Persons’Young

Guide totaking the next step

University

Why go to

University?

On average, university

graduates (people with

degrees) will earn £120,000

more during their lifetime

than those who do not go

to university.

Of the 5,000 students who

graduate from Cardiff

University each year, some

95% go into employment,

postgraduate study or

professional training within

six months of graduating.

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to have a degree to start the career you want. But university is much more than just a place to prepare you for a good job. It is a great place to gain your independence and live away from home if you choose, but with help and support at hand.

At university you will probably make friends for life and you will meet people from all sorts of backgrounds and from all over the world.

Whatever your interests, you will be able to enjoy them at university, thanks to the huge range of clubs and societies. You’ll probably be tempted to take up some new hobbies too.

Universities are the best places in the world to learn. Courses are run by real experts in their subjects, with superb facilities and the teaching is very different from school – a lot of people find they love studying independently at university and become more enthusiastic about their subject.

A survey has shown that for most people, though, the enjoyment of university is in the freedom and independence they get from living away from home and the social life and friends they have there.

So, if you think you might be interested – read on. This guide will show you what university has to offer and how you can go about getting there.

University education is now open to more people than ever before, with more than one in three students moving on from school or ‘Sixth Form’ college into Higher Education.

There are a lot of reasons for going to university: it will help you get a better job and earn more money; it will give you the chance to make new friends, have fun, gain your independence – and learn some useful things too.

Having a degree – the qualification you gain at the end of a university course – makes you much more valuable to employers, so you have a greater choice of jobs and are likely to be paid more.

Studying for a degree will also give you skills which appeal to all types of employers such as communication, organisational and team working skills.

It depends on which subject you study but, on average, university graduates (people with degrees) will earn £120,000 more during their lifetime than those who do not go to university.

In their first job after graduating, they are likely to earn around £22,800 a year and they are more likely to be promoted to higher positions much quicker.

In fact, some jobs nowadays are only open to graduates, so you may find you have

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Choosing a course is an important decision. You might have a particular career in mind, such as medicine or law, or you might want to carry on with a subject you enjoy in school.

On the other hand, you might want to start a new subject or combine subjects in a combined degree.

When choosing a course you need to make sure it is a subject you will enjoy and be motivated to study for 3, 4 or even 5 years.

For some courses at university you will need to have studied particular subjects at A-level (or equivalent*) e.g. A-level Chemistry is needed if you wish to study Pharmacy. Therefore, it is important to think ahead when making GCSE/A-level choices.

The term ‘entry requirements’ is used by universities to tell you the qualifications they expect you to get for any particular course. The common route to university is to take GCSE’s followed by A/AS levels which then allows you to progress to university*. Entry requirements (i.e. the grades you need) will vary between university courses.

Every university produces a prospectus which will tell you the grades needed for each course and lots of other useful information about the university itself, the place, the accommodation, the social life etc.

*other routes to university include taking Advanced Vocational A-levels (AVCEs), BTEC National Diploma/Certificate, Access courses, International Baccalaureate (IB), Welsh Baccalaureate (WBQ), Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate.

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Cardiff University offers

courses in virtually

every field:

• Accounting

• Architecture

• Banking

• Biology

• Biochemistry

• Biological Sciences

• Business

• Chemistry

• City & Regional Planning

• Communication

• Computer Science

• Criminology

• Dentistry

• Economics

• Education

• Engineering

• English

• Finance

• French

• Geography

• Geology

• German

• History and Archaeology

• Italian

• Japanese

• Journalism

• Law

• Management

• Marine Geography

• Mathematics

• Medicine

• Midwifery

• Music

• Nursing

• Occupational Therapy

• Operating Department

Practice

• Optometry

• Pharmacology

• Pharmacy

• Philosophy

• Physics and Astronomy

• Physiotherapy

• Politics

• Psychology

• Radiography

• Radiotherapy

• Religious and Theological

Studies

• Sociology

• Spanish

• Welsh

What can I study?

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There are more than 100 universities and other Higher Education institutions in the UK, and no two are the same. The word ‘university’ is used to describe a wide variety of establishments. These include ‘civic’ universities, such as Cardiff – long-established, with grand buildings, a very high standard of teaching and research and often in exciting city locations.

How do I choose?

Choosing where to study is just as important as deciding what subject you want to study.

