University Guides September 2, 2010
- Time to say goodbye to the A-level?
Should we phase out A-levels? As the headmistress of one of the UK’s leading state grammar schools is encouraging pupils to switch to the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), today’s Independent newspaper carries a feature by Professor Don Nutbeam, vice-chancellor of Southampton University, questioning whether A-levels now serve students, universities and prospective employers as well as in the past.Nicole Chapman, headmistress of Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Essex, feels the IB offers a broader curriculum and is a better preparation for university.
Prof Nutbeam comments that recent changes such as the arrival of diplomas, the introduction of a modular structure, applied subjects and the extended project, have tackled the perceived narrowness of A-levels, but risk confusing students and their parents, who are faced with ‘an ever expanding smorgasbord of, as yet, untested options’.
He feels universities currently exacerbate the problem, continuing to rely on A-levels as the primary form of assessment and offering ever more highly specialized degree programmes. From the age of 15 ‘young people progressively learn more and more about less and less’.
The IB diploma is an equivalent alternative to A-levels. Students study across six mandatory academic areas, with three subjects studied to a higher level and three to a standard level. This ensures a breadth of experience across the core subject areas, which include experimental sciences, maths, and social studies, as well as a second language. Students also study the theory of knowledge, and are required to complete an extended essay through independent research.The professor says, ’now is an ideal time for our new Government, with its fresh perspectives, to engage in a more productive discussion of alternatives’. When it comes to universities he concludes that several, including the University of Southampton, are examining ways to offer a more flexible, customised, programme, which will help develop the generic skills and attributes important to today’s students and employers.For the full feature, see the Independent website
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
University Guides August 27, 2010
- Backpacking as a Student
When you’re a student who wants to see
some of the world, taking a backpacking holiday is one of the obvious ways to
go about things. Backpacking allows you to travel inexpensively whether you
choose to travel alone or as part of a group.When you choose where to go, you may well
want to look at places such as Thailand,
Cambodia, India, or
Mexico all of which are interesting, and offer cheap methods of transport
within the country, as well as cheap places to stay.Wherever you choose, it’s important to
make sure that you visit your GP well in advance to make sure that you get any
vaccinations that you need, and to get a supply of anti-malaria tablets if
you’re travelling into a region where malaria is an issue. Your GP should be
able to advise you on which jabs and other medical precautions you should take.When you backpack, you have to travel
light, so plan what you will take carefully. If you can do so, then download
useful things to your mobile phone, so that it will double up as your
entertainment system, your route planner, phrase book, and more. It will depend
on what phone you have, but many these days have a variety of apps available
very cheaply, and even though you’ll need to think about taking a charger
(solar ones can be a great idea here), you should save weight in other areas by
doing this. There are even apps for some phones to turn them into basic
torches.Depending on where you go, there may well
be options open to you in terms of where you stay. Hotels, hostels, and
campsites are generally considered to be the three main choices, but in some
countries, you may find that hostels are a little thin on the ground. Use the
internet before you go to research what is available in the countries you are
travelling to as this will help you determine what you carry with you on your
travels.When you’re planning your packing, think
about your needs as well as weight. If you will be doing much walking then a
good stout pair of walking shoes will help you a lot, and you should buy these
well before you travel, and break them in gently first. There is nothing worse
on a holiday where you want to do a lot of walking than blisters and sore feet!Pick your rucksack carefully. Choose one
that is waterproof, will hold everything you wish to carry with you, and will
be comfortable to wear while walking. If you plan on taking a sleeping bag,
invest in one which is both lightweight and rolls up into it’s own storage bag,
as well as choosing carefully for the climate you will be travelling into. Carrying
your own mosquito net is advisable, they don’t take up much space, and you will
know yours is free from holes where as one provided in a hostel or cheap hotel
might not be.If this article has inspired you to go
backpacking then you can search for flights to Bangkok
in addition to many other backpacking hotspots at Netflights.com.
