12 Dec 11 The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is the traditional and still the fastest route in the UK for those aspiring to practice as solicitors or barristers. In addition to providing the academic stage for legal practice, a Law degree is intellectually rigorous and a well respected undergraduate qualification.
What skills will the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) give you?
Over 70% of graduate level employment is open to students of any degree discipline and law graduates are always well sought after given the skills and discipline required to complete a law programme. A law graduate, in addition to having obtained knowledge of substantive law, will have the ability to analyse, critically evaluate and present material in a structured and coherent manner. Such wide range of skills equip graduates for a range of carrier opportunities other than legal practice including national and local government, business, academia, politics, international relations and the media.
Many successful and famous international figures including Nelson Mandela, Barak Obama, Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton and Andrea Bocelli are law graduates.
What is the competition for places like?
For those of you wanting to study law as part of your pathway towards one day qualifying as a lawyer or a barrister, it is important for you to understand just how competitive this process has become, especially in times of economic recession. Finding a training contract and an employer is becoming ever more difficult, especially for students with little experience outside of academic life.
The key is to start researching early, and to gather as much experience and as many contacts as you can to help you along the way. This is where law students have to set themselves apart from those studying other disciplines at university. As a law student you have to be more organised and more proactive far earlier in your academic life. It’s no use waiting until your final year to start looking into LPC, BPTC or paralegal opportunities. You need to have been doing this almost from the day your course begins. Every law institution in the UK will hold law fairs and specific talks to help you on your way, but don’t make the mistake of assuming these are just for third years. Take the time to go to them from the very start and it could just make the difference you need.
What will your Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree cover?
Make sure you also use your studies to help you understand more about what fields you are interested in, and what path you want to take. Law degrees are very similar all over the UK in order to be Qualifying Law Degrees. As such you will cover law of tort, family law, commercial, company and land law amongst others. When it comes to the next stage of your career you need to be thinking about areas in which you want to work. Do you want to look for a training contract with a big corporate where you’ll specialise in one particular area, or would you prefer a high street setup where you’ll cover a whole host of diverse smaller scale cases?
Get a head start
There’s plenty of online resources available that can help you plan from choosing the right place to study your LLB, all the way up to finding employment as a barrister or solicitor.
This article about the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree was put together by the Schools and Colleges Liaison team at Kaplan Business School who works with many institutions every year, helping students with their university applications for courses including the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and discusses issues such as university life and the career opportunities open to them upon graduation. For more information visit the Undergraduate Degrees & Courses at Kaplan Business School page.
21 Nov 11 A Look into the Chartered Financial Analyst ® (CFA ®) Course
There is nothing like a prolonged international economic crisis to focus minds (especially for those in business) on money. Financial investment, with all its risks and benefits, might seem to be the preserve of large businesses or the simply rich but many ordinary individuals are involved indirectly in investments, for instance through their pension funds or via savings accounts such as ISAs.
Work of the CFA Institute
Consequently, there is a major financial investment industry that needs a cadre of highly skilled professionals dedicated to delivering solid monetary returns: without their efforts, many people would lose a vital income stream. The CFA Institute has roots that go back to the Financial Analysts Federation in 1947 and was established to help improve the skills and standards of the investment industry.
The CFA® is an international not-for-profit institute with over 100,000 members, and its mission statement is ‘to lead the investment profession globally by setting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence’. In a world where confidence in the financial investment industry is dented, the CFA Institute aims for financial markets that are ‘equitable, free and efficient’ as well as believing ‘the interests of the ultimate investor must take precedence over other participants’.
CFA® Qualification: Curriculum and Assessment
The CFA Institute introduced the graduate-level CFA® Program which leads to the CFA Charter. This Chartered Financial Analyst Course is based on self-help activities in ten major topic areas known as the Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK). This covers things like major knowledge areas, learning outcomes and curriculum of material, and constantly evolves through time, like the investment world itself.
