens of universities and student unions now have official Twitter accounts. Some have taken it even further, like in the
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T ED case of the University of Brighton. They’ve developed Community@Brighton, a social networking system open to both students and staff at the university. Members can write a blog, post news items, upload photos and videos, discuss topics on a forum and join online communities. The system has actually been live for a couple of years so in that sense Brighton has been ahead of the game. That’s not to say that all students have been enjoying the web 2.0 revolution though. Bournemouth University Student Union has called for some university computers to be marked as being for academic use only because too many students are using them for Facebook and Twitter. Final year students have been annoyed to find that they can’t get on the computers to complete important
work because so many people are using them for social networking. Miguel Dias, a finalyear field archaeology student, explained to the university’s student newspaper, “I come into university at 9am to work on my dissertation thinking I’ve beaten the crowd to the computers, and I still can’t get on them because people are on Facebook.” For the time being the Student Union has placed notes on computers asking students not to use the computers for social networking if others need them for work. They’re going to discuss the matter further at their next general meeting. One problem the university has, as highlighted by a spokesman, was that some students do actually use sites like Facebook for genuine academic purposes. “In reality Facebook is now often used as a collaborative tool for students and sometimes lecturers to share course-related information,” they said, before adding: “Having said that, we do support the Student Union’s forthcoming campaign to request or suggest that students using Facebook and other social network sites be aware of the needs of their fellow students and step aside when appropriate to give those with immediate academic needs a priority”. A Facebook and Twitter ban in the odd university here and there is hardly likely to halt social media in its tracks, but is there still a chance the bubble could burst? Could students, or indeed people in general, simply go off social media and leave it a forgotten fad? Jon Hickman is staying tight-lipped, suggesting that such a question would be better off being posed to the first batch of graduates on his new course. “Students on MA Social Media will be contributing to original research in this area”, he says, “I would rather let them answer these last three questions for you in twelve months time.”
facebook campaign Paul Athans, spokesman for the Save our Subjects campaign at the University of Liverpool, where students are protesting against the closure of a number of departments, explained to Navigator how Facebook has helped their cause: ‘’In terms of our campaign, Facebook has been absolutely essential. When we first heard about these threats of closure, we used Facebook to organise the meeting that created SOS and it was again through Facebook that we got over 100 people to attend a public meeting on the matter. After this we began to get local and national media coverage, all of which mentioned our upcoming protest, but I personally feel that the majority of the people who turned out that day did so because of the event we created on Facebook. Our event had over 570 ‘confirmed guests’ and the ‘SOS: Save Our Subjects!’ Facebook group currently has over 3,000 members. “Today’s students are much more likely to check Facebook than read their local newspaper or check the BBC news website and so social networking is an invaluable, and free, way of raising awareness and formulating campaigns.”
l Social media is information or content produced by things like forums, blogs, wikis, podcasts or videos. l Social networking is part of social media but is more specifically to do with the building of online communities, e.g. Bebo, MySpace, the Student Room or Twitter. l Web 2.0 refers to the idea of the internet entering a second generation of development. This new era includes increased information sharing, i.e. through social media, and an increase interaction and collaboration with others, i.e. through social networking sites.
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HOUSE PARTY
THROWING A HOUSE PARTY AT UNIVERSITY IS A GREAT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SOCIAL life AND TO MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS. BY KEEPING THE food and drink TOPPED UP AND THE MUSIC BLARING YOUR PARTY WILL BE ONE THAT WILL GO DOWN WELL
daniel williams
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HOUSE PARTY
PARTY HARD U
niversity is going to be jam packed with random parties and club nights. However, the low amount of money that students have to survive on can mean that those nights out are too expensive. Fret not as house parties are the answer, where minimum cost equals maximum fun. What does it take to throw the best house party? It can be harder than you think, but by doing your research you are on the way to have the house party of the year!
Planning Good planning can make the party the best one ever, meaning preparation and research are really crucial. By telling people about the party well in advance it will decrease the dropout rate. You should also speak to roommates about the whole process as you go along and set basic ground rules such as: l Agree on the number of people invited l Agree on the time the party will end l Agree on who will be doing the clean up
Neighbours Whether you’re living in halls next to fellow students or renting a private home, neighbours can be a problem when it comes to parties. Make sure to tell your neighbours that you are having a party and to solve the problems you could even invite them. Being considerate to others will go along way and will also stop everything ending early because of screaming neighbours or the police.
