By the 2022 January deadline, just over 43% of all 18-year-olds in the UK had applied to UCAS. With not only the number of university applications increasing yearly, but also the competition, students are having to go to greater lengths to demonstrate their passion and relevant experience for their chosen subject, as well as to showcase other skills which will make them an asset to their university community.

In this article we share our advice on how school leavers can make their application stand out from the crowd and maximise their chance of success.

 

Super-curricular activities

Top predicted/achieved grades in your chosen subject(s) are undoubtedly a strong basis for any application, but admissions teams will be looking for a deeper understanding as well as an interest that extends beyond the classroom. They want students who will be engaged in their university seminars and tutorials, so applicants should try to find effective ways to convey their eagerness to learn and motivation to succeed within their chosen academic field. This is where students should consider undertaking super-curricular activities to bolster their personal statement.

Although they sound similar, super-curricular activities differ from extra-curricular in that super- are related to and help take your studies further. For example, medicine hopefuls could take part in voluntary clinical work, or enter competitions where elements of the research involved is not covered as part of their school’s syllabus. Reading a challenging book on a related topic can also go a long way.

Several summer schools are now offering courses that help students prepare for their university studies, so keep an eye out for these. Check out our recent article on the benefits of summer schools, as well as some great examples of ones taking place this year.

To summarise, examples of super-curricular activities include:

• Voluntary work related to the field of study
• Shadowing a professional, e.g., an architect
• Essay competitions
• Online courses, e.g., coding courses for those wishing to study Computer Science
• Additional reading on the subject
• Trips to places of interest, like museums and art galleries
• Starting a blog related to the subject
• Summer schools, e.g., the Introduction to Law course at Charterhouse

 

Extra-curricular activities

By participating in extra-curricular activities, students will gain sought after transferrable skills that they can apply in both their academic studies and wider university life. Make sure to include any long-term commitment in your personal statement, as they can serve as a testament to perseverance and determination, both of which are invaluable skills in higher education.

Being part of a team, whether it be a drama group, orchestra, or sports team convey good communication, leadership and collaboration. Although university work is often carried out individually, many faculties also set graded group projects, therefore these three characteristics are held in high regard by admissions teams.

 

In-depth research on the course

Remember that you should always focus on the specifics of the course and discuss which elements you are looking forward to studying the most. Simply stating that you wish to study Spanish because you like the language is not enough to impress admissions teams.

If students are unsure which course they would like to apply for, they should consider speaking to an education consultant who will be able to advise based on the student’s current subjects and academic goals, as well as provide support with drafting the personal statement.

 

Interview practice

The UCAS application is only the first hurdle for many courses. Due to the volume of applications, heavily subscribed courses including engineering, medicine, law, dentistry, music, and veterinary science usually require students to attend interviews.

Questions tend to revolve around competence for the course and why the student has applied. Although it can be difficult to prepare answers for unknown questions, interviewees should certainly schedule some mock interviews to ensure that they are familiar with the process and to prepare them for the style of questions that they could be asked.

In comparison, Oxbridge interviews are renowned for often being highly theoretical and different to the typical university interview. In this instance, one of the best ways to prepare would be to arrange an interview session with an ex-Oxbridge student, so they can offer tips for success based on their own experience and that of their peers.

Many Gabbitas tutors have years of experience in supporting students with their Oxbridge interviews. To find out more, head to our tutoring page or email the team at tutoring@gabbitas.com.

 

Additional test preparation

To help filter applications further, some courses have an added extra step requiring applicants to sit an additional test. Examples of these include the MAT and STEP (maths), ENGAA (engineering), LNAT (law), BMAT (medicine), and Oxbridge’s critical thinking tests. A strong score in these can add real value to an application so students are heavily encouraged to prepare beforehand.

Whilst the content of the questions is often difficult to predict, the style of questioning is similar each time. Spending a few hours with an admissions expert to practice these is recommended to achieve as high a score as possible.

 

Whilst there is certainly a lot to consider, the process need not be daunting. Applicants should instead view their university application and the preparation involved as a chance to challenge themselves and discover more about their passion. If any problems or doubts arise along the way, there are always experts to assist.