This constant process of change is due to the fact that the CBOK benefits from inputs of panels of investment professionals and ongoing surveys from around the world. Although some basic principles of investment are perhaps eternal, the world is ever changing and financial analysts need to constantly top up their skills and knowledge in order to maintain success.
Candidates will need to sit and pass three exams but first have the chance to sit sample and mock exams in order to assess their progress and hone exam skills. Sample exams are timed events taken after you have covered the whole curriculum and answers are given at the end of each question. Mock timed exams come towards the end of the course with answers at the end followed by detailed discussions, learning outcomes and information on sources.
Each exam question is based firmly on the curriculum and there are 18 study sessions covering each of the three different exam levels. In these study sessions, you will receive set readings, a list of learning outcomes and some problem-solving activities to measure your progress.
The CFA Institute also runs another Chartered Financial Analyst Course called the Certificate in Investment Performance Management (CIPM). This is the investment industry’s sole qualification for those who need to improve their mastery of performance measurement, professional ethics and investment reporting.
This CFA Institute certificated course is again based on a tried-and-tested self study curriculum that enables you to fit it in with your demanding work schedules and allows for various learning styles. It involves sitting two exams, each of three hours in length. The first is based on principles while the second is aimed at expertise assessed through multiple choice answers that cover 20 different scenarios.
Benefits of CFA Institute Qualifications
The Chartered Financial Analyst® course qualification is a recognized mark of distinction accepted by employers across the globe as the gold standard for the industry. Potential employees who have gained this qualification will have demonstrated their professional knowledge of up-to-date practice as well as their dedicated ability to learn and improve on their own. The CIPM certificate is equally valued for tasks like investment strategies and improved reported results. Finally, the CFAI also runs a useful jobs board for charter holders and potential employers.
Kaplan is the longest established CFA® training provider in the UK, with review courses that are fully integrated with Kaplan Schweser and CFA Institute materials. Kaplan also delivers a comprehensive range of Financial Markets Training Courses & Qualifications to prepare candidates working in investment banks, and asset managers and wealth managers for regulatory and professional examinations leading to qualifications including IMC, CISI Certificates, IOC, CAIA and FRM.
Disclaimer:
CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, or warrant the accuracy of the products or services offered by Kaplan Financial. CFA Institute, CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Tags: cfa course, cfa degree, cfa institute, cfa program, chartered financial analyst course, chartered financial analyst program, financial analyst
29 Sep 11 Kaplan Law School agrees partnership deal with Ince & Co
Top international law firm Ince & Co and London-based Kaplan Law School announced that all of Ince & Co’s future trainees that decide to study in London will complete their Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Graduate Diploma of Law (GDL) exclusively at Kaplan Law School. Ince & Co is the tenth firm to sign an exclusive partnership agreement with Kaplan Law School.
Kaplan Recruitment Partners
Jeremy Farr, Recruitment Partner, Ince & Co, said: “At Ince & Co we are highly selective in our recruitment process and treat each of our trainees as potential future partners.
“It is important that our recruits receive high quality training before joining the firm, as this can have a strong impact on their capability and confidence. We believe that Kaplan’s reputation for academic rigour and excellent instruction, as well as its approach to pastoral care, will provide our London-based trainees with a good foundation for the further training they receive once they join us full-time.”
Giles Proctor, Head of Kaplan Law School, said: “The fact that 70% of Ince & Co’s partners trained with the firm is strong evidence of Ince & Co’s commitment to investing in helping their lawyers reach their full potential — we are delighted to have the opportunity to contribute towards this goal. Ince & Co’s global reach and culture are also an excellent fit with our parent company — leading global education company Kaplan.”
Kaplan Law School teaches Nottingham Law School’s market leading LPC and has the top quality rating for its LPC from the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Ince & Co trainees will participate in Kaplan Law School’s “Bridge to Practice” Programme which delivers high impact, practical modules that simulate typical scenarios they will encounter at the firm, allowing the trainees to hit the ground running.