Music The music is one of the most important parts of the party. The perfect playlist for the party
is a vital ingredient. The order of music is also very important as throughout the night the mood will change. At the start of the party many people with be holding back and maybe even too shy to dance. So blaring out the full on dance beats and tunes is not the way to start. Starting with a more ambient feel will help guests relax and spend time talking. As people begin to feel more comfortable and have had a few more drinks the music can move on to more dance songs to encourage people to dance. When everything is in full blown swing it is always best to keep to the new chart hits and alternate to the classics (The Killers – Mr. Brightside, Faithless – Insomnia). Depending on when you plan to finish the party the ending tracks are vital as you want people to leave with a buzz, so keep to upbeat and well recognized songs to end your night.
Buffet This may seem lame, but people will need food. It does not have to be anything too over the top and sausage rolls, cocktail sausages, crisps, sweets and party eggs will definitely please your guests.
Ice – Filling a few buckets with ice is a good way to keep the large amounts of drink cold and provide easy access to it. Bin bags – Leave a few extra strength black bags dotted around the house for people to chuck their empty bottles and cans away. The extra strength is vital as you could end up making quite a mess if the bags break. Ashtrays/Plant Pot – You may or may not allowing smoking in the house but you don’t want fag butts left all over the place in and outside your house. Dedicate an area to smokers and put lots of ashtrays there, or fill a plant pot with soil and leave it outside. Stain Remover – Don’t leave stains till the next day as they may not be able to be removed and you don’t want to lose your deposit on paying for a new carpet! Bottle Open/Corkscrew – You will be surprised how many parties do not have enough or any bottle openers. Making sure you have a few bottle openers to hand will make you a very popular host.
Lights
Party games
Keep the lighting low as it gives a real ambient and intimate feel to the atmosphere. Also low lighting makes everyone better looking and also helps people to relax and feel more comfortable.
Party games can get people involved and are also great ice breakers. There are hundreds of games where the whole party can get involved or just a few people. They are not very hard and usually require only a can of beer and yourselves. Remember to be sensible when drinking. For the best drinking games visit www.studentdrinkinggames.com
Décor This does not have to mean balloons, party hats and party poppers (although they can also add to the atmosphere). This refers to the things that you may not think about but can be very helpful:
e h t r o f t s i l y a l t p n t e i c d e e r rf g e n i p l e ita v Th a s i party
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STUDENT TRAPS
Attending university is a new and exciting thing for people. However, there are also many traps that students can easily fall into. A few helpful tips and proper research can save you big money when attending uni
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DanIEL williams
Don’t fall FOR Put it on my plastic Credit cards may seem like a good idea at the time when you are going through hard financial times, but they can cost you dearly in the long run. If you are seriously considering getting a credit card for university you will need to do research to make sure you get the best you can. As a student your credit rating will tend to be low, so this may make getting a credit card difficult. ‘Low credit score’ cards can be a dangerous investment if you do not use them correctly and as a student this will be accessible to you. The cards tend to be up to a £2,500 credit limit with 35% variable APR on them. This means that if you hit the £2,500 limit your first year’s interest will be £875! The best place to apply for a credit card would be with your bank. The card will tend to only allow you a small amount of credit such as £250 to £500 but it will have be around 16% APR. These credit cards also tend to offer a period usually between 6 and 12 months of interest free credit, which you can use to your benefit if you play your cards right. If it is possible you should avoid taking out credit cards as they are
most likely to be bad news unless you can control your spending. Many banks are offering interest free overdrafts to students over three years, which seems to be the way forward as this will stop unnecessary charges and interest rates.
second hand reading Buying books can cost a lot more than you may think. You are usually given a list of what books you will need, but in reality you do not need all of them. University books can be very expensive when bought brand new ranging from £30 to £50 and over! There are many ways to stop shelling out big money for books that you don’t need and can get a lot cheaper. Speak to your lecturers about what books you will actually need to avoid any unnecessary expenditure. Also students will be selling their old books so make sure you are looking at the student boards on campus to check if there are any books that may be relevant to your course. The internet is also a great place to get access to second hand books. Websites including gumtree and ebay are okay but can be
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l FOR THE TRAP limited to choice. Sellstudentbooks is a great site to buy and sell things including textbooks, laptops and accommodation. They have a large variety of books from Law to Psychology they range in prices and books can be specifically searched.