 

Get in touch

If you would like to find out about how Gabbitas can help you with your UCAS application, or to discuss anything mentioned in the article, please get in touch today by emailing info@gabbitas.com or call +44 203 026 7443.

Here at Gabbitas, we often receive enquiries from international students curious about the difference between Russell Group and non-Russell Group universities, and the benefits of each. Although the Russell Group (RG) is often attractive due to the well-known names within it, it’s always worth considering other options, where students have the chance to pursue specific highly-ranked courses as opposed to just the traditional sciences and humanity subjects.

This article would highlight some of the best non-Russell Group universities as well as courses in which they are ranked highly for compared to Russell Group universities.

 

What is a Russell Group university?

The Russell Group consists of 24 prestigious universities who all play a significant role in the cultural and economic life of the UK, and all share a common characteristic: their focus on producing leading research and maintaining a consistent reputation for strong academic achievement. Some of them include the world renowned Oxford and Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE), Durham and so on.

Given their reputability, RG universities tend to have very rigorous admissions criteria. Their entry requirements are often higher than those of other universities, leading to a competitive admissions process, especially for the more highly sought-after courses, like medicine, sciences, economics, and law.

 

Best Non-Russell Group Universities

Despite the Russell Group’s popularity for both British and international students alike, there are approximately 106 other universities in the UK outside of the group that perform equally as well and sometimes even better; are known for their academic excellence; teaching and employability rates; and offer unique courses.

Notable names such as St. Andrews, and Bath rank consistently high in league tables each year, yet they are not part of the Russell Group. They are often mistaken to be because of their outstanding performance and provision of excellent quality education.

More non-RG universities include Loughborough known for its excellence in criminology, media, and sports (2020); Royal Holloway for its sciences and management (2021); SOAS for its development studies, anthropology, and politics (2020); and City University for its strong business and industry links.

 

Why choose a non-Russell group university?

Non-Russell Group universities are often more flexible than their highly selective RG rivals, usually having lower entry requirements. Of course, this depends on the degree — some courses still have high entry requirements, but they tend to be more realistic or achievable. Whilst St. Andrews require AAA-AAB for medicine, Imperial – a Russell Group university – requires A*AA-AAA for the same degree. Where Durham (RG) offers AAB for business management, both the University of Westminster and Royal Holloway require lower at ABB-BBC and AAB-ABB for the same degree, respectively.

Notably, there is often less rigidity and, in some cases, more willingness to consider applicants who fall short by a few marks or have complicated cases with their grades and educational background. Additionally, they are often happy to consider late applicants (aside from UCAS Clearing). This is due to non-Russell Group universities usually still having spaces available, which in comparison is unlikely at Russell Group universities, due to being oversubscribed, making chances of available spaces after initial admission deadlines small.

 

Quality of Education

In the past, the quality of education provided by non-RG universities has been questioned, especially internationally. One thing that has helped change this view is the option to participate in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which measures the quality of the student experience provided by each university, especially within the areas of teaching, learning, and graduate employability or further study outcomes.

Participating universities are awarded bronze, silver or gold. Not all RG universities participate, but for those that do, most achieve silver and gold awards. However, there are many non-RG universities that achieve the same awards. For instance, Bath, Birmingham and Loughborough have attained the gold award, just like Cambridge and Imperial College, as seen on the Office for Students.

Additionally, Brunel, City University, and Brighton have all achieved the silver award, just like King’s College, UCL, and Bristol.

Evidently, some of the participating RG universities have the silver award whilst some non-RG universities have gold, indicating that despite not being a part of the Russell Group, an excellent quality of education is still offered within these institutions.

 

“My course equipped me with important skills to thrive well at university. For example, how to write a good and analytical essay at an advanced level.

The teachers have been so helpful and easily accessible. Coming from Pakistan, my high school qualifications were not able to provide access onto an undergraduate degree in the UK, therefore a foundation course was my only option. I was really pleased to receive an offer from SOAS.

I appreciate their focus on Africa and the Middle East, which I very much look forward to delving into upon completion of my foundation year.”