If you would like further information or have any queries, please contact:
Helen Salisbury, Solicitor & Graduate Recruitment Manager, Ince & Co
Tel: 020 7481 0010
Juliette Cook, Kaplan Law School
Tel: 020 7367 6433
For press queries, please contact:
Elizabeth Hess, Kaplan Law School
Tel: 020 7645 8968
About Ince & Co
Ince & Co is an international commercial law firm with offices in Dubai, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Le Havre, London, Paris, Piraeus, Shanghai and Singapore.
Ince & Co’s clients range from major international corporations to smaller companies, sole traders and private individuals. Ince & Co practises English, French, German, Greek and Hong Kong law and advises on Singapore law in arbitrations.
Ince & Co have seven core business areas: aviation, business & finance, commercial disputes, energy & offshore, insurance & reinsurance, international trade and shipping.
Much of Ince & Co’s business is contentious and Ince & Co have significant expertise in international commercial disputes. At the same time our lawyers provide clients with advice on a wide range of non-contentious matters including contracts, corporate issues, employment, finance and property.
About Kaplan Law School
Kaplan Law School delivers Nottingham Law School’s market-leading Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course in London for university graduates seeking to qualify as solicitors. The Nottingham LPC is the only course to have received the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s highest rating every year since its inception. London trainees can participate in Nottingham’s award-winning pro bono scheme and innovative Bridge to Practice programme, designed to ease the transition from the LPC into a firm by allowing students to work in small law firm groups on tasks set by the firms or by the law school. For more information, please visit: http://kaplan-law-school.kaplan.co.uk/pages/default.aspx.
Kaplan offers comprehensive, career-long legal training for lawyers in the UK through Altior, a leading provider of the Professional Skills Course (PSC) and the Qualified Lawyers’ Transfer Test (QLTT), and Kaplan Hawksmere, which provides legal professional development.
Kaplan, Inc. is an international education provider that offers higher education, professional training, and test preparation. Kaplan launched the first wholly online law school in the US more than ten years ago which is now the nation’s second largest part-time law programme. Kaplan also has one of the largest paralegal education programmes in the US and offers courses in law enforcement and criminal justice. Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). For more information, please visit: http://www.kaplan.com
22 Sep 11 An Insight into Milton Keynes College
When it comes to post-18 education in Milton Keynes, most people will probably think of the world famous Open University that made its first home there in 1969. Like the new city, the OU enjoyed success and went on to become a major player in the higher education market. However, on a more local level, young (and older) people who live in Milton Keynes are just as likely to use Milton Keynes College to improve their education as not everyone needs or wishes to obtain a graduate level qualification.
In fact, the college serves a much wider area than Milton Keynes, with students from Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire in attendance. Good transport links and geographically split campuses make a wider area intake possible, with most students being able to study without having to pack their bags and leave the parental home!
Location and History
First established in 1982, Milton Keynes College is currently spread across three campuses in the city: Bletchley, Chaffron Way and Kiln Farm. The Bletchley campus received a major rebuilding and refurbishment recently and is sited opposite Bletchley railway station in the corner of the renowned wartime code-breaking base of Bletchley Park. Chaffron Way campus is more centrally located in the city and Kiln Farm campus is near to Wolverton in the northern part.
In addition to providing further education, the college moved more into providing higher education when it set up University Centre Milton Keynes (UCMK) as recently as 2008, based in Central Milton Keynes on Silbury Boulevard. This project is conducted in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire, with courses also offered via the Open University and the Universities of Warwick and Northampton. In addition to further and higher level courses along with industry training, MK College has a lively sixth form college called MK6 (after the Bletchley postcode) where you can study for A-Levels.
Courses at MK College
Milton Keynes College is currently running 359 full time courses that provide an astonishing range of study options. You can do a BTEC in Public Services, obtain a Body Massage Certificate, get a CIM Professional Diploma in Managing Marketing, take C&G 2377 Portable Appliance Testing or go for the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, just to mention a few of the choices on offer. Hairdressing, photography, art and design, Indian head massage, fast track to higher education, NVQs in a wide range of topics, physical education – the list is seemingly endless, offering course options for almost every possible need.
