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UCAS advice

Student Minds share their top tips when starting uni

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:24

By Student Minds in UCAS advice

While starting university can be full of new experiences and mark the exciting journey into adulthood, many students struggle with the initial transition from school or college. At Student Minds we have been developing resources to support you with this move and want to share our top tips with you!

Meeting new people

Not knowing many people can be a bit scary at first, but don’t let your ‘stress signal’ stop you from making new friends. Most people feel some stress when meeting new people and making new friends. Instead of thinking about meeting others as stressful, imagine how exciting it can be to develop new friendships and discover new ways of looking at the world. And remember, not every new person you meet will be an automatic friend. You get to choose who you will be friends with! The more people you meet, the more likely you will be to find another person who will become a friend.

Get involved

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Sadie's apprenticeship experience

Wed 6 November 2019 - 14:35

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Hello! My name's Sadie Hawkins and I'm an IBMer*.

A 21 year old apprentice on a mission – a mission to promote apprenticeships (and alternative career paths) and prove that apprentices really can 'get in and go far'!

With thanks to work experience back in 2010, I gained fantastic insight into IBM’s clients, culture, innovation and technology. From there, I was hooked! In August 2011 (at the grand old age of 18), I joined the IBM apprenticeship programme.

Since joining IBM, I've gained a broad range of experience in project, people and audit management, working with clients all across Europe. Currently, I'm a...

Qualifications that may enhance your career

Tue 27 August 2019 - 12:02

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

With the ever-changing world of work, it is more important than ever for you to have more than one qualification in any given subject. There are increasing numbers of people with an undergraduate degree, and many of them are looking to boost their CV to show that they have more to offer. 
 
Which extra qualifications you do will probably be dependent on the job that you are doing – or the job you want to be doing. For example, accountants or medical professionals will have specific skills which they can enhance with other qualifications.
 
However, there are also courses that can be done to enhance anyone’s CV – to make you more attractive as a potential employee.
 
1. NEBOSH qualification
Health and safety in the workplace is very important, and the more people who have studied – even to a basic level – the better. 
 ...

Four careers that you can make a difference in

Mon 19 August 2019 - 11:30

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

When thinking about a career, some people just want to be able to earn as much money as possible. However, most of us would rather do something that we love, and hope to be able to earn enough for the life that we want to live.

For some people, it is also important to be doing a job in which they feel that they are making a difference. There is more to life than just earning money, and making a difference to someone else’s life is equally, if not more satisfying than a big paycheque at the end of each month.

That doesn’t mean to say, however, that you can’t earn a living and make a career out of making a difference. Below are just some of the careers that make a positive difference to the world and people’s lives.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is something of a buzzword at the moment, and for good reason. As the world hurtles towards an environmental crisis, sourcing good and usable energy is becoming increasingly important....

It's not too late to look at your options

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:18

By Exam Results Helpline in UCAS advice

With GCSE results day just around the corner, it’s not too late to look at the options available to you afterwards. You might start thinking about changing your course or, if your results aren’t what you were expecting, looking at other options. There are lots of courses and programmes to choose from, everything from A levels and BTECs, to apprenticeships and traineeships.
 

Need a different option?

So what happens if you don’t get the grades you need to do your chosen course? It doesn’t mean you can’t progress as you’d hoped. Speak to the school or...

How to go from Graduate to Entrepreneur

Wed 21 August 2019 - 08:47

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

It takes a special kind of person to be an entrepreneur:  they’re typically creative, with a different way of thinking or seeing the world, a passion for what they do, and maybe even a serial risk-taker.

In today’s world, where over 1.7 million people are graduating from university each year, competition is rife for graduate jobs. But it has also never been easier to hone your entrepreneurial skills and set up on your own.

Entrepreneurship

It is generally accepted that entrepreneurship is a trait that people have. It is difficult to learn how to be an entrepreneur. It tends to be something that you are born with, or develop over time. Most people who are entrepreneurs have a drive to succeed, and a need to break out of traditional employment.

However, setting up your own...

What’s it like to work in Central London after you graduate?

Wed 14 August 2019 - 09:53

By Ella Hendrix in UCAS advice

One of the best things about London is that there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking to work in a creative industry, technology, finance, or hospitality, London has so much to offer – and that’s just work. Despite the uncertainty which smothers the country over Brexit, the truth is that London is probably one of the British cities which is most equipped to deal with it.

London has great job prospects for graduates across various sectors, and with a range of preferences, a diverse and active nightlife, it has something for everyone. And perhaps most excitingly, it’s continuously evolving.

It is no surprise then, that the prospect of working in central London is a tempting one – especially for graduates, and even more so for young people. People come from all over the world to live and work in London, trying to live the dream – but what is it really like?

Industry hubs
Regardless of which industry you work in, you’ll find...

Finding the right course for you in Clearing

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:21

By UCAS in UCAS advice

When it comes to contacting universities and colleges about courses in Clearing, it’s important to act quickly but that doesn't mean making a hasty decision. While you need to be proactive you also need to be sure that the course you accept is right for you. We asked admissions staff from universities and colleges to share their advice on researching courses effectively in Clearing – read on to find out what they told us...
 

Stewart Harper – Head of Student Admissions, Leeds Metropolitan University
  

...

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 Transaction...

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