Student Life Clearing Edition 2023

STUDENT Clearing Edition

HOW TO SECURE THE FUTURE YOU DESERVE

THE CLEARING PROCESS EXPLAINED PREPARING FOR UNIVERSITY HOW PARENTS AND GUARDIANS CAN HELP EASE THE PRESSURE OF CLEARING

PLYMOUTH.AC.UK/STUDENT-LIFE

Admissions +44 (0)1752 585858 admissions@plymouth.ac.uk plymouth.ac.uk Schools & Colleges Liaison Ruth Bennett, Education Liaison & Outreach Manager outreach@plymouth.ac.uk University of Plymouth Drake Circus Plymouth Devon PL4 8AA United Kingdom

Follow us on social media @PlymUniApply

Beautiful moorland and green spaces are right on your doorstep in Plymouth

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Clearing Edition

Inside...

HOT TOPICS P.6 Clearing timeline The Clearing process explained and what happens on results day P.14 Moving away from home How to handle the nerves and prevent homesickness

Welcome to the Clearing edition of Student Life. In this issue, you’ll find content from our current students working in this year’s call centre offering you first-hand Clearing advice, tips on moving away from home for the first time, and a guide for all the parents out there tackling the Clearing process for the first time.

Clearing is a great opportunity to secure the future you deserve, and we can’t wait to welcome you in to our student community.

Meet some of this issue’s contributors:

Dave BA (Hons) Photography Dave shares how Clearing was the platform for a spontaneous change in direction. P.34

Tsian BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year Tsian and other students who know Clearing best give their advice for the day. P.10

Shahana BSc (Hons) Economics Shahana tells us why keeping it local and choosing to study at Plymouth was right for her. P.28

D O N ’ T BE A ST R AN GER Visit us at our information day When it comes to finding out whether a uni is right for you, nothing compares to paying it a visit. Find out more about your course, explore our campus and the surrounding city at our Clearing information day on Saturday 19 August. Book now by scanning the QR code below.

Register now

and get ahead of the game Nervous about results day? Register your details now and get access to our priority line for a quicker service on the day. Giving us your details now means you don’t have to be on the phone too long on results day.

FEATURES P.24 Preparing for university How you can prepare for your next big step P.30 Living in Britain’s Ocean City and beyond Take a tour through some of our students’ favourite spots

THE GUIDE P.38 How parents and guardians can help What you can do to help ease the pressure of Clearing

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A MESSAG E TO

OUR FUTURE STUDENTS

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Find out more about what to expect on results day:

You are only just beginning your university adventure and this is the start of a whole world of new experiences both inside and outside your studies. Our University community prides itself on how it balances the importance of study along with the importance of a diverse, vibrant and supported social life.

YOUR WELLBEING We place our students’ wellbeing at the forefront of our University, and we are confident that our community can support you in realising your potential and reaching your goals. Our dedicated Student Hub is your one-stop shop for all non-academic queries. You might want help with your mental health or your student loan, or to check your study timetable, or to find out more about volunteering – our advisers are on hand to support you to make the most of your time at university.

The University and the Students’ Union work closely together to support students and ensure that their voices are heard. Independent advice is always available, and the SU and the University are partners in our Student Charter, which ensures that we provide a safe and supportive environment, and we keep students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

YOUR UNIVERSITY FAMILY Interacting with others, making friends and having fun are such crucial parts of your university journey. Learning from each other and sharing experiences will help you to become a more rounded person and equip you with the skills needed to work with all kinds of people when you move on to further study or your future career. As well as coursemates and housemates, you will find a huge welcoming student community as part of our SU. Joining societies and sports clubs will give you a chance to widen your support network and to develop new skills and interests.

YOUR FUTURE Your degree will play a key part in you pursuing your chosen career, but your wider university experiences will really add value to your CV and prepare you for your adult life. Even if you’re not yet certain on your future plans, university will help you to figure out what’s right for you, and our award-winning Careers Service offers you support and guidance during your time here and beyond graduation to help build your career path.

We look forward to welcoming you to Plymouth, to share with you a lifestyle and location where both people and our planet are valued, and where you will be able to look forward to creating a positive and impactful future.

YOUR RESULTS We will be running our Confirmation and Clearing Hotline from Thursday 17 August (A level results day).

When you receive your results, we will be here to confirm your place, or to offer you help and guidance on securing a Clearing place.

See pages 6–7 for more information on Clearing.

You can also follow @plymuniapply on social media for more guidance in the lead-up to results day.

Remember, we are here if you have any questions or concerns. If you would like to get in touch, please call us on +44 (0)1752 585858 or email us at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

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THE CLEARING

Process Explained CLEARING TIMELINE

Step 1

Step 2 A level results day at 08:00.

You will receive your A level results, and will be able to see online (via ucas.com) whether you have a confirmed place at university.

Step 4 You have the option to call as many universities as you like, and gain multiple verbal offers, but you can only make one Clearing application through the UCAS Hub.

Get prepared. Universities will publish their course vacancies online before results day. This is a good time to look at course options before you get your results. You can also register your details early to beat the results day rush.