Homesickness Missing home is a normal thing for many people and you will most likely experience this at some point during university. However when you first start university the best thing to do is to spend as much time getting as involved as you can. By getting involved with all the freshers events you will be able to make friends. By coming home a lot you’re spending less time socialising and in turn losing out on relationships with people. Coming home to see friends and relatives is not necessarily a bad thing, but the first few weeks and months of university allow you to really get involved and find your place. If you are spending most of your time at home you are not being part of this and can affect your experience at university.
Cutlery etc Meeting your new room mates can be a different experience and cutlery is something that may come up in conversation. One problem will be that you may all come down with various pots, pans and cutlery and you are now stuck with an overload of knives and forks. The best thing to do with this is to not buy any materials like pots and pans until you have moved in to your new place and sorted it out with room mates. This will save you and mates money and can also mean you can each chip in and get everything that is needed.
Insurance Insurance can be a good investment but also a trap if you do not need it. Most university halls have a basic insurance cover on them, which covers things such as accidental damage and desktop computers. Like any insurance it will cover you but comes at a price. Think to yourself do you really need the cover and what are you actually protected against. If you are on a basic scheme and your laptop is stolen, you are not
actually insured as it only covers desktops! If you are concerned about things being stolen your best bet is to take minimal things to university and remember that insurance is just another cost that you may be able to do without.
TO MUCH STUFF You may be excited about living away from home and completely pack up your room and get ready to take it to university. Problem is all your stuff will take up quite a lot of space. The best thing to do with all your stuff is to find out what you really need to take down and what is worth leaving behind. Clothes are a must have but consider the amount of clothes you have to the storage available and pick out what you can leave behind. Various gadgets and toys are probably easier to leave at home, whereas your computer and bed sheets are needed. By sticking to what you really need you will find that you have more room and are also at less risk of losing things or having them stolen as your basic insurance only covers certain things.
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MUSIC
Beggars Belief
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The latest impression to be made on the music scene comes from the Northwestern musical capital of Manchester, where a group of five lads have been busking and working extremely hard to achieve their perfect sound in the creation of Beggar Joe Virginia Lambert
C
hatting to Jon Kenzie, who fronts the band on vocals and guitar, he details how he, Justin Shern on keys, Andy Brown on double bass, Rome Mosabbir on percussion and Chris Butler on drums all came together and how they have achieved their dream. The guys all met whilst studying music at the University of Salford - all very varied music courses and tastes but joined by a passion for music and a brilliant university experience; “It’s a fantastic uni, we all loved it and it’s great for music. Normally what you find is a basic
choice between Jazz or Classical but Salford is really open-minded to all genres of music. I did Popular Music and there is Punk and loads of good stuff on offer”. The location was also something that will remain really important to the band...
Busking along On the streets of Manchester they became admired and very recognised buskers, allowing their popularity to grow. Jon explained how, whilst at uni and once he had graduated, he pledged himself to making a living out of
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We have to keep the diary filling up with gigs
music. “I was busking to pay bills and then on top of that doing session work, playing in cover bands at people’s parties - completely skint but making my money totally out of the music. We are all still skint now and it just means that we have to keep the diary filling up with gigs.” The bands inevitable and pending success will be due to raw talent, lots of persistence and the experience they have all combined. Jon alone, soon after leaving uni, had already played three to four hundred pub gigs, travelled all over the world with his music and has been under two different managers.
The band have worked very hard for this - for the sake of their sound, they took themselves off and shut themselves away; “We went to France to stay in a small cottage for five weeks. It was in the middle of nowhere and we took the minimal equipment to enable us to create a studio. We would wake up every single morning to jam out the tunes to perfect our music. There were moments of cabin fever, but it was something we had to do, at home someone is always off to see a mate or a girlfriend - but we had nowhere to go but the studio where we living and breathing our tunes.”
