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Applicant

Unwinding before your New Chapter

Mon 15 July 2019 - 15:00

By Sophie Gibbons in Applicant

So, by now you would have finished you’re A level exams, your coursework and completely finished college. What are you now planning on doing with all this spare time that not so long ago was primarily revolved around your studies? This is a question I have frequently been asking myself since leaving college two weeks ago.

I have roughly 2 and a half months until I begin University, and within that time I most definitely want to relax and for a minority of the time do absolutely nothing and go on a Netflix binge! But deep down I am a sort of person that does weirdly feel somewhat guilty if I do nothing for too long (my parents would 100% disagree with that statement hahah), so during this Summer I have begun to organise some things I have always wanted to do but have never necessarily had enough time to do whilst being at college because that was my number one priority.

For example, I picked up my Shorthand studies again due to myself being a future Journalism...

Wondering what to pack?

Sun 7 July 2019 - 09:56

By UCAS in Applicant

Before you know it, it’ll be time to pack and get on your way to uni. Here’s a quick guide on what to pack.

Must-haves:
  • Clothes – there’s no need to pack your entire wardrobe, especially if you’re going to head home at the end of term!
  • Bedroom bits and pieces – duvet, sheets, pillows, hangers, and towels. You might want to think about ear plugs if you’re going to be in a lively area, or a mini fridge for your room if you’ll be in shared accommodation. 
  • From the bathroom cabinet – toiletries, glasses, contact lenses, medication, and a small first aid kit.
  • Laundry – washing products, laundry bag, and drying rack.
  • Electronics – laptop, tablet, printer, extension leads, and chargers. You may need an adaptor if you’re coming from outside the UK.
  • Kitchen essentials – check what is included at your accommodation. As a minimum, you’ll need enough cutlery, crockery, glasses, pots...

Exam Results Helpline is back for August 2019

Thu 4 July 2019 - 09:08

By Exam Results Helpline in Applicant

The Exam Results Helpline is preparing for another busy August helping stressed-out students and their families as 2019’s major exam announcements approach. The team of career advice experts provide free, specialised information, help and guidance to students who have higher or lower exam results than expected and want to know what to do next.

The helpline number 0808 100 8000 opens in Scotland first on 6 August, when Higher, Advanced Higher, National and Scottish Baccalaureate results are announced and closes North of the Border on 14 August.

The helpline number 0800 100 900 will then open for students in the rest of the UK on 14 August, and closes on 29 August, following GCSE results day. Follow on advice will be available from The National Careers Service to anyone that requires it after 29 August.

Students make the bulk of the calls, but a third are parents reviewing...

Get to know universities as an international applicant

Wed 27 March 2019 - 12:09

By Coral Kim in Applicant

You’ve decided to apply for a university in the UK. You’ve figured out (hopefully) the UCAS application system, you’ve chosen a course, and you’ve stumbled upon the various university rankings. But now you need to pick a university, where you’re probably going to spend three (or more) years of your life. How? How can you tell which one suits you best? Which one has the student life that fits you?

'Come to our open day.'

Sadly, that’s not an option. As much as you want to visit, you simply cannot afford (either in terms of time or money, or both) to do so. It’s a situation most international students face — I did, too. Then how on earth did I choose five universities, out of the countless options that the UK offers, without even being able to visit them?

1. Vlogs or blogs

Many universities have students that are active as either vloggers or bloggers — all five of my choices did! Lots of them...

Three Tips For Your First Open Day

Mon 14 January 2019 - 09:41

By Rebecca Thompson in Applicant

When you get to the age where you can’t hide away from the fact that your future is on its way and you need to start choosing universities, you start looking into courses that interest you, and start visiting the universities for open days. Going to uni open days are quite important because if you are making the commitment to go to university, you surely want to know where you may spend the next few years. I went to my first open day a little bit ago, and these are the things I wish I’d have known before going.

1) Be prepared

Make sure you know you can go, can get there, and what you want to see when you are there. This means, make sure you book going on the day (you can find the instructions on how to do this if you need to on the university's website). Make sure you can travel there, so transport or maybe you can go with your parents who can drive you! Lastly, have a look at what times the talks you want to see are and maybe make a...

Revision tips for the New Year

Mon 7 January 2019 - 09:51

By Tabitha Hempshall in Applicant

School loves to taint the Christmas holidays with the looming deadline of January mocks, so here are my top tips (that I actually use myself) for the coming weeks to help you revise no matter what the topic!

Tip #1: Textbook Checklist

This may sound incredibly obvious but one of the best ways to stay on top of revision when there are so many different topics to revise for each subject (especially at A-Level) is to make a checklist. I make a simple grid with each chapter and section from the textbook down the left hand side and 3 or 4 columns to the right of it. 

Simply print it off (or keep it digital if you wish) and fill in the date when you are going to revise each topic up until the test date. This creates a revision plan and ensures you cover each aspect of the subject. When you have revised simply highlight. If you plan in advance, you can even go over your weaker areas several times.

...

UCAS Application status: Sent!

Mon 3 December 2018 - 12:25

By Sophie Gibbons in Applicant

Hello, my name is Sophie Gibbons, and I am currently attending college where I study a Level 3 UAL in Media Studies and Production as well as the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification.

I have now officially sent off my application to five different Universities where I will potentially be attending one of these five choices in 2019, and I am absolutely blown away by how nerve racking it was! I am surprised with how much of an affect this has had over me as I am usually quite a laid-back person, but no... clearly am not – I proved myself wrong, I am in fact the opposite.

So, I was sitting at my desk in college today and the realisation hit me... I need to send of my application! Even though I have an extended deadline compared to everyone else applying to university in my college, as me being the unique and impatient person I am, I decided to apply as an individual because the college didn't get me their buzzword quick enough.

The result of this now is me...

Preparing for interviews at a University

Thu 22 November 2018 - 16:35

By Tabitha Hempshall in Applicant

The prospect of going to interview is nerve-wracking. For many it involves singing your own praises, answering unknown questions on the spot and having your personal statement pulled apart, all of which push people out of their comfort zone. Here is a list of a few key ideas, which I have found helpful in preparing for interview and that have made me feel more confident!

- Research questions based on topic

Just Google “interview questions for [insert course]” and you will find questions that cover key topic areas. I found the best way to use these...

How to prepare for your conservatoire audition

Wed 14 November 2018 - 12:43

By UCAS in Applicant

If you’re applying to a conservatoire, you’ll need to attend an audition before they can make a decision – our guide to making the most of your audition will help you get to grips with how to prepare.

To give you a better idea of what could be in store for you at an audition, Nicola Peacock from the Royal College of Music shares her top tips.

Auditions are a busy time for conservatoire staff, but also exciting, as we get to meet the talented new students who will be joining us next year. We are very aware that auditioning at a conservatoire can seem a daunting prospect, but we really want applicants to have a positive experience and a lot of effort goes into ensuring we look after you on the day.

...

Get set for Clearing - Part One

Thu 9 August 2018 - 17:01

By UCAS in Applicant

Wendy James, Admissions & Student Records Manager, Birkbeck, University of London

It’s really important to remember that studying at university isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ experience. As well as finding the right course, take some time to work out what kind of experience you want out of the next few years, so you don’t get swept up with what your friends are doing, or go for the first option that comes your way.

For example, do you want to study in a city or campus-based provider? If you need to work to support yourself during your studies, what are the employment opportunities like?

If possible, do this before results day – research viable alternatives just in case. If you get the grades, then great, but...

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