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
University Guides August 26, 2010
- Students – Stay Safe Online
Student life involves a lot of studying
and note taking, and many students find a laptop convenient or this. During
your student life, you’re also likely to find yourself using a variety of other
locations with computer access, libraries, internet cafes, friend’s homes and
so forth. This can mean using shared computers a fair bit, saving your data to
a memory stick or other portable media, and then transferring it to your own
computer later on. Because of all this, it is important that you make sure you
keep your laptop safe from all the various risks that you might subject it to.Viruses One of
the biggest threats to your computer today is a virus. Viruses can cause your
computer to crash, or allow hackers access to your system so they can retrieve
information about you. To protect your computer from viruses, it is important
to do the following things:- Install good anti-virus software – there is a lot of
choice of anti-virus software, some cost, and others can be downloaded free
from the internet. Whichever you opt for, make sure you set it to update daily. - Scan your computer daily for viruses – if
you find a virus, remove it immediately before you spread it elsewhere. - Scan all drives automatically – set your
software to scan all incoming data whether it’s on your pen drive, a CD or DVD
or anything else. - Scan all incoming data – set your system
to scan all incoming data from e-mails, instant messenger systems. If you open
an attachment without scanning it you could inadvertently let a virus into your
system.
Passwords and usernames Keep your data secure by remembering a few
key rules when you set up and use usernames and passwords:- Set a secure password
– a password should be something that’s not easy to guess, avoid using things
like your name, place you live, birthday etc. Try and make it 8 characters or
more, and use some random numbers and non-alpha numeric characters too. - Always remember to log out of any site
that you had to log into especially if you use shared computers, and never
store your details on a shared computer. - Change your passwords regularly – it’s
best to try and change your passwords every 1-3 months rather than leaving them
the same for a long period of time. - Never use the same password for lots of
sites – choose different passwords for different sites, this way, if one site
is hacked, you do not compromise all the other sites you use. If you find this
too hard, then at least make passwords different on important sites such as
banking and finance sites. - If you think your system has been hacked,
disconnect from the internet, scan the system, and re-set all the passwords for
your system immediately before you re-connect anything.
Firewalls Security is a priority if you are
connecting your laptop to different networks. It is impossible to tell how
secure a system is that you are linking to, but as long as you keep your system
secure, you shouldn’t find yourself compromised.- Install good quality firewall
software and make sure that you keep it switched on all the time. A
firewall is your primary method of safety to stop your computer system from
being hacked. Set your internet security to a medium to high level as well, as
this will also help to protect your system and will warn you if a site looks
like it might cause you problems.
- Install good anti-virus software – there is a lot of
- Students Look Abroad to Find British Degrees
A record number of British students are looking abroad for their university education this year, and one of the beneficaries could be the reputation of British university qualifications.
An increasing number of UK universities have campuses or have signed collaboration agreements with international universities and colleges to deliver their degrees. Prague College in the Czech Republic offers Teesside University degrees in International Business and Management. It has seen a huge increased in British visitors to its website, to the extent that it has appointed a dedicated team of advisors to help British students.
Mark Huntington, Managing Director of A Star Future Ltd, a
UK based marketing consultancy has been recommending Prague to British students
for a number of years with some success. This year, however, is proving to be a
breakthrough. He says “Prague College offers a range of different subjects from
business to computer studies. With the exception of its graphic design and fine
art courses which are now completely full there are places available for
students starting on 27 September 2010. Unlike many European
universities Prague College also has its own hall of residence and can offer
incoming students a place in halls for their first year. Tuition fees are
around £3,000 a year and therefore cheaper than studying at a British
university while living costs are estimated at around two thirds the cost of a
major city in the United Kingdom.”Commenting on the rush to find places abroad, Mark
Huntington said, “We are not surprised that international universities are
looking very attractive to British students at the moment. While there are options available, this
is no way to make up for the estimated shortfall of 170,000 places in British
higher education. While we understand that students are keen to get on with
their studies, going abroad without proper planning can make for a bumpy transition.