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ACADEMIC FACTORS• Course structure• Subject• Course content• Teaching methods• Opportunities for a year

abroad• Practical training• Learning facilities

(library etc)• University’s reputation

There are also ‘new’ universities, which may have had their ‘university’ title for a shorter time; ‘campus’ universities – often based on a single out-of-town site; and specialist institutions which may focus on a particular subject, such as art and design or veterinary medicine.

Because there is so much choice, you will need to think about what you are looking for

OTHER FACTORS• Size of city• Location• Transport links• Sports facilities• Sports clubs• Other clubs/societies• Cost of living• Availability of

accommodation• Location of accommodation• Students’ Union• Atmosphere

in a university and make sure you visit before you decide. Visiting a university will enable you to get a feel for a place and you will be able to tell if it’s right for you!

To help you choose the right university, you might want to think about the following factors and decide how important each one is to you. It could be a useful first step.

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Rhys Baker Studying: Biology

Why? “Biology always interested me and I thought it was very important to do a course at university that you were going to enjoy. Science degrees also give you a lot of options after uni due to the wide range of skills, and the work ethic involved in the subject.”

What he enjoys: “The thing I enjoy most about the course is having an experiment actually pay off! A-level experiments were very hit and miss. There is also a great deal of satisfaction in understanding why all these things are happening.”

How he survives at uni: “My tip on managing your money is don’t go out every night! Just because one person in the flat has the money to, it doesn’t mean that everyone does.”

“Cardiff is an awesome city to live in and has one of the best unions, so it was the perfect choice!”

Hayley Bennett Studying Maths at Cardiff University

Hayley Bennett Studying: Maths

Why? “I didn’t know what career I wanted to follow so chose a degree that opens up a broad spectrum of options after graduating. Cardiff was not initially my first choice on applying, but I changed my mind once I’d visited the School of Maths; they were the friendliest yet most impressive department I’d seen. Cardiff is an awesome city to live in and has one of the best unions, so it was the perfect choice!”

What she thinks of her tutors: “My personal tutor is easily available, via email or in person. Many lecturers welcome a knock on their door with any questions.”

Her best attribute: “I’m part of the best quiz team the Woodville pub’s ever seen!”

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When you have decided which of these factors matter most to you, you should start to gather information about universities – on the web, by requesting prospectuses, looking at guide books and talking to teachers or other people who may have experience of Higher Education. Then you can start drawing up a list of universities which you would consider.

Before deciding on any, however, do try to visit them. Prospectuses and websites are a great help in gathering information, but there is no substitute for visiting the university to get a real understanding of what it is like.

Universities usually have at least one Open Day each year when you can meet staff and students, visit the accommodation, see the libraries, lecture theatres and laboratories, as well as the sports and social facilities.

Open Days are usually designed for Year 12 students, but you could go along in Year 11 if you are keen! Cardiff University’s Open Day usually takes place in April. For more information, visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/opendays or telephone the Schools andColleges Liaison Office on 029 2087 4455.

A list of Open Days for all universities can be found at www.opendays.com

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As the capital city of Wales, Cardiff is home to a huge range of world-class events in arts, culture and sport.

The famous Wales Millennium Centre hosts concerts, shows, recitals and more – and is just one of many venues for music, arts and culture throughout the city.

Equally well-known, the Millennium Stadium hosts football, rugby and other sports up to international level, and Cardiff is now also designated an international cricket test match venue. The city is the venue for many world famous events, ranging from the Singer of the World competition to the Wales Rally GB.It is also well-known as the setting for popular television programmes, such as Dr Who and Torchwood.

CardiffMore about

Cardiff is a great place to live and study – friendly and compact, but with all the cultural and sporting events you would expect in a much larger city.

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The city centre is mainlypedestrianised and isregarded as one of the UK’s best cities for shoppingoutside London. It combinesmajor high street retailerswith the individually-ownedshops in its famous Victorianand Edwardian arcadesand markets.

Within the civic centre, where the main University buildings are located, there is the National Museum and Gallery of Wales and the peaceful Alexandra Gardens – one of more than 300 parks and gardens in the city.

Just a couple of miles from the University, the famous ‘Tiger Bay’ docklands area has been transformed into the stunning Cardiff Bay, with its cafes, bars, beautiful buildings and waterfront location.

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Cardiff

University

is one of

the leading

universities

in the UK.

Established

since 1883,

Cardiff

University is

known around

the world for the

high standard of

its teaching and

research.

The main University

location is in Cardiff’s civic

centre – grand buildings

surrounding beautiful

gardens, while many

health-related courses are

taught at Heath Park – which

the University shares with

one of the largest hospitals

in the UK.

