Navigator

NAVIGATOR SUMMER 2009

NAVIGATOR

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SUMMER 2009

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO GOING TO UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE

15/07/2009 17:41:03

Veterinary Medicine connects the heartbeat within us all.

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niversity can be a scary thing for first year students. You are stepping in to a world of opportunity and also responsibility, including living and working on your own.

With responsibility comes the chance to shape your own life and to get as much out of it as you can. As a potential student you may find it hard to cope as various problems may come your way. These problems could be anything from making sure you choose the right university, to knowing how to make the most of the little money you receive. Navigator is here to give soon to be students advice on how to survive university and to make the most out it. By following the helpful tips in this magazine you will be able to get through any problems that come your way and most importantly have fun!

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NAVIGATO R SUMM ER 2009

Contents

NAVIGAT OR SUMMER

YOUR CO

MPLETE

GUIDE TO

GOING TO

35

UNIVERS

ITY

1

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2009

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24 6

46

tHe BIG IDeA

4

Is going to university the right choice for you and what questions should you be asking

sURVIVInG UnI

7

A survival guide for your first week with some helpful tips included

tHe UPs AnD DoWns

10

What to expect when going to uni and what you will come up against

LIVInG tHe LIFestYLe

14

Various tips to make sure that you get on with your house mates

one oF tHe CRoWD

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The stereotypical students that you may encounter along the way

editor James Donald Designer Kathleen Rayfield sub-editor Daniel Williams Navigator is published by Educate Ltd, Arch 36, 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.

sePARAtInG tHe WHeAt

28

Some helpful advice on how to approach the Oxford and Cambridge interviews

LooKInG AFteR tHe PennIes

38

Getting the most out of university whilst sticking to your student budget

ARoUnD tHe FIRe

44

The inside scoop of the top summer jobs both inside and outside the UK

WHY not

46

Part time jobs that are a lot more exciting than stacking shelves or pouring drinks

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APPLYING

wHEn AppLying for UnivErsiTy EvEryTHing is donE THroUgH UcAs And THEir onLinE sysTEm, AppLy

THE

big

idEA UnivErsiTy is bEcoming An incrEAsingLy popULAr cHoicE wHiLsT THE coUnTry is going THroUgH TroUbLEd TimEs. dAniEL wiLLiAms AsKs is UnivErsiTy THE rigHT cHoicE for yoU? 4 NAVIGATOR summer 2009

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SLUG APPLYING

PRESSURE!

WHY?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

You have just finished your first term at sixth form, you come back fresh from the Christmas holidays and are faced with the next big step, shall I or shan’t I. Teachers are bombarding / providing you with various information about different universities and what course to choose.

You are then told you have to register and create a personal profile and choose 5 universities and what course you want to do. At this point comes the Big Question, is university right for me? Schools are putting increased pressure on students to apply for university and that it is the be all or end all. The pupils are told you must apply for university and you must choose a subject that you want to invest 3 years of your life and at least 20,000 pounds into……Stop……. All these big life choices to make only 6 months in to A levels or your BTEC, a lot of pressure maybe?

A big question that students need to ask is why? People attend uni for a number of reasons and you need to ask yourself what do I want to get out of it. The qualification can be used for a certain job that you may have always wanted, or it could just be that you want to gain further knowledge in a certain subject. Whatever the reason, university has many opportunities, both socially and for a career.

University will cost you at least £20,000 for the 3 years, so if you choose to go, make sure you take it seriously. Student dropout rates are increasing each year with many students unaware that dropping out still costs you the years course cost.

Applications for university are increasing each year. There are various reasons including the increased quality of universities, the demand for better qualifications and the economic downturn.

Choosing to go to university can be very daunting but you do not have to go through it on your own. Parents and teachers are always there to talk to if you are unsure about what to do after you finish school. A modern lifestyle has its advantages as the internet can be a haven for advice or talking to current and previous students. thestudentroom.co.uk is massive student information point which is a help guide for anyone who wants to know about university. The Wikipedia style university guide section allows you to browse any uni in the UK providing you with an a – z of that university, including facilities and accommodation. The website also allows you to talk to students from all walks of life.

The forums allow you to ask any questions that you feel have not been answered. It can also help reassure you with any doubts you may have still about taking that next step.

IT’S JUST A CHOICE

LIVING AWAY FROM HOME

Schooling has been a part of your life since a young age where you have matured and developed through an educational system.

This allows freedom of choice to choose what you want to do with your life and what job you feel suits you as a person. Education allows us to learn more about what we need and what we want to know. You get to a point in education where you have a choice of going further, which allows you to choose the subjects you will excel in.

There is no wrong or right when making your choice. If you choose to go on to further education make sure that you are certain as it is a big investment of time and money.

Living away from home is a big part of the process of university and can be both exciting and scary. When applying for accommodation you get a choice of either halls or a private home. Some students choose halls but may not get a place. Do not fret as private housing can be just as good, if not better. Universities tend to have several living sites and give you a choice.

Ask yourself what is it that will be priority for you when living with people. Take into account the environment, do you want to be living with the same sex or both sexes, do you want to be in a noisy, energetic surroundings. You will be living with people who you do not know and if you do not like them, will have to live with. Also

THE APPLICATION PROCESS If you decide to university there are many helpful things to take from this article. When applying for university everything is done through UCAS and their online system, APPLY. You will also be dealing with student finance as they will be supplying you with all the money you need to attend uni. Here are tips for you to use when applying for university.  When applying online take advantage of the UCAS website it is very useful. Go through every course you are thinking of doing and branch off to the universities that teach the course.  Go on all of the university websites that you are interested in applying for and find out what they subjects they specialize in.  Make sure to visit as many universities

privacy could be a problem for you, do you want to share showers and toilets or would you rather your own one. There are different living quarters to suit all needs, just make sure you do not neglect what you think will be important. Private housing can be an advantage because of factors such as privacy. By choosing housing over halls you get the chance to browse various properties to get a feel of what you like. Also you get the added benefit of you get to choose who you live with. By looking at properties you can save money and get added perks such as Sky television and washing machines.

When applying for accommodation spend a bit more time looking around. If you do make that choice of halls, keep in mind you are only allowed to live there for a year.

as you can so that you can get a feel for the different environments. Book as many open days as you can as can help with your decision.

STATISTICS

 Join various university based chat rooms and forums, including yougofurther and the thestudentroom to speak to current students.

 The average student dropout rate after their first year at university in the United Kingdom is 8.6 percent.

 Do research on what bank you want to receive your payments in. Many banks offer interest free overdrafts and great incentives if you set up a student account. Spend time researching what different banks can offer you in terms of support and interest rates.

 22 percent of students have failed to complete their degrees for the past 5 years.

 Find out what extracurricular activities each university offers such as sports clubs and the all important student council.

 The UK average of students achieving a first or upper second class degree at university is 59.4 percent.

 Visit the towns themselves and see what is on offer for you if you choose that universities.

This can be clubs, jobs and facilities.

 The average cost for a three year course for a student in the UK who lives at the university rather than commuting is £24,000.

 The average student dropout rate after first year at university in England is 8.3 percent.

 Around 800 million pounds has been spent to improve universities in order to reduce the number of university drop outs.

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SURVIVAL GUIDE

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SURVIVAL GUIDE

SURVIVING UNI THE FIRST WEEK OF UNIVERSITY CAN BE THE HARDEST WITH EVERYTHING MOVING SO FAST, WRITES AlExANDER WAlTERS.

BY FOllOWING A FEW SIMPlE RUlES AND TIPS, YOU CAN SURVIVE YOUR FIRST WEEK AND AlSO MAKE A FEW FRIENDS AlONG THE WAY

S

o you’ve finished your A Levels, had your summer in Ibiza, packed your bags and loaded the car. University the biggest, most tumultuous change in your life so far – awaits, and with it come the delights of Fresher’s Week.

save the heavy drinking for later on the in the week when you’ve made a good impression and everyone is indulging. You don’t want to be the first-night casualty being bundled into the back of a cab by friends you’ve had for five minutes.

MYTHOlOGY

There are a few things you can do on arrival to ensure instant popularity:

There is a lot of mythology surrounding Fresher’s Week. You will hear tall tales of legendary parties in years gone by, not to mention every university urban legend going. The girl who got a first class degree because her roommate died, the local park housing serial killers by night, etc. etc. You will also be told that it’s a giant free-for-all week of partying and promiscuity, and that girls are more interested in guys that have had a gap-year because they have more ‘life experience’. The last one is about as true as the aforementioned urban legends, and is most likely made up by guys who have been on gap years. In reality, there is a hell of a lot of fun to be had in Fresher’s Week, but it’s important to remember a few things to make your one as memorable as possible.

FIRST NIGHT NERVES The most important thing to remember about Fresher’s Week is that everyone is as nervous as each other. Actually, the guy with the long blonde hair in the corner waxing lyrical about Goan sunsets might not be nervous, but he’s also a prat, so ignore him. The mixture of nerves and excitement makes everyone a bit on edge, so don’t be surprised to find yourself either babbling at every third person you meet, or being babbled to - try not to form judgements of people too early on. There is also a huge temptation to combat early nerves with booze. It’s best to

MAKING FRIENDS EARlY

1. Bring tea, coffee, milk, cake and biscuits - With the stress of moving in, organisation is key. If you can sit down your new flatmate with a hot cup of tea when they’re upset after their parents leave, your stock will rise considerably.

2. Learn how to set up broadband - The first thing everyone wants on arrival is to get their internet up and running, and nobody knows how to do it. If you know your WAP from your Wireless, you’re going to be in demand.

3. Bring some booze - When you invite everyone back to yours for that impromptu party, make sure you’ve got something to grease the wheels.

4. Keep it to yourself - If you’ve got any controversial views, try and keep them under wraps, at least for the first week. Nobody wants a furious debate about human rights abuses in China when they’re trying to settle in.

5. Don’t go on - Try not to talk about school too much. Everyone’s been there and everyone’s got that ‘hysterical story’ to tell that was definitely funny if you were there. Now you’re at uni you want to be making new memories, not clinging on to old ones.

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Without a personality and a sense of adventure, these tips aren’t going to last you beyond the first 48 hours, but they should help you get a head start.

the dreaded Fresher’s flu hits. Sadly this one is not a myth; expect to be out of action for at least 48 hours. If you aren’t, then you haven’t been socialising enough!

MOVING Out Of yOur cOMfOrt zONe

3. Guys, bring a football - Nobody ever remembers one and it’s a great way to socialise and get lots of people involved.

The most important thing to remember during Fresher’s Week is that you’re going to be trying loads of new things that you’re never done before.

Don’t just stick to things you think you’re going to enjoy. If you’re into Indie then go to Techno night, if you’re into House music try out some Dubstep.

Your tastes are going to change rapidly over the first few months in university – don’t get stuck in one crowd too quickly, or you’ll be there for the long haul. That said, don’t get pressurised into things you really don’t want to do.