However, for those who are committed to getting on with their higher education
no matter what it takes this might be a small price to pay.”A number of European universities have announced placed for this coming term and details of all available courses can be found online at www.astarfuture.co.uk.
For further advice, The Complete University Guide has lots of information for prospective university students, including Choosing a Course, Choosing a University and Studying Overseas.
- Choose the right A levels for your future university course
The London School of Economics is open about some of its ’not preferred’ subjects – including drama and business studies – but at present but no other top university seems prepared to be quite so frank. In the past Cambridge has admitted to less preferred subjects, but this year their spokesman denied that students having one of those subjects at A level would be disadvantaged.
As this year’s students face the toughest competition for a decade for university places, Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group of top 20 UK universities, has denied the existence of blacklisted subjects that would cause applicants to be rejected outright.
She said all Russell Group universities give positive lists of which subjects are most desirable for particular courses - for example chemistry is a required subject for those applying to study medicine. They do not list subjects that might be considered undesirable but provide ‘very clear and comprehensive information on required A-level subjects and which ones will not be considered when making admissions decisions’.But John Bangs, former head of education at the National Union of Teachers, is one of those who strongly suspects the top universities do have an unofficial blacklist. He told the Guardian newspaper, ‘The list is built on the assumption that these subjects are easier than others and not academic enough.’He believed the Russell Group were ’using a filter to stop people they don’t want from getting into their universities’ and added ’they have no concern about fairness. … If they have this list, let them publish it and show us the evidence that these subjects are easier.’When selecting A levels future students can check out the Complete University Guide’s advice on course requirements - Wendy Piatt says students should take ‘very careful note’ of the requirements for their desired degree courses before picking supplementary A-levels.
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
University Guides August 23, 2010
- Is university worth the trouble?
Going to university can provide exciting and diverse opportunities and experiences. However, as hundreds of thousands of students work through the clearing system to try and secure a coveted university place, an article in The Independent looks at what higher education can offer and alternatives to a university course.
For prospective students still looking for a university place, The Complete University Guide offers lots of useful information on the process and the Clearing FAQs supply answers to some commonly asked questions.
If you are wondering if going to university is the best option, you might consider some alternatives to full-time study or flexible learning.
For more on The Independent’s story >
If you need advice on Clearing, getting into university or your results and options, email our advisor James Seymour at clearing@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
More than a third of UK university applicants are still without a place on a degree course
The university admissions service, Ucas, says up to 187,000 candidates are chasing a falling number of unfilled places.
This means 46,358 more people than last year were in the same position.
With record results and a cap on university places, competition is said to be very tough this year.
Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook warned that this year was likely to be the most difficult year for admissions for a decade. A record 675,465 students have applied to university this year.
A* effect
Ms Curnock Cook predicted that at least 150,000 of these candidates would miss out.
Although there are still a good spread of courses with places available through clearing, it is expected there will be significantly fewer than the 47,600 who found places through the system last year.
There are no figures available for the exact number of course places on offer.