Some courses need prior entry level qualifications but the college can advise you on this. MK College is particularly known for its high-quality catering courses and local people can visit the college to try out the students’ food and customer complaints are very much fewer than compliments. MK College also works with the Prince’s Trust to provide courses to 16-25 year olds that give them nationally recognised qualifications, without them having to sit down in classrooms.
Personal skills such as leadership, confidence and team building are instilled through a series of varied experiences that include a two week work placement, residential week with abseiling and orienteering and working on various projects in the community. For those who are out of work, benefits are still paid for the duration, making this a particularly attractive proposition for those young people with fewer advantages in life. There are also various open evenings at the college campuses where you can find out more about what’s on offer that might suit you. Finally, in addition to your studies, the college has a wide range of sports activities on offer at its Courtside Sports Facility, including badminton, football and well-equipped gym sessions; these facilities are also made available for a small fee to the local community outside college hours.
Known in particular for its catering courses, Milton Keynes college offers many high-quality study options. For the latest news and information about MK college, visit MKWEB.
Tags: Milton Keynes college, MK college, MKWeb
21 Sep 11 A Look at Burton College
When the UK’s then Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair made ‘Education, education, education’ his political manifesto battle cry in 2000, he was indicating a strong commitment to improving educational standards, and this policy extended into post-18 education with the Government’s drive in 2001 towards getting 50 per cent of pupils undertaking higher education.
By 2008, however, the increase in students moving into higher education began to level off, well short of New Labour’s 50 per cent target as the combined effect of rapidly rising tuition fees with rising graduate unemployment began to impact. During this period, many colleges across the country had moved to become universities, increasing the number of places but reducing local choice to study for more vocational courses. Which is where Burton College (now named Burton and South Derbyshire College) comes into the picture.
Formed over 60 years ago in a very different world and workplace, Burton and South Derbyshire College has proudly retained its college identity. Although it also offers higher education courses on a part-time or full-time basis, its main emphasis remains on providing its students with the core skills needed for the world of work. The advantages of a vocational qualification over a more academic degree are being appreciated by a new generation of young people, as hungry to work as they are to gain new knowledge and skills.
Instead of having to fork out for massive university tuition fees (or take out a student loan) and move into digs in a distant town or city, they can live at home and pay out for the much more affordable college fees, perhaps on a part-time basis while they continue to earn an income.
Burton and South Derbyshire College courses
More than 13,000 students from home and abroad choose to take Burton and South Derbyshire College courses every year, and they surely can’t all be wrong. The college is conveniently sited in the town centre, making access easy, and enjoys modern facilities in pleasant surroundings. More than 500 courses are currently on offer, from basic entry level part-time courses through to degree level.
Entry level includes such things as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL: vital provision in a multicultural society) followed by Level 1 which includes GCSEs, Introductory BTECs and NVQs. The scale then climbs to GCSE A*-C, BTEC First Diplomas and Level 2 NVQs. Level 3 covers A-levels, Level 3 BTECs and Level 3 NVQs followed by Level 4 BTEC Professional Diplomas, HNCs and Level 4 NVQs. Finally, Level 5 covers HNCs and HNDs, BTEC Professional Diplomas, Level 5 NVQs and a Foundation Degree.
The list of subjects covered by Burton and South Derbyshire College courses is endless. Beauty treatments from waxing to bridal make-up, photography, website design, marketing, plumbing, electrics, art, yoga, first aid – you can study virtually everything from A to Z here.
Notable achievements at Burton and South Derbyshire College
This year, Burton and South Derbyshire College won a commendation from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) for listening and responding to its customers’ needs. At the same time, it’s a-level students achieved an impressive 99 per cent pass rate. The previous year also saw the college win the LSIS award for the Most Improved Provider. The Burton and South Derbyshire College students also do work for the community, recently raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK, as well as holding a community drama festival (this year’s was entitled Fantasia). The Creative Arts students held a local exhibition entitled Twenty Eleven featuring a cross-section of art, design, film and media work. There was also an annual fashion show held locally as well as a photography exhibition which moved on to showcase in London. It’s no wonder then that Burton and South Derbyshire College achieved a ‘good’ grading from the probing Ofsted examination in 2007. With the continuing push to improve standards at the college, a future Ofsted visit might be tempted to award the much-coveted ‘outstanding’ grade.
