September and choices look

September

Back at school and university choices are looming as are the first drafts of personal statements.

Once again, all the information on how to choose a course is carefully detailed on the UCAS hub, www.ucas.com. My recommendation is to look at the small print carefully. For example, a degree in History can vary so much from university to university. What is your favourite period, does the university offer modules that interest you? If studying courses such as sciences or engineering, does the university offer a general first year, before specialising in second and third years or can you specialise from the start? Look at the different modules in all years, not just the first, to help you decide if that is the course for you. Taster lectures and information are available for all students at the UCAS website.

Universities also vary in the opportunities for study abroad or in industry. Some have a compulsory year, others encourage it and provide help to achieve this. Some universities allow for an exchange for a trimester with a student in a different country, such as Canada, USA, others allow you to take a year out. A former music student had a fantastic third year studying Philosophy at the Sorbonne, before returning to his final year of music at Southampton. If this is something you enjoy – read the small print. If unsure, email and ask your questions, or speak with students on the UCAS website.

None of this research is in vain – knowing what you are interested in, being aware of the course requirements are all fundamental details that will help you write your personal statement.