 

Aryana K from Pakistan
International Foundation Course (IFC) at SOAS University

 

Specialist Courses

Another great advantage of non-RG universities is their reputation for providing specialist courses, allowing students the opportunity to choose a degree that is tailored more to their interests, or focused on a specific field.

Some examples include Greenwich University, the University of Westminster, and Goldsmiths, who, despite usually ranking lower down league tables, offer some of the most unique courses in art and design, business, media, music, technology and more. Many students opt for these universities because of the unique courses they offer, which RG universities do not always provide.

 

Selected Courses

Goldsmiths, University of London
BA Promotional Media

Royal Holloway, University of London
BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change

University of Greenwich
BA Film and Television Production

University of Bath
BEng Electronic Engineering with Space Science and Technology
BSc Sport Management and Coaching

Loughborough University
BSc Chemistry with Computing
MSc Construction Project Management with Building Information Modelling

City, University of London
BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management
BSc Music, Sound and Technology

Heriot-Watt University
MSc Brewing and Distilling

 

Student life

Universities in the UK actively ensure that international students settle in well for the duration of their studies. This is evident in the wide range of support and well-being services on offer, some including help with immigration issues, finding accommodation, academic support, careers advice, and counselling. Some universities even go as far as assisting students with arranging airport transfers, creating international clubs and societies and student buddy systems, allowing current students to offer support to the new, as well as make friends.

Many students praise non-RG universities on their welcoming and multicultural atmosphere, and for regularly organising social events to encourage networking. Often commended is Royal Holloway for its network of support, sense of belonging and community feel.

 

“I was unsure what I wanted to study at university but I am so glad I chose accounting and management. It was a very useful degree; I was able to choose different modules to tailor my degree to my interests, for example I really enjoyed Management Psychology.

At university I played hockey, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I would say my friends from hockey club made my university experience; we had regular training sessions and attended social events. We also did a lot of volunteering, helping local charities to raise money.

I am still in regular contact with all my university friends and I absolutely loved the experience.”

 

Tammy W from Hong Kong
Accounting and Management at the University of Essex

 

 

 

Get in touch

In summary, there are many non-Russell Group universities that perform just as well as those within the Russell Group, and provide equally satisfying environments, support and student experience, meaning that it is definitely worth considering them when making applications to UK universities as an international student.

Our expert team of placements consultants can help advise further on both RG and non-RG university options as well as help with applications, read more here. Alternatively, please get in touch today by emailing info@gabbitas.com, or by calling +44 203 026 7443.

 

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This article from Sarah Oshun-Williams at Gabbitas first appeared in Great British Education Magazine from Independent School Parent

1. We’re looking to place my daughter in a UK boarding school next September, but as we are living overseas, we’re not really sure how to manage the process of shortlisting and visiting schools. What would you advise?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany, Senior Education Consultant and SEN Specialist

One of the first things you need to establish before you start looking at new schools is your daughter’s academic level. You want a school where your daughter will sit comfortably amongst her peers. Prospective boarding schools will also want to know what your daughter can offer to them — both in terms of academics and extracurricular.

At boarding schools, children become totally immersed in their surroundings, and what they give, they get back tenfold. With this in mind, look at the school and see what they offer to the child: will your daughter be able to get involved with school life?

As you’re abroad, I’d advise you to look at full-boarding options, as everyone tends to stay in during the weekends. Even if there is the occasional quiet weekend, Saturdays will still comprise of lessons in the morning and sports fixtures in the afternoon, and many schools are keen to keep weekends as busy and as purposeful as weekdays.

Visits and open days are imperative. Do go on these if you are able to, as they are the best way to gauge a school’s atmosphere and ethos. You’ll also get to see how pupils interact with one another and engage with their teachers, and in turn see how the staff interact with parents.

Many schools are now offering in-person tours, so try and go for an open day, and then after schedule a private visit. Having said this, Zoom is still a very good way to view a school and there are plenty of excellent virtual open days.

Look at reviews, listen to word of mouth, but most importantly have confidence in yourself as a parent — you will know in your gut if a school is right for your daughter.

