UNIVERSITY
Advice
“Universities and colleges know that they need to demonstrate the ‘employability’ factor, so be sure to ask them what makes the course, and the skills you develop on it, relevant to employers”
degree courses out there equip you with skills that are transferable to many different industries and roles.
How much do graduates earn and what are their prospects? Universities should be able to provide you with data on how many of their graduates are employed (or in further study) and how soon, as well as details of typical graduate starting salaries.
How easy is it to break into industry after graduating from this course? What kinds of links to industry can the institution claim? Does the course involve a year in industry or similar? Universities and colleges know that they need to demonstrate the ‘employability’ factor, so be sure to ask them what makes the course, and the skills you develop on it, relevant to employers. Can the uni demonstrate how its graduates get into the fields they are qualified in, and does it have relationships with big hitters in industry? In what ways are graduates prepared for the world of work?
What other opportunities are available? What’s the students’ union like and what kind of clubs and activities can I become involved in? This probably shouldn’t feature right at the very top of your list! But it’s still important to consider: what else are you going to get out of this potentially life-changing experience? Pretty much anywhere that has a student population of any size will offer amenities and nightlife to suit that community. You can also ask what the college or university itself provides that enhances your lifestyle and spare time outside of study – subsidised gym or sports hall, or cultural trips, for instance?
These are by no means all the questions you could ask as part of your research. You may have many others of your own – and it’s worth consulting your parents and teachers to see if there’s anything you’ve overlooked. l
Spring 2018
WhatLive.co.uk 9
Uni without A-levels
If you want to go to university, but don’t have any A-levels, there are other routes onto a degree course:
• You can take A-levels through the National Extension College, which offers a study-from- home option
• An access to higher education course is specifically designed to prepare students for university. These courses are offered at local colleges, where you can also ask for help with the UCAS process
• You can apply through UCAS for an integrated degree, which includes a foundation year for students who don’t meet typical entry requirements. There is no single listing of these courses. Contact UCAS for help or call individual universities to ask if they offer these courses
• The number of degree apprenticeships is on the rise. These qualifications are taken alongside working and training in a paid role and are affiliated to universities – so it’s a real degree, just the same as someone who has studied full time. For more information on degree apprenticeships, see page 17
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