Also remember that university has space for everyone. If at school you got hounded for enjoying World Of Warcraft, chances are at uni there is an entire society devoted to it. You are going to have plenty of options to divide your time and thousands of different people to spend it with.

fresher’s Week surVIVal Pack There are some things you just can’t be without in your first week. If you have at least a few of the following then you’ve gone some way to preparing for the most draining week of your life so far: 1. Paracetamol/Codeine - The benefits of these two wonder-medicines cannot be overemphasised. From aches and pains to hangovers, make sure you’ve got a box.

2. Lemsip - A decent anti-flu drink will be crucial during the week after Fresher’s, when

4. Music - An mp3 player and some speakers are an absolute must, and you’ll be hearing so much new music you’ll definitely want to get your hands on some of it.

5. Treats from home - Get mum or dad to cook a big batch of something simple like Chilli con carne before you leave, then bring it to uni with you in Tupperware containers to freeze. The advantage of having delicious, home cooked comfort food when you really need it cannot be overstated. Equally, if you’re learning to cook, you’re going to need a backup option when that dinner your promised to cook your flatmates goes awry.

6. Screwdriver - Trust me on this one. it may be random be it’s an ESSENTIAL. It’s 3am you’ve just come in for a complete piss up and you desperately need the loo. You lock the door and do your business. Next thing you know you can’t get out. This is when that handy screwdriver comes in hand that you have left in the toilet to unlock the door.

Starter kit Get a head start on your peers and you’ll be ahead of the game and everyone else: Bed sheets - These are not supplied so don’t forget or you will be in for a cold night.

Insurance - You may be lucky and have insurance already when you paid your deposit. However it is not always the case and if you have anything expensive make sure it is covered.

TV license - The TV license companies love students. Trust me you will not get away with so just pay for the license and check on how many licenses you need.

Cook book - Your room mates will thank you when your pulling out top dishes from the group come dinner time.

Extension lead - You may have more than two appliances and without the extension lead you up a creek without a paddle. They can be bought dirt cheap at ASDA or IKEA.

With a few of the recommendations above and a positive attitude, Fresher’s Week is set to be one of the most memorable times of your life. As a last piece of advice, make sure you don’t turn down any opportunities, try everything once and make the most of the next three years.

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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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LEAVING HOME

the ups and the doWns With university comes responsibility, Writes Genevieve sWeet. there are various problems you Will come up aGainst, includinG feelinG homesick. With all these responsibilities comes Wisdom. you are not alone, With the help of others and folloWinG some handy tips you’ll Get throuGh this

Keeping in touch is an important part of coping with homesickness

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LEAVING HOME

W

hat if I don’t make any friends? What if I find the course too hard? How am I going to cope doing everything for myself? How do you cook Spaghetti Bolognese??? If any of these questions run through your head when you think about leaving home for university, you are not alone. The fear of leaving home is a universal problem; it’s only natural to be apprehensive about the unknown.

There is no wonder cure for such concerns. If there was, part of the excitement of preparing for university would surely be lost. There are however, a number of ways to combat the feeling of homesickness, both before leaving for university and whilst you’re there.

CLOSE TO HOME Chances are you’ve already done a few trips away from home, either with the school or with some friends, so you should have a pretty good idea of whether you’re prone to homesickness. If you are, it’s worth considering applying for universities nearer to home. This needn’t feel like a compromise; as long as you’re not sacrificing a place on the course or university of your dreams, there is no sense moving hundreds of miles away if you think you might want to pop home every so often. Having your family only a short drive away may offer you the reassurance

you need to cope with living on your own.

Joanna Cohen studied Primary Teaching at the University of Gloucestershire, and was living and studying less than twenty miles away from home.

However, that didn’t mean she was smothered by parental visits. “Being close to home was a big factor in my decision. But as it happened I didn’t go home much at all and I think I ended up having less contact with my parents than others whose families lived hours away!”

USEfUL SkiLLS It is often the things that you take for granted at home that can suddenly become the cause for anxiety when you leave. So if you never cook at home, or can only stare in confusion at the washing machine, it may be worth spending the summer figuring a few

of these things out. Ask whoever does the cooking in your household to give you a few lessons and get a couple of handy recipes to take with you.

Thanks to my mum’s basic method for cooking beef mince, I could turn out Bolognese, chilli con carne and cottage pie with relative ease when I arrived at university. Similarly, in regards to washing your clothes, it is worth a few practice runs at home first.

A PERSONAL TOUCH Walking into your new room at university for the first time can be a daunting experience. Whether it’s a brand new en-suite, the oldest, most rundown block on campus, or a room in a shared house, it is likely to be bare at first glance. There is no better remedy for making yourself feel at home than making your bed and putting up some posters. These personal touches will bring warmth and comfort to your new room.

kEEPiNg iN TOUCH Keeping in touch is an important part of coping with homesickness, but it is essential to strike a balance.

Avoid setting a time in the week when family will phone; it’ll only make the feeling of homesickness worse when a family member fails to phone on time, and it may clash with activities you don’t want to miss out on. Instead, make sure when you leave for

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LEAVING HOME

new friendsHips

The first few weeks of university will be the busiest of your life

Making friends is always at the top of everyone’s list of concerns when they start university. This concern is understandable as you will potentially be spending the next three years of your life with these people.

Laura Maksymowicz, a Physics graduate, was apprehensive about leaving her family home: “Living with strangers was a big concern. You go from not knowing someone to living with them, with nothing in between. But my new friends soon became like a surrogate family to me, which helped with the move.” university, you have good phone deals at both ends.

This way it won’t matter how many times you call because it won’t be costing either of you.

Students nowadays are lucky because there have never been more ways to keep in touch with people from home. Thanks to the internet, social networking sites and instant messaging services, there’s no reason to worry about losing contact with your mates from school.

Keeping busy The first few weeks of university will be the busiest of your life so far. You’ll have meetings to attend, buildings to find, events to go to, people to meet and new places to discover. Although the majority of it won’t be stressful - you’ll be in exactly the same situation as everyone around you, and will share in the fun and confusion. The craziness of Freshers’ Week is partly designed to keep you busy and keep your mind off home.

Hollie Jones, Welfare Officer for the University of Birmingham Guild of Students suggests checking out your university’s Student Union website and the National Union of Students website (www. nus.org.uk) before leaving home. “Find out about your Student Union, where the range of diverse opportunities to meet people and get involved is endless. Examples of these opportunities include

volunteering, student politics and student groups from chess to water polo and rock music and more.

There are far to many to name!”

Help is at Hand Universities are well prepared to ensure all students settle into university life. Most offer some form of student support system within their halls of residence, as is the case at the University of Birmingham; “The Guild of Students operates a student mentor scheme.

Mentors are students who are trained to support students living away from home, by providing a listening ear and making you know where you need to go next if you want help,” explains welfare officer Hollie Jones.

The majority of universities also provide each student with at least one tutor, who will happily discuss any academic or personal concerns you may have, and if you feel you need to talk to someone anonymously, many institutions operate late night telephone listening services.

The most important thing to remember is to stay positive. Leaving home may be scary, but it is also exciting and after just a few weeks you will be revelling in the independence it brings. Keep in mind that help is never far away, and embrace the opportunities university offers.

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Meet the Northumbria Friends 9 current students at a university in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne Find out what it’s really like to be a Northumbria student

www.northumbria.ac.uk/friend

ADVICE DAYS Colchester Campus Friday 28th August, 10am–3pm Tuesday 1st September, 1pm–7pm Wednesday 9th September, 4pm–7pm

HIGHER EDUCATION OPEN EVENT Colchester Campus Wednesday 14th October, 5pm–7pm

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S ON OFFER, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE OR EVEN BETTER, PAY US A VISIT.

Tel: (01206) 712777 www.colchester.ac.uk A partner college of

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STUDENT LIVING

living the lifeStyle

living in a Student houSe iS more often like World War three than the never-ending Sleep-over We hoped for. But Being aWare of the pitfallS iS half the Battle, SayS luCy BuSuttil. playing By the ruleS Will help prevent in houSe BattleS and alSo get you through univerSity in one pieCe

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STUDENT LIVING

Don’t get into religious/ political arguments

housemates are liKe boyfrienDs anD girlfrienDs - you can’t change them

Students all have fierce opinions, be they ecoactivists or newly-ordained vegans. Some of them will just be going through a phase - university vegans famously only last a year of only being able to cook oven-chips before they crack.

The trick to living with passionate types is not to allow them to convert you, but to respect their rules anyway. You might think it’s ridiculous that your housemate’s cupboard has an alarm on it, but it’s only because someone once used his pan for a Full English and didn’t clean up afterwards.

respect their space Don’t leave stuff lying around – ever. This is a tedious rule as, after all, it is your house and you should feel at home in it. But the last thing you want is your squash racket and lecture notes left outside your door by your housies like little piles of shame.

The same goes for the washing machine, dryer and (if you’re lucky) dishwasher – don’t leave your stuff in there. Everyone uses them.

have other frienDs. If you are always hanging round with your housies, it’s unsurprising if they’re sick of the sight of you by the Easter holidays.

Join societies, make course mates and try to get out of the domestic routine. They’ll soon be happy to see you when you get home! You will also avoid one more “Hollyoaks or something decent?” debate.

stanD up to your lanDlorD together as one Student landlords are famous for giving students the run-around, and unless you stand up to yours together you will lose. Classic ruses include deposit hijacking, refusal to fix things and dodgy Ikea fitted cabinets which break at the first gust of wind.

Many universities offer housing support and advice. Ask at yours (or at the citizen’s advice bureau) if you are unsure about anything. Many student unions also campaign for 11 month rents – which is only fair, as few students occupy their houses for the full year.

Don’t eat anyone else’s fooD!

stanD up for yourself over the bills.

You’ve got home from the pub, you’re starving, and you just want a sausage you found in the fridge.

Which is OK, because you’ll replace it, right?

We all make these excuses, because some food thefts seem less criminal than others. We’d all agree that scoffing your housemate’s birthday cake is a no, but many of us nab a bit of milk for our tea.

But even that dribble of milk is wrong – because when everyone’s nabbing the milk, whole pints start going missing and the one person who actually bothers to buy milk has to start drawing lines!

The other golden rules of fridge sharing? Try not to make compost in the vegetable drawers!

If everyone else wants the most luxurious broadband package around, and you don’t have a laptop, stand up for yourself – you don’t have to pay a share. But if you then use someone else’s computer for one sneaky email peak, don’t be surprised when you’re treated like Meg from Family Guy for the rest of the term.

Same goes for the house phone. It’s best to avoid getting one in these days of cheap mobile minutes. But if you do, and you call your boyfriend in Australia for a three-hour banter about the berks you live with, it’s best to snatch that bill before it hits the mat and scribble a cheque!

Watch your bathroom etiquette...trust me Bathrooms are a house-sharing minefield. If your classic time to luxuriate in the tub for an hour is 9am, maybe you should consider delaying that pleasure for your housemate who has to get to work by 10.

