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University study
The prime motivation for any pupil applying to university should always be a real passion for their chosen course. Whether it is Biochemistry, Film Studies, Geography, Dentistry, Maths, whatever subject a student opts for, they should be truly passionate about it. There are over 37,000 courses in the UK to choose from. Start browsing now on university websites and via the UCAS course search.
Once at university, students will study in a particular way. Here we have selected 5 key aspects of university learning:
- Students must be very independent. For much of their time they are expected to work independently, motivating themselves to complete assignments
- ‘Contact hours’ (time spent being taught) varies considerably depending on the course that you choose. In general, science subjects (such as Medicine, Dentistry, Chemistry and Physics) tend to have more weekly contact hours, compared to humanities and arts subjects (such as English, History, Geography and Law).
- Course variety. Even though two degrees at two different universities may have the same name (English, or Maths for example) the particular topics that make up that course may well be different. For instance, one English degree may include modules on Films, while another may not. It is really important that students research course content before applying
- Pupils learn in a variety of different ways:
- Lectures (where an academic will lecture to up to 300 students who take notes)
- Seminars and Classes (where small groups of students (approximately 20) meet for more interactive learning sessions)
- Tutorials (where a very small group of students (2-3) work together with a tutor on a discussion topic or assignment)
- Laboratories (where science students spend much of their time. Here they conduct experiments and learn about the practical elements of their course)
- Studying abroad (where students spend time in other countries. This is prevalent across modern foreign languages degrees however, students of all subjects can study abroad if their course allows)
- Industrial and clinical placements (where pupils partake in work placements)
- Students may also be assessed in different ways. For instance, students complete:
- Essays and dissertations (large pieces of writing)
- Presentations (where they present, often to fellow students)
- Exams.
University life
Listen to Chloe and Mayowa. Chloe explains how students spend their spare time, while Mayowa gives an insight into life as an English student.
The social life of students is a hugely rewarding element of university life. Universities offer students the chance to explore new hobbies, meet new people, and take on new responsibilities.
Key aspects of university life include:
- University societies. These are clubs, run by students, for students, and are based around absolutely anything. Whether it’s a hobby, sport, music genre, language, food, TV show, boardgame, or any other interest that students enjoy, there will be a society for it
- Student accommodation. Students have the choice of living in student accommodation, private rented accommodation or remaining at home. Universities will encourage their students to choose whichever option suits them best, and one particular option is by no means better than another
- Campus or city university environments. Students can opt to attend campus universities (such as the University of York, or the University of Warwick) where the whole university and its students are situated on one site. Alternatively they can opt to attend a city university. Here the university is dotted around a city, as seen at King’s College London which has 5 campuses across London. There are pros and cons to each, but they do offer different experiences to students
Student finance
Student finance can be a big worry for pupils and their parents. However, please allow us to reassure you. There is a wealth of support and advice available to ensure that funding concerns do not prevent your child from attending university. Key information may be found on the student finance website, or on their YouTube channel. In particular, make sure you consider:
- There are no upfront costs if you apply for a loan through Student Finance England. Students can receive 2 loans:
- A maintenance loan. This covers your living costs
- A tuition fee loan. This covers the cost of the course
Students do not have to pay a penny of this back before they graduate and are earning over £26,575.
- There are scholarships and bursaries available for pupils to apply for
- A bursary is a means-tested fund given to students. ‘Means-tested’ means that they meet some sort of criteria, such as household income or disability. Students do not have to pay this money back.
- A scholarship is a fund given to a student who has shown themselves to be very good at a particular subject or skill. These also do not need to be paid back.
- Many universities also have hardship funds. These are funds that students may access if they fall on hard times and require short-term financial assistance.
- Students can take up part-time jobs which help them to fund living expenses while at university
For more information and advice visit Money Saving Expert.
Please note that funding arrangements for students outside of England differ, and funding arrangements may change in the coming years.
While at university students also have access to a range of advice and guidance offered by advisors like Rachel. Have a listen to her explain the support she offers to students at King’s College London.
Qualifications choices
Deciding which GCSEs and post-16 qualifications to take (A-Levels, Highers, International Baccalaureate, BTECs and equivalent subjects) is a very difficult decision. The decisions made may well have a huge impact on which degree courses a student can take in the future. Universities have entry-requirements for their courses and in order to attend a particular university you must meet their requirements in particular subjects.
Listen to Joe explain how to approach your GCSE choices.
Further information regarding qualifications choices can be found in the Russell Group’s Informed Choices guide which offers guidance on how to select your A-levels. The Russell Group is a group of 24 UK universities, who all undertake excellent research and provide superb teaching.