Categories: University Tags: UCAS
University Guides August 20, 2010
- Students find London cost-effective
An annual poll of student expenditure and earnings from part-time work suggests that London is the most cost effective city for students, with Dundee coming second place. The survey also found that average weekly student expenditure was £185, reduced from more than £200 in 2009. For more on this article in The Independent >
The Complete University Guide offers lots of advice on student finance: financial support and budgetting >
If you’ll be studying in London, take a look at our featured article on Living like a Londoner >
- Live like a Londonder
The
UNITE Insiders Guide to Capital LivingIf you are
heading off to university in London this September, insider knowledge will be
invaluable when it comes to making the most of your new city – and your
budget. UNITE, the
UK’s leading provider of student accommodation, has called upon its city savvy
residents to offer up their insider tips for London living.Whether you
are heading North, East, South or Central, veering off the tourist trail will
take you to a world of secret student haunts – from thrifty vintage hideaways
to the best bars and music venues. Become a ‘local’ with the UNITE Insiders Guide to Capital
LivingCENTRAL
Film fix: With
regular director Q&As, documentary events and Midnight Movie sessions,
Curzon Soho is the only place to go for art-house cinema. Students can
get an annual pass for a reduced rate of £30 (usually £50) which means there’s
money left for the bar! www.curzoncinemas.com 99
Shaftesbury Avenue,
W1D 5DYSunday lunch
sewn up: Hang out with one of London’s coolest crowds at the famed
Sunday Knit Roast. Hosted at The
Crown and Two Chairmen in Soho, enjoy a slap up lunch while mastering the art
of knitting – the ideal hangover cure. www.iknit.org.uk 31-32 Dean Street, W1D 3SBA
favourite among fashion and design students, R D Franks is one of London’s best
book shops stocking hundreds of national and international titles – drop in and
lose yourself for an afternoon. www.rdfranks.co.uk 5 Winsley St., W1W 8HGMake it Social: Students looking for proper
cocktails, global beers, cutting-edge DJs and good grub should head to The
Social close to Oxford Circus. With free Wi-Fi and all the fish finger
sandwiches you can it, it’s the perfect local. www.thesocial.com 5 Little Portland St, W1W 7JDDesigner for less: For some of the best
designer
cast-offs and vintage bargains, head to the Salvation Army thrift store in
Mayfair. On the first floor you’ll
find brilliant shoes, hoards of designer jackets and chic dresses. Upstairs is a treasure chest of more
luxurious finds such as glam evening bags which can be snapped up for less than
£10. www.salvationarmy.org.uk 9 Princes Street, Mayfair,
W1B 2LQEAST
One to watch:
Students with even the slightest interest in films should venture to Umit &
Son – an intriguing shop in Lower Clapton selling a huge mix of old, classic,
cult and blockbusters like original Bond films. Stacked high with old film
reels, film projection equipment and cameras, it’s a real Aladdin’s Cave. 020 8985 1766 35 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, E5On your bike: Lock 7 is a hit with the East End’s two-wheeled
community. It’s a walk-in repair clinic, a cycle shop and café all in one – and
you can even hire a bike for the day or week from just £10. And if your budget won’t stretch to a
brand new set of wheels, there is a selection of cheap second-hand bikes from
police auctions – restored and returned to the road. www.lock-7.com 129 Pritchards Rd, E2Cheap seats: Housed in a stunning converted factory in Hackney, Arcola
Theatre has made a name for itself as one of London’s most exciting fringe
venues. What’s more,
every Tuesday evening Arcola sells a limited number of
tickets as ‘Pay What You Can’ for Studio 1 & 2 performances, which makes it
a popular student haunt. www.arcolatheatre.com 27 Arcola St, Dalston, E8 2DJBlooming bargains:
London’s Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to pick up cheap blooms
and plants for your new place. But it isn’t just about the flowers. Discover
the small yard-market around the back of Ezra Street for vintage bric-a-brac
and bargain bits to dec out your student pad. www.columbiaroad.info Columbia Road
Flower Market, Columbia Rd, E2London look: Student fashionistas will love The East End
Thrift Store. With lots of
wardrobe bargains and constant new stock, it’s one of the best second-hand
stores in London. Students get a
10% discount and regular customers are rewarded with highly sought-after
invites to the shop’s bi-monthly shindigs, so it’s well worth a visit. www.theeastendthriftstore.com Unit 1a, Waterman’s Building,
Assembly Passage, E1SOUTH
Music to
your ears: If you’re
into live music then check out The Windmill, a small pub tucked away in the heart of Brixton
with a difference! Championing new music talent, the venue has played host to