Above all, avoid being disgusting. Wash the bath regularly, pull your hairs out of the plughole if you’re a girl or a hippy and never use anyone else’s razor to shave any part of you. And always, always wear a towel big enough for your modesty when you make that long trek across the landing!

accept your Differences Housemates are like boyfriends and girlfriends – you can’t change them. If someone is fundamentally tidy, they’ll never change – nor will someone fundamentally untidy.

The only thing you can do is to try to see things from their perspective. If no one else wants the heating set to sub-tropical, try wearing a jumper.

If everyone else washes up the moment the fork hits the plate, try washing up every day. Uni is about trying new things.

behave in the beDroom Bedroom noises are a classic house-sharing gripe.

If you want to express your love for your partner noisily, it seems unfair that your housemates should disapprove. But your ‘Afternoon Delight’ could be disturbing a tea party with their maiden aunt!

Prevention is better than cure – which is why you should make sure you rent somewhere with proper walls. Many student homes only have MDF partitions in what was a roomy family house.

have fun With them!

Most of this advice makes the housemate relationship sound like cold business. And it is – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Unlike your family, they won’t love you whatever you do. The sad truth is that by the third year, many housemates complain that they can’t stand each other.

Share your DVD box sets if they have a break up.

Ask yourself: when was the last time we rode down the stairs on a mattress? Never, ever underestimate the power of rice-crispie cakes – you can make thirty for £2, thanks to Tesco value, and they’ll be appreciated in many more ways than fiscally.

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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 SUMMER 2009

HELpiNG HANd NAVIGATOR SUMMER 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 RRZU-SBJJ-GAGH, 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 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 below 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.

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01 City University London

07 Northbrook College Sussex

02 Cambridge Assessment

08 Northumbria University

03 Colchester Institute

09 St George’s University – School of Veterinary Medicine

04 University of Glamorgan

10 The Student Room

05 ie University, Madrid

11 Routledge’s Basics

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d w o r c E h t f o E N o thE kid who’S juSt diScovErEd Alcohol Most likely to be seen: in the PuB mate! will always have: A pint/tedious story to tell about downing pints.

Most students like to drink. in the first couple of weeks, people often end up with an amusing story to tell about how they woke up naked in a clock tower, painted red and surrounded by pigeons, with no idea how they got there. Sadly there is always one student who never gets over the novelty of living away from home and being old enough to get served.

Every morning they will waltz in to lectures nursing an over-acted hangover and telling anyone who will listen how they drank ‘their own body-weight in beer’ the previous night. in reality they have about three pints before vomiting on their shoes and collapsing in to bed, but they would have you believe that they could go head to head in a drinking bout with George Best and come out sober.

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STEREOTYPES

The Gap Year Bore Most likely to be called: Gary Calls himself: Sharif Most likely to be seen: Cornering someone at the bar.

Will always have: a long story about Goa. especially popular in Fresher’s Week, the gap year bore will not stop going on about the ‘life-changing experience’ they had in Thailand, which in reality means getting blind drunk on vodka-red bull buckets before being mugged at haad rin beach. They will tell anyone who will listen about how magical the sunsets are in Goa/Kenya/Thailand/Vietnam/ Laos – delete as appropriate, and will have a liberal attitude to personal hygiene. They will generally be wearing some shoddy bracelets/necklaces with beads on them, and often they will insist on maintaining some decidedly ropey looking dreadlocks on the grounds that they were done in an ‘ancient traditional way’ that brings spiritual peace. The reality will be that they paid way over the odds for them at Botswana airport and are too scared of what’s growing in them to get them undone…

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STEREOTYPES

Fear of being branded a ‘geek’

Faker Most likely to be seen: In clubs complaining that they’ve got to go home because they’re ‘tired’.

Will always have: an encyclopaedic knowledge of their subject.

This is a particularly irritating group, although they are a common group at university. They will always be found outside the faculty office on deadline day clutching a meticulously prepared and perfectly formed essay, complaining: ‘I’ve done, like, no work at all for this, it’s so rubbish, I literally didn’t do any work at all’.

In fact they have spent the last three weeks painstakingly preparing every minute detail of it, working in the library at odd hours to ensure they are never seen. This behaviour is most likely born of the fear of being branded a ‘geek’. Still more irritating is their propensity to act with ludicrously feigned shock upon receiving their, usually perfect, mark. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it, that’s so lucky! I did, like, no work at all for this!”. Give it a rest you know how much blood, swet and tears went into that work.

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The Rah Most likely to be called: Tarquin or Jocasta Most likely to be seen: In Jack Wills.

Will always have: A trust fund.

Most commonly found at the not-quitesure-how-uncle-Bertie-didn’t-get-me-into- Oxbridge universities. The rah likes Jack Wills tracksuit bottoms, bracelets, deck shoes and money. Rahs tend to congregate around each other and talk in an odd accent that is both nothing like their parents’ and nothing like East London, but appears to want to be both.

They are wholly oblivious of anyone who isn’t like them, which is the majority, but their overwhelming sense of selfentitlement makes them appear more numerous than they are.

The rah female will most likely be good looking (rich dad plus trophy wife divided by Waitrose food = good genes) but inordinately stupid (dad’s looks, mum’s brains). They will make a specific effort to look as scruffy and unkempt as possible. Tracksuit bottoms combined with dog-eared Pashminas are the order of the day, as are an incessant cacophony of shrieking and mind-bogglingly stupid questions in lectures that makes you cringe when you hear them.

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The Keeno Most likely to be called: Brad or Jemima Most likely to be seen: In the gym.

Will always have: A team hoodie on with a stupid nickname on the back.

There will always be one person in your halls or flat who will constantly go on about how much sport he or she is doing. Whether it’s the football team, the swimming team, the Capoeira society or, usually, all three, you won’t stop hearing about it. They will be irritatingly chipper, and when they ask what you’ve been up to, they will respond in the most patronisingly encouraging way. “Oh, you went clubbing last night? That’s great; I don’t know where you get the energy from!” Maybe you get the energy from sleeping occasionally and having a social life. They will insist on adding a prefix and suffix to their name. This usually helps with their insecurities that have and feel the need to refer to themselves in the third person. For instance: ‘The Robster’. Rob it is then.

Insist on adding a prefix and suffix to their name

Text: Alexander Walters Illustrations: Matthew C Stokes, www.mattcstokes.com

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OFFERS

OPENING UP THE FUTURE CHOOSING WHAT UNIVERSITY TO ATTEND CAN SEEM LIKE AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK WITH THE ENDLESS CHOICES THAT LEAVE YOU FEELING LOST. HOWEVER WITH A LITTLE HELP AND SOME QUALITY RESEARCH, YOU WILL ULTIMATELY FIND THE UNIVERSITY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU, SAYS GENEVIEVE SWEET

D

eciding which five universities to apply to is a challenging task. It requires extensive time, research and thought. You then have to move on to the bigger decision of which offers to accept, and this requires even more thought. Despite this, plenty of students every year spend little time deliberating over their insurance offer, seeing it as an unlikely prospect. Ultimately though, accepting your firm and insurance choices is about committing to living somewhere for at least the next three years of your life, so you need to be sure.

DO YOUR RESEARCH Do not let the seriousness of the situation panic you. There is plenty of help on offer and once you start looking at different places, you’ll soon start to realise which of the attributes of a university are the most important to you.

Before you start the application process, make sure you find out as much as possible about all the unis you are considering. Read prospectuses, look at websites, ask questions on student forums, talk to your teachers, and most importantly, visit as many universities as possible.

The only way you can truly imagine what it’s like to be a student at a particular university is to go and experience it for yourself.

When choosing your final five, ensure there is a good selection of typical grade offers. Whilst you’ll have a good idea of the final grades you are working towards, it is worth allowing for the possibility that you might not achieve as high as you were expecting.

Saying this, there is nothing wrong with aiming high and including an aspirational choice too, but be realistic. Too many aspirational choices and you could risk not being accepted to a number of your final five, leaving you with little room to manoeuvre when it comes to accepting offers.

READ THE LABEL Once you have decided on your five and completed the application process, you will need to start thinking about which university you want as your firm choice and which you want as your insurance. Of course until you receive all of the universities’ decisions and offers it won’t be a completely informed decision, but it is worth having an idea in your mind beforehand.

Take a look at the universities and courses you have chosen and see if there are any similarities between them. It may be that the majority are city-based universities, or close to home, or have a placement year included. Whatever it is, if there is an obvious trend it is a strong sign that you are drawn to this attribute and it’s worth taking into account.

When deciding on a university, remember that it’s a package deal; you are not just choosing the institution, but the place and the course as well.

You might fall in love with a city or a university, but if the course doesn’t provide the elements you want or need, you shouldn’t pick it. Attending an unfulfilling course will only cast a shadow over the better parts of the university.

MAKING THE CHOICE When I applied for university, four of my five choices were campus-based. It soon became clear to me that this was the environment I wanted to spend the next three years in, so I was able to eliminate Cardiff, a city-based university, very early on.

I was left with Birmingham, York, Swansea and Exeter. Again, I found an obvious anomaly – Birmingham was the only big city. Living in a village in the countryside at the time, I felt I would be more comfortable moving to a smaller city so I removed Birmingham from my list of possibilities.

With York, Swansea and Exeter remaining, I didn’t have a strong preference for any one over the others. However, as the offers came in and I was lucky enough to have received four of my five, I soon realised the university I wanted to attend most was

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OFFERS

Find out about as much as possible about unis you are considering Summer 2009 NAVIGATOR 22 - 24 Ordering You Choices Tick.indd 23

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OFFERS

The right choice now will pay dividends in the future

the one that had yet to reply – York. For me, it was the possibility that I might not get in that helped me realise what I really wanted. Fortunately, York did eventually reply with a realistic offer.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX Deciding which university to accept as my insurance place was not too difficult a decision for me. Exeter and York were asking for the same grades, so I knew it would be a waste of an insurance choice to accept Exeter. Swansea on the other hand was asking for a few grades lower. Having visited Swansea and had an interview with a course tutor, I knew I would still be happy there if I do not achieve in my A Levels.

Once all of the universities you applied to have replied, look carefully at what they are offering.

There are four possible combinations of accepting offers; unconditional offer and no insurance place; conditional offer and no insurance place; conditional offer and conditional insurance place; conditional offer and unconditional insurance place.

Should you firmly accept an unconditional offer, you cannot have an insurance place. This is because you are agreeing to attend this university and therefore must decline all of your other offers. Whilst receiving such an offer relieves you of the pressure of achieving certain grades at A Level, do not let this sway your decision; you still need to know in your mind that you will be happy there.

If you firmly accept a conditional offer you do not

have to accept an insurance offer as well. It may be that when it comes to accepting, you weren’t given offers from all of your chosen universities and you decide that there is only one from those that did, that you wish to attend. If this is the case, do not be tempted to accept a random insurance choice for the sake of it. Erica Pienaar, Executive Head-teacher of three London schools, explains that it could put you in an awkward position. “If a student changes their mind after receiving the grades required for their first or second choice they need to be aware that they have to contact the university and ask to be released. They have a contract with the universities they have accepted and they can only chase a different option if the university agrees to release them. It is not a good place to be - students should make sure they have selected a course they want in a place they are willing to be for three years.”