With over 500 Burton college courses available, most students will be able to find something to their liking. To stay up to date on news about Burton college, visit the Burton Mail regularly.
Tags: Burton college, Burton college courses, Burton Mail, Burton on Trent
20 Sep 11 A Look at Education in Bedfordshire
Education is the key to dealing with our modern world with all its complexity and change. As well as gaining knowledge itself, it can help you to navigate through the morass of so many conflicting viewpoints. Or, as the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said: ‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it’. Throughout history, societies have placed a high value on obtaining a good education, and Bedfordshire has prided itself in its achievements in this field. Bedfordshire University and Bedfordshire schools today offer some of the very best educational opportunities in the country.
Bedfordshire University
At the apex of the educational tree in the county is Bedfordshire University, first given university status in 1993 although dating back as an educational establishment for over 100 years. This is split into three Faculties (Creative Arts, Technologies & Science; Health & Social Sciences; Education, Sport & Tourism) plus a well-regarded Business School. The first and second Faculties are based at the Luton campus in the south of the county, conveniently close to London and yet within reach of much of Bedfordshire, with good rail, bus and road links. Health & Social Sciences also has a campus in neighbouring Buckinghamshire at Aylesbury and the third Faculty (Education, Sport & Tourism) is located in the heart of the county at Bedford itself. Business is split across two campuses in Luton.
Bedfordshire University is certainly on an upward path; the past two years have seen student applications almost double in number, no doubt hoping to enjoy the benefits of the £140m investment over the previous six years. Currently, there are some 23,000 students from over 100 countries, taught by a dedicated team of 1200 staff, plus a surprisingly high proportion of mature students (46%). The national Quality Assurance Audit gave the university top marks and it has also received commendation for its research in the national Research Assessment Exercise, with international excellence ratings for its Computer Science/Infomatics and Business/Management Studies departments.
These are impressive achievements at university level for a county surrounded by international centres of academic excellence in Cambridge, Oxford and London, not to mention Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and many others to the north. It will be interesting to see how Bedfordshire University, like so many others, fares in the brave new world of massively increased tuition fees, accompanied by a prolonged economic downturn, although the underlying advantage of graduate level qualifications still remains a key factor in the market for better paid careers.
Bedfordshire Schools
Of course, before climbing the to the giddy heights of a university education, there is the not inconsiderable matter of gaining the study skills, academic knowledge and entry qualifications that Bedfordshire schools mostly provide in the county. Currently, there are 26 secondary schools in Bedfordshire, providing a mix of LEA funded and privately funded schools. The so-called ‘gold standard’ of five GCSEs graded A*-C per pupil at state funded schools ranged from 24-82%, probably reflecting the socio-economic variation in individual catchment areas. The privately funded schools fared much better, with Dame Alice Harpur Girls School in Bedford attaining a remarkable 100%.
Of course, educational league tables have been heavily criticised for not revealing the true achievements of a particular school, and the private schools clearly have many built in advantages, not least in the prior selection of capable, well-motivated pupils, but the undeniably large gap in GCSE attainment does raise questions about the continuing need to improve standards in the state funded sector. Nonetheless, Bedfordshire’s overall standards in its state schools compare quite favourably with many other areas in the UK, to the extent that some Bedfordshire schools receive significant pupil intake from surrounding counties like Buckinghamshire (e.g. Cedars School in Leighton Buzzard) and have to severely ration places.
Whether you are a parent looking into Bedfordshire schools for your child or a student considering enrolling into Bedfordshire University, the local newspaper can help inform your decision. For all the latest Bedfordshire educational headlines, visit the Bedfordshire on Sunday.