 

2. Is it a good idea to move my daughter to a new school for sixth form – she’s mentioned that she might like a ‘change of scene’ but we’re not sure how easy it is to make the transition and how this might impact her academically and socially?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany, Senior Education Consultant and SEN Specialist

If you’re looking to move your daughter for sixth form, ideally you need to have started shortlisting schools by the end of year 10. Many schools tend to have closed their registrations by the end of September, and by the very latest, the end of October, as many of their candidate assessments take place during October.

Many children — whether they joined their current school at 11 or 13 — can find the change refreshing, but please bear in mind that this needs to be a very considered decision as she is at a critical age. The process will not only take up valuable time that she could use for GCSE revision, but she will also be leaving behind friends and a structure that she has been used to for at least three years.

Remember that competition is often tough for sixth form places, and some schools will have a limited number of spaces; rejection can be disheartening.

Your daughter’s current teachers and pastoral staff know her academic ability and level of wellbeing, so be sure to consult them for their thoughts on the matter. Ask your daughter her reasons for a scene change; for example, is she looking for a change in curriculum, or is she looking for a better cultural fit?

If you’re thinking of moving her from a day to a boarding school, this is often an excellent steppingstone for higher education. She’s likely to develop better organisational skills and grow in independence, all in the comfort of school’s safety net therefore meaning moving to university won’t come as such a shock.

Alternatively, she may be wanting to move closer to home with less school structure. Many children grow out of the school bubble before higher education, and flourish when working more independently.

Overall, I would urge you to research what is out there and bring your daughter on board the decision-making process. She will be able to give you a better idea of what she believes she is missing which should help shape the final decision.

 

3. My son has his heart set on going to veterinary school but knows it’s highly competitive and he needs to prove aptitude as well as academic ability. What can he do to improve his chances of acceptance?

Answered by Sarah Oshun-Williams, Client Account Manager

The methods of improving your chances of acceptance to veterinary school are very similar to those of getting into professions like medicine or law; work experience is essential.

Besides academic ability, he will need to prove his knowledge of the field and enthusiasm to pursue this route. Therefore, he should try to volunteer or shadow as many vets and animal practices as he can, as this will allow your son to showcase his motivation and interest in the field when writing his personal statement. Many universities do however understand that at times it’s hard for candidates to gain experience, so they do not demand months of work under candidates’ belts, instead just enough to show an interest and an aptitude for veterinary.

Work experience will also help your son to be sure that this is the field he’d like to pursue, as it can be a gruelling process. His time at university will be comprised of a lot of exams, laboratory-based anatomy and a lot of contact hours, so it is imperative that he is prepared for the training.

Research is equally as important. There are currently only 10 veterinary schools in the UK, of which you can only apply to 4, so researching the benefits and structure of each course is key to ensure you’re aware of the different requirements, entry procedures and to select the options that are most suitable.

Regarding how he might improve his academic ability, it’s worth considering tutoring. Many agencies — like Gabbitas — have tutors who are experts in their chosen field and some who specialise in veterinary school applications. This will help your son to prepare for any interviews, additional admissions tests, and to know what to expect from the course. A tutor can also be useful in helping him revise for his exams, to ensure that he meets his offer requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our tutors, please contact us at info@gabbitas.com, or head to our tutoring page to see some of the services we offer.

 

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This article was originally published in the Autumn/Winter 2021 edition of Absolutely Education

As another results day passes, UCAS applications for 2022 start. Although some may have already decided what course they would like to study and which university they’d like go to, with the UCAS deadline being 26th January 2022 for many courses, there is still plenty of time to decide.

Here are a few pointers from our consultants to help hopeful applicants make the most out of their application.

 

Research
Research is crucial. With the option to input 5 choices out of a possible 100 plus universities, coupled with a plethora of courses to choose from, this can understandably seem like a daunting task.

However, there are many resources at one’s fingertips, including websites, education fairs, and consultancies. With knowledge of your educational experience and predicted grades, these resources can help you narrow down which courses might suit you, as well as the universities that offer them.