Having a sure idea of where you want to go, what you want to study, and as importantly why you want these things, is a difficult decision to come to. But it is a necessary one that deserves time and effort. Think about what is important to you because this is a very personal decision. The right choice now will pay dividends in the future.

For more information and advice on the different types of offers, check out the UCAS website (www. ucas.ac.uk), which provides detailed explanations and answers to frequently asked questions.

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MAKING THE GRADE HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY! Moving from A Level to University study can be a daunting prospect as well as an exciting one. Fortunately, help is at hand and thousands of students every year have turned to Routledge’s Basics series of introductory guides for a head start on courses ranging from Linguistics and Philosophy to Politics and Economics.

Here’s what students have said about The Basics on Amazon: “I found this book a very useful read over the summer before I started my course… read it, reduce it, learn it, it’s a massive help.”

On Language: The Basics “I have just embarked on a two year philosophy course and I am using Warburton’s book as a stepping stone to discovering many aspects of philosophy.”

On Philosophy: The Basics “Thanks to this book, I’ve now applied to do Politics at University, and this is what helped to cement my decision!”

On Politics: The Basics

GET A HEAD START AT UNIVERSITY

GET TO GRIPS WITH THE BASICS S Whether you’re off to study Economics or Film, Philosophy or Politics these books will tell you all you need to know about what’s in store for you at University.

Economics

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978-0-415-32773-2: £11.99

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978-0-415-33554-6: £11.99

Whatever your subject, you can get 20% off the price of any Basics title by visiting www.routledge.com/students and quoting the discount code SRNAV09 when you make your purchase.

Offer valid until 31/12/2009

For more information, or to receive a free catalogue, email students@routledge.com

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LOCATIONS

THE BIG LONDON

CHOOSING THE RIGHT UNIVERSITY ISN’T JUST ABOUT THE COURSE, THE LOCATIONS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO. THE UK IS BLESSED WITH SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING, DIVERSE AND VIBRANT UNIVERSITY CITIES IN EUROPE, AND HERE ARE OUR TOP FIVE PICKS

EDINBURGH

Perhaps a predictable choice, but undoubtedly the greatest student city in the UK. London is vast, and as a result has a vast variety of options.

From world class nightlife to incredible cultural diversity, students in London have it all. It’s no surprise, then, that London holds a student population of 378,000. London is not renowned for being friendly, but if you’re in a student community then this rarely matters.

Make no mistake, studying in London is not cheap. Accommodation can be expensive, but good deals can be found. The Tate Modern and The British Museum are free, as is the use of the British Library. Students can also make use of the capital’s vast transport network.

QUICK ROUNDUP:

For those who can brave the cold, Edinburgh offers all the diversity and vibrancy a capital should. With an ancient, historic city as your playground, not to mention one of the widest cultural landscapes in the UK, it ticks almost every box. The city is a beautiful place in which to live, made all the more palatable by the incredibly high standard and good value of student accommodation. Edinburgh is much more friendly than neighbouring Glasgow or Dundee, and is truly sophisticated in its approach to life. Riddled with famous galleries and practically overrun with theatres, most notably active during the city’s legendary festival, it offers everything a student could wish for.

Edinburgh only narrowly misses out on top spot due to its sporadic nightlife, having lost many of its best underground venues to closure in recent years.

Universities: University of Arts, Birkbeck, Brunel, City, University of East London, Goldsmiths, Greenwich, Imperial College, King’s, Kingston, London Met, LSE, London South Bank, Middlesex University, Queen Mary, Roehampton, Royal Holloway, St.Mary’s University College, Thames Valley, University College London, University of Westminster.

Universities: Edinburgh University, Napier University

Friendliness: Nightlife: Culture: Variety: Value:

7/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 7/10

Friendliness: Nightlife: Culture: Variety: Value:

9/10 7/10 10/10 9/10 8/10

Total:

44/50

Total:

43/50

QUICK ROUNDUP:

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LOCATIONS

G FIVE BRISTOL

LEEDS

NEWCASTLE

Bristol has long been popular amongst students due to its small town friendliness coupled with big-city variety. From the stunning vista from Clifton Suspension bridge to the quaint charm of the town’s old market, it’s definitely one for the aesthete.

Couple this with one of the country’s leading underground music scenes and a laid-back, continental attitude to life and you’ve got a winner. The city is home to the famous Old Vic theatre and a number of museums and art galleries, and is only let down by its relative expense to other cities. Accommodation can be spectacular, particularly around the affluent area of Clifton, but can also be spectacularly expensive. If you are getting extra money thrown your way from relatives or have a well paid part time job, then Bristol is perhaps the ideal destination for the more well off student.

Leeds is the ideal choice for students who like to party. With an enormous student population, a nightlife scene that caters for all tastes, and an array of different bars and clubs throughout the city, it is a wonder that Leeds students get any studying done at all. Musically it is an incredibly diverse city, embracing all scenes and providing a wealth of life music venues and festivals, the most famous of which is the yearly Leeds Festival. In terms of culture, Leeds has several renowned galleries, theatres and museums, including the recently opened Leeds City Museum. It is also a haven for shoppers, making it a popular choice among visiting parents. Enjoying the benefits of being both excellent value and a cosmopolitan lifestyle, Leeds just pips Newcastle as our Northern university city of choice.

Newcastle is a great destination for students who want a bit of everything in equal measure. Despite being a large city, it is known for the warmth and charm of its locals and its fun-loving atmosphere. It offers a great mainstream nightlife scene, with a high density of pubs and clubs within the student price range, although those with more underground tastes will be disappointed.

Culturally Newcastle has plenty of theatres and some decent festivals, and price-wise it is a significantly cheaper option than studying in the South, with accommodation being notably good value around the Heaton and Sandyford areas.

Football fans will be particularly attracted to the city’s strong footballing tradition and obsession with Newcastle United, with the St James Park stadium offering public tours of the ground for only £10 .

QUICK ROUNDUP:

QUICK ROUNDUP:

QUICK ROUNDUP:

Universities: University of Bristol, University of the West of England

Universities: University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University

Universities: Newcastle University, University of Northumbria.

Friendliness: Nightlife: Culture: Variety : Value:

10/10 9/10 8/10 9/10 6/10

Friendliness: Nightlife: Culture: Variety: Value:

7/10 9/10 7/10 8/10 9/10

Friendliness: Nightlife: Culture: Variety: Value:

8/10 7/10 7/10 7/10 9/10

Total:

42/50

Total:

40/50

Total:

38/50

London holds a student population of 378,000

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OXBRIDGE

G N I T A SEPAR OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE ARE THE TWO TOP UNIVERSITIES IN THE UK AND YOU NEED THREE A’S JUST TO GET AN INTERVIEW WITH THEM. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO PREPARE YOURSELF IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET AN INTERVIEW.

BY ALEXANDER WALTERS

BEATING THE BRIDGE Oxford and Cambridge are intimidating propositions for any student, and with good reason - they’re two of the oldest, most prestigious universities in the world.

Every year anecdotes abound about straight-A students of untold genius failing to make their exacting standard.

All that after undergoing some of the most rigorous interviews many will face in their life. Getting an interview is the first step, but with good AS results and a nifty personal statement it’s not impossible. The interview itself, however, is a completely different story.

THE INTERVIEW FROM HELL Forget The Apprentice, an Oxbridge interview is a real test of talent. No amount of wit and waffle will skirt the tutors, all of whom will have seen off a thousand charlatans before. Equally, they aren’t looking for book-smart swots who can regurgitate stats and figures on demand. They are looking for people who can demonstrate intelligence, logic and charisma. Tutors select people who they think have the best potential to study under them, so if they don’t like you, they’re unlikely to offer you a place.

Don’t try and be too chatty, but remember that they want to see how well you communicate your ideas.

THEY’RE STILL HUMAN Tough the tutors may be, they aren’t monsters. Most interviewers will try to make you relaxed and comfortable from the off - just hope the interview doesn’t finish that way. Many students who are successful in gaining a place find that the

longer their interviews go on, the more unpleasant, contrary and aggressive the interviewer becomes.

If they start being difficult with you, trying to force you into mistakes and challenging every step of your argument, this is a good thing. They aren’t there to make your day difficult just for the sake of it, if they didn’t think you were worth testing, they wouldn’t be doing it. Try to keep cool. Remember that you’re up against some of the finest minds in academia - don’t try and argue them down, but stick to your guns and demonstrate each stage of your argument clearly and cogently. The key is not to get flustered.

TEXT ALERT A common interviewing method, particularly in arts subjects, is to give each candidate a text to examine for ten minutes before they come in for an interview. The idea of this is to see how each individual engages with the text that they are given and allows the interviewers to compare them. This is a big part of the interview as it separates thought processes. It might be an extract from an academic text, a piece of prose or a poem. If this happens then the key is to ensure you examine as many aspects of the text as possible.

Think about structure, content and tone.

Think also about how the text might relate to your specific subject.

If you are an English student given an extract from the bible (it has happened), then approach it from the perspective of literary criticism. If you are a philosophy student given a work

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OXBRIDGE

. . .

T A E H W E H T of fiction, this won’t be a coincidence.

Look for ideas within the text that you can apply to philosophers you have studied or know of, and compare and contrast them.

The tutors are keen to see how actively students approach learning. They want to put obstacles in front of you to see how diversely you tackle them, there is generally more than one answer.

are asked a question to which you do not know the answer, try and work it out logically. It doesn’t matter if you are wrong, the very fact that you have broken down the question and analysed it rather than admitting defeat illustrates the kind of mind they are seeking.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Many students come out of their interview surprised that they barely spoke about their chosen subject. Don’t consider this a negative thing, in fact it could be seen as a positive for you. This can happen often if you have put some particularly juicy piece of information in your personal statement that sparks a tutor’s interest.

This gives rise to two pieces of advice.

First of all: if you don’t have a deep interest in the fall of the Roman Republic, don’t say that you do, you are likely to be asked to talk about it. Second, if you do have a deep interest in the fall of the Roman Republic, flag it up in your personal statement. Any interests that involves learning and reflection will be of interest the your interviewer, and shows that you study outside your particular choice of degree. However this does not mean start filling your statement with all the random subjects or facts that you know or are interested in, it can be a bad thing and make you look unprofessional.

Ultimately, the Oxbridge interviews are tough for even the brightest, most charismatic, most brilliant among us. But if you go in with confidence, know your subject and above all keep your head, you have an excellent chance.

Many people will have heard the tall tales of quirky Oxbridge interviews. From the student who set the tutor’s paper on fire to get his attention, to the interviewee asked to throw a brick out of a window.

It is highly unlikely that this sort of thing actually happens, and still less likely that it will happen to you. The stories of odd questions, however, do hold some truth.

One famous example is the following: ‘How many Piano Tuners are there in Chicago?’.

This is a bona fide question, and it has many variants. The tutors, of course, are not interested in the number of Piano Tuners in Chicago or anywhere else, they are interested in the how you answer. There are many ways to do it, but the simplest is the following: Guess at the population of Chicago, let’s say it’s 4 million. Next, work out how many of those 4 million are likely to own a piano.