Careers and employability
Gaining a university degree makes a student more employable, and more likely to earn more over their lifetime. However, when choosing what to study, a student should never be too pre-occupied with future career prospects. Being truly passionate about the course is more important. While studying, students then develop a range of transferrable skills which can be applied to a variety of jobs.
This means that you don’t have to study Law to become a lawyer, or study Journalism to be a journalist. Meanwhile, most History students don’t become historians, while Physics or Chemistry students will not necessarily become scientists.
Whatever course they study, students develop transferable skills. Employers most often seek these skills, rather than a particular degree.
In addition, there are a variety of activities that students can engage in outside of their studies at university which can make them more employable. Primarily, university societies offer students the chance to improve their CVs. If a student wanted a career in journalism, writing for the student newspaper and joining the journalism society would certainly impress future employers.
Universities also have careers services which can provide advice and guidance on how to access particular careers. They may also offer study abroad programmes, where pupils spend a period of time in a foreign country, greatly improving their employment prospects. Listen to the study abroad experience of a King’s College London student, and how it made her more employable.
About King’s College London
The 4th oldest university in the UK, King’s College London is ranked in the top 25 universities in the world. Offering world class-teaching and top research in the heart of London, our university provides fantastic opportunities to students’ from some 150 countries.
For more information about King’s College London, visit http://www.kcl.ac.uk/aboutkings/
Glossary
‘Arts and humanities’ subjects. Subjects like English, History, Geography, War Studies, Politics, International Relations and Music
‘Science’ subjects. Subjects like Dentistry, Medicine, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry and Maths
Academics. A teacher or researcher at a university
A-Levels. Qualifications in specific subjects typically taken by school students aged 16–18, at a level above GCSE. The equivalent in Scotland is the Higher
Bachelor of Arts (Ba). The qualification awarded to a student who completes a degree in an arts or humanities subject
Bachelor of Science (Bsc). The qualification awarded to a student who completes a degree in a science subject
Bursary. A means-tested fund given to students. ‘Means-tested’ means that they meet some sort of criteria, such as household income or disability. Students do not have to pay this money back
Campus university. A university where the whole university and its students are situated on one site (such as the University of York, or the University of Warwick)
City university. A university where the university is dotted around a city, as seen at King’s College London which has 5 campuses across London (other examples include the University of Leeds, and the London School of Economics)
Course. What students study to get a degree
Freshers. Students who are in their first year of an undergraduate degree.
GCSEs. Qualifications in a specific subject typically taken by school students aged 14–16, at a level below A level. The equivalent in Scotland is Standard Grade
Graduate. Someone who has a degree
Halls of residence. Accommodation provided by universities, where their students may live
Hardship fund. A fund held by universities that students may access if they fall on hard times and require short-term financial assistance
Highers. Qualifications in specific subjects typically taken by school students aged 16–18 in Scotland, at a level above Standard Grades. The equivalent in England is A-Levels
International Baccalaureate. A qualification taken by 16-18 year olds (instead of A-Levels or Highers) which assesses pupils in a range of subjects. Can be used as a qualification to access university
Joint Honours. A degree which allows you to combine more than one subject. Examples include History and Politics, Maths and Computer Science, and Spanish and Management
Lecture. Where an academic will lecture to up to 300 students who take notes
Maintenance loan. A loan that may be offered to students which can be used to cover day-to-day living costs
Master’s degree. A degree that may be completed by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree. Usually lasts for 1-2 years
Mature student. A student who begins studying aged 21 or over
Open days. Days where universities welcome prospective students to visit
PhD. A postgraduate degree which usually follows a master’s degree and lasts for 3-4 years. Allows a student to complete original research in their subject area
Postgraduate degree. A degree which is undertaken after a student has completed an undergraduate degree
Professors. A highly ranked university academic. They may research and teach students
Prospectus. A printed booklet, or online resource, advertising a university to potential parents or students
Scholarship. A fund given to a student who has shown themselves to be very good at a particular subject or skill. They do not need to be paid back
Seminars and classes. Where small groups of students (approximately 20) meet for more interactive learning sessions
Student Union. A student run organization that provides social activities, support, and representation for students at a university
Study abroad. An opportunity offered to university students to study in other countries as part of their degree
The Russell Group. A group of 24 UK universities, who all undertake excellent research and provide superb teaching
Tuition fee loan. A loan that may be offered to students to cover their tuition costs
Tutorial. Where a very small group of students (2-3) work together with a tutor on a discussion topic or assignment
UCAS. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK-based organisation who oversee the application process to universities
Undergraduate degree. A 3-4 year degree taken by students in a variety of subjects. This is usually the first degree that a student will undertake.