 

Familiarise yourself with the application process
Familiarising yourself with the format of the application form is wise. It enables you to approach the process methodically. The form consists of six sections:

1. Your personal details.
2. Five university choices (four for medicine and veterinary).
3. Your completed and predicted results, such as your GCSEs, A-levels, IB, BTEC and any other relevant qualifications. Special entrance tests for specific courses, like the LNAT or BNAT, go in the Specialised Entrance Tests section.
4. Employment — include details of any paid jobs you’ve done.
5. Personal statement — take this opportunity to stand out from the crowd. When you read your statement back, focus on whether you sound enthusiastic, interested in the subject you wish to study, genuine, clear and concise.
6. References and submission — once you click send on the application, it will be sent to your designated referee. Don’t be afraid to chase your referee up, as UCAS will not process your application until your reference has been completed.

 

Take your time
Although applying to university is an exciting process, do not rush. You’re able to save the application as you go through, so you can complete a bit each day.

Take your time with your personal statement and bear in mind it can make the difference between an offer or rejection if you miss your grades on results day.

Remember, each admissions department receives a high volume of applications each year. They will be using your UCAS application as a tool to find out more about you, beyond your exam results. They will be looking for well-rounded individuals who show a flair for their subject; people who are responsible and will be able to cope with university study.

 

If you have any questions about the UCAS process, please do not hesitate to get in contact by emailing us at info@gabbitas.com or find out more about how we can help with university search, applications, and clearing here.

 

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This article from Isabel Sheehan at Gabbitas first appeared in the September 2021 edition of School Report 

If you loved your Philosophy A Level or the Philosophy component of your IB at school, then you will already know that this might well be the higher education course for you. But what if you haven’t studied Philosophy at school – how do you know whether you should consider it at university? In this blog, we look at this interesting degree subject and if it might be a good fit for you.

Course Content

This will obviously vary from university to university. Logic is a very common topic in the first year (sometimes even first term) and you will undoubtedly have an ‘Introduction to Philosophy’ in your first term. In ‘Theory of Knowledge’, you will most likely study thinkers such as Descartes and Hume. In ‘Ethics’, you will probably be reading J.S. Mill’s Utilitarianism. In second and third years, it is likely that you will be able to choose electives alongside core modules. These could include ‘Philosophy of Religion’, ‘History of Philosophy’ from Descartes to Kant, ‘Philosophy of Mathematics’, and ‘Medieval Philosophy’. Philosophy also combines well with other degree subjects for a joint honours course, e.g. Philosophy and Economics, Modern Language or International Relations.

If your school has any Philosophy teachers, see if you can have a chat with them. Explain your enthusiasm in the subject, discuss some of your favourite philosophical topics with them. That can then give you a flavour of some of the discussions you would have with your professors at university.

Careers

If you’re considering studying Philosophy, you may well get well-meaning and worried relatives asking you what on earth you can then ‘do’ with your degree. After all, there aren’t many jobs out there advertising for a Philosopher. But in fact, most employers recognise a Philosophy degree in the same way they would any other Arts discipline such as English or History. A good degree in any of these disciplines indicates that the individual has had a broad education, can analyse information effectively, can write well, can meet deadlines and can absorb mountains of complex information. These are all very useful skills.

Top Five UK Universities

St Andrew’s

Oxford

Cambridge

London Schools of Economics

Exeter

Entry Requirements

Range from A*AA/41 IB at Oxford and Cambridge to AAA/ 38 IB at LSE or AAB/35 at St Andrew’s and ABB/34 at Cardiff.

Further Reading & Listening

Get your hands on some key texts that most Philosophy first years will be required to study. Check out The Logic Manual by V. Halbach, Utilitarianism by J.S. Mill, Think by S. Blackburn, An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis by J. Hospers, Plato’s Meno. Remember that philosophy books should be read super slowly! Don’t feel you have to read the book cover-to-cover. Try and take notes as you read, write down any questions that come up, jot down thoughts and observations on what you have read. If you enjoy the process, then it’s likely you’ll enjoy the degree. Here’s a Cambridge University Philosophy Reading List for those intending to study Philosophy at degree level.