Probably around 1 in 100, leaving 40,000.

40,000 pianos probably get tuned on average once per year. Therefore there are 40,000 tuning jobs per year. The average piano tuner probably does around 250 jobs each year. Therefore there are 160 piano tuners just in Chicago.

These kinds of questions vary enormously. The point is that if you

BE PREPARED TO GO ‘OFF THE SUBJECT’

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CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT

ADvICE ABouT Students applying to some of the uK’s leading universities may need to sit admissions tests.

Cambridge Assessment’s SARAH LoNGFIELD outlines its portfolio of admissions tests and answers some frequently asked questions

T

he increasing numbers of wellqualified students applying to our universities present these institutions with a real challenge: how can they choose between applicants in a way that is consistent, fair, and predictive of their future academic success?

To support universities in this task, and to help widen participation in higher education, a number of university admissions tests are already in use, and others are in development.

Cambridge Assessment has been providing research-led and evidence-based solutions for major higher education institutions for over 20 years and develops and delivers carefully targeted admissions tests. The tests that are in use now have been developed gradually and carefully over the years; with intensive research continuously supporting the development process. Our work is conditioned by a set of criteria which emphasises the integrity of the design, operation, administration and evaluation of our admissions tests.

Cambridge Assessment is currently responsible for delivering the following suite of tests: l Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) at the University of Oxford l Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) at the University of Cambridge l English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) l BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) l Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) Mathematics

THINKING SKILLS ASSESSMENT (TSA) - oXFoRD Students applying to the University of Oxford to study: l Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) l Economics and Management (E&M) l Experimental Psychology (EP) l 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 techniques (reasoning using numerical and spatial skills) and critical thinking (reasoning using everyday written language).

Cambridge Assessment has been providing research-led and evidence-based solutions for major higher education institutions for over 20 years

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T

CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT

ADMISSIONS TESTS Section 2: The Writing Task is a 30-minute task, giving candidates the opportunity to show that they can communicate effectively in writing, through organising their ideas and presenting them clearly and concisely to examiners.

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.

How do I register my candidates?

Although it is ultimately a candidate’s responsibility to make sure s/he is registered for the TSA Oxford, it is the school or college’s responsibility to make the entry on their behalf.

Entries are made via an easy-to-use, secure online system that is accessible to centres only. Entries will be accepted from 1st July 2009 onwards.

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 for organising and administering the test on behalf of their external candidates.

Where can I find out more about the TSA? There is a dedicated website which provides more information about the TSA being used by the University of Oxford. This also provides guidance for centres and candidates alike, as well as specimen test materials for practice purposes.

website: www.tsa. cambridgeassessment.org.uk email: tsainfo@ cambridgeassessment.org.uk

THINKING SKILLS ASSESSMENT (TSA) - CAMBRIDGE The University of Cambridge has been using the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) designed, developed and extensively researched by Cambridge Assessment since 2001. The TSA Cambridge is a multiple-choice test consisting of 50 questions. These measure an applicant’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT

Who has to take it?

How can I find out more about the TSA?

It is anticipated that the majority of Cambridge Colleges will use the TSA as part of their admissions process in the November/December 2009 interviews. They will only do so for some subjects (mainly Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Economics).

To find out whether you will need to take the TSA Cambridge you are advised to look at the exact entry requirements for a particular course at a Cambridge College, by referring to the University of Cambridge Undergraduate Prospectus 2010 Entry, or by contacting the Cambridge Admissions Office.

A full test specification guide and practice materials are available on the TSA Cambridge website (www.tsa.cambridgeassessment.org.uk) to enable applicants to familiarise themselves with the test format.

How do applicants register to take the test?

Applicants do not need to do anything in terms of registering for the test, as Cambridge Colleges will notify applicants of all admissions requirements. If the test is to be taken, the test will be administered at the Cambridge College when the applicant attends for interview (except in the case of overseas applicants in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore, where Colleges will inform them of arrangements if the test is required).

What format does the test take?

The TSA Cambridge is available as a pen and paper or online test. Cambridge Colleges will choose the form in which they wish to administer the test. The test will, in all cases, be administered under examination conditions, with an invigilator present.

Calculators may not be used.

ENGLISH LITERATURE ADMISSIONS TEST (ELAT) The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is produced on behalf of the University of Oxford. Cambridge Assessment was approached by the Faculty of English at the University of Oxford early in 2006, with a request to collaborate in the development of a preinterview admissions test for applicants to undergraduate courses in English.

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 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.

Where can I find out more about ELAT? The ELAT has a dedicated website and support team.

32 NAVIGATOR Summer 2009 30 - 34 Cambridge NEEDS AD.indd 32

14/07/2009 10:10:31

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Summer 08 08 ! ,"'" 2#1 ! , 0#%'12#0 $-0 ," 1'2 11#11+#,2 $-0 + 0)',% !-**#%#1 "- ,-2 & 4# 2&# $ !'*'2'#1 team that manages assessments relating! + 0'"%# 11#11+#,2 ',!*3"',% ', 2&# 5&#0# 2&# '$ 2&#'0 1!&--*1 -0 22-25 Cam 0'"%# Asses.indd 24 1&-3*" # + '* + 2',$- 2&# . .#01 2- + 1&-3*" # + '* 2&# . .#01 2- + 0'"%# 2&# '$ 2&#'0 1!&--*1 -0 5'2& 2&# "#2 '*1 -$ 2&# ,"'" 2#1 2 )',% . 02 ', 2- "+','12#0 2&# 2#12 &'1 specifically to university entrance. + 2',$- BIOMEDICAL ADMISSIONS How do I register my candidates?

Summer 08 11#11+#,2 $-0 + 0)',% ! ,"'" 2#1 ! , 0#%'12#0 $-0 ," 1'2 ! + 0'"%# 11#11+#,2 -0% 3) !-**#%#1 "- ,-2 & 4# 2&# $ !'*'2'#1 ! + 0'"%# 11#11+#,2 -0% 3) 11#11+#,2 $-0 + 0)',% !-**#%#1 "- ,-2 & 4# 2&# $ !'*'2'#1 22-25 Cam 24 ! ,"'" 2# ," 5# 5'** !& 0'27 !& **#,%#1 13!& 1 2&# ',4-*4#1 0#%'12#0',% 2&# ! ,"'" 2#:1 TEST (BMAT) Although it is ultimately a Asses.indd candidate’s 22-25 Cam Asses.indd 24 5'2& 2&# "#2 '*1 -$ 2&# ,"'" 2#1 2 )',% . 02 ', 2- "+','12#0 2&# 2#12 &'1 1&-3*" # + '* + 2',$- 2&# . .#01 2- + 0'"%# 2&# '$ 2&#'0 1!&--*1 -0 responsibility to make sure s/he is registered Cambridge Assessment is also responsible for Who has to take STEP? 5'2& 2&# "#2 '*1 -$ 2&# ,"'" 2#1 2 )',% . 02 ', 2- "+','12#0 2&# 2#12 &'1 2- $'," 2&#+ *-! * !# 3*!03+ & **#,%# 5'** 12'** ,##" #,207 2'+#2 *',% 2&# 2#12 ! ,"'" 2# ," 5# 5'** #,"# 4-30 !& 0'27 !& **#,%#1 13!& 1 2&# ',4-*4#1 0#%'12#0',% 2&# ! ,"'" 2#:1 0'"%# 11#11+#,2 -0% 3) 11#11+#,2 $-0 + 0)',% !-**#%#1 "- ,-2 & 4# 2&# $ !'*'2'#1 for the ',4'%'* 2',% 2&# 2#12 ," 0#230,',% BMAT, it is the school or college’s ! + 2- 2 )# 2&# ," 7-3 the development and administration of the The University of Cambridge asks applicants for ! ,"'" 2# ," 5# 5'** #,"# 4-30 !& 0'27 !& **#,%#1 13!& 1 2&# ',4-*4#1 0#%'12#0',% 2&# ! ,"'" 2#:1 2- 2 )# 2&# 2#12 22-25 Cam Asses.indd 24 2- $'," 2&#+ *-! * !#,20# 3*!03+ & **#,%# 5'** 12'** ,##" #,207 2'+#2 *',% 2&# 2#12 responsibility to make the entry on their BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), which is Mathematics to achieve certain grades in STEP as 5'2& 2&# "#2 '*1 -$ 2&# 2- "+','12#0 2&# 2#12 &'1 #,207 2'+#2 ,"'" 2#1 2 )',% . 02 ', 2- $'," 2&#+ *-! * !#,20# 3*!03+ & **#,%# 5'** 12'** ,##" *',% 2&# 2#12 behalf. Entries are made via2- 2 )# 2&# ," 7-3 an easy-to-use, taken by students applying to some of',4'%'* 2',% 2&# 2#12 ," 0#230,',% the UK’s part of conditional2- 2 )# 2&# 2#12 offers made post-interview.

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www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk

www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk

BMAT is taken by students applying to some of the UK’s leading medical and veterinary institutions

24

leading medical and veterinary institutions.

24

24

secure online system that is accessible to

The University of Warwick also includes STEP in

3*!03+ & **#,%# 5'** 12'** ,##" #,207 2'+#2 *',% 2&# 2#12 centres only. Entries will be accepted from2- $'," 2&#+ *-! * !#,20# 1st some of its undergraduate offers; the University Word2- 2 )# 2&# ," 7-3 ofJuly advice: The BMAT is a subject-specific, two-hour, pen and paper admi 2- 2 )# 2&# 2#12 ',4'%'* 2',% 2&# 2#12 ," 0#230,',% 2009 onwards. of Bristol, the University of Oxford and Imperial What is BMAT? College London may also encourage applicants Word pen and paper admissions test Word of of advice: advice: The The BMAT BMAT is is a a subject-specific, subject-specific, two-hour, two-hour, to take thepen papers.and paper admissions test

The BMAT is a two-hour, pen and paper admissions test consisting of three sections: What does it cost?

Section 1: Aptitude and Skills (60-minute106 STEP UP The BMAT entry fee is ÂŁ32.10 within the UK, and multiple-choice paper testing thinking skills); ÂŁ55.90 elsewhere for entries registered up to 106 STEP UP and Applications Section 2: Scientific Knowledge Wednesday 30th September. Late entries will be 106 STEP UP (30-minute multiple-choice paper testing maths accepted up to Thursday 15th October and will be and scientific understanding); subject to late entry fees. An entry made between Section 3: Writing Task (30-minute paper asking 30th September and 15th October will be charged candidates to write a single-side of A4 in response ÂŁ64.20 within the UK and ÂŁ111.80 elsewhere. Centres to one of three essay questions). will be invoiced following the late entry closing date.

When does it take place?

ord of advice: The BMAT is a subject-specific, two-hour, pen and paper admissions testperiod, on STEP is taken at the end of the A levels

STEP UP

When does it take place?

How can I find out more?

Wednesday 4th November 2009.

The BMAT has a website and a dedicated support team.

Who should take the test?