It is a member of the Russell

Group of top UK research-

led universities – a group

which also includes Oxford

and Cambridge.

Being ‘research-led’ means

that students benefit from

being taught by some of

the leading researchers

in their subject.

We offer courses in a very

wide range of subjects, as

you will see from the list on

page 5, and – as you would

expect from a leading

university – the facilities

are excellent.

These include 18 libraries,

with one million books and

journals, as well as free

access to our high-speed

computer network.

Libraries and computing

facilities are very important

at university, because

students spend much

more time studying

independently than they do

at school.

For information on

Cardiff visit:

www.visitcardiff.com and

for information on Cardiff

University visit

www.cardiff.ac.uk

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Cardiff

University13

and will usually include a desk, as well as wardrobe, cupboards and bed.

At Cardiff, all rooms have internet access and most have an en-suite toilet and shower too. Staying in a university residence can be a great way to make friends at the start of your time at university and is a good introduction to living away from home. It also has the advantage that you will be close to the university campus. Some students prefer to live in a private, rented house, shared with other students, and universities can usually help find suitable places.

University Life

FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, THE THOUGHT OF GOING TO UNIVERSITY CAN SEEM A BIT WORRYING – ESPECIALLY IF IT MEANS MOVING AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME. HOWEVER, UNIVERSITIES MAKE SURE THEIR STUDENTS ARE WELL LOOKED-AFTER AND THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO HELP THEM.

Accommodation

For many students, going to university will mean living away from home for the first time.Knowing where you will live is one of the most important questions to answer and having a place in the university’s own accommodation for the first year can be a great help.

Most universities have their own accommodation, known as ‘halls of residence’. These are usually study-bedrooms or flats, often with a kitchen and living area shared with other students. Bedrooms are specially designed for students

accommodation / advice & support studying / social life >

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There is much

more to university

life than study.

It is a wonderful

opportunity to

make new friends,

enjoy hobbies

and generally

enjoy life.

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Advice and Support

As well as where to live, some students find they may need help in other ways – perhaps advice about money or a personal problem.

Universities offer great support if you are facing a difficulty. At Cardiff, for instance, you will have a personal tutor based in the department in which you are studying who can help you with any academic or personal problems you may face whilst you are at university.

The University also has two Student Support Centres with trained staff available to provide information and practical advice covering student finance, academic progress issues, housing, disability and dyslexia support. They also offer a confidential counselling service.

In addition to this the Student Advice Centre run by the Students’ Union offers information and advice on a wide range of areas including: accommodation, finance, employment rights and health, to name but a few.

Study

Studying at university is very different – and often much more exciting – than studying at school. One of the main differences is that students spend much less

time in the classroom and more time studying independently.

Teaching is usually through lectures – talks given to large groups of students – and in seminars or tutorials, which are in smaller groups and involve more discussion.

Depending on your subject, you may also spend time in the laboratory, doing practical experiments or on field trips, which vary from course to course, but can include visits abroad or to sea!

On top of this comes your independent study, which may be in the library, in a computer suite or in your study-bedroom.

University courses often involve extra opportunities as part of the course. Many courses involve work placements. This is particularly true of health-related courses, which include work placements in hospitals and other medical establishments. However, they may also be included in science, engineering, maths and business courses.

There are even chances to spend time either studying or working abroad. As well as developing your language skills and experiencing life in another country, this year abroad can be a great boost when the time comes to seek a job.

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A day in the life of Rhys Baker Studying: Biology

8:00am I wake up and get ready for the day– grab some cornflakes in the flat I share with 5 other students. I throw my jeans on (it’s great not having to wear a uniform) and walk down the street to my first lecture…..

9.00am Biology lecture: There are around 80 people in this lecture – it’s about genetics, something which really interests me. I am much better at concentrating in the morning so I love early starts.

10.00am Biology tutorial: This is very different from the lecture – there are 8 of us in the group and we

learn by discussing topics. To make sure I am fully prepared for a tutorial I must attend the relevant lectures and then do some of my own study to learn the topic.

11.00am Coffee break: I meet up with my mates in CF10 – this is a chill-out food place which serves a mean (and very cheap) cappuccino!

12noon Project meeting: There is a meeting with some of the people on my course to discuss how we are going to organise our project. We have to come up with some experiments and demonstrate our work to the other groups. We meet in a seminar room in the library for half an hour.