After reading the books, try and explain what you’ve learnt to family and friends. It’s surprisingly difficult! This will help you get used to discussing complex concepts and the process of something, and having to answer questions about it, is the best way of making sure you really understand it, too.

Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to read as much as we like to. Here some podcasts to listen to whilst you’re on your way to school or brushing your teeth! It’s worth trying to jot down some keywords on a post-it after you’ve listened to the podcast, otherwise it is all too easy for the information to go in one ear, and out the other… BBC’s In Our Time offers a great range of forty minute podcasts on key philosophers and important concepts here.

Thinking of applying to study philosophy at university? Gabbitas can help every step of the way, contact us to find out how.

In this second part of the Gabbitas Guide to University series, we look at the practicalities of arriving at university and key things to do or think about in those first few weeks away from home.

Before you arrive

You can see what we recommend to pack before you head to university here.

We would also suggest revisiting the welcome emails from your university to make sure you have all the information you need ahead of making the move. We also recommend following their various social media channels to keep up to date with their advice and updates. If available, have a look at your timetable in advance so you know what your schedule will look like.

Do some research into the best student bank account deals and, if you can, set this up in advance. See below for some more top tips about managing your finances.

When you get there

Our number one tip is to move into your halls as soon as you can. Friendships are formed quickly in halls and you don’t want to be on the back foot here. Be brave and leave home as soon as possible.

With this in mind, make sure you put yourself out there and don’t keep yourself hidden in your room. Remember, everyone is in the same boat so get out there and introduce yourself.

When you are not out there making friends, make sure you get unpacked and your room sorted in those first few days. The first few weeks are jammed packed and a case of home sickness is inevitable, so make sure your room is as homely as possible.

If you need help – ask! Universities have brilliant student support teams to help anyone who might be struggling in those first few weeks, so do use them if you need them.

Personal safety

Wherever you go to university, it is unlikely to be as safe as home so make sure you take appropriate precautions. Some key tips to remember:

• Keep valuable items such as phones out of sight, even when walking down streets
• Avoid travelling alone in secluded areas at night
• Walk facing the traffic so you can see oncoming cars
• Be extra vigilant when using cash machines and protect your pin
• Never leave your drink unattended
• Let someone know where you are when you are out
• Only use authorised taxis

Freshers Week

On the first few days make sure you get out and about to start to get familiar with your surroundings. For example, in your halls it would be worth sussing out where the laundry room is, the nearest library etc. Then hunt around for the nearest supermarket and perhaps test your route to your lectures.

Once familiar with your surroundings, make sure you check out the Freshers Fair! This is a great opportunity to find out what societies are on offer in your university, trust us some are very weird and wonderful! These fairs are also full of freebies so you can stock up on pens and other stash to your hearts content. Societies are a really great way to make friends so make sure you take this opportunity to either continue with something you love or try something completely new!

There will be plenty of events on during the first week from movie nights to bar crawls to fancy dress parties, make sure you get involved and make the most of your time without lectures.

Your finances

For international students arriving in the UK, make sure you set up a bank account as soon as you can. Take time to research the best deals, there will be lots of information out there at the beginning of term. If you are taking out a student loan, make sure it has been deposited in your account.

Living in a big city can typically add 20% to your costs so once you’ve budgeted, make sure you stick to it. If you think you might not have enough to survive, it is time to look for a part time job!

Read more about keeping on top of your finances here.

In the next part of this blog series, we will be looking at study tips for university. Look out for the next blog!

Heading to university this September? A common mistake can be to take simply too much stuff, we share what the essentials should be as well as other top tips to think about putting in your suitcase this summer.

What do you need to take?

Clothes

Our biggest tip, don’t take too many! There will not be much storage space in the halls where you stay in your first year and remember you can always wash them! But you will definitely need:

• A basic fancy dress kit – freshers love to dress up!
• Some kind of formal wear – prom type dress for girls, black tie for boys.
• And you will also need a dressing gown and slippers for those late night fire drills.