Only candidates who are applying in the 2009/10 admissions cycle for entry to a university in autumn 2010 should be allowed to 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

website: www.bmat.org.uk email: bmatinfo@ cambridgeassessment.org.uk

SIXTH TERM EXAMINATION PAPER (STEP) MATHEMATICS STEP is a well-established Mathematics university admissions test, which is used to help to select very academically able students for courses which are usually oversubscribed. STEP was originally administered by OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA

22nd and 24th June 2009.

When and how can candidates be entered for STEP? Traditionally centres registered candidates for STEP using processes set out by OCR and in line with GCSE and GCE entries. Please note that this changed from 2008. The procedure for STEP now operates in much the same way that candidates are registered for tests such as BMAT and ELAT. Entries for STEP must be made using a secure online entries system.

Where can I find out more about STEP? STEP has a dedicated website, which provides further information about the test and administration guidelines, as well as specimen materials for practice purposes. website: www.stepmathematics.org.uk email: stepinfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk

Summer 2009 NAVIGATOR 30 - 34 Cambridge NEEDS AD.indd 33

33

14/07/2009 10:10:59

CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT

Key Dates for BMAT, ELAT and TSA Oxford

18 September

Last date for requests for modified question papers (e.g. Braille or enlarged)

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

30 - 34 Cambridge NEEDS AD.indd 34

ELAT

www.elat.org.uk elatinfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk

TSA Oxford

www.tsa.cambridgeassessment.org.uk tsainfo@cambridgeassessment.org.uk

15/07/2009 14:38:18

All walks of life I graduated with a 2:1 in English and it has helped me so much! I now have a full time job in advertising and think going to university was the best decision in my life

University was not right for me Daniel Williams Roehampton University 1st year dropout

Sarah Phillips Sussex University Graduated

I feel I made the right choice by taking a gap year as I was able to experience the work life before coming here

George Brown South Bank University 1st year dropout

It has given me new found confidence and a great social life with new friends

I was pressured by my parents to go to university and I knew I had made the wrong decision

Kane Humphreys Brighton University 1st year student

A complete waste of money and time. I dropped out first year and managed to get a job that pays great, even without a university degree

David Wright Bangor University 1st year student

Evo Zamfirov Roehampton University 1st year dropout

Don’t let the school pressure you into making a choice. You have your whole life ahead of you, do what’s right for you and no one else Laura West Leeds University Mature student

I’m in my second year and still loving it

I graduated university with a 2:2 and feel that it was a complete waste of time and money. I got a job in recruitment and could have done just as well without going to university

Laura Ballinger Chichester University 2nd year student

Ian Wilson Manchester University Graduated

I feel dropping out of university was the wrong decision in the long term

I have a family and husband but I always wanted to go to university to better my career. I feel entering as a mature student was the best way and I am glad I did not attend when I was younger as I was not sure of my life goals

I took a gap year and went to university after working. I think this was a bad choice as I went from having money, to living on tins of beans!

Rachael Keane Liverpool University Mature student

Alison Willis Portsmouth University 1st year student

Louise Dixon Roehampton University 2nd year dropout

Going straight in to university helped me become independent as a person and make friends Natalie Rhodes University of Surrey 2nd year student

I do not regret going straight into university after school as I did not have to take a drop in income to attend Mark Hughes Bournemouth University 1st student

Best choice and will never look back...

Steve Becks Cardiff University 3rd year student

Summer 2009 NAVIGATOR 35 35 - 37 Dropping Out Tick NEED MISSING LINK.indd 35

22/07/2009 10:05:51

DROPPING OUT

G N A H C T H G I SL CHOOSING WHICH UNIVERSITY TO GO TO IS A HUGE DECISION. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE CHOOSE THE WRONG UNIVERSITY? LUCY DURNIN DID JUST THAT AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE…

“Are you looking forward to starting uni?” “Yes,” Came my standard response. “Can’t wait.”

The truth was, I hadn’t even thought about it. I had waved goodbye to my UCAS application, been accepted on an English course, and then deferred my place for a gap year.

I worked; I travelled; I had one of the best years of my life. I didn’t even think about uni, moving away or the prospect of studying. Then, all of a sudden, it was September. There it was on the calendar in bright red ink: START UNI. Ah, I thought to myself. I’d forgotten about that.

Putting my lack of enthusiasm down to nerves, I busied myself making preparations for uni life.

Yet even as we drove down the motorway towards Sussex University, the car sagging from the weight of my worldly possessions, a little voice in my head was saying: I don’t want to go.

CHANGE OF PLAN

MAKE YOUR DECISION, BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND REMEMBER, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES

With the UCAS deadline looming, I felt pressured into making a fast decision. I had always been an A student in English; I’d just do that. I didn’t take into consideration the fact that despite the fact that I liked writing, I had never really enjoyed the whole poetry/literature analysis business. In truth I found it rather dull.

So when I found myself presented with a reading list of heavy-weight literature in the first week, my heart sank. And as time passed, the feeling that I had made a wrong decision became overwhelming.

When I resolved to drop out of my course and leave Sussex, I felt like I had completely failed. While all my friends were enjoying their new lives there was me, back at home with no idea of what to do with my future.

My situation kick started me into making some serious decisions and I started researching into other courses and other universities in different locations. While Sussex was a great campus-based university, I craved the excitement of city life.

I had always enjoyed writing and the idea of pursuing a career in journalism dawned on me.

Then, while reading through the prospectus of City University, I came across a BA in Journalism. Reading through the course structure, I felt a tingle of excitement and for the first time, enthusiasm.

I reapplied and was offered a placement for the following year, but couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment that my first experience hadn’t worked out.

I realise now I didn’t need to feel that sense of failure. If you make a wrong decision about uni, it’s not the end of the world and it doesn’t mean you’re never going to get a degree. I graduated from City last year with a BA in Journalism and have never regretted my decision to leave Sussex.

The best thing is to take time; make your decision; be honest with yourself and remember; we all make mistakes.

THE LOCATION WASN’T RIGHT Charlotte Clark, 25, dropped out of her Sociology degree at Manchester University but went on to graduate with a degree in Criminology from Canterbury University.

I had visited Manchester University on an Open Day with a friend and was really impressed with the course, the campus and most of all, the city itself. It all looked so new and had loads of fantastic shops and clubs.

But when it came to starting uni, the distance seemed much greater than I remembered. I immediately questioned whether I could deal with being so far away from my family, friends and boyfriend.

Adjusting to City life was difficult. We were given a talk by the police about what areas we shouldn’t venture near.

It was all a far cry from the quiet, village life I had been living in Surrey. I really wasn’t enjoying myself, feeling constantly anxious and homesick. My gut feeling was that I had made a mistake in choosing that uni and I dropped out after less than a month.

When I came home I felt a combination of relief and disappointment. I was certain that I still wanted to go to university so immediately began looking for other places.

A friend recommended I look at Canterbury, a campus based university not far from where I lived. I had a look round and it was so much better suited to my needs. Luckily there were still places available and I managed to enrol on their Criminology course.

I loved my course; I made some great friends

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DROPPING OUT

N A L P F O E G N and had a fantastic time. I would drive home to Surrey every other weekend to see my family. I also felt safe in the knowledge that I was never that far from my family.

In hindsight, I moved to Manchester for all the wrong reasons. I enjoyed city life for a few days but once the novelty wore off, I was left living in a place that just wasn’t right for me.

I think part of me was trying to prove I could be independent, but there’s no need to feel like a wimp if you’d rather be somewhere nearer home. You have to be honest with yourself and find a place where you can strike a good balance between the two.

You can get yourself back on the right track

I T’S THE WRONG COURSE Carl Peterson, a second year student at Liverpool University switched courses at the end of his first year.

I had decided to do German at Liverpool because, being half German myself, I felt I had a head start. It turns out, that was one of the main problems.

I found the course to be pretty basic and got bored very easily. I was spending most evenings going out with my new friends then not bothering to go lectures and seminars and soon my marks began to slide.

I had forgotten that a big part of why I went to uni was to get a degree. I was putting 100% into my social life and nothing into my academic work. My wake-up call came when I was sent a letter from my course leader telling me to buck up my ideas or leave the course.

The thought of throwing away my degree made me realise how much I wanted to achieve it. I had a serious discussion with my parents about what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to stay at Liverpool and decided that I would rather do an IT course, something I have always excelled in.

I spoke to the head of department of both subjects and they agreed to allow me to switch courses. I had to re-do my first year but now I am much more motivated, focused and enthusiastic about my studies.

I do regret wasting a year but I think my experience is living proof that you can get yourself back on the right track.

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22/07/2009 10:00:15

FINANCES

r e T f a g n i k o o l The sTereoTypical image of The impoverished sTudenT eaTing cold baked bins from a Tin is as clichéd as The idea ThaT mosT sTudenTs spend all nighT geTTing drunk and all day sleeping iT off. buT being a so-called poor sTudenT can acTually be financially rewarding in some ways. lucy durnin geTs The inside Tips on how To save money buT sTill have fun…

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FINANCES

s E i n n E p E h t Er W

hen you start university, it’s probably the first time that you’ve been solely responsible for your own daily living budget so it can be easy to lose track of your spending.

The chances are you’ve gone from having a measly sum of money in the bank to finding a healthy balance when your loan comes in.

The temptation is to immediately think: “Great! Now I can buy that new ipod/mobile phone/pair of designer shoes”.

I knew one not-so-smart individual who blew his entire loan on a wide screen television during the first term of uni. The only upside to his purchase was that it provided him with some good company when he was holed up alone in his room, too skint to go out with everyone else.

The important thing to keep in mind is that your loan is not an opportunity for a spree; that money has got to last you for an entire term.

But if you make smart choices and know the right places to look, being a student doesn’t have to mean being poor.

Bag a Bargain Your first job should be to get yourself an NUS extra card. There are around 600 student unions across the UK affiliated to the National Union of Students, which represents the interests of over seven million students in further and higher education.

Not only do they campaign for the rights of students and provide advice on uni life, becoming a member will enable you to register for an NUS Extra card which will get you money off on books, clothes, gigs and eating out.

There are currently over 80 national discounts available online or on the high street including 10% off at Superdrug, 5% off at Amazon and 2 for 1 main meals at ASK. The cards cost £10 and are valid for 12 months. They can be bought from your student union or from www.nus.org.uk. An alternative student discount card can be found on the website www.studentdiscounts.co.uk Aside from the £1.75 postage charge, the card is free and can get you money off of shops, bars and restaurants. When you’re in need a break from the books, you can also get money off on days out such as £12 off of entry to Alton Towers.

Extra CurriCular If gigs are your thing, don’t waste time and money buying tickets through expensive agents. Visit Student Nights Out, a site set up by students who got sick of queuing outside venues to get tickets for their favourite events.

Their solution was to create a website where like-minded students can search for events, buy tickets online and get guaranteed entry.

To use the service and get the latest information on student nights out, visit www. studentnighttickets.com to register as a member of the SNT community.

If you fancy a trip away during those legendary uni holidays, you can find cheap flights and hotel deals through STA Travel.

