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Going to university without support from your parents?

Tue 15 September 2020 - 09:00

By Stand Alone in UCAS advice

Applying to university is challenging and can feel pretty overwhelming. There is so much to think about when you are whittling down your choices to those universities and colleges that are the best fit for you.
 
You may be applying to higher education at university or college without the support from your parents and maybe also your wider family due to a permanent and irreconcilable breakdown in your relationship with them. Either you are already living independently without any contact with parents and maybe also other close family members, i.e. you are ‘estranged’ from family, or this is likely to be your situation once you leave school or college. If so, you may be wondering about things like: how to finance your studies, where you will live, how to make friends and fit in, as well as how to make sure you keep yourself safe from unwanted contact and interference from your parents/family, and how to manage your mental health and wellbeing.
 ...

The benefits of disclosing a mental health difficulty

Fri 14 October 2022 - 14:38

By Student Minds in Support

Students with mental health conditions, challenges or disorders can disclose this on their UCAS application to ensure they can access the support they are entitled to. What are the benefits of disclosure? UMHAN and Student Minds answer these questions in this short blog.

When submitting your UCAS application, you have the opportunity to disclose a mental health condition, challenge or disorder. In the section marked ‘Disability/Special Needs’, you can select the option ‘mental health condition’.

You can then enter any particular needs related to your mental health difficulty. This information is passed on to the course providers you have applied to as part of your application, so they can begin to think about what support to provide for you.

So, should you disclose? What will happen if you do? And what are the benefits?

If you disclose, your course provider...

How to deal with homesickness

Thu 3 September 2020 - 10:10

By UCAS in International students

Feeling homesick whilst attending university in the UK is an entirely normal feeling. You are probably moving out of your family home for the first time, living with new people and often living in a country you’ve never visited before. For some, homesickness is just missing your home and family in the first week, but for others it can affect their mental health.

Luckily, for many these feelings will pass and you will soon be too busy with new friends and classes to feel homesick, but here are some tips on how to deal with homesickness.

Find a restaurant that serves food from your country
It may take you some time to adjust to new foods and eating habits and everyone, no matter where they come from , misses their mother’s cooking. Fortunately, the UK is a multicultural country and you should have no trouble finding a restaurant that serves all your favourite dishes. If not, cook something you miss from home and share it with your new friends....

Five tips on breaking the ice with new housemates

Thu 3 September 2020 - 09:59

By UCAS in International students

If you have chosen to share a flat or house with new people when you start university, or are moving into student accommodation and are feeling a bit anxious about getting to know new people here are some tips to help you get started.

Introduce yourself 
When you move in make sure you introduce yourself. If you are moving into student dorms, then leave your room door ajar. This will signal your moving in and people can pop their head in and say hello! Equally you will see people and can make the first move by introducing yourself.

Remember everyone is nervous and some people are shy so be brave and make the first move!

Make a cup of tea
We have a saying in the UK that a cup of tea makes everything better, so offer to make everyone a nice “cuppa” with a side serving of biscuits and you’ll be well on your way to making new friends. This is a gentle way of sparking a conversation because you can ask how people...

Six things you should do during fresher’s week

Thu 3 September 2020 - 09:54

By UCAS in International students

Freshers Week is the ultimate introduction to student life in the UK. The first week is a great way to meet new people, trying new things and sign up for activities. 
 
Here are six things you should do during fresher’s week:
 
1. Attend the freshers fair
If you only go to one event during fresher’s weeks, it should be the freshers fair. This fair will have representatives from student societies, local businesses that offer jobs, companies that offer products, and services that you might be interested in as well as local voluntary groups that you can join. 
 
Have a look around and collect information on things that will be useful and of interest to you. It can be overwhelming, with lots of people asking you to sign up with them and lots of information thrown at you. Take the leaflets to read when you get home, they will all contain social...

Five reasons to study in the UK

Mon 14 November 2022 - 14:47

By UCAS in International students

If you are considering studying in the UK, here are five reasons why you should. You can also create your UCAS Hub, where you'll discover the opportunities available in the UK, and be able to explore all your options.

Sign up for your UCAS Hub 

1. High quality learning
 
The UK has a long history of providing world-class education and UK universities generally rank high in international university league tables and attract some of the world’s best academics.
British universities are globally known for helping students refine their critical and creative thinking skills and arming them with skills and experiences that will help them succeed in their chosen career.
 
Furthermore, UK universities offer specialised degrees, even at an undergraduate level. This is...

Does class size matter?

Tue 18 August 2020 - 12:02

By UCAS in UCAS advice

What's the difference between class sizes at Uni? Simone, a student at The University of Buckingham, shares her experience. 

To be seen or not to be seen, that is the question when deciding between a university with small class sizes and a university with large class sizes 

Applying for university is an exciting time in any person’s life, however choosing the right university can be very daunting. There are so many factors to consider when choosing where to apply. Are you choosing for sports clubs, for social societies, or for small or large class sizes and being known by a name not a number?

I have had the opportunity to study at a big university with large class sizes (approximately 300 students per class) and I currently attend a smaller university with small classes (approximately 70 students per class). In all honesty, each of them has given me a different experience and should not...

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...

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