Why go to university

1
Why go to university?
2
Higher Education concerns

• Can be a daunting prospect
• Common concerns include
• Moving away from home
• Meeting new people
• Living and study costs
• Managing workload.
• Many students are unsure if university is really
  for them
• Another potential 3-4 years of academic
  commitment
• Is it worth it? How will it be different from
  school/college?

3
HE versus FE

• How is HE different to your FE studies
  now?
• HE is
• A choice from over 150 different institutions and
  thousands of courses
• A different way of learning and working to
  school/college
• Varying levels of subject
• Foundation Degree
• HND
• Degree (BA, BSC, LLB, BEng, BEd).

4
HE learning styles

• Emphasis is placed on independent learning
• You can choose a course and modules to suit your
  interests and preferred learning style
• Teaching methods include
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Lab/practical sessions.
• Assessment types include
• Exams
• Essays
• Group work
• Presentation
• Lab reports
• Practical coursework (eg performance, painting,
  website creation).

5
Student Support

• Universities have lots of support staff across
  many areas, including
• Study
• - Libraries are often open 24 hours to suit you
• - Support available for all learning
  difficulties (often additional funding)
• - Students assigned a personal tutor
• Personal
• Counselling
• Money and Welfare
• Housing
• Health
• Careers
• Religious
• Support is available just ask!

6
Personal benefits of HE

• Independence support available if
  needed
• Meet people
• Experience a different part of the country (or
  world)
• Explore a personal interest in a subject
• Achieve a qualification towards career
  progression
• Gain transferable skills.

7
Living experiences

• Move to a new town or city
• Meet hundreds of new people instantly
• Meet and interact with people from different
  backgrounds to you
• Flatmates are a great support network
• Lots of opportunities for spontaneous social
  activities
• Gain independence by cooking, cleaning, and
  managing your bills
• Make friends for life!

8
International experiences

• Many universities run students exchange
  programmes, Erasmus is the most common
• Exchanges to countries all over the world
  including France, Greece, USA, China, Italy and
  Iceland
• Millions of students take part every year
• Funding available to cover travel and studying
  costs
• A chance to experience another part of the
  world/culture
• Learn a new language
• Broaden your university experiences

9
Social experiences

• Students Union is home to sports teams,
  societies and further support
• Many universities also have a student newspaper,
  radio station and TV channel!
• Universities compete with each other in sporting
  events and for The Student Media Awards
• A chance to make new friends
• Getting involved improves your transferable
  skills
• You haven't got to have any previous experience
  or be particularly sporty to join!

10
Graduate employment

• Universities teach the skills that employers
  value
• Lots of employment choice
• Professional areas
• Graduate schemes
• Non-graduate jobs.
• Two thirds of graduate jobs dont ask for a
  specific degree subject, just that level
  of education
• Graduates enter professions at a higher level
• Degree and university experiences can enhance
  your CV

11
Graduate salaries

• A degree is an investment into your future
• Average graduate starting salary is 19,300
• Over a lifetime a graduate will earn 20-25 more
  than a non-graduate
• Graduates progress faster than
  non-graduates

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Conclusion

• Your future a fantastic opportunity
• Improve your career prospects
• Make the most of all the experiences on offer
• Ask for help and support if you need it
• Best years of your life!