Flying everywhere around the world from Australia, New Zealand and Asia to Europe, America and Africa, the organisation specialises in finding the best travel prices for students and adults under the age of 26.

You can also score some great seasonal offers through their website, such as free travel insurance and cheap railcards, plus they guarantee to beat the price of any airfare you have been offered.

Ring their headquarters on 0871 230 0040 to find your nearest branch or visit their website on www.statravel.co.uk.

look aftEr thE pEnniEs… When it comes to money, it’s the little things that really do make a difference.

For example, if you’re an Orange mobile customer, go to the cinema on a Wednesday night to take advantage of the Orange Wednesday two-for-one offer.

And when you’re out shopping, always ask at the till if they have a student discount; you’ll be surprised at how many shops do offer money off. Waterstones, New Look and Warehouse all offer 10% discount so make sure you always carry your university card with you to prove you’re a current student.

Of course you don’t want to be lying awake at night worrying about money; that’s not what being a student is all about. But make the right choices and you can turn your student identity to your financial advantage.

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FINANCES

You can benefit from a variety of freebies

Student Night at the O2 Arena Monday is student night at the O2 when NUS Extra card holders are granted a special 15% discount valid from 8-10pm on Mondays at many bars and restaurants within the arena.

Participants include Pizza Express, ha ha bar& grill, the Slug and Lettuce and Frankie and Benny’s.

Young Person’s Railcard - If you’re aged 16-25 you can buy a Young Person’s Railcard for £24. Valid for 12 months, you can get a third off of most rail fares throughout the UK, savings on advance fares and discounts on restaurants, hotels and days out. To apply for a young person’s railcard visit the website www.16-25railcard.co.uk.

Lloyds TSB student account - With a Lloyds TSB student account you can benefit from a variety of freebies including a free NUS Extra card, free membership to the Youth Hostel Association for a year and a free mobile banking pack for 12 months. You also get an interest free overdraft of up to £1,500.

Topshop - Considering that you make up the majority of their target audience, it’s no surprise that Topshop loves students. As well as offering 10% off all year round, they hold special events such as student lock-ins at selected stores around the country.

www.studentbeans.com - Not only does this site provide money-saving tips and vouchers, such as 2 for 1 Cineworld tickets, it also has competitions where you can win a laptop or £5000 to pay off your student loan. The website can come in handy as it gives discounts on nearly everything a student will desire. it also offers the opportunity to make money if you spend some time filling out surveys.

By signing up to the site you will be opening the gates to enormous savings that can be spent on that vital night out!

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Get advice from the UK’s largest student community How does Clearing work?

Help! I am in debt where can I get help from?

Anyone studying History at How do I apply Bristol? for student ďŹ nance?

Can I update my personal statement?

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15/07/2009 16:52:50

OPEN DAYS

under close inspection

open days are essential when it comes to choosing the right university. lucy durnin investigates what open days have to offer and how they can help you choose the right place

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e

OPEN DAYS

reGarDLeSS of whaT your frienDS or parenTS Think you ShouLD Do, The DeciSion iS yourS

D

on’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right university. This will be where you live, work and play for the next three years, so finding the right place for you isn’t a decision to be taken lightly.

We’ve all flicked through the glossy prospectuses filled with pictures of happy students listening intently in lecture theatres or drinking coffee on campus and thought; that all looks very nice.

But can you really judge a university by what is essentially a promotional leaflet? Not really.

The only way to get a genuine idea of what a university is like and to establish a clear perspective of how your life there would be is to take a look.

come on Down The majority of universities offer open days throughout the year giving prospective students the opportunity to have a look round the campus, see the accommodation and tour the academic departments and facilities.

Open days either take the form of UCAS visit days, which you need to book on line via the university website, or informal visit days which are available at some universities throughout the year.

When you start planning which open days to attend, it’s always good to have more than one university in mind. If you set your heart on somewhere in particular and it turns out to be a disappointment, you may find yourself at a bit of a loss. It’s generally best to have a shortlist of at least four places that you want to see.

When deciding what universities, you should establish the answers to two basic questions: What do I want to study and where do I want to study it?

Many people decide on which course they wish to study based on the career path they intend to follow.

Others may not have a clear idea of what job they eventually want to do and instead choose an area which they are interested in or feel they excel at.

Choosing where you want to do your studying is another important decision and there are many elements to be taken into consideration: Would you be comfortable living a long way from home? Does

the university cater for your interests? How would you fit in with the social life there?

While it’s fine to take on board the opinions of others, ultimately all of these questions need to be answered by you. This is about your future so regardless of what your friends or parents think you should do, the decision is yours.

Tour GuiDe A typical open day programme will include a welcome meeting which may include information on the course structure as well as advice on accommodation and other facilities. You will then be taken on a tour of the campus and accommodation, invariably in groups and usually guided by a student currently studying at the university. Touring the uni is a great opportunity to really get a feel for the place where you will potentially be spending the next 3 years of your life at.

LocaTion, LocaTion, LocaTion As well as taking a look at the university, it’s a good idea to get a feel for what the surrounding area is like. Whichever university you decide on, you will no doubt be spending a lot of time outside the campus so it’s important to know what’s around and whether you’re going to like what you find.

Find out what the cost of living is in the local area.

Living in a big city like London or Manchester will require a lot more money than living in Exeter or Canterbury, so it’ll help to get some sort of idea of what your budget will be.

worDS of aDvice To make the most out of an open day, it is important to plan ahead. Prepare questions beforehand and take them with you on the day.

Speak to current students as they are always available at open days and happy to chat. They will give you an honest picture of what it’s like to study at the University and can tell you about the local area, nightlife, and clubs and societies available.

Remember, as with most things in life, you only get out of an open day what you put in to it.

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SUMMER WORK

AROUND THE FIRE GETTING A JOB IN SUMMER IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE CASH FLOWING BUT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. LUCY BUSUTTIL GETS THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE TOP SUMMER JOBS TO HAVE THAT BEAT STACKING SHELVES AND FLIPPING BURGERS

I

n the summer before you hit university, you’re just about to become a grown-up – which is when many students realise they want to be a kid again! Luckily, one summer job allows you to escape. This job is working as a counsellor at a summer camp. Ellen Andrews (24), who worked for Camp America, and Katie Baxter (23), who worked for Camp Beaumont in Surrey. tell of their experiences.

CAMP AMERICA Ellen Andrews was a high-flying chemistry student and by her third year she needed a break from over-achieving. A friend told her about Camp America, an agency that finds jobs for British students at American summer camps.

Before she knew it she had packed her sun cream and boarded a plane from Heathrow.

“I was put in charge of 22 pre teen girls and was living, eating and sleeping with them”, Ellen remembers. “I was terrified at first because the kids all knew each other, and the rules were really strict – no child could ever be left alone.”

“The counsellors had their own room in the cabin - but there were no doors. Showers were a

nightmare! We all had to wash using only eight showers in 45 minutes! You can’t imagine how long 13-year-old girls take in the shower!”

The schedule was jam packed each day for the children and the counselors explains Ellen.

“Camp schedule is regimented - wake up: 7am, breakfast: 7.45, then cabin clean-up until 8.45.

There were activities all day. The older kids (13+) were allowed to socialize with the boys at night.

Lights out: 9.45pm!

“So I got paid to spend a summer playing softball, football, basketball and doing boating, drama, art and crafts, swimming on the beach, water-skiing, mountain biking, archery and dance!” Did it pay well? “NO!” Ellen exclaims. “But I wasn’t doing it for the pay – you wouldn’t, with such ridiculously long hours. Agencies charge hefty ‘arrangement fees’ because British students can’t get visas and placements alone. The first year I worked I just broke even!” “The second year, though, I set it up myself with the same camp – and I profited $1800. I spent the whole lot in New York, though!”

Like many Camp America counsellors, Ellen

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SUMMER WORK

YOU COULD MAKE MORE MONEY ELSEWHERE DEFINITELY. BUT FOR ME, IT WAS AN ESCAPE, A PETER PAN SUMMER

used her money and her visa to travel – visiting LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and New York.

But the greatest advert for Camp America?

Ellen fell head over heels in love with America – and with one of her co-counsellors, Ryan! As we speak, she is visiting him and helping him plan his emigration to London. So it’s hardly an exaggeration to say that Camp America changed her life – she tells me that her two camp summers were the best experiences of her life.

CAMP BEAUMONT Surrey seems to pale in comparison to Ellen’s American adventure – but many companies are turning the American camp philosophy into something equally fun over here.

Camp Beaumont offers day and residential courses in and around the M25 for kids from Surrey and London. They hire under-24-yearolds with an interest in working with kids, as well as qualified sports instructors, over the Easter and Summer holidays.

I ask Katie Baxter, a former Beaumont

counsellor who is still wearing her red-andyellow camp hoody, about her adventures...

“The kids are great and it’s amazing!” she cries, breaking into an indecipherable melody of “C-A-M-P B-E-A-U-M-O-N-T!” Working as a day-counsellor near her home in Kingston, Surrey meant that Katie could escape when she needed to – the job could be stressful as her camp catered for some children with special needs. Each counsellor had to lead groups alone, but they were small - eight kids max. And the activities would have made most kids (and adults!) pass out with excitement –archery, quad biking, lacrosse, and go karting!

“The kids at Camp Beaumont are rich – so I guess it’s not like in America, where everyone goes to summer camp. One of the parents was Dirty Den - Eastenders actor Leslie Grantham – I couldn’t believe it! But the kids don’t behave in a spoilt way, because they’re not trapped in a classroom”, Katie explains.

“You could make more money elsewhere, definitely,” she confides. “But for me, it was an escape – a Peter Pan summer. And it was the best job I ever did.”

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SUMMER WORK

WHY NOT STUDENTS USUALLY FIND THEMSELVES STRAPPED FOR CASH DURING THE LONG BREAKS. FINDING WORK CAN BE HARD, BUT BY SEARCHING OUTSIDE THE BOX YOU CAN FIND A JOB THAT IS DIFFERENT AND ALSO A LOT MORE FUN THAN PUSHING BOXES ABOUT

O

ne of the best things about being a university student is undoubtedly the holidays. Six weeks at Christmas, three weeks at Easter and up to four months over summer when you can earn some much-needed extra cash.

Not so long ago, it was easy enough to go into a recruitment consultants or a local business and find some casual work for the holidays. But with the economic climate as it stands, unemployment is high and the current jobs market is more competitive than ever.

So rather than resign yourself to several weeks of daytime TV, why not consider a job that isn’t your average 9-5….

MYSTERY SHOPPER Mystery shops are an integral part of the retail and food industry as they give companies an insight into the daily functioning of their stores.

There are a variety of organisations that require mystery shoppers including Intelligent Marketing Solutions www.ukims.co.uk or www. grassrootsmysteryshopping.com.

Once you’ve registered, assignments are offered to you or can be requested at the website. Work can include testing fast food, staying in hotels and test-driving new vehicles.

Payment varies and is paid directly into your account with expenses repaid. As an added bonus, items purchased as a test purchase can be kept by the mystery shopper.

