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Get on course this summer – UEL gears up for A level day 17 August

Wednesday 2 August 2006

With A-level results due on Thursday 17 August, the University of East London (UEL) is preparing for a flood of applicants through Clearing, the summer university recruitment round.

UEL has experienced strong growth in enrolment in recent years, and, with places still available on a wide variety of programmes, the UEL admissions team is now hard at work preparing for another busy Clearing period.

Call centre equipment will soon be installed and open access centres set up at the UEL Docklands and Stratford campuses. Over 100 admissions staff and lecturers will be on hand to receive telephone enquiries from prospective students, while visitors to UEL campuses will receive one-to-one attention from academic staff, specialist advisers and student ambassadors.

During the first week of Clearing in 2005, UEL admissions staff received almost 10,000 calls and made over 1,200 offers of places on dozens of degree programmes. There are currently over 20,000 students enrolled at UEL, representing an 80% increase over the past 5 years.

Carol Elliot, Head of Admissions at UEL, said: “Last year was incredibly busy, but we are well set up to handle the pressure. It is our job to make it as easy as possible for students to get the information they need and hopefully get on the courses they want!

“The advice we give applicants is ‘act swiftly, but don’t panic’. Many universities will still have places available on a whole range of courses. In our experience, even students who didn’t get top grades at A-level can go on to succeed at university and in their future careers because attitude and potential are just as important as qualifications. At UEL, you will be able to talk to people who understand what you are going through and can offer practical help.”

Demand is anticipated to be particularly high for new degree programmes launched for 2006/07, including Batchelor of Arts (BA) Honours degrees in Graphic Arts and International Theatre Studies and Batchelor of Science (BSc) Honours programmes in Acupuncture, Medical Biotechnology and Psychology for Personal and Professional Development.

UEL also offers extended degree programmes in fields including architecture and visual arts, computing, engineering and science. This means that students who lack the necessary qualifications for direct entry to degree programmes can join a foundation ‘year zero’ rather than going back to school or college. Two-year Foundation Degrees run in partnership with local colleges include Creative Technologies, Health and Social Care, Healthcare Science, and Teaching Assistant.

Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London said: ““We are now a global community with a growing reputation, and the advent of London 2012 promises wonderful opportunities and puts us in the spotlight as never before.”

“Our applications have been very strong this year, showing that we are increasingly seen as a first-choice university, not only locally, but nationally and internationally as well.”

UEL’s Clearing Hotlines are open from Thursday 17 August until Friday 15 September, seven days a week.

For full details of all programmes and up-to-date availability of places, contact 020 8223 3333 or log on to www.uel.ac.uk/clearing.

Case Studies:

Local students who have previously come through Clearing to study at UEL include:

Newham and Tower Hamlets:

Pheneatia Leong-Smith, from East Ham, has now won funding to study for a PhD having graduated with her BSc honours degree in Forensic Science at UEL. She joined UEL through Clearing after leaving college without A-levels because of a family bereavement.

Pheneatia said: “I burst into tears on the phone when I got my results and heard I had won the research studentship. It was exactly what I had been working towards and all my hard work and dedication has paid off.

“I had continual support from my lecturers, who always made time for me when I had any problems and had the patience to explain the things I didn’t understand. The bottom line is this: you may not have top scores at A Levels, but with a lot of hard work, drive, passion and determination nothing is out of reach. Good luck!”

Sarhana Khanom (23), of Chatsworth Rd, Stratford, is currently studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Psychology at UEL after finding a place through Clearing in August 2005. Sarhana, who previously worked for the charities Mind and Kith and Kids, said: “I’m really glad I came through Clearing to UEL. The course has been amazing and I have to say that, compared to my earlier time at another university, the experience at UEL has been wonderful. The support I’ve received form my tutors and everyone in the School of Psychology has been fantastic and the degree has been fascinating. I haven’t been bored once and I’m really looking forward to starting my second year.

