Helping Your Child Pick The Right University And Win A £10 Amazon Voucher - Ends 31/01/15

Tuesday 13 January 2015

I have a little confession to make. This week I will be mum to an eighteen year old for the first time. Yes, I know I don't look old enough!

He is an incredibly talented artist, and I am so proud of him. Last year he won the only award for art in the whole school for his GCSE coursework. Did I say I am proud of him?

He wants to work in film but on the creative side, and when I sat down with him to go through his options, studying for a degree in film making and visual effects was what he wished to do. He has just applied for degrees in this area through UCAS and before he did there were a number of things he had to consider.

Closing date for applying this year is the 15th of January, so if you or your child or someone you know are considering going to university, this post may help you pick your right choices.

Important Factors to consider

University Of Greenwich

The Course - Every course is different even those that sound exactly the same. There are a host of things to consider. Look at the modules, can you personalise the course? What is the calibre of the teaching staff, do they have relevant experience? Is it a sandwich course with a year working or are there any shorter work placements? What are the job prospects at the end of the course and where are past students now working?

The University - Is it big or small? Does it have great facilities and modern state of the art equipment? What is the student life like on campus and what facilities/activities does it have or run? Is it local or further away and do you want to stay local or move away? You need to consider how would you get there, and would you live in close by or travel. You need to consider the reputation of the university and would this benefit you in finding a job at the end of the course. You really have to find out as much as possible about the unis you could be attending

The City - Is it a big bustling city or a smaller town, and what would you prefer? Does it have easy transport links and is it accessible? Is the cost of living reasonable or more expensive? Is student accommodation easy to get, reasonable in cost and close to the university?

The Funding - You need to consider how you are going to fund the tuition fees and living expenses. Are you going to apply for a loan from the Student Finance Centre? Can you apply for a grant that doesn't have to be paid back or a scholarship? Do you have savings you can use and are you going to supplement living expenses with a part-time job? You could consider getting a rail/bus card for a reduced fare on public transport.

These are just some of the points you need to consider and there are many more. Thorough research is essential so the course and university is the right fit for you.

The University of Greenwich

Kiss FM presenter AJ went to the University of Greenwich to show potential students how to get under the skin of the university and what you can get up to in their faculties. Open Days and initiatives like these are brilliant to get a real feel for what a uni is like.

Faculty Of Education & Health

Faculty Of Engineering & Science

If you are considering applying to the University of Greenwich you can find out all about it here. With world-class faculties, award-winning teaching and a focus on jobs, this cosmopolitan campus is a great choice for budding students. You can also register for an open day if you would like to find out more about the university.

Today in conjunction with the University Of Greenwich I am giving away a £10 Amazon voucher to my readers. If you are applying to University maybe you can put it towards a book you need, and, as they say - every little helps. They also have competitions running to win amazing start of term prizes, including an iPad mini.

On a final note, if you are applying for Uni this year you had better hurry up if you haven't completed your form yet as don't forget the closing date is the 15th of January, and good luck in your studies and in my competition.