Step 3 A level results day. If you have no confirmed place at university, you will need to contact universities directly to confirm vacancies and see whether they will consider an application from you. Most universities have a ‘Clearing helpline’ that is usually in operation for several days from results day morning (our hotline number is 0333 241 6929).

Remember, universities will need to know your results, so have them to hand along with a copy of your personal statement.

Step 5 A level results day from 13:00.

You can apply to your chosen university by selecting ‘Add Clearing choice’ on UCAS.

Step 6 Keep checking UCAS until the university confirms your place. If they don't confirm within 24 hours, you will be able to submit another choice.

Step 7 Once your place is confirmed, you may need to think about student finance and accommodation. Please see pages 8 and 12 for more info.

WHAT IS CLEARING?

Scan the QR code above for more information.

Clearing is the process universities use to fill remaining vacancies on their courses (often with slightly lowered entry requirements), by matching them with suitable students who are yet to secure a place at university.

If you get your results and you don’t get the university place that you’d hoped for, don’t panic, you still have plenty of options. The Clearing system could help you find your solution; in fact, it might unlock opportunities you’d never even considered. Use our guide to navigate your way through Clearing, and remember – stay calm.

Who can use Clearing?

You can use Clearing if you: • apply after Friday 30 June 2023 • applied before Friday 30 June 2023 but didn’t receive any offers (or any that you wanted to accept) • didn’t meet the conditions of your offer.

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CLEARING TO-DO LIST BEFORE RESULTS DAY

CLEARING

FAQs

WHERE CAN I FIND CLEARING VACANCIES? Vacancies will be listed on the UCAS website (use their search tool to check), as well as on each individual university website. Although these are both updated regularly, to get the most up-to-date information it's best to call a university directly.

HOW MANY VERBAL OFFERS CAN I GET? There is no limit to the number of universities you can call or verbal offers you can get. However, do keep in mind you can only submit one application.

HOW DO I REPLY TO A CLEARING OFFER? You don’t need to reply to a Clearing offer. Once you add the choice, it’s then up to the university to confirm your place in UCAS. I DON’T WANT MY FIRM CHOICE – CAN I USE CLEARING? You can release yourself into Clearing by using the ‘Decline your place’ button in UCAS. Your contract with the university will be cancelled and you will lose your place – so only use this button if you are sure you no longer want your place.

WHERE CAN I FIND MY CLEARING NUMBER? If you are eligible for Clearing, your Clearing number will be on your UCAS welcome page and the ‘Your choices’ section (via ucas.com).

I DIDN’T MEET THE CONDITIONS OF MY OFFER. DOES THAT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN I WON’T GET IN? No, check UCAS first to see whether your place is confirmed or declined.

Some universities may still award you a place in even if you have dropped a grade, so don’t panic, and check online or call the university directly.

CAN I SWAP MY FIRM AND INSURANCE CHOICES NOW I HAVE MY RESULTS? No, you can’t swap your firm and insurance choices if you achieve your grades. If you now want to go to your insurance choice, you need to go through Clearing. You need to check with your insurance choice university that they can accept you in Clearing.

I WANT TO CHANGE MY COURSE – CAN I SUBMIT A NEW PERSONAL STATEMENT? All applications submitted through Clearing will use your original UCAS application. If you want to submit a new personal statement, then contact the university directly to find out what their process is for this.

Register your interest. You can beat the results day rush and get access to our priority line by registering beforehand.

Prepare. You can check which courses have spaces available before the day, or register your interest in certain subjects beforehand.

Review. Think about the universities and courses you originally shortlisted – are your intentions still the same as they were then?

Make notes. Find subjects you’re interested in that have vacancies and write down what interests you about the course so that nothing slips your mind on results day.

Stay up to date. Make sure you’re signed up to any email or postal communications from the universities you’re interested in. They can often send helpful tips and information in the run-up to results day. You can sign up to our emails by submitting an enquiry here:

ON RESULTS DAY Call us. Our Clearing call centre advisers will be on hand to guide you through your options and help you find your path to uni.

Reach out. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or emotional at this time. Reach out to friends, family or even teachers for support if you need it.

Stay calm. This may sound easier said than done, but don’t forget that there are plenty of options to explore.

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STUDENT

FINANCE AND FEES Undergraduate fees are published on university websites and you can get a tuition fee loan to cover the full amount, alongside your student maintenance loan, so nothing is paid upfront to the university.

ALREADY APPLIED FOR A LOAN BUT YOUR DETAILS HAVE CHANGED DUE TO CLEARING? If this is the case, then your application details will need to be changed. If you’re funded

by Student Finance England, this can be done easily and quickly at www.gov.uk/studentfinance to log in to your student account, or by contacting the relevant funder if you live elsewhere.

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY THROUGH CLEARING BUT HAVEN’T APPLIED FOR A LOAN YET? The official deadlines for student finance applications have passed, but don't worry, you can still apply. However, please be aware that the funding body may not be able to process your application before your course begins. Whatever happens, the funding body will make sure you have some money as close to the start of your course as possible.

STUDENT MAINTENANCE LOAN The online application process does take a while to complete, and your parents or guardians need to complete their parