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UCAS advice

What's it like to work during your gap year?

Wed 7 August 2019 - 09:35

By IBM in UCAS advice

It’s certainly a surreal feeling. Being only 17 and watching all your friends apply for university but, instead, you’re submitting a job application to one of the biggest technology consultancy firms in the world. What makes it even more bizarre is the fact that it’s only for the year. It feels as though you are about to start climbing the stairs to your career but, as you go to place your foot on the first step, you hesitate – unsure whether you really want to commit to the ascent, or recoil to the safety of traditional higher education. At this point, however, it doesn’t feel real. You’ve merely submitted words on a page, the first step in a long selection process – one you feel you don’t have a hope in hell of surviving. Yet you complete all the tests and jump all the hurdles thrown your way. And you make it.

When you arrive on your first day, the apprehension you feel is immeasurable and, as you’ll be reminded time after time throughout the next 12 months, you’re a baby...

'I have no regrets about my decision'

Tue 6 August 2019 - 13:24

By PwC in UCAS advice

School leaver programmes give you a direct route into the world of work. They allow you to learn new skills, meet new people, and earn a wage while you’re learning. Not sure if it’s the right path for you? Adam, from PwC, shares his story. 

‘I joined PwC in September 2015, having completed my A levels that year. The School Leaver Programme allows you to have a full-time job, while also studying towards your professional qualifications – in my case, the ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants). So far, I have completed six exams out of the 15 required to qualify, which means I’ll become a Chartered Accountant at the age of 22, this September.

‘I currently work in...

Why I chose law

Tue 6 August 2019 - 13:14

By Sam Silsby in UCAS advice

My name is Sam Silsby, and I am a trainee solicitor at BPE Solicitors LLP in Cheltenham. I chose law later in life, having had a successful 20-year career in the public and private sectors as a project manager and a commissioning manager. I always had an interest in law, particularly employment and HR related topics, as I had managed large teams and understood the challenges facing employers. When I realised that I had over half of my career remaining, I decided it was now or never and took the plunge! I had to complete a conversion course called a GDL to allow me to have the equivalent to a law degree before taking my Legal Practice Course (LPC).

I love the blend of having to understand and work out statute and case law, then having to package up advice in a commercial way with no ‘legalese’ to assist our clients to reach their goals. It is hard work, and excellent attention to detail is required, but the satisfaction...

Get to know the university you could be studying at

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:45

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Now you’ve accepted a conditional offer, it’s a good idea to get to know your prospective university better, and see where you could be studying in the not-too-distant future. Getting to know the place now will help you to feel more at home if you start studying there, as you’ll already be familiar with the place and the people.
  • Now’s the perfect time to head to an open day at the uni you could be studying at, even if you have already been to one. Open days are a great way to explore the facilities, see where you could be living, and talk to current...

Get your degree paid for whilst gaining corporate experience

Tue 23 July 2019 - 10:44

By Danielle Ariyo-Francis in UCAS advice

I didn’t enjoy the A Levels that I took at college, which made choosing a university course difficult. I ended up accepting a place at Cardiff to study Psychology, however I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do after university or even if I wanted to be a psychologist! I decided to defer my place at Cardiff and take a gap year to get experience at a business, which was also something I had been interested in. I came across the IBM Futures Scheme online, which is a 12 month paid internship and applied for a Business role, not really knowing what I was getting into. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

My first project at IBM was the Shell Account, working...

'I now know what it means to be an engineer in the real world'

Mon 15 July 2019 - 14:56

By UCAS in UCAS advice

So, I studied Maths, Physics, Economics and English at A-levels. My Dream is to be a pilot for MAF in Indonesia, but in the meantime get into the aerospace industry to help achieve that goal. Having applied through UCAS, I was offered a place with Loughborough University to do Aeronautical engineering.

During my degree I covered a lot of material about the engineering behind an aircraft. From the aerodynamic analysis of wing airfoils to turbomachinery & propulsion. I applied for sandwich placements thinking it’d be a good idea to get some experience in the fully adult, working world and to get a positive bank account!

I landed an internship with...

UCAS Clearing: Advice from university staff

Tue 30 June 2020 - 09:00

By UCAS in UCAS advice

If your results weren’t what you expected, you may have found yourself in Clearing. If so, there’s no need to panic. Last year, 73,320 applicants secured a place through Clearing.
 
By now, you’ve probably had a look at our search tool for Clearing vacancies. If you’ve found the ideal course for you, that’s great news! But you shouldn’t rush your decision and add the choice in Track. You should call the uni first to make sure they still have vacancies, discuss your application, and check whether they can accept you.
 
In this blog, we’ve got some valuable advice from university staff on how to approach Clearing. 
 
...

Clearing experiences

Tue 30 June 2020 - 08:59

By UCAS in UCAS advice

In 2019 there were 73,320 students who were accepted at universities and colleges through Clearing. Each year there are students throughout the UK who are succeeding in their studies and careers after using Clearing to get a place on their chosen course – let us introduce you to four of them...
 
Jaz’s story
BBB were the grades Jaz needed to study the engineering course she’d chosen, but on results day things didn’t go to plan. She had a big decision to make: re-take her exams, change direction altogether or look for a place in Clearing. She chose Clearing, and she’s glad that she did...

'Just go for it'

Fri 21 June 2019 - 09:58

By PwC in UCAS advice

Apprenticeships are a way to gain the skills, knowledge and experience you need to get into many careers. They combine work, training, and study, letting you 'earn while you learn'. Saima, from PwC, shares her story.

Why did you choose the programme?
I chose the programme when I was deciding what to do with my future. I held a place at university to study international development, but I realised I didn’t enjoy classroom-based learning, and much preferred a more practical method of working. I knew more companies were offering apprenticeships, and had some friends who were looking into working at PwC, so thought I’d see if it was...

Amanda's apprenticeship experience

Wed 6 November 2019 - 14:30

By UCAS in UCAS advice

 
I started my journey as an 18 year old girl who had just completed her A levels but didn’t know what she wanted to do. At the time, I had two part-time jobs and had been studying IT and media. I found out about apprenticeships through school and looked further into them. I applied for tonnes of apprenticeships in IT as I thought this was the career path I wanted to take, but never heard back. By this time I had no idea what I was going to do and if I would ever find an apprenticeship. I thought I would try looking for a media apprenticeship and found one with a local company. I applied and got an interview, and afterwards I remember thinking ‘well I’m not going to get that job, better get home and apply for others’. There was actually...

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