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Clearing: What you need to know

Thu 25 July 2024 - 11:51

By UCAS in UCAS advice

What is Clearing?
Clearing matches applicants to university places that are yet to be filled. It’s available to anyone who has made a UCAS Undergraduate application and doesn’t hold any offers. Running from 5 July to 18 October, you’ll be eligible for Clearing if:

  • you’re applying after 30 June
  • you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
  • you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
  • you've paid the multiple choice application fee of £27.50
  • you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application

Courses in Clearing aren’t just the ones nobody wants – there are many reasons why courses are still available. It’s an opportunity for those who have missed their conditions, or had a last minute change of heart about the...

'This is the best thing I have ever done.' Mature student, Anna Clark, shares her story

Thu 13 June 2019 - 13:20

By Anna Clark in Mature students

In October 2014, on the off chance, I called into my local university and it just so happened there was an open day on. I spoke to a lovely man who reassured me that if I wanted to enrol, I could, despite having two young children. I remember him telling me: ‘it won’t be easy, but you can do it, because I did.’ That year I chickened out. It was so easy to keep everything the same and not embrace the change. I consoled myself that the young man had a wife at home who could look after his children, but I regretted my decision, and so, the next year I went to the open day again. I found out as much as I could and applied to UCAS. I remember thinking that it was challenging to apply because I had been a stay-at-home mum for seven years and had no confidence. UCAS made the application simple and you could save it and go back, which I did many times. I was delighted to receive an offer and accepted it straightaway. This was just the start of my journey.

...

Reflections of a first year by Julian Carter-Tugwell

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:06

By Julian Carter-Tugwell in Mature students

As I write, I’ve just completed my first/fresher year at the University of Gloucestershire (UoG), and it’s been both an eventful and incredibly fulfilling experience so far.

Returning to study wasn’t a decision that I took lightly. At the age of 47, not unlike most people of that age, I had acquired a good set of life’s baggage and responsibilities. I also had a modicum of security in permanent employment, and a natural reluctance to jeopardise this. However, on the flip-side, I had a growing realisation that my career had reached an impasse. I had never really achieved the happiness and sense of belonging that I craved during my 30 years in employment.

I’m a firm believer in the adage that ‘life is too short’, and I certainly don’t want to regret the things I haven’t done, once retired. Hence, I began to tentatively investigate the possibility of returning to full-time, vocation-based, education, to improve my prospects of finding a more suitable career path; I have...

It's not too late to use UCAS Extra

Thu 4 July 2024 - 11:08

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Have you used all five choices but not holding any offers? You may be able to apply for more using Extra! If you’re not sure how to use it then we’ve got it covered in this short blog post.

When can I use Extra?
If you’ve used all five choices and don’t hold any offers, you can use Extra up until 4 July. If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible or not, sign in to Track to check your status. If you have an option to Add Extra Choice then you’re in Extra.
 

Where can I check for vacancies?

All course vacancies will be listed in our search tool. When you search for a course you’ll have a selection of filters down the left hand side. Make sure you click on the option Only show courses with vacancies to narrow...

How to get your rental deposit back

Wed 17 July 2024 - 11:58

By money.co.uk in Money

University is probably the first time you’ll move out from your parents and be left to fend for yourself. Not only will you have to decide who you want to live with but you’ll also have to sort out all the paperwork and take on the financial responsibilities that come with renting a place of your own. It’s important you understand everything you need to do to make sure your tenancy goes smoothly and you keep on top of all your monthly bills. Here is how to make sure you get your tenancy deposit back.
 
Keep your deposit safe:
 
To secure rented accommodation you and your housemates will have to hand over a deposit for the property which could be up to two months rent. By law the money needs to be held in a Tenancy Deposit Plan, so it’s important you check which...

