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Hundreds of students celebrate clearing success at UEL – staff receive thousands of enquiries on A-level results day

Friday 17 August 2007

With a record A-level pass rate, hundreds of students from across London, around the UK and worldwide are celebrating having gained their places to study degrees at the University of East London (UEL). Many more applicants are expected to secure their places over the next few days.

On A-level results day, Thursday 16th August, over 4,900 phone enquiries were received by UEL admissions staff. The clearing page of UEL’s web site received over 8,000 distinct page viewings.

Professor Martin Everett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London said: "We have been impressed by the high quality of applications we have received so far. There have been a great many outstanding candidates, which demonstrates that UEL is increasingly seen as a university of choice, not just among young people from East London, but from across the UK."

“All year, our applications have been running higher than ever, and thanks to the hard work and professionalism of our staff and student ambassadors, Clearing has got off to a terrific start.”

Health and Bioscience, Business, Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, Computing and Technology and Architecture and Visual Arts have been particularly popular.

The NHS-accredited BSc (Hons) degrees in Physiotherapy and Podiatric Medicine are already full. Applications for Health and Sports Science programmes are significantly up, and may have been boosted by the 'Olympic effect', with enquiries coming in from all over the world.

Highly-rated programmes including Architecture, Fashion and Textiles, Anthropology, Journalism and Psychology have received hundreds of enquiries, and demand is also high for Combined Honours. Popular combinations include Criminology with Psychology, Business with Law, and English Literature with Creative Writing.

Dr Brendan D’Cruz, senior lecturer at UEL’s Business School, now located in a stunning new building opened this year by Her Majesty The Queen, said: “We’ve already made over 120 offers and are interviewing many more. Business Studies, International Business, Marketing and Events Management are proving particularly popular. We are also seeing a lot of people transferring from other universities – clearly the word has spread about our fantastic facilities!”

Les James, Clearing manager for the School of Computing and Technology, said: “The first day of was extremely busy, with our enquiries up significantly over last year. The quality of applicants has also been high, particularly in areas like Computer Networks.”

UEL’s Applicant Information Centres at Docklands and Stratford were busy throughout the day, with visitors to the campus doing on-the-spot interviews, touring the campus facilities and receiving guidance from specialist advisers and current students.

Clearing Hotlines are open from Thursday, 16th August between 8.00am and 8.00pm Monday to Friday and between 10 am and 4 pm at the weekend.

UEL currently has a record total of over 20,000 students enrolled, an increase of 80% over the past five years.

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:

Felicity Allman (18) has been offered a place to study Combined Honours English and Creative Writing, as well as a £1,000 Achievement Scholarship, after getting A, B, C in her A-levels.

Felicity said: “I was disappointed not to get into my first choice, but I came straight home from school and started looking on the internet. I saw the UEL course on the UCAS website, and it seemed really interesting so I made the call.

“I’ve phoned a few universities and the staff at UEL were easily the most helpful. It’s nice to know that there are still plenty of good options out there, and being offered a scholarship makes UEL seem like an even better choice.”

Phoebe Osborne (19), of Penrydd in Wales, secured a place on UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Music Culture: Theory and Production and a £1000 Achievement Scholarship.

Phoebe, who achieved three As in her A-levels in 2006, said: “I’m applying through Clearing because I’d been away travelling all year. I actually had a deferred entry onto a straightforward music degree at Edinburgh, but I really wanted to do a more hands-on course that combines theory, performance and modern production techniques.

“UEL offers the perfect programme, and I’m really excited about moving to London. It’s brilliant to get a scholarship, too; I had no idea I was eligible for anything like that so it was a lovely surprise.”

Chaman Arif (19), of Woking, has been accepted onto UEL’s LLB (Hons) degree in Law. Charman, who received an A and two Cs in her A-levels, has also been offered a £1000 UEL Achievement Scholarship.

Charman said: “I was pretty disappointed when I got my results because I was just a few points off my first choice. Luckily, Clearing’s was really easy, and I was very relieved to get a place at UEL. I’ve always wanted to study Law, and it’s great that I’m getting the opportunity to fulfil my ambition.”

Helson Chamathayil (19), of Leytonstone, has been accepted onto UEL’s BSc (Hons) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering after receiving two Cs and a D in the A-Levels he took at Tower Hamlets Sixth Form College.

Helson said: “UEL was always my first choice university, but I originally applied for Physiotherapy and unfortunately didn’t quite get the grades. Luckily, I like physics as much as biology, so I’m really pleased to have got a place on the Engineering degree.