Bedding

Make sure you take a good duvet, two changes of sheets, your own pillow and a mattress topper. Trust us, a hall bed is never as comfortable as yours at home. After a hectic night of socialising, you’ll be grateful for an inviting bed.

Bear in mind that people will form first impressions of you based upon your bedroom, worth bearing in mind when contemplating taking your beloved Thomas the Tank Engine linen set.

A hot water bottle or electric blanket also helps if you are heading to the northern hemisphere.

Other essentials

In terms of stocking your kitchen, we recommend some basic kitchen kit to get you started. A veg peeler, corkscrew, non-stick pan, plates, bowls and cutlery will cover the essentials of what you need. Our top tip would be to get these in a bright colour so if it disappears, it is easy to identify as yours!

We would also suggest bringing your own tea towel (or two) as you don’t know where the others have been. Plus, wet wipes and some washing up liquid never go amiss.

Other useful essentials for your room are things like speakers, an extension lead, adapters, an umbrella (particularly if you are in the North!), washing powder, hair dryer, bin bags, white tack, loo roll, doorstop, alarm clock…but remember, there is always an affordable place to pick these up in town so don’t feel like you have to take everything.

Cheering up your room

The cold welcome of a bare room in halls is sure to put even the most confident undergrad on edge so go prepared to make it feel more like home.

A couple of bean bags are homely and people will plonk themselves in your room to chat rather than propping up the wall.

Rugs are great for covering up unsightly carpet stains and bare floorboards. It’s handy having a bedside rug – it makes the cold mornings less chilly when you leap out of bed.

Really important to remember to bring lights – a desk lamp and probably a bed side one too – fairy lights go a long way to making a room look a bit more sparkly. Candles are usually a no no, for obvious health and safety reasons.

If you have the cash – buy a couple of plants to add something green and living. If you are guaranteed to kill them within the week stick to a cactus.

Photos of family/friends/your gap year can be a great icebreaker. Memories of recent parties and childhood will serve as reminders that ‘old friends are gold’ and encourage you to keep in touch with everyone back home.

Posters liven up a blank wall but bear in mind the advice re duvet cover when it comes to selecting your posters! Keep your eyes peeled for Student Union fairs selling innumerable discounted posters in all shapes and sizes. A multitude of websites sell every poster imaginable.

There you have some of our top tips for packing effectively ahead of September, look out for the next blog Gabbitas Guide to University: Arriving.

Are you considering studying veterinary science at university? Likely you will be a keen scientist with an absolute passion for animals. Like medicine, becoming a vet is less of a career choice and more of a real vocation. It’s likely that you’ve known this is what you wanted to do from a young age, and you may have spent summer holidays testing your commitment by working on farms, in stables, or anywhere close to animals.

Getting a place to study veterinary science is hard – the competition is tough especially as it is a course only a handful of universities in the UK offer. You’ll need good grades at Chemistry and Biology at A-level (or equivalent), with Maths or Physics required by some universities. Most universities will also require a written test and you will have an interview where you’ll be asked about your commitment to the subject. This is where you’ll need to be able to talk about relevant work experience you’ve done in order to demonstrate your commitment and also to show that you’ve done your research properly and you know something of what the path ahead entails.

Course Content

The course is five years and the content is pretty similar from university to university. However, some universities will offer hands-on experience at an earlier stage. You will start with the anatomy – structure and form – of different animals’ bodies, looking at the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems. There will be modules on animal welfare, genetics, epidemiology, biometrics. As you get more advanced, you will study the treatment of diseases in all sorts of animals, from a family pet dog to wild herds.

Teaching is a mix of lectures, lab practicals and tutorials. You will hone your medical and surgical techniques and get plenty of hands-on practice before you graduate. Your final year is likely to be a series of rotations working with different animals such as horses, small animals and farm animals.

Careers

It’s a good thing that vet students are so focused and self-disciplined as it is likely that they will have much less free time than their peers studying humanity subjects. The plus side is that on graduation, vet students are far more likely to find the jobs that they’ve spent half a decade working towards.

