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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...

'The skills learnt will be invaluable'

Mon 10 June 2019 - 11:37

By Jan Morganti in UCAS advice

Throughout my time at school, I was unsure about what I would do afterward. I knew that I wanted to go to university but had no idea as to what I would study, where I would study or what career I would take afterwards – it took three personal statements to determine which course I ultimately chose.

After attending a UCAS event in London, I found out about IBM and their ‘Futures’ gap-year scheme. Although, prior to this, I had very little knowledge of IBM, I did a little research on the company and decided to apply. As I had just been rejected by the University of Oxford – my first-choice university – I felt that this was the perfect opportunity to take a short break from academia and gain invaluable experience in a fast-growing industry, before re-applying to university.

Just over a year later, as I am reaching the end of my gap-year, I stand by this decision 100% and wholeheartedly believe that...

Why school leaver programmes?

Mon 3 June 2019 - 16:42

By UCAS 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? Ziyad, from PwC, shares his story.

Why did you choose the programme?
I’ve always wanted to work in the accounting profession. I attended university for one year, but realised it wasn’t the right path for me, so I left to join the apprenticeship programme at PwC. I saw the value in getting into the workplace sooner, and gaining practical, hands-on experience.

What have you gained from the experience so far?
I’m a qualified tax technician, and have gained practical...

Why pick an internship?

Mon 3 June 2019 - 12:07

By UCAS in UCAS advice

I am an Accounting and Finance student at Leeds Beckett University and I am currently on a placement year as part of my 4-year sandwich course. Amongst other Universities, Leeds Beckett offered the opportunity to take a year out for a placement and this forms part of your final grade as it is classed as a final year module. This really appealed to me as not only will it allow me to gain exposure in a real business environment, but it would also be something different to studying and working in the classroom.

I am on a year’s Finance internship at Dowty Propellers which is a subsidiary of GE Aviation. My role is very versatile as I am involved in all areas of finance, so each day is different depending on what is...

University Interviews for English: My Experience

Tue 4 June 2019 - 09:16

By Coral Kim in International students

I had written and submitted my UCAS application. I had taken an admissions test (and still had no idea how it had gone). Now it was time for the next step – the thing I dreaded most – the interview.

Unlike many other international applicants, I flew to the UK for my two interviews, both at the university I’m headed to this October. I wasn’t very comfortable with skyping, I guess… and I really wanted to visit London. Yep, I wanted to go to London.

Since a month or two before the trip, I’d been doing some light prep. I re-read books I’d

mentioned in my personal statement, such as Thomas Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd” and Charlotte Bronte’s “The Professor.” I’d read online that they would give me an unseen poem for me to analyse, so I worked on timed analysis with some poems I wasn’t very comfortable with, especially modern ones.

On my flight, I worked on my laptop, on which I had downloaded a bunch of PDF files of research papers and academic...

'I’ve had an amazing time so far, and I do not regret my choice.'

Thu 23 May 2019 - 09:32

By UCAS 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'. Scott, from PwC, shares his story. 

‘I joined PwC as a higher apprentice in August 2013, in the Reading People and Organisation Tax Team, straight from sixth form, having just turned 18. I was very nervous prior to starting, as I had no experience of working in a corporate environment, but realised soon that I didn’t need to be anxious. There is a really good support network of buddies, mentors, and coaches to help get you up to speed as to what your job involves. Even from early...

Thinking about an internship?

Fri 10 May 2019 - 10:56

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Jessica Critchley at Dowty Propellers

I study business management at the University of Chester, and graduate in 2020. While applying to university, I noticed many universities offered the courses with a ‘year in industry’ making it into a four-year course. This was something that really appealed to me as I was unsure what area of business I wanted to create a career in, so I thought gaining real-world business experience would give me more clarity on the different career paths I could take. It would also make me stand out from the crowd compared to other graduates, so doing a year in industry was a no-brainer for me!

What is your role?

I am doing a 12-month project management internship at...

Four key things you need to know about student finance

Tue 10 September 2019 - 10:11

By UCAS in Money

1. First off, we need to make it clear that we are not student finance! We don’t arrange funding, but we can point you in the right direction and help you to understand the process. 

2. There are two types of loans:
  • A Tuition Fee Loan – this covers the cost of course fees. Your university or college will charge the tuition fee and your loan is paid directly to them. The amount unis charge varies – it can be up to £9,250 per year for a full-time course. Use our search tool to find courses and then use the ‘Fees and finance’ tab to check out how much they cost.
  • A Maintenance Loan – this helps cover living costs while you’re studying. How much you’ll get depends on your household income, where you’ll be studying, where you currently...

'Who knows what a future in elite sport will bring'

Thu 28 November 2019 - 11:42

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Paul Dring, England Roses Netball Team Manager

Sport has always been my passion but when I graduated from the University of Brighton in 1996 with a degree in Sports Science, there were few opportunities to work in high performance sport. I therefore spent many years working in various jobs developing my management skills which included project management, relationship management and then when joining UCAS I added communications management to my skillset. All of which proved to be essential skills for a career in Elite Sport. After spending almost 3 years at UCAS, in 2014 I was fortunate enough to secure a job as a Paralympic Podium Road Coach with the Great Britain Cycling Team. I really enjoyed my first experience of high...

The Long Gap Before Uni

Fri 20 December 2019 - 10:04

By Coral Kim in International students

The following blog may or may not apply to you, depending on which country you’re from and what your school’s term dates are. But if you’re like me, and your last high school year has
already ended, you may be wondering what to do with all your free time during these long, unnamed months before University.

I’m from Korea, so that means my high school graduation was back in March. It also means that I’ve already achieved the grades I need for my uni offers (although this, of course, may not be the
case for every Korean). So what do I do with all my seven(!) months before I finally catch that Heathrow-bound plane?

I’ve had highs and lows. I’ve spent entire productive days studying a new language and mealprepping; I’ve stayed all day in my room, listening to Pet Shop Boys and cuddling with my dolls. Mostly, though, I’ve been trying to make the best of all the opportunities and resources that this sort-of-gap year (I still can’t think of a good name for...

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