“Clearing was really easy; it only took about ten minutes and I’d definitely encourage other people to give it a go. Now I’m just really excited about starting at UEL in September; I’ve got lots of friends going there, so I should settle in very quickly.”

Laura Shishani (24), of Canterbury, has secured a place on UEL’s new BA (Hons) degree in Event Management. Laura received a distinction in her BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism in 2001, and has since been working in the event and entertainment industry, at holiday parks and on cruise ships. She has been awarded a UEL Achievement Scholarship of £1000.

Laura said: “I came through Clearing because I only came back from my last cruise in July. I thought it was too late for me to apply to study this year, so I’m really pleased to have been given this chance.

“UEL is definitely my first choice; it’s great to be in London and the campus looks fantastic – I’m really looking forward to visiting on Saturday. I’ve always wanted to come to university, but I was enjoying work so much that I kept putting it off.

“Now’s definitely the right time; I know exactly what I want to do, and this degree is the perfect way for me to enhance my career prospects in the event industry. Getting the scholarship’s a wonderful bonus.”

Anita Rebello (19), of Streatham, has secured a place on UEL’s Combined Honours degree in Business Studies with Health Studies, and won an Achievement Scholarship worth £1,000.

Anita said: “I always wanted to do business studies, and combining it with health opens up a wide range of career possibilities. Clearing was really easy and the admissions tutor I spoke to was really nice and helpful. I’m excited about coming to UEL and meeting lots of new people.”

Adeyinka Bakinson (19), of New Cross, has been accepted onto UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance. Adeyinka took a year out to work after passing his Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education in Business Studies in 2006.

Adeyinka said: “I always knew that Clearing existed, so I wasn’t very worried about applying late. To be honest, the whole process has been even easier than I thought it would be, and the staff at UEL were so helpful that I’ve already recommended the place to my friends.

“Now I’m really looking forward to starting my course in September. I’ve got a friend at UEL who’s really enjoying his course, so I’m sure that I’ll have a good time.”

Mohamedweli Hersi (20), of Southall, has been accepted onto UEL’s BSc (Hons) degree in Public Health with Human Resources Management.

Mohamedweli said: “I’d already been accepted to study Pharmacy at Aston University, but I decided public health was a more interesting direction. I found UEL via the UCAS website, and was impressed by what I saw.

“I also have a friend who is currently studying there and really enjoying it, so I feel great about coming to UEL in September. Winning a scholarship is a wonderful bonus.”

Robert Todd, (19) from Oxford, is looking forward to studying Computer Games Design with Marketing at UEL this September.

Robert said: “I had a deferred entry at another university, but didn’t get the required grades, so decided to apply again through Clearing. It’s all been fairly simple and straightforward. I searched through UCAS and chose UEL for a number of reasons: the location, the course and the fact I can combine it with marketing, which will help me build a successful career in computer games design.”

Christiana James (19), of Rainham, is looking forward to starting a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies after being accepted through Clearing. Christiana received a distinction in her BTEC National Diploma in Leisure and Tourism, and has been awarded a UEL Achievement Scholarship worth £1000.

Christiana said: “I was applying late because I had to travel abroad for a while earlier in the year after my nan died; by the time I came back it was too late to apply in the regular way.

“I’m delighted to have been offered a place at UEL. I’ve heard good things about the university and was really impressed when I visited the campus a few weeks ago. I seriously can’t wait to start studying in September.”

Sarah Merrifield (20), of Stratford, has secured a place on UEL’s Combined Honours degree in Law with Forensic Science after receiving two Bs and a C in her A-levels.

Sarah said: “I only recently decided for sure that I wanted to come to university, so it’s great that Clearing still gives me the chance. I wanted to do Law and heard that UEL had a good reputation. It’s also extremely convenient; the opportunity’s right on my doorstep, so why not take advantage?

“I’m really happy to have been accepted. Having a degree behind you is always going to open doors, and the whole university experience seems really appealing.”

Francoise Ebenye (31), of Streatham, was accepted onto UEL’s BSc (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering. Francoise achieved two As and a B in her A-levels in 2005.

She said: “I came through Clearing because I’ve been living in France for most of this year. UEL was the first university to respond to my application, and I’m very happy to have been offered a place. I’ve always wanted to be a civil engineer, so I’m really looking forward to beginning the degree.”

Orezou Solati (19), of Manchester, secured a place on UEL’s LLB (Hons) degree in Law after achieving a B and two Cs in her A-levels.

Orezou said: “I’m so relieved to have been offered a place at UEL – the location seems really good and I always wanted to move down to London. In truth, I was very upset when I got my results and didn’t get into my first choice uni, but now I’m really excited about this new opportunity.”

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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