“I came through Clearing because I’d initially wanted to go into speech therapy and was interested in doing a one year course at college until I realised psychology offered a wider variety of professional opportunities. I decided at the last minute to apply to university, and UEL was always my first choice because it's so close to home and has one of the best schools of Psychology in the country.”

Nilufa Begum (19), of Tennyson Rd, Stratford, applied to UEL through Clearing in August 2005 and is now studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Media Studies. Nilufa, a former pupil at Newham Sixth-form College, said: “I’d originally been accepted by Westminster University to do English Literature but I’d changed my mind over the summer and decided to come to UEL instead. Clearing was really quick and easy, and the UEL admissions staff were extremely helpful.

“The degree itself has been really good fun, and studying photography and digital arts has been particularly interesting. The tutors are friendly and always available and I’m really looking forward to completing my degree. To anyone thinking about applying through Clearing I’d say just go for it – there's nothing to lose or worry about. I definitely don’t regret changing my degree to UEL – it’s really turned out for the best.”

Sarah Nabawnuka (39), of Oyster Catchers Close in Canning Town, is currently studying for a combined honours degree in health studies and psychology. Sarah, who previously worked as a beauty therapist, said: “I did the New Beginnings 2 programme at UEL, which definitely encouraged me to come to university, but I was a little bit late applying so I came through Clearing. The process wasn’t hard at all – definitely no more difficult than the normal application process. I went down to the Longbridge Rd campus to hand in my application and heard back within a few days. I’d definitely encourage people to apply through Clearing – there’s really no problem with it at all.”

Misbah Ali (20), of Beckton, is now about to enter the second year of his BA (Hoins) degree in Sociology after applying to UEL through Clearing in August 2005. Misbah, who previously studied at Newham Sixth-form College, said: “I’d already been accepted onto an IT course at UEL but decided it wasn’t for me so I re-applied through Clearing. The process was very straightforward and easy – just a quick phone call then, if you’re accepted, you come down to the campus and enrol. The UEL staff were very friendly and helpful, especially when I met them in person.

“The degree has been going well. The group discussions and serminars are especially interesting and we’ve been given a good deal of help and guidance from our tutors. The Docklands campus is a great environment, especially during the summer - I just can’t wait to get back in September.”

Barking & Dagenham

John Lyons (20), of Third Avenue, Dagenham, is now studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Media and Advertising at UEL after coming through Clearing in August 2005. John, a former pupil at Dagenham Park Community School, said: “My A-level results weren’t as good as I hoped, but I soon got over my disappointment by applying to UEL through Clearing. UEL had been my second-choice university anyway, so I was really pleased when they accepted me. The Clearing process was very simple and finding a place took a lot of pressure off my mind.

“The degree itself has been really interesting, and I’ve been getting good grades so I must be doing something right. Next year, I start my work placement so I should pick up plenty of valuable experience. It just goes to show that, even if your grades aren’t what you hoped and you feel like you’ve failed, by going through Clearing you can still come out a winner.”

Daniel Morris (19), of Burell Road, Dagenham, came through Clearing in August 2005 and is now studying for a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Science at UEL. Daniel, a former pupil at Sydney Russell Sixth Form, said: “I’d already been accepted at another university, but I decided I didn’t want to move away from home so I applied to UEL through Clearing.

“The process was pretty simple – I just rang up and then filled in the form that they sent me – and I was really happy to be accepted. UEL had been one of my choices anyway, and the course has been very enjoyable, especially the practical side. Meeting a lot of new people has been great too. I’d definitely encourage people to make the most of Clearing; there’s a lot of great opportunities at good universities.”

Hackney:

April Scott (22), of Bramshaw Rd, Hackney, is currently studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies at UEL after coming through Clearing in August 2005. April, who previously studied health and social care at City and Islington College, said: “I originally wanted to do social work, but couldn’t find a place. To be honest, I’d pretty much decided not to go to university until UCAS sent me the Clearing forms and I decided to give it a go.