Tip Top Tips Whilst Living Away from Home

Thu 20 June 2024 - 12:18

By Sophia in First year

It is so so important to look after yourself, both mentally and physically whilst you’re living away from home. It may be your first time fleeing the nest or actually, you’re a fully-fledged independent being – either way, we can often slip into bad habits even in the best of times.
 
1. Sleep well! Sleep is probably the most crucial thing you need in life and especially whilst you’re studying. If you don’t get enough sleep it can impact your concentration, mood and health. If you’re anything like me and Sleeping Beauty, try opting for a quieter flat - you wouldn’t want to be in a flat full of raucous students stumbling in at 5am and knocking over lots of pots and pans whilst trying to cook something remotely edible after a night out. 
 
2. Eat well - and I don’t mean lots. Eat your greens kids - they’re full of vitamins and nutrients your body needs in order to function. And no, I’m...

Top tips for staying motivated

Tue 18 June 2024 - 10:03

By Enia in First year

With A-level and university exams drawing ever closer, it can be difficult to stay motivated, especially when the sun is shining, but you feel you need to be revising. So here are some of my top tips for staying motivated during this exam season:
 
1)      Remember why you are doing this.
 
When you’re revising it can feel like all you are doing is revising. However, there has to have been a reason why you wanted to do well in the first place: perhaps it’s meeting the offer for your first choice uni; maybe it’s that you would like to secure a particular placement or job following your degree. Whatever the reason is, make sure to fix that in your mind whenever you’re revising, as both a motivation and a goal for you to aim for. I put a photo of my first choice uni on my wall, as a constant reminder that, if I did the revision, I could be able to go there, and a similar constant visual reminder of your goals can be really...

Taking a Gap Year (or two!)

Thu 11 July 2024 - 12:31

By Sophia in Applicant

So, I started University when I was 18 and was loving it until I unfortunately met the wrath of chronic tonsillitis and left. Gutted.
 
I was enjoying the course, the friends I’d already met there, the University but now I look back at my time there, I wasn’t ready to leave home then.
 
Fast forward to May 2018 and I am now tonsil free and have an unconditional offer to go to University of Reading to study Primary Education with English! I truly think having two years out has given me the confidence to go back and tackle University (in a place further away than before!), some good ole life experience and some money to help me struggle through the poverty of student life. 
 
I’m not saying everybody should take gap years, but it is a good option if you’re unsure what you want...

Surviving your NQT year - Harry Silo

Tue 18 June 2024 - 11:46

By UCAS in Teacher Training

Completing teacher training is the first step. Will you be ready for what comes next? Here are my top five tips for surviving your NQT year:

1. Behaviour
I believe behaviour is the foundation of education. Without it, nothing else matters, i.e. resources, subject knowledge etc. Most of the advice you will be hearing includes phrases like, “Be firm but fair”, and, “Don’t smile until after Christmas”. Whilst I don’t agree with the latter, being consistent in your approach at this time of year will pay dividends. I was very firm and strict (not unreasonably) within the first two terms and it was noted that I issued the most reward and consequence ‘points’ in the school. The amount I issue is now at 10% of what it was and I’m happy to report that my lessons are generally calm and pleasant. Be firm, remain objective and give plenty of praise for those mini ‘win’ situations.

2. ‘Get them in, get them started’
Stand at the...

Is being a live at home student the right choice for your family?

Tue 6 November 2018 - 15:46

By After the Playground in First year

Once the university offers start to pour in, thoughts inevitably turn to September and where you will live when you start your course. If you choose to study miles away from home, you can choose from halls of residence or a shared house or flat. However, if you are going to study close to home you could also choose to be a live at home student. According to statistics collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, living at home whilst studying at university is an increasingly popular option.
 
There is a clear financial advantage and you will be able to maintain regular face-to-face contact with your family. You will get more peace to work than in a shared house and your parents are on hand to keep an eye on your physical and mental health. Nevertheless, is this really a good idea for you and is it a good idea for your parents?
 
The disadvantages of being a...

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