Beggar Joe is a very driven and versatile band made up of five different guys, each bringing their own unique tastes, styles and passion to a very talented troupe. They have been developing their craft over the years, have now found their precise sound and are creating very good music. Their diaries are full with gig dates and to check out when, where and to have a listen go to www.myspace.com/ beggarjoe. Beggar Joe’s excellent self titled album is due for release 5 October 2009
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HEALTH
YOU are what DAY ONE
Eating healthy food could actually work out cheaper than junk and your body will thank you
It’s your first day at university and you are now seen as a fully fledged adult. You live on your own, you have your own money and there are no parents about to complain about those little habits you have. Having to learn how to cook, clean and live on your own is a whole new experience for many young men and women. You can’t live on spag bol and super noodles your whole life.
24 hour lifestyle As a country we live in a 24/7 society where virtually everything is just a click away. Supermarkets are now open from Monday morning to Saturday night, pubs and clubs are open late into the night and the internet allows any type of shopping our heart desires with same day or next day delivery. But convenient living does not always have its advantages as it has also spawned an increase in slothlike behaviour. The drive-through life style means people can get just about anything with minimal physical activity and this is causing serious problems with health; including heart problems, obesity and diabetes. Due to the credit crunch people are spending less money on activities as they are seen as
luxuries, however many sports can be done for free at a local park or playground. There has been an increase in sales for fast food chains including Dominoes Pizza, KFC and McDonalds as it is seen as a cheaper way to eat. It doesn’t take much to disprove this, as you are able to buy three ASDA pizzas for £4, but a large pizza at Dominoes costs £11. Is junk food really cheaper than healthy food, is it too expensive to eat healthily or are people just using this as an excuse to overload their bodies with carbohydrates and sugar.?
Diets... Really? Diets have always been subject to controversy with both positive and negative views on them. A diet can be defined as a particular selection of food designed to improve a person’s physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease. In theory if people stuck to the correct diet and this is accessible, there would be no obesity and such high rates of heart related problems and diabetes. Despite this people still choose to eat junk and do not feed their bodies with enough essential vitamins and minerals. There are various diets on the market that are said to help lose weight and that are healthy. The Atkins Diet is well known and is the idea that cutting out refined carbohydrates such
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HEALTH
t you eat as sugar and flour and also trans fats such as sunflower oil can help to lose weight. However the diet has been under fire claiming it in fact increases the risks of heart and liver disease. In theory if you completely stop something or significantly reduce it there will be side effects. A diet can consist of just eating healthier and making sure you are not eating excess of anything.
Student Budgeting Student’s diets are traditionally seen as very unhealthy due to lack of money and needing to budget. The excess of alcohol can cause very problems including liver and heart disease. The high salt ready meals can also cause problems. Students will still binge drink so helping with that is very hard, but sorting out the diet can be done, even with little money. The average student receives £3,564 to pay for their accommodation a year and £3,225, which pays for various things including books and food. A student is at university for 35 weeks, which gives them £92 pounds a week to spend on food, leisure and books. A shopping list that was on a budget for a single person would be around £30, which allows £57 to be spent on leisure and books.
Results show that the healthy shopping is only £2.08 more expensive but is a much more healthy selection of foods and will allow students to make decent meals.
Do vitamins actually do anything? Vitamins are essential for your body to grow and are obtained from the foods you eat. Vitamins have different functions including cell and tissue growth, protecting and maintaining the body. Here is the breakdown of each Vitamin including what it does and what foods we can get it from. Vitamin A – Plays a big part in your vision, which includes helping you see in bad light conditions. It also aids growth and keeps skin healthy. It can be found in carrots, spinach and everyone’s favourite, liver. Vitamin B - Vitamin B is broken up into various types B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. The B vitamins are important in metabolic activity and creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. It can be found in eggs, fish, dairy products and poultry.