“In the end, four universities accepted me, but I chose UEL because it was close and I was impressed by reading the prospectus and speaking to a tutor. Clearing was fairly easy and I was happy to be accepted at UEL, if a bit scared as I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s turned out really well; the tutors are good, the course has been great and I’m really looking forward to the next two years, even though I know it’ll only get harder. To anyone who’s thinking about coming through clearing, I’d say just do it – what have you got to lose?”

South-East London:

Rochelle Richardson (20), of Deptford Wharf, came through Clearing in August 2005 and is now studying on UEL’s BSc (Hons) degree in Multimedia and Computer Games Design. Rochelle, who previously studied for a BTEC in Multimedia at Lewisham College, said: “Clearing was really easy – just a couple of phone calls, a quick chat with a tutor and I was in. I chose UEL because my mum previously studied there and I definitely don’t regret it. I’m having a really good time, meeting lots of new people and learning new skills on my course. Next year should be even more interesting because of the great new facilities opening at the Docklands campus.

“I’m glad I came through Clearing and I’d definitely recommend others to give it a go – there’s nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to lose. Everyone at UEL’s been really helpful and friendly, and the degree’s helping me towards my ambitions of working for a computer game design company and creating my own games.”

Clarisse Walker-Davidson (20), of Eltham, came through Clearing last year and is now studying for a combined honours degree in Media and Business. Clarisse, a former pupil at Christ King’s College, said: “I came through Clearing because I changed my mind at the last minute about coming to university. I’d been thinking of going travelling and working abroad, but I’d already taken a year off and decided that university might be a better idea.

“The Clearing process was really simple and I was very relieved to get a place at UEL. After the first year, I’m still very glad to have been accepted. I hope to run my own media business abroad in the future and I’m sure the skills I’m learning at UEL, particularly on the business side of my degree, will prove to be extremely useful.”

Kadija Camara (20), of Kennington, is now studying Business and Economics at UEL after switching from another university during Clearing 2005. Kadija said: “I’d been studying at the University of Hertfordshire but decided I wanted to move closer to home and friends of mine who’d been to UEL recommended it. Clearing was very easy – I spoke to a couple of tutors who were very helpful and they quickly accepted me onto the course. I was really pleased to get in, though, as I thought I might have left it too late.

“I definitely haven’t looked back; the degree’s been fun, the lecturers have been very helpful and approachable and I’m really looking forward to coming back in September. I’ve met some nice people at UEL – there’s quite a mix on my course, which makes life interesting. We also had very useful revision classes leading up to the exams, which really helped me get through them. In the future, I hope to go into corporate banking, and the skills I’m learning on the course are helping me towards that goal.”

Waltham Forest:

Ian Davies (19), of Theobald Rd, Walthamstow, is now about to enter the second year of his combined honours degree in Journalism and Psychology at UEL after coming through Clearing in August 2005. Ian, who previously studied at George Monoux College in Walthamstow, said: “I’d already had offers for university places, but came through Clearing anyway because I’d decided to change my course and was advised to re-apply.

“The process was very quick and easy – no problems at all. UEL admissions staff were very helpful and friendly and the course has been going really well so far. I’m especially enjoying the journalism side, though I’ve been getting more into psychology. To anyone thinking of applying through Clearing I’d say go for it - just because your grades don’t come out as well as you hoped, doesn’t mean you can’t do what you want to do. Just make sure you know exactly what it is you want to do.”

Essex:

Sarah Dale (21), of Witham, came through Clearing in August 2005 and is now studying for a BSc (Hons) degree in Forensic Science. Sarah, who previously studied at Bramston Sixth-form, said: “My A-level results weren’t as good as I hoped and I didn’t get onto the course I was hoping to. I was disappointed, but decided to give Clearing a go and rang around quite a few universities. It didn’t take very long to find a place; the admissions team at UEL were real friendly and the whole process was very quick.

“I’d already been considering UEL as one of my options and I was very happy when they said they’d accept me. The course sounded good and the campus is close to home. A year later, it’s proved to be a great decision. I’ve just completed my foundation year, which was very enjoyable and has really helped me to settle in. Now I’m looking forward to starting the full degree in September.”

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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