The UCAS deadline is fast approaching.

And if you haven’t decided which university you want to go, don’t worry.

We’ve got four top tips to help you choose.

1) Location

Location is a really important factor to consider when applying for university, as you want to live somewhere that makes you feel at home. Are you likely to miss your family? Or maybe you can’t wait to get away? Take this into consideration when thinking about university, it can help give you a much better experience.

2) Course

This is a crucial one, as it’s the main reason you’re going to university. Course content differs depending on which university you choose to go to, so make sure you do your research. This will help you find out if the modules matches your strengths, and increases the chances of choosing something that suits you and your future plans. You also need to think about entry requirements – for instance, whether your predicted grades good enough – and employment statistics, as graduates of some universities have a better track record of landing jobs than others.

3) Living costs

Being a student can be expensive, so make sure you research the cost of living in your chosen location. It’s worth looking into the cost of accommodation, whether it be halls of residence or house sharing, to make sure you can afford where you are going. Some universities will also offer a bursary (a grant that helps with the cost of fees, books, rent, etc.) and it’s definitely worth checking if you are entitled to one.

4) Environment

Environments differ amongst universities. Campus universities tend to have everything you need in one location (halls, lectures, shop, bar, restaurant, etc.), whereas others provide more independence and are spread across a city or town. Think which you would prefer, and factor travel arrangements into your thought process.

If you need any support with your UCAS application, please contact Hamish Gilpin on hamish.gilpin@weston.ac.uk, or call on 01934 422742.

Weston College has been selected to pioneer an innovative approach to adult learning.

Thanks to an award from the government’s Flexible Learning Fund, the College will launch a unique range of digital courses that enable adults to learn alongside other commitments.

The courses, which are designed for people who are unable to study full-time, will be launched in January 2019.

Learners can study the courses outside of regular working hours through a mixture of face-to-face and online training sessions.

The new courses include:

•  Investigating Enterprise Skills, Level 2 Award
•  An Introduction to Leadership and Management, Level 2 Award
•  Autism Awareness, Level 2 Award
•  Customer Service in a Health and Social Care Settings, Level 2 Certificate
•  Maintaining a Tenancy, Entry Level 3 Award
•  IT User Skills, Level 1 Certificate

These courses are free for adults that meet the eligibility criteria.

Anne Milton, Apprenticeship and Skills Minister, said: “These projects are an opportunity for people to get the skills they need to kick-start their working life.

“I’m really excited about these projects, which will help people learn the skills they need to grow and succeed in lots of different jobs.

“Whether working already or returning to work, it can be difficult for people to fit training around their busy lives. This funding aims to find out how providers and employers can work together to better meet the needs of adults of all ages, who want the opportunity to learn important new skills and change their lives.”

For more information, please click here. 

Weston College music students received career advice from some of the industry’s biggest names at the recent BBC Music Introducing Live show.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the two-day event at the Tobacco Docks in London, which featured live performances and hundreds of prominent industry speakers.

These included artists, presenters, DJs, record label executives and retailers – among them Jo Whiley, Example, Kano, Joel Zimmerman (better known as ‘deadmau5’ and Gabrielle Aplin.

College students heard talks from a wide range of industry experts. They gave advice on breaking into, and working, in the music industry – whether that’s live events, songwriting, as an artist or A&R (‘artist and repertoire’ reps find and sign new artists to a label).

Students also got the opportunity to network with key figures and try out the latest technologies and even perform on the ‘open mic stage’. Level 3 Music Performance and Production student, Connor Hammond, made the most of the opportunity, performing two of his original tracks for the audience.

Another Weston College student, Ant Watts, was even featured on to the event’s highlights show reel (from 00.05-00.07).

Ant, who was filmed testing out one of the latest electronic Yamaha drum kits, said: “I found the BBC Introducing Live event really inspiring. It helped me understand the ‘ins and outs’ of the music industry, and gave me the opportunity to meet all of the great organisations that will help me in the future.”

BBC Music Introducing is a BBC Radio platform that discovers and supports unsigned and ‘under-the-radar’ UK talent. It gives artists airtime on local and national BBC radio stations, and the opportunity to play Introducing stages at festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Radio 1’s Big Weekend.