Just like medicine, vets tend to specialize once they’re in the workplace. Options include a general practice – much like your GP – where you will see a variety of different animals though most have a specialty: small animals that are mostly pets, food-producing farm animals, horses and so on. Qualified vets can also choose to stay in teaching and research, or they can work in the public sector in government departments where they might monitor animal health and work on the prevention on the spread of disease.

Many working vets choose to get further qualifications along the way, ensuring that their skills remain up-to-date and relevant.

Top Five UK Universities

Cambridge

Glasgow

Edinburgh

Nottingham

Royal Veterinary College

Entry Requirements

Around the AAB mark or equivalent, with at least two or three out of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths. In reality, most offers will be AAA, and many courses stipulate a minimum requirement of hands-on work experience. Some universities (eg Nottingham) offer a six year course with more of an introductory foundation year, entry to this course requires fewer science A-levels.

Fees for UK and EU students are approximately £9,250 per year, rising to £33,990 for international students.

Thinking of applying to study veterinary science at university? Gabbitas can help every step of the way, contact us to find out how.

There is no doubt that we are living in a digital age where computer programmes impact every aspect of our lives and define the world we live in today. Computer systems design and the related industries are one of the fastest growing areas across the globe, so it should come as no surprise that Computer Science is becoming one of the most sought after and valued degree programmes. In this blog, we look at studying Computer Science and how it can open up a world of possibilities.

Course content

Computer Science degrees are normally structured in an incremental way, they start with the basics and become progressively more specialised and complex. This is because many undergraduates will not have studied Computer Science in detail at school but most will have a strong foundation in maths.

In the first year, students develop foundations in key areas such a theory of computation, systems, hardware and software engineering, the user interface, data structures and programming. You should expect to have a competent knowledge of the theoretical foundation of information and computation before you can progress into the second and third years.

As you move through the degree, you will be able to select from a wide range of specialist topics including areas such as computational logic, modeling, security, AI, games development, ethical hacking, networking theory and much more. Due to the rapid pace of development in this subject, you will no doubt find new modules being added yearly to keep up!

Assessments tend to be a combination of examinations and coursework with various projects and tasks set throughout the year. These degree courses tend to be very much a mix between theory and practical aspects.

By the end of your degree, you will have gained skills in:

• Theory, methods, practice and strategy
• A range of programming languages
• Understanding of computing architecture, design and construction
• Software, tools, packages and design
• Computer-based systems

Year abroad

Computers are obviously a global phenomenon, so more and more universities are offering the opportunity to study or work abroad as part of the degree programme. Not only does this give students a chance to gain a better understanding of the impact of technology across the world, it also means you can immerse yourself in local culture and gives you a unique opportunity to experience new things.

Read more about the benefits of a ‘year in the field’ here.

Career prospects

Computer Science graduates are in high demand in almost every type of industry from engineering to healthcare to finance and salaries reflect this.

Common job areas include IT Consultant, Database Administrator, Games Developer, Media Programmer, Systems Analyst and Network Engineer. But by studying Computer Science you will not only gain knowledge but also problem solving and logical thinking skills, which are highly sought after in most industries.

Statistics show that most Computer Science graduates are likely to be employed within sixth months of leaving university. This is strengthened further if the degree is from one of the UK universities best known for this subject. So what are the top universities in the UK for Computer Science?

Top UK universities

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• University of Edinburgh

Entry requirements

Whilst undergraduates will not usually be expected to have formally studied Computer Science beforehand, it is recommended that applicants learn a basic programming language in advance.

Most universities will request Further Mathematics or at least Mathematics as a prerequisite, some will also ask for Physics.

Universities are looking for creative and diligent candidates with a talent for mathematics, problem solving and logical thinking.

For A Levels, offers tend to be AAA – A*A*A with at least an A in Maths.

For IB, usually 39-42 points, including core points with at least a 7 in Maths.

Fees

• Home: £9,250
• International: £24,600-£30,678

Top reasons to study Computer Science

• High graduate salaries and excellent career prospects
• Opportunity to join a rapidly growing industry
• Access to work in a wide range of industries
• Chance to be at the cutting-edge of research and scientific innovation
• Varied postgraduate routes including Data Science, AI and Computational Life Science