Changing patterns of degree course choices

An interesting study of recent trends in UK university course choice reveals many surprising and less surprising elements:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-32230793

Less surprising -

The work carried out to encourage more students into the hard sciences, probably linked to more general economic realities, appears to have caused the increase of 50% in Chemistry and Physics applications. General engineering is up by 80%.

English (-10%) and Languages (-24%) have suffered.

The work put in to encouraging females into traditionally male dominated disciplines has also apparently paid off with a 25% increase for Engineering and 35% for Computing from female applicants.

More Surprising -

History has bounced back from an initial decline after tuition fees were raised and applications are now 4% higher than in 2012. A previous study of FTSE100 chief executives showed that more had a History degree than any other. So clearly the skills and interest developed here have commercial uses.

Other areas to contemplate:

Computing is now in the top 10 course choices with 75000+ applications per year. However it is one of the courses with the highest drop-out rates so caution must be exercised in making what might seem a sensible choice to some in the modern era.

Applications are at all-time highs despite the fee increase. However UCAS estimate that the figure would be even higher without, which seems to make fundamental economic sense. This does also suggest that demand for university degrees is currently highly price inelastic (or in other words there are not considered to be good substitutes for it) and that the loan system has addressed the affordability issue effectively.

It is encouraging that the young UK population is seeking to be more highly educated than previous generations. Something that is possible essential in the modern world.

New Taster Days Search Tool

You can set a search for universities in your area and receive alerts when taster events are put forward:

www.unitasterdays.com

Health Careers Advice

An interesting site is provided by St George's University of London. This gives video advice on many aspect of preparing for medical applications including interview advice. Try it :

http://www.tasteofmedicine.com

Video Clips to Support University Applications

Advice from Birmingham University on several critical areas of the application process can be found via the webpage tips4uni :

http://www.tips4uni.bham.ac.uk

Investment Banking for School Leavers

Investment 2020 is a site which hosts 26 employers offering 12 month paid work experience contracts which often turn into permanent positions. Currently two firms actively recruiting for 9 vacancies all Sept 2015 start, but also worth examining if you a Year 12 at present.

www.investment.2020.org.uk

Close Brothers School Leaver Evening

Thursday Evening 2nd April in London. Learn more about their Aspire programme. To be eligible you need a B in Maths and English GCSE and be on track for at least BBC at A level.

For more: www.closebrothers.com/careers

Bristol University Taster Days

For Yr 12s. STEM day on 14th April and Arts & Humanities Day on 15th April. Involves three taster lectures either day.

In Easter Holidays so no need to miss school!

Students can book individually via:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/teachers/post-16/taster-days/