Tags: Bedfordshire on Sunday, Bedfordshire schools, Bedfordshire University
23 Aug 11 Manches London signs exclusive training deal with Kaplan Law School
12 May 2009, London – Manches, a major UK law firm, and London-based Kaplan Law School today announced that Manches’ London-based sponsored trainees will receive their Legal Practice Course (LPC) training at Kaplan Law School starting in Autumn 2009.
Kaplan Law School teaches Nottingham Law School’s market leading LPC. Kaplan Law School has been recently awarded the top quality rating for its LPC by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Matthew Martin, Training Principal at Manches, commented: “We are committed to offering the highest quality programmes for our sponsored trainees who are the future lifeblood of our firm. Kaplan Law School has quickly built a reputation for innovation and excellence in instruction and provides individual attention to their students and their client firms to ensure success. Kaplan’s approach to training shows the same commitment and energy that we expect from our trainees.”
Giles Proctor, head of Kaplan Law School, said: “We are thrilled to be chosen as the London-based LPC provider for Manches which, since the 1930’s, has developed a formidable reputation for extensive legal knowledge and experience leading to creative and inspirational solutions. We look forward to applying the student-centred, commercially-focused approach of our tailored LPC to support Manches’ trainees.”
About Manches
Manches is a commercial law firm with a leading family law practice operating out of offices in London, Oxford and Reading. Manches’ commercial practice has particular focus on the industry sectors of Real Estate, Retail, Commercial Technology, Life Sciences and International Wealth Protection.
About Kaplan Law School
Kaplan Law School delivers Nottingham Law School’s market-leading Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course in London for university graduates seeking to qualify as solicitors. The Nottingham LPC is the only course to have received the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s highest rating every year since its inception. London trainees can participate in Nottingham’s award-winning pro bono scheme and innovative Bridge to Practice programme, designed to ease the transition from the LPC into a firm by allowing students to work in small law firm groups on tasks set by the firms or by the law school.
For more information, please visit:
http://kaplan-law-school.kaplan.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx
http://kaplan-law-school.kaplan.co.uk/lpc/pages/default.aspx
Tags: kaplan law school, Law degree, Law School, legal practice course, LPC
16 Aug 11 Adjusting to University level study
Leaving behind a timetable of around 9am – 3pm, the Uni timetable may come as a surprise to you. With contact time being around 15 hours per week (though varying across courses and Universities themselves), there is a bigger emphasis on independent study. Getting used to this new way of studying is important, and there are a few things to be aware of…
Lectures and seminars
All degrees involve lectures and seminars. The aim is not to write down every word which comes out the tutor’s mouth, but to jot down key points and topics and an overview of the area. If there’s something you need to go over, put an asterisk next to it to remind yourself to discuss at the seminar. Make sure you go prepared!
Study groups
If you’re finding the transition tough, it’s worth seeing whether there are any mentoring schemes in your department. These are an informal way of discussing your worries with a second or third year student in your department. You could talk to them about anything ranging from where to go if you’re having trouble getting hold of a book to which modules they would recommend. Getting hints and tips from a student who’s already been through the same things can be really useful; their hindsight can be your benefit.
Workshops
Universities try to help bridge the gap between the skills you come to University with and those you need to develop. One way they do this is by running workshops on things like study skills, learning methods, time management and writing an effective assignment. Far from dull, the professionals who run these give you advice on aspects of your course to help you gain the best grades possible.
Make use of the materials
Typically you get a reading list at the start of the year, with suggested reading materials. The best use for this is not to cushion the books in your bag, but to actually take a look at and get hold of some of the books. Essentially, the list is a way of tutors saying ‘if you read this part of this book, it will help you understand what we’re doing’, so well worth using!
Goal setting
Note down all the dates assignments are due in or reading needs to be done by and aim to get them done a few days before. Setting goals like this will allow you to budget for unexpected issues, like leaving your USB in a classroom, not pressing save or realising you’re looking at the wrong set of questions- all of which have been done before!