some of London’s most successful guitar bands so it’s well worth a visit. www.windmillbrixton.co.uk 22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton SW2 5BZSecret of the South: Brixton
Market has undergone a huge revival, and those heading down to Electric Avenue
can now expect pop-up art galleries, vintage stores, textiles shops and great
little cafes serving up everything from jerk chicken to tea ‘n’ cupcakes. www.brixtonmarket.net Brixton Market, Electric
Avenue, SW9Refuel: Whether you’re
looking for somewhere to nurse a hangover or a nice place to take mum when she
visits for lunch, head to Breads Etcetera on Clapham High Street. Shiny white
toasters on the tables are a hit with students, and the sandwiches are a far
cry from spaghetti hoops on toast. www.breadsetcetera.com 127 Clapham
High St, SW4 7SSWi-Fi with a view: If you don’t want to be stuck
studying in your room, lots of places offer free Wi-Fi. With stunning views of the Thames and
Somerset House, the second floor café at the Royal Festival Hall is the ideal
spot. Students can also get 50% off tickets to performances and exhibitions. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road,
SE1 8XXLaughter
sessions: If you’re
getting to know your new housemates, Up the Creek in Greenwich is the perfect
ice breaker. Renowned for being one of the best places to see live comedy, it
offers discounted tickets to students. What’s more, comic wannabes can even try
their hand at stand-up on special open mic nights. www.up-the-creek.com Up the
Creek, 302 Creek Road, London, SE10 9SWNORTH
Pub treasure: Jumble has had a makeover, and London’s trendiest
20-somethings can be seen touting their upmarket wares at Jumble and Peals – a
monthly sale at The Horatia pub on the Holloway Road. With a mix of vintage goodies and cut-price designer
treasures, it’s a student haven. www.thehoratia.co.uk The
Horatia, 98-102 Holloway Rd, N7 8JEFree Art: Camden Arts
Centre is a word-class
visual arts space – and it doesn’t cost a penny to visit! Take advantage of
free screenings, live art performances and professional talks every Wednesday -
and check out the bookshop too; it’s full of quirky little publications that
you’ll struggle to find anywhere else. www.camdenartscentre.org Camden
Arts Centre, Arkwright Rd, NW3 6DGPraise the music: Union Chapel
is a 500-capacity Victorian gothic church which doubles up as one of London’s
best gig venues. Big name acts including José Gonzaléz, Amy Winehouse and Keane
have all performed at this magnificent venue, so check out this season’s line
up. www.unionchapel.org.uk Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UNThe great outdoors: When it
comes to staying fit, you don’t need fancy equipment. Regent’s Park and
Primrose Hill are ideal for running and there are a range of routes to suit all
levels of fitness. Open from 5am, Regent’s Park is the ideal place for a
pre-lecture workout. www.royalparks.org.uk Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NREclectic
cinema: The Phoenix is one of the UK’s oldest cinemas in the UK
with a stunning art deco auditorium. It screens new releases, independent,
foreign-language and specialist films, plus a repertoire of old and new
classics. Film fans can also make
the most of regular events, festivals, one-off screenings and film classes. www.phoenixcinema.co.uk Phoenix
Cinema, 52 High Road, East Finchley, London, N2 9PJWith 25 properties now available in the Capital, UNITE
offers students the best choice of location, room type and price. Students
can browse, organise viewings, view virtual tours and book rooms online by
visiting www.unite-students.com or
find out more by calling 0800 783 4213.UNITE also has a large range of rooms available for Short
Term Stays in Central, East and North London with prices starting from as
little as £148 per week. Short stays start at one week and can be booked per
night thereafter – there´s no maximum stay. Many of these are available for an
immediate start so are great for anyone coming to stay in London for the
summer.Article supplied courtesy of Unite.
- UCAS advice and Clearing
As an article in The Independent reminds us, Clearing should not be seen as a bargain basement or last-chance saloon for those who have failed all of their exams; going through the Clearing system doesn’t mean that you have failed. It could be that you have had offers of a university place, but not received the required grades, or you might have changed your mind about which subject to study or indeed where to study. Clearing is supported by a team of advisers – experts whose knowledge and understanding make the university admissions process easy and simple to use. Their advice is not to panic and to remember that chosing the right university and the right subject is an important decision as you will be spending at least three years studying the course. Bear in mind, also, that there are alternatives to full-time study, such as part-time or distance learning, which may be appropriate for you.
