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Choosing the right-fit course for you, what’s important to graduate recruiters, and your “dream university”.
We begin today with a back-to-basics article about finding a course and university that are the right fit for you.
It's a useful checklist, wherever you are on your decision-making journey.
We hear why you shouldn’t think about academic studies as the only ‘compulsory’ activities at university.
And we look at the idea of a “dream university”.
Regrets, admissions tutors, uncertainty and the price of ignorance
With four in 10 graduates wishing they had studied something different (and one in 10 wishing they hadn’t gone to university at all), we take a look at three different techniques to check whether you are about to embark on the right choice of subject, or whether you are making a decision that you might regret later!
We also look at who makes decisions on your university application, and how they go about deciding who gets an offer, and who doesn’t.
We reflect on what a good decision actually is, and we consider the cost of education vs ignorance.
Highly competitive courses, ambitious vs safe choices, cooling off, and learning to fly, one step at a time.
This week we take a look at applying to highly competitive courses. How do you know if a course really is as highly competitive as they say, and what do you need to do differently if you are applying to one?
We take a look back at an article from last year all about how ambitious to be with your five initial UCAS choices.
We learn a little known tip about changing your mind in UCAS.
And we hear from Nietzsche all about learning how to fly.
Personal Statements, Open Days, getting to know your lecturers, and finding problems to solve
This week we look at the truth behind all those headlines in the press telling us that the UCAS Personal Statement had been scrapped.
We take a look back at a piece from last year all about Open Days.
We pick up a top tip from a careers adviser who knows.
And we hear a thought from Google’s former Chief Educational Evangelist about what we should really be asking ourselves (or our children) about future careers.
Clearing, exam grades, and an idea from a wise wizard
This week is the big one for hundreds of thousands of A-level students, with results being released on Thursday. Meanwhile Scottish Higher results came out last week.
This means that across the country, students, UCAS advisers and admissions teams at universities are gearing up for the busiest and most stressful time of the year: clearing and confirmation.
So this week, just a super short newsletter to say a massive good luck to everyone involved, and to give a few hints, tips and reminders about this important time.
Top ten tips for Clearing, UCAS tariff points, and some important advice from Vincent Van Gogh.
Results day is, for most students, just around the corner. So today we look at how to prepare for results day, and how to deal with the stress of finding a place through Clearing with my top ten tips.
We have a helpful reminder about UCAS Tariff Points.
And we hear from Vincent Van Gogh about doing things you can’t do.
Summer next steps, changing your mind, and why aiming for the perfect job might not be a smart move.
Not sure what you should be doing over summer? Just want to relax, but have a niggling feeling there are a couple of things that you should probably get out of the way?
If so, read on, as this week we look at just two or three things that you can usefully do over summer to keep your journey to university on track.
Secondly, a little reassurance that it is never too late to change your mind.
And finally, why aiming for the perfect job might not be a smart move.
Your university application timeline, self-guided tours, and the games our mind plays on us.
This week we have a close look at the 18 month UCAS timeline, starting now, and finishing next autumn as you start your course.
Secondly, we have a quick look at what to do if you can’t make a specific university Open Day, but want to visit anyway.
And finally, we learn about the games our minds play on us.
Finding your “passion”, art and design degree shows, and having it all figured out.
This week we ask the question: is “find your passion” really a good way to choose a course? Or is there a better way?
Secondly, we have a look at the amazing inspiration that can be found at art and design degree shows up and down the country during June.
And finally, we learn that you really don’t need to have it all figured out after all.
UCAS historical entry grades data, Frequently Asked Questions, and doing your best with what you know.
This week we look at a hugely significant new initiative by UCAS to help demystify entry grades for applicants: known as “Entry Grades Data (Beta)”.
Secondly, you know when you have a question about the UCAS process that you just can’t see the answer to in the standard information? Turns out the answers might be easier to find than you think!
And finally, we learn a bit about just doing your best.
Crazy university jargon, the Jumpstart university, and the biggest problem in communication.
This week we attempt to demystify some of the crazy jargon used in university degree descriptions.
We hear about Jumpstart University, a fantastic resource to help you prepare for your studies at university.
And we learn about the single biggest problem in communication.
Building your super-skills, support for estranged students, and taking the impossible leap.
This week we look at the importance of building universal transferable skills while at university, and why you really want to find your specific super-skills.
We look at some great resources for estranged students.
And we discover the truth about taking the impossible leap.
Building slack into your life, understanding your student loan, and the antidote to anxiety.
This week we look at something super-important for all of you who are heading into your last term at school: building a little slack into your life!
We look at the very best explainer of that most complex of topics: how your student loan actually works.
And we finish with action, the antidote to anxiety.
Something very special to help you with your UCAS Personal Statement
Hi everyone, and welcome to a slightly different edition of #betterunichoices.
Over the last month or so I’ve been working hard on a whole suite of new materials, so instead of the usual format, this week I’d like to tell you all about my new online course, Podcast and written guide; all designed to help you to write your UCAS Personal Statement.
University admissions tests, Edinburgh video diaries, plus the importance of actions and feelings.
This week we have a close look at university admissions tests, to make sure you know everything you need to know about the tests you might need to take if you are applying to university next year.
We also check out some amazing video diaries from two students at the University of Edinburgh.
And we find out the importance of both actions and feelings, and why one without the other can be a problem!
Applying for accommodation, Geoff Norcott, the confusion of foundation courses, and the definition of happiness.
This week we have a look at all the different options for accommodation as you head off to university, including guarantees and application deadlines.
We try to break down some of the complications and misunderstandings around foundation courses.
And we hear a very wise man’s definition of happiness.
Budgeting at university, last minute problems, and three types of decision.
After last week’s introduction to fees, loans and grants, this week we look at how to budget and how to manage your money while at university.
We consider one very good reason why you should never, ever leave applications of any type to the last minute.
And we learn about hats, haircuts and tattoos, and what they can teach you about decision making.
Student finance basics, UCAS Discovery, and humankind's greatest achievement.
This week we make an abrupt 180 degree turn, from last week’s ancient Roman philosophy, to one of the most critical and practical challenges for all students: understanding student finance.
We find out about UCAS Discovery Exhibitions, which start this week.
And we learn why education should not be seen merely as a hoop for you to jump through.
Resilience and stoicism, taking an EPQ, and developing a passion for learning.
This week we follow up last month's article about career happiness, with a look at two more critical aspects of happiness: resilience and stoicism.
We also look at the impact of taking an EPQ on admissions.
And we hear about what happens if you develop a passion for learning.
Crazy competitive courses, UCAS Extra, and thinking like a Roman Emperor.
This week we look at why some universities are so ridiculously hard to get into. Spoiler; it’s not about how hard the course is.
We remind ourselves that UCAS Extra opens very soon!
And we are introduced to some stoic thinking by a Roman Emperor.