Vitamin C - This vitamin is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape. This vitamin also helps your body resist infection and to heal any parts of your body. A lack of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy and will seriously affect your oral health, so no pulling. It can be found in citrus fruits, tomatoes and broccoli. Vitamin D – The main part it plays is to help build strong bones. The vitamin helps in absorption of calcium, which allows bone modelling and also growth. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to liver and kidney problems and rickets due to bone softening. It can be found in milk, fish, egg yolks and that fav again, liver. Vitamin E – Vitamin E has various roles in protecting your body. It maintains a lot of your body’s tissues, such as your eyes, skin, and liver (yours this time). It protects your lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air and is also important for the formation of red blood cells. It can be found in whole grain, green vegetables, nuts and seeds. Vitamin K - Vitamin K helps when the blood goes through a process called clotting. When
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you have a cut or graze certain cells in your blood act like glue and stick together at the surface of the cut to help stop the bleeding. It can be found in dairy products such as milk and yogurt, broccoli and soybean oil.
calories and 3.8 grams per glass! (based on a 100ml measure)
less sodium than regular salt.
By doing only 30 minutes of exercise a day and making sure your body receives the correct minerals and nutrients you will be on your way to becoming a healthier person. Staying healthy does not have to be expensive and can be achieved by anyone if they put their heart in to it (get it?). Eat everything in moderation, get your five a day, make sure you drink two litres of water and don’t deny your body of the occasional treat. Remember an apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Cutting corners
Tea and Coffee – Just say no to that sugar in your tea or coffee. By having no sugar you will be cutting your sugar intake significantly, especially if you are a regular drinker.
If you really do not want to change your diet, there are several things you can do that will help on your road to a healthier life, or will at least get you started.
Sugar – If you really need sugar on your cereal or in your drink consider using light sugar as it has 30 percent less calories than regular sugar.
Milk – Change from that full fat milk to skimmed as it makes a big difference. By changing to skimmed you will be cutting 34
Salt – Many foods have high levels of salt and can be a big problem in diets. If you add salt to your food buy lo salt as it contains 60 percent
Conclusion
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ACCOUNTINGAMERICANSTUDIESARTASTRO MYANDSPACEBIOLOGYBUSINESSCHEMISTR CHIROPRACTICCOMMUNITYREGENERATION Open Days 2009 COMPUTINGCONSTRUCTIONCREATIVEAND FESSIONALWRITINGCRIMINOLOGYCULTURA STUDIESDESIGNDRAMAEARLYYEARSANDCH OODEDUCATIONELECTRICALANDELECTRON SENGINEERINGENGLISHEVENTSFILMSTUDIE FORENSICSCIENCEGEOGRAPHYGEOLOGY THSCIENCEHISTORYHUMANITIESLANGUAGE LAWMANAGEMENTMATHEMATICSMEDIAAND COMMUNICATIONSMIDWIFERYMUSICNURSI UTRITIONPOLICESCIENCESPOLITICSPSYCHO GYPUBLICANDEMERGENCYSERVICESPUBL SERVICESSCIENCESOCIOLOGYANDSOCIAL NCESSOCIALWORKSPORTSURVEYINGANDPROPERTYTOURISMANIMATIONCOMPUTERA MATIONCOSTUMECONSTRUCTIONFORSCR ANDSTAGEFASHIONDESIGNFASHIONPROMT 0800 716 925 GRAPHICCOMMUNICATIONINTERACTIVEAND www.glam.ac.uk/opendays TIONDESIGNINTERIORDESIGNPRODUCTDES TELEVISIONANDFILMSETDESIGNFOUNDATIO UDIESARTANDDESIGNLIGHTINGDESIGNAND TECHNOLOGYACCOUNTINGAMERICANSTU IESARTASTRONOMYANDSPACEBIOLOGYBU University of Glamorgan NESSCHEMISTRYCHIROPRACTICCOMMUNIT GENERATIONCOMPUTINGCONSTRUCTIONC ATIVEANDPROFESSIONALWRITINGCRIMINOL CULTURALSTUDIESDESIGNDRAMAEARLYYEA Thursday 17th September Saturday 17th October Saturday 31st October
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glamorgan forward thinking If you are looking at your university options for September 2010, come to one of our Open Days and explore what the University of Glamorgan can offer you. Discover our range of courses, why 96% of our honours degree graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation*, how to get a head start for the best career opportunities and much more. Contact us today to check times and book your place.
*HESA 2006/7 Performance Indicators.
Cardiff • Pontypridd • Caerdydd
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