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Social Life

Studying is just part of the university experience and it’s important to get the balance right with your ‘free’ time. You will need to use a proportion of it for study, and you may also want to get a part-time job too, but you will certainly want to keep some time for having fun.

For many people, the best thing about student life is the chance to make new friends and enjoy hobbies.

Cardiff Students’ Union has been rated the best in the UK, and it’s also one of the biggest. It’s a purpose-built centre of activity for all aspects of student life. It includes food outlets, games room, nightclub, shops and ‘great hall’ – the regular venue for visits by some of the best current rock and pop acts.

The Union is run by students for students – the president and other officers are elected by the students and they represent the students in meetings with the University authorities and by campaigning on issues that affect them.

The Union also runs a huge range of clubs and societies – almost 200 in all. These cover cultural, political, religious, social and sporting interests – from aerobics to aikido, drama to debating, music to mountaineering, and rambling to rugby. If you’re already experienced, or just keen to try out something new, you’ll find the clubs will welcome you.

If you are interested in the media, there are the award-winning student newspaper and radio station – both run by volunteer student journalists, broadcasters and technicians, and offering real hands-on experience. The Union also runs the ‘Unistaff Jobshop’ which offers part-time work within the University for students. Students are usually paid £5.52 per hour and typically work up to 15 hours a week.

Many people find it helpful to work part-time alongside their studies. It provides useful cash, and also good experience of work – a help when they leave university and start a career.

The Students’ Union can also help students find voluntary work in the community, which can be an especially rewarding way to spend some of your free time.

12.30pm Lunch: I join up with a couple of mates and we go down town to grab a baguette and have a quick look around some shops. I need some new trainers and I know JD sports give student discount so I should grab a bargain.

2pm Lab class: This lasts between 2-3 hours depending on what experiments we’re doing. I have a lab partner Anna and we work together to get the result we want. We pop out for coffee half way through as we can manage our own time. I will write up the results of the experiment this evening once I’ve had a break.

4pm Back to my flat: I sit in the kitchen with some of my flat mates and we just chat. One of the girls in my flat is cooking a massive spag bog for us all this evening so I don’t need to worry about food. We all chip in a £1 or so and get a really great meal.

7pm Work: I write up the experiment from the day and also look at some notes relevant to tomorrow’s tutorial.

8.15pm Pub: I walk to the student pub at the end of the road and enjoy a couple of pints with my mates.

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What will it cost?

02|0320

Fees

The cost of going touniversity will vary between different universities, different parts of the UK and different courses.

Like most other universities in England and Wales, Cardiff University will charge an annual tuition fee of approximately £3,225 from 2009, but if you already live in Wales you would receive a grant from the Welsh Assembly which would reduce this to approximately £1,285 a year.

Whichever fees apply to you, it is important to remember that you do not have to pay ‘up-front’ they are converted into a student loan which you would start repaying after you have left university and

Unlike school, studying at university is not free – but it’s probably not as expensive as you think, because there is a lot of help available and fees don’t actually have to be paid until after you have gained your degree. Also, you need to remember that with a degree you are likely to be able to get a better job and earn more than someone who has not been to university.

EXPENDITURE PER MONTH LIVING IN UNIVERSITY LIVING AT HOME £

ACCOMMODATION £

Rent 250.00 -

Food 100.00 80.00

Books/course material 28.00 28.00

Health 5.50 5.50

Insurance 7.50 -

Travel (inc travel home) 17.00 -

Telephone 26.50 15.00

Credit card repayments 9.50 9.50

Social/leisure (inc clothes) 120.00 120.00

Total £564.00 per month £258.00 per month

are earning an annual salary of £15,000 or more. Your repayments will be automatically deducted from your salary by the Inland Revenue. If you are joining a health-related course, funded by the NHS, you may pay no fees at all, no matter where you are from in the UK or European Union.

Living Costs

There are other expenses that you will have to meet whilst you are at university. A recent survey of students at Cardiff University showed how much an average student spends, if they are living in University accommodation or at home:

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All students can have a special ‘student loan’ to help with living costs. These are different from normal loans because the interest rate (which determines how much you have to pay back) is much lower than usual. The amount you are eligible for depends on your household income but as a guide the minimum available is around £3,559 per year, and the maximum is around £4,745 per year*.

There are also Maintenance Grants available to students from lower income households of up to £2,906 unlike the loans, this money does not have to be paid back.

Some universities also offer money to students to help them with their costs. These are usually called ‘scholarships’ or ‘bursaries’ Again these do not need to be paid back.