TV EXTRA WORK An extra or ‘background support artist’ as many like to be known, can appear in TV shows or films. Some TV extras are trying to increase their acting experience and build up contacts within the industry. Others are there so they can tell their mates they were on television.

The pay is also quite good. Equity rates for around nine hours work is around £65, although larger companies may pay more. You can also get extra for overtime and unsocial hour’s rates are available for bank holiday or night shots.

Do list any unusual skills on your CV. A director might be looking for someone who can dance, juggle or play the piano and you’ll stand a better chance of finding more work and better pay if you reveal your hidden talents.

You don’t have to be a tall, slim movie star to be a TV extra either. You can be any age, sex, race, size or appearance. Most casting directors

will be looking for the girl or guy-next door to fit naturally into the back of a scene.

You can find adverts for work on gumtree or casting calls on StarsInMyEyes.tv.extra.

Alternatively, search the Yellow Pages for local acting agencies or sign up for free at www.beonscreen.co.uk.

SUMMER CAMP If you are super enthusiastic with a have-a-go attitude, Camp America is for you. On a typical day you could find yourself teaching a tennis class, riding a banana boat, looking after a table of kids and singing round the camp fire.

To secure a placement at a US summer camp or resort, you need to complete an online application form before you are designated a placement. Staff will provide you with assistance in obtaining a J-1 visa and arrange your flights and medical insurance. You will need to pay a total of £469 to cover costs but will receive wages ranging from $575 US dollars to $1350 US Dollars, depending on your role. www.campamerica.co.uk

TOP 3 STUDENT JOB SITES Search for all types of temporary work in the UK and abroad, including au pair positions, ski seasons and summer work in the USA. Complete a job seeker profile and attach a CV so that employers can find you or search their vast database of available posts from the runof-the mill admin section to the more unusual, adventurous positions. www.summerjobs4students.co.uk The Employment4students website brings you the latest student, part-time and temporary jobs as well as internships and graduate positions. Search through a range of job categories and narrow your search by region. The site also offers advice on good interview techniques and tips for filling in application forms. www.e4s.co.uk This fun, funky site takes a realistic attitude towards student work. The search bar features a tool to type your desired area of employment titled “I can cope with” or you can tick a box reading “I’ll do anything”.

Location, salary and descriptions are given for all jobs and a ‘crazy jobs’ section is available for more outlandish posts. www.justjobs4students.co.uk

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SUMMER WORK

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A TALL, SLIM MOVIE STAR TO BE A TV EXTRA EITHER. YOU CAN BE ANY AGE, SEX, RACE, SIZE OR APPEARANCE

Why not consider a job that isn’t your average 9 - 5

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VOLUNTEERING

THINkING OUT VOLUNTEERING NOT ONLY HELPS OTHERS, BUT IT ALSO HAS POSITIVE EFFECTS ON YOUR LIFE AND CAREER. SO GET INVOLVED, HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND DISCOVER THAT VOLUNTEERING REALLY DOES BETTER YOURSELF AND PEOPLE IN NEED

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VOLUNTEERING

Side the box u

niversity opens doors to the widest variety of activities imaginable. At each university there are hundreds of clubs, teams and societies, offering students the opportunity to try new things and gain new skills. Amongst these will be a volunteering organisation - a chance for students to give back to the wider community.

Volunteering may be something you’ve never done before in your life, or it may already be a big part of your life that you wish to continue. Either way, it is an activity that provides participants with wide-ranging personal and professional benefits making it well-worth considering.

get inVoLVed Usually run through the Student Union, but sometimes by the Careers Service or as a separate entity, a university’s volunteering department is often a major project. The University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students alone has over 150 different volunteering opportunities for students to choose from.

“Students can volunteer for student-led volunteering projects and for a range of local and national charities or with voluntary, community and public sector organisations in the local area,” Joanna Watson, Volunteering Activities Coordinator at Birmingham explains.

“The huge variety of projects we offer gives students the chance to volunteer with a diverse range of people…The roles are varied and could involve running a play scheme or activity club, befriending or mentoring someone, teaching or sports coaching, giving advice or counselling, conserving

the environment, fundraising, marketing or campaigning, conducting research or even volunteering abroad!”

And if none of the schemes on offer take your fancy, students are actively encouraged to set up their own project.

Getting involved in volunteering is an opportunity to build up a wealth of key skills on your CV that will really impress potential employers. Teamwork, management, organisation, communication and commitment are just a few of the many transferable skills you are likely to gain.

eMPLoYMent beneFitS Talking to Developments, a government magazine, business tycoon Duncan Bannatyne explained why employers look favourably on volunteering experience: “When I employ someone I look for initiative and drive; someone who is a self-starter and can work well as part of a team…Volunteering shows you have the desire to do something extra with your life and help others in the process. These are qualities employers are looking for on a CV and show more about a person than their qualifications alone.”

gAining exPeRienCe As well as more general life skills, volunteering can offer the chance to gain more direct experience for a particular job. For example, if you want to work in conservation there might be a project running to help preserve a local wood, pond or park area, or your desired job may require experience working with children.

This was the case for Silvana Mengoni, a University of York Psychology student.

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VOLUNTEERING

“I originally wanted to go into Educational Psychology, which is a hugely competitive area to break. I needed experience working with kids so I did the YSIS scheme - it is a scheme in which students help out in local schools -, renovated a youth room, and coordinated kids club - a weekly activities day for the disadvantaged children.”

If the idea of coordinating and leading projects sounds a little beyond your current capabilities, don’t be put off. Prior to university, Silvana had no experience, as is the case for most student volunteers. Volunteering departments in universities are wellestablished and have teams of staff dedicated to helping participants complete any required training, as well as being available for support, advice and information.

REAP THE REWARDS Many universities also run reward schemes to encourage greater commitments to volunteering. Joanna Watson explains that at Birmingham, “some degree modules include an element of volunteering and there are also plans in development for volunteering to count towards a PSA (Personal Skills Award.)”

Similarly the University of York has the York Award, a certificated programme that requires students to plan and pursue an active programme of personal development, combining academic, work experience and leisure activities. Such programmes provide a recognisable and recorded achievement that makes a welcome addition to any CV. There are also many schemes across the country that offer certificates and prizes for students who have recorded a certain number of hours of service. There are also regional and national competitions that are recognising different projects.

Whilst there are plenty of one-day activities available, it is necessary to remember that volunteering does on the whole require a high level of commitment. At times it will be hard

work, sometimes boring and at the end of a residential trip with school children you may feel like you’re reaching the end of your tether; but it is always worth persevering. The rewards of giving up your time for the sake of others will always outweigh the downsides.

Silvana doesn’t regret helping to renovate a local youth room, despite the many pitfalls they encountered. “We were a pilot project and everything over-ran and lots of things went wrong. It was also hard-work managing the group of sixth formers who were involved. But parts of it were really good fun and we did win a regional volunteering prize and get a free trip to Blackpool. The effort was definitely worth it in the end.”

The best part of volunteering at the University of Warwick for History graduate Anna Burton, was the opportunities it brought for meeting and working with a variety of interesting people. “I made friends with so many great people, and after university I ended up working for a charity in India, where I became close to people I would never have come into contact with had it not been for charity work.”

LEAVING YOUR MARK Volunteering at university isn’t just about the work you’re doing at the time. It’s the after effects for the people your work is helping and for yourself. Through the people you meet you can discover other projects, make new friends, create a stronger link with the community outside of your university, and ultimately have fun making a difference. Volunteering itself is a whole new experience and comes with rewards. As you consider which university you might attend, take time to check out the volunteering programmes on offer and think about how you might like to get involved.

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ACCOUNTINGAMERICANSTUDIESARTASTRONO GYBUSINESSCHEMISTRYCHIROPRACTICCOMM TIONCOMPUTINGCONSTRUCTIONCREATIVEAN Open Days 2009 NGCRIMINOLOGYCULTURALSTUDIESDESIGND Wednesday 8th July CHILDHOODEDUCATIONELECTRICALANDELEC Thursday 17th September Saturday 17th October GENGLISHEVENTSFILMSTUDIESFORENSICSCIE Saturday 31st October LOGYHEALTHSCIENCEHISTORYHUMANITIESLA AGEMENTMATHEMATICSMEDIAANDCOMMUNIC MUSICNURSINGNUTRITIONPOLICESCIENCESPO PUBLICANDEMERGENCYSERVICESPUBLICSER OLOGYANDSOCIALSCIENCESSOCIALWORKSP PROPERTYTOURISMANIMATIONCOMPUTERAN NSTRUCTIONFORSCREENANDSTAGEFASHION PROMTIONGRAPHICCOMMUNICATIONINTERAC SIGNINTERIORDESIGNPRODUCTDESIGNTELEV If you are thinking about your university options for GNFOUNDATIONSTUDIESARTANDDESIGNLIGHT September 2010, come to one of our Open Days and explore what the University of Glamorgan can offer you.

NOLOGYACCOUNTINGAMERICANSTUDIESARTA Discover our range of courses, why we are among the top SPACEBIOLOGYBUSINESSCHEMISTRYCHIROP ten new universities in the UK*, how to get a head start for EGENERATION COMPUTINGCONSTRUCTIONC the best opportunities in your chosen career and much more.

SIONALWRITINGCRIMINOLOGYCULTURALSTUD Contact us today to book your place.

MAEARLYYEARSANDCHILDHOODEDUCATIONE 0800 716 925 RONICSENGINEERINGENGLSHEVENTSLANGUA www.glam.ac.uk/opendays MENTMATHEMATICSMEDIAANDCOMMUNICATIO NURSINGNUTRITIONPOLICESCIENCESPOLITICS ANDEMERGENCYSERVICESPUBLICSERVICESS GYANDSOCIALSCIENCESSOCIALWORKSPORT ERTYTOURISMANIMATIONCOMPUTERANIMATIO UCTIONFORSCREENANDSTAGEFASHIONDESIG University of Glamorgan TIONGRAPHICCOMMUNICATIONINTERACTIVEAN Cardiff • Pontypridd • Caerdydd TERIORDESIGNPRODUCTDESIGNTELEVISIONAN

I

glamorgan looking forward

*The Guardian League Tables – University Guide 2009.

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READY TO

UP?

RISE

A LIMITED NUMBER OF PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN CLEARING

Set in the heart of north London, we offer a range of world-class undergraduate courses to give your prospects a real lift. So if you want to stand out in the capital, there’s still time to rise up with a Middlesex degree.

• Wide range of programmes, from Art and Design to Product Design, Business Studies to Housing Studies, Computer Science to Social Science Don’t miss out, call free for an instant decision:

0800 069 6112 or text CLEARING3 to 84118 and we’ll call you back.

LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH LONDON WITH OUTSTANDING FACILITIES – VISIT ON AN OPEN DAY OR CAMPUS TOUR FOR 2009 ENTRY IN CLEARING • Clearing Open Day Saturday 22 August, Hendon and Trent Park campuses

• Campus Tours Every Wednesday plus 20 and 21 August and 24-28 August

www.mdx.ac.uk MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY IN LONDON

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