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Five tips to help you prepare for your first day at university

Fri 18 September 2020 - 15:40

By UCAS in International students

If you are an international student coming to study in the UK, your first day at university can be a little overwhelming so here are some tips for to get your through your first day. 

How do I enrol?

Before you can start at university, you will need to enrol for your course. Every university has a slightly different way of doing this, but you will get an email or letter informing you of what steps you should take. Generally, in August you will be emailed your username and passwords, alongside instructions on how to access the registration area of your university website. It is important to complete pre-registration before your first day at university. 

When you...

Skills Development Scotland Results Helpline back for 2020

Mon 3 August 2020 - 08:05

By UCAS in UCAS advice

This has been a year like no other for young people receiving their results. As always, Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline will provide dedicated support when it opens on Tuesday 4th August. 
 
Our Results Helpline offers advice, information and guidance for young people and their parents and carers from 8am on Results day. 
 
Around 138,000 candidates across Scotland will receive their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results from SQA. SDS’s expert advisers will be on hand to discuss options and next steps including:
  • University and college courses
  • Confirmation and Clearing
  • Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships
  • Jobs
  • Volunteering
The number to call is 0808 100 8000 and the Helpline is open on August 4th and 5th from 8am to 8pm, August 6th and 7th from 9am-5pm and August 10th to 12th from 9am-5pm....

Exam Results Helpline is back for August 2021

Wed 14 July 2021 - 10:36

By National Careers Service in UCAS advice


We know that this year is different for those people receiving exam results so the National Careers Service’s Exam Results Helpline is available to help young people (and their parents or carers) that are receiving exam results in August. The helpline has professional careers advisers available to provide free, impartial advice and guidance on the different choices available which includes:

  • Skills, qualifications and subject choices
  • Re-sits and re-marks
  • Post-16 and Post-18 options, including gap years and re-sits/re-marks
  • Moving away from home
  • Vocational learning routes including diplomas, apprenticeships, SVQs and NVQs
  • Careers, employment and setting up in business

You can contact the helpline on 0800 100 900 to speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser if you need advice on your next steps. The helpline will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to...

Eight questions answered by unis and colleges offering degree apprenticeships

Fri 10 July 2020 - 12:58

By UCAS in UCAS advice

1. What are the key features and aptitudes of successful applicants? 

Willingness to work hard, because you will be studying and doing a full-time job, as well as confident and mature to handle their responsibilities in the workplace. Academically, they can have different types of qualifications. 

2. What are the biggest challenges for young people doing an Apprenticeship? 

Just making enough time to do everything in the day calls for great time management skills. 

3. What advice would you give to...

10 things you need to know about apprenticeships

Fri 10 July 2020 - 12:55

By UCAS in UCAS advice

1. An apprenticeship is a real job with training. 

As an apprentice, you are expected to work hard, and are given real responsibilities, a contract of employment, holiday, and sick pay – exactly the same as any other member of staff! You will also gain a qualification, and valuable skills and experience. 

2. You will work towards a qualification. 

You will be supported by a training provider (a university or college), that will help you achieve your qualification and make sure you complete your apprenticeship. 

3. An apprenticeship...

Protecting yourself from fraud & scams

Thu 9 July 2020 - 08:35

By Barclays in UCAS advice

 

Fraudsters can take advantage of you when you’re at uni – learn how to help protect yourself with our handy podcast below! Whether it’s via your smartphone, laptop or other digital device, you’re always connected, for the serious work (study and revision!) as well as your social activity and for the most part, it’s great!

Unfortunately, it also exposes you to the threat of fraud and scams. From phishing to smishing, this podcast provides hints and tips of things to watch out for and how to protect yourself.

 

...

Finishing my second year during a pandemic

Wed 29 July 2020 - 13:34

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Hi everyone! My name is Gaia and I’m about to start my third year studying Psychology with Criminology at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Alongside my studies I regularly post university content on my YouTube channel – ‘Gaia Rose’. Ever since I started my channel back in September 2019, I have been helping thousands of students get to know not only NTU better, but also offer a realistic insight into student life at university. My channel covers a variety of different areas, from day in the life university vlogs to NTU-specific advice videos. I have also taken over NTU’s Instagram twice for their student takeovers.

In the recent months, I’ve been balancing my time revising for my second-year exams and filming videos for my channel. The current COVID-19 situation has already proven to be difficult for UK students such as myself, due to the vague government guidelines. Therefore, I cannot imagine how...

Pre-graduation enthusiasm

Fri 26 June 2020 - 08:47

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Graduation! This is something every student looks forward to from the day they start the degree! It isn’t just about the certificate and the qualification, but it is about celebrating your achievements, celebrations with the friends that became family, making lifelong memories in the form of pictures, and most importantly – throwing your cap in the air! Being an international student, I was very excited for my family to come over for my graduation celebration and they were equally excited to make their trip here just to know it was not happening this year. Many universities have cancelled their graduation ceremonies and some have organised virtual celebrations, but I am glad Swansea University is still hoping to have a graduation ceremony for every student who was to graduate this year, be it this year or the next and I am very excited for that time to come! Something very unique that Swansea University is designing for its graduates year is a digital year book to keep as a memento...

What you need to know and do before replying to your offers

Fri 12 June 2020 - 15:14

By UCAS in UCAS advice

For lots of students, the deadline for replying to offers is just a few days away. Together with BBC Bitesize we’ve pulled together what you need to know and do before the 18 June deadline… 

Make a decision! 

It sounds obvious, right?!… If your reply deadline is on 18 June, you need to make your replies in Track by 18:00 on 18 June. If you don’t, they’ll be declined for you.  

To help you make an informed decision about what and where you’ll study, head to university and college websites to find out how courses will run next term. Most have updated their sites in the last month, so take a look at the latest information.  

Get answers to questions before you reply  

If you’re worried about any part of uni life, reach out to unis and get your questions answered before you make your replies. Admissions offices up and down the country are ready to help and give...

Four reasons why you should do a placement year

Fri 12 June 2020 - 13:21

By UCAS in UCAS advice

A placement year may be an essential part of your degree or optional. Current placement student, Emily Fox from De Montfort University, recently completed her year in industry and details four reasons why you should consider one too.

Placement years usually occur between your second and final year of study at university and at many institutions, count towards your overall degree. Often, they can help you to explore potential career paths and provide you with valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. 

1. Enhance your career prospects 

Placements...

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