At Cardiff University, for example, scholarships of approximately £3,000 are offered to students with the best grades joining courses in these subjects: Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Mathematics; Physics; Archaeology; German/Italian; Music; Welsh.See www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships for more information.

Living Costs (continued)

However the good news is that there is lots of support available to help you to meet these costs.

There is also advice and support available during the course for students who need help. This can include extra loans and other payments to help out in special circumstances.

In addition to this support many students also take on a part-time job while they are studying or in the holidays, and there is a lot of help available to find suitable work.

(*These figures are based on 2009/10 and will vary each year in line with inflation)

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CArDiff UniversiTy also offers bursaries to students who may need extra financial help. Like the scholarships, These pAymenTs Are noT LoAns AnD Do noT neeD To be pAiD bACk.

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How to apply

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To get on to a course at a UK university, you need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) – and there is a strict timetable in order for the process to work properly.

To give yourself the best chance of getting to the university of your choice, you need to start planning in Year 12.

The timetable below sets out what you should be doing when:

Year 12

Research the various universities, as described on page 7.

Try to attend Higher Education fairs, where you can find out about a lot of universities at the same time. Your school will be able to advise you what fairs will be taking place in your area alternatively you can find a full list on the UCAS website at www.ucas.com

If you are thinking of applying for a health-related course then it is wise to get some relevant work experience and become involved in community work.

Draw up a list of the universities you will consider, and try to attend their open day or arrange a visit yourself.

For some university courses there will be an additional test to be taken e.g. UKCAT or BMAT for Medicine, LNAT for Law. Not all universities ask for this test so you need to check with individual institutions.

Year 13

September: Start to prepare your UCAS application. You will need to choose the five universities/courses you like most. You will also need to write a personal statement where you aim to persuade universities that they should pick you for their courses. You should include information such as why you are applying for the particular course/subject you have chosen, what work experience you have done, details about your hobbies and any

positions of responsibility you have had. Your teachers and careers advisors will be able to help you.

October 15: Closing date for applications for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses; and for all courses at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

January 15: Closing date for applications to all other courses and universities.

March: ‘UCAS Extra’ – a late application system begins. If you did not get any offers in the first round this allows you to apply for extra courses. UCAS will tell you if you are able to take part in this process.

Throughout Year 13: Universities may invite you for an interview to find out more about you. Whether they interview you or not, they will respond to your application in one of three ways:

(i) Unconditional offer of a place: you have already met their requirements;(ii) Conditional offer of a place: you will need to achieve specific grades (a certain number of ‘UCAS points’) in your examinations to gain a place;(iii) Rejection: you are not offered a place.

You then accept your favourite offer (this is your ‘firm acceptance’) and also a reserve choice (known as your ‘insurance’).

August: When the A-level and other exam results are announced, if you achieved the required grades you will be able to confirm your place at one of your chosen universities.

August-September: If you have not achieved the required number of points with your grades, you may still be able to get a place at another university through ‘Clearing’. This takes place in the days and weeks following the A-level results, when universities fill any outstanding places on their courses.

Information on applications is available from UCAS at www.ucas.com

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For a Cardiff Universityprospectus:

Prospectus OfficeUndergraduate RecruitmentCardiff University46 Park PlaceCardiff CF10 3BBEmail: prospectus@cardiff.ac.ukTel: 029 2087 4455www.cardiff.ac.uk

For a general enquiry in relation toCardiff University:

Email: enquiry@cardiff.ac.uk

Applications:

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)Tel: 0871 468 0468Email enquiries@ucas.ac.ukwww.ucas.com

Want toknow more?

Funding:

Cardiff Council Student Support,Room 311, County Hall,Atlantic Wharf,Cardiff, CF10 4UWTel: 029 2087 2000Email: info@cardiff.gov.ukwww.studentfinancewales.co.uk

Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS)Tel: 020 7215 5555Email: info@dius.gsi.gov.ukwww.dius.gov.uk

Student Loans Company100 Bothwell StreetGlasgowG2 7JDTel: 0845 026 2019www.slc.co.uk

A summary of the web addresses mentioned inthis guide:

www.visitcardiff.comwww.cardiff.ac.uk/opendayswww.opendays.comwww.ucas.com

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Contact DetailsWidening Access OfficePublic Relations & Communications DivisionCardiff University46 Park PlaceCardiff CF10 3BBTel: 029 2087 0071Fax: 029 2087 9328Email: wideningaccess@cardiff.ac.ukwww.cardiff.ac.uk