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Latest from the blogs

Do’s and dont’s of applying to uni as an international student

Fri 18 September 2020 - 15:02

By UCAS in International students

Applying to university can be stressful at the best of times, but when you’re an international applicant, it can feel impossible to get that UCAS application right! As an applicant from the Netherlands, I know how tricky it can be, and I made plenty of mistakes along the way. Here are some of the things I wish I’d known before starting my Ucas application.

  1. DO communicate with your school.  Make an appointment with your careers advisor or head of year to discuss your application a couple of months before the deadline. Many schools that aren’t based in the UK are unfamiliar with how UCAS works, so be clear about what they are expected to provide, like references and predicted grades.
  2. DO your research.  Even if you can’t visit the universities, there is plenty of information online to help you make an informed decision. Make sure you know exactly what you’d be studying at each university, as the course will be very different depending on where...

Getting a TV licence

Mon 5 August 2019 - 16:52

By TV Licensing in First year

You need to be covered by a TV licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box, or DVD/VHS recorder. If you do any of the above without a valid licence, you risk prosecution and a maximum penalty of up to £1,000, plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay. You will also still then have to buy a TV licence if you need one.

To find out more, go to...

Deciding on your A levels

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:48

By Charlotte Stevenson in Applicant

Recently I have discussed the transition from GCSE to A level, and also what to consider when aiming for your degree - what to choose then, so I figured it was only fair to write about the in between stage which is, if anything, one of the more important aspects of the transition. The whole two years of sixth form is intense studying which in the end can be seen for how brief it really is, so it is important to make the most of it in the subjects you choose. When choosing your A levels, remember that they are probably going to affect what it is that you are able to apply for and study at university. When I was choosing my A levels, I knew that I wanted to study music and knew which subjects I needed to do and which others I wanted to choose because I already held an interest in them and had some level of knowledge maintained from GCSE level. Remember this when you are choosing, and choose wisely:

1. Find a college which has a good reputation
If you know your...

Getting into the classroom – Hannah Taylor

Fri 16 August 2019 - 15:38

By Hannah Taylor in Teacher Training

I’ve always loved learning and education. History has been my passion since I was very young, and I wanted the chance to not only be immersed in a subject I love every day, but also to encourage young people to enjoy it as much as I do.

The application process was fairly straightforward. You apply through UCAS using one of the assigned codes, depending on the route you want to take; you get essentially the same training regardless of which route you take, so it’s about choosing the route that best suits your needs. 

Once my application was sent in, I was called for an interview day where I had to do a basic numeracy and literacy test and teach a 15-minute lesson to a small group of pupils, which was followed by a formal interview. It seemed daunting before I got there, but the staff involved were all very supportive. You also have to take an official literacy and numeracy test, which you have to pass to be accepted onto the course. You get three tries of each,...

Moving from GCSE to A level - what should I know?

Wed 30 October 2019 - 10:46

By Charlotte Stevenson in Applicant

Moving from a school where you have been for a considerable amount of time can be quite intimidating on it's own, but this can be made much easier by visiting and getting to know the new area and environment you are going to be studying in. This, of course, will be how you decide on your new school. But if you want to know more about what it is like in terms of the change in work load, in the long term, this post might provide a little more information. When moving from GCSE to A level, some of the things you should be aware of are...

1. Time
The amount of time you are going to have to put into your studies now is like revision for GCSE's on a regular basis, except on only three or four subjects. It might sound like a lot, but the reason you will have less subjects is because the content is so specialist and detailed that you need to have as much time to balance your life with your work and the work can be really hard at times. I have studied History, Music and...

Wondering what to pack?

Thu 19 December 2019 - 09:50

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...

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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