…It’s your choice
You’ve chosen to go to University – help yourself to get the best grade. Everyone on the course gets given the same materials – the use you make of it is up to you…
This article was put together by Jo Killoughery of the Schools and Colleges Liaison team at Kaplan Business School who work with many institutions every year, helping students with their university applications, clearing and understanding more about university life and the career opportunities open to them upon graduation.
Tags: clearing 2011, kaplan business school, ucas clearing, university clearing
21 Jul 11 Clearing 2011 – How Best to Navigate Your Way through the Process
The mad scramble for university clearing places is less than a month away with the release of A-Level results drawing ever closer. According to UCAS there were 180,000 candidates chasing places in clearing 2010 up from 135,000 in clearing 2009. Last year, according to UCAS, there were 18,500 courses with clearing vacancies down from the 32,000 courses with clearing vacancies in 2009. With applications to study at university reaching a record high in 2010 it was predicted that around 170,000 candidates would miss out on a place on a degree course. You should expect this trend to continue and for there to be even more candidates and less vacancies in clearing 2011. Here’s what you need to know to get through clearing 2011 and secure yourself a place on your degree course of choice.
UCAS Clearing Overview
With the release of the A-level results many students will find they have achieved the grades they need to study the course of their choice. That said there will be many students who will find they have either not achieved the marks they need or that find they’ve achieved better results than they originally expected. It’s for these students that the clearing process is available.
Clearing gives students the chance to find alternative courses and universities as well as making available previously unconsidered options to those who achieved better results than they originally anticipated.
Universities who are part of the UCAS system make known the places they have available on their courses which candidates can apply for through the clearing process.
The University Clearing Process
If you are eligible for Clearing an ‘Add Clearing choice’ button will appear on your UCAS Track ‘choices’ screen which you can use to apply for a course.
The next step is to find out which universities have places available. Details of clearing vacancies are published on the UCAS website and can be found in The Telegraph newspaper amongst other sources.
You should make sure that the courses and universities you’re considering are right for you. You’re going to be spending at least the next three years of your life studying your chosen course there, so even though you’ll feel that you have to make a decision quickly, it’s in your best interests to take your time and really think through your options.
When you contact universities they will ask for your Clearing Number so that they can consider you in Clearing. They can then view your complete application immediately via UCAS’s online system which means you’ll get a decision from them faster.
You can speak to as many universities as you want, which means you can do some phoning around and get an idea quite quickly as to what courses and universities are available to you. Each university will be able to informally offer you a place (as long as you meet their requirements), and they will give you a time period during which they will keep a place open for you.
You must then decide which of your offers you would like to formally accept. You do this by clicking on your ‘Add Clearing choice’ button within UCAS track and entering the course details of your chosen favourite. You can only enter details for one choice.
UCAS then let the university or college know that you have applied, and if accepted. UCAS will send you a letter to let you know your place is confirmed in addition to updating your “choices” section of Track. The Confirmation letter will explain whether there is anything you need to do now and acts as official confirmation that you have gained a place. If for some reason you are not accepted by your chosen institution then the ‘Add Clearing choice’ link in Track will be reactivated and the whole process starts again.
Tips for Clearing 2011
Take the time to talk to the teacher at your school that deals with UCAS applications. They will have a wealth of experience and advice for how best to negotiate your way through Clearing 2011.
Remember that you don’t have to stick to the course you originally applied for so do some research into similar alternatives. You should be prepared to explain why you’ve changed your choice of course to admissions tutors should you choose to do so.
Most universities will be running Clearing open days. Take the chance to look round their campuses and get a feel for the university if you can. Remember you’re going to be spending at least the next three years of your life studying your chosen course there. You don’t want to make the wrong choice.
This article about Clearing 2011 was put together was put together by the Schools and Colleges Liaison team at Kaplan Business School who works with many institutions every year, helping students with their university applications, clearing and understanding more about university life and the career opportunities open to them upon graduation.
Tags: clearing, clearing 2011, clearing places, ucas clearing, university clearing, university clearing places