To read this article in full >
To see The Complete University Guide’s Clearing FAQs >
For information on Flexible Learning >
For advice on Choosing a Course and Choosing a University >
Click here for the UCAS website; UCAS Exam Results Helpline 0808 100 8000; UCAS Customer Service 0871 468 0468.
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
University Guides August 19, 2010
- Clearing 2010
As exam results are published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland today, there are warnings of a huge shortage of university places, with some universities not taking part in Clearing at all. This year, more than ever, it is important that you make the right and best choice for your particular situation.
For advice and information from The Complete University Guide, see Clearing FAQs, Results Day, What if I just miss my grades, advice for parents, and Real life experiences of Clearing.
If you have a question about Clearing and your options, email our advisor James Seymour for advice and information clearing@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
The Independent’s Clearing 2010 >
- University students disatisfied with lecturers’ performance
An article in The Independent today highlights the fact that around one-third of university students are unhappy with assessment of their work and the feedback they get back from lecturers. This is in spite of the insistence that standards would rise with the introduction of top up fees of up to £3,225 a year.
The University League Table 2011, published by The Complete University Guide, ranks UK universities by assessing their performance in nine quality factors. Prospective students can create their own customized league table and compare universities. The Subject Tables list 62 individual subjects, ranking the universities within individual subjects.
For more on The Independent’s article >
For advice on choosing a university >
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
University Guides August 18, 2010
- University students not satisfied with lecturers’ performance
An article in The Independent today highlights the fact that around one-third of university students are unhappy with assessment of their work and the feedback they get back from lecturers. This is in spite of the insistence that standards would rise with the introduction of top up fees of up to £3,225 a year.
The University League Table 2011, published by The Complete University Guide, ranks UK universities by assessing their performance in nine quality factors. Prospective students can create their own customized league table and compare universities. The Subject Tables list 62 individual subjects, ranking the universities within individual subjects.
For more on The Independent’s article >
For advice on choosing a university >
Categories: University Tags: University Guides
More schools shunning ‘easy’ A-level
The telegraph reports Growing numbers of schools are dumping A-levels amid claims the flagship qualification fails to push the brightest pupils, new figures show.
The overall number of A-level entries is expected to drop this year as leading schools favour alternative qualifications that are seen as a better preparation for university.
For the first time, Cambridge University’s examination board will publish the results of a new-style course this week set up to provide more “stretch and challenge” for pupils.
Figures show 54 schools – including some of Britain’s top independent schools – have adopted the Pre-U qualification in subjects such as English literature, mathematics, the sciences and foreign languages.
At the same time, record numbers of British schools are taking the International Baccalaureate – the Swiss-based qualification offered in 139 countries.
Meanwhile, the first students to take new-style Diploma courses, which combine academic study with work-based training, will also receive their results this week and figures show more students are applying to university after taking vocational BTECs.
The figures are being seen as a growing rejection of A-levels, which have been the main university entrance qualification for more than 50 years.
Categories: University Tags:
UCAS Step-by-step guide to clearing
From UCAS
The facts about Clearing
Clearing is a service that operates between mid-July and September. You can take part in Clearing if you have already applied through UCAS and you are in one of the following categories.
* You have not received any offers.
* You have declined all your offers or not responded by the due date.
* Your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (eg you have not achieved the required grades).
* You have declined a changed course, a changed date of entry and/or changed point of entry offer.
* You applied for one course which has been declined/unsuccessful and you have paid the full £19 fee.
* We receive your application after 30 June 2010. If we receive your application after this date, we will not send it to any universities and colleges.
1. Get advice
2. Look at the vacancies
3. Contact universities and colleges that interest you
4. Clearing Number.
5. Accepting an offer
6. Adding a Clearing choice
7. Your place is confirmed
Categories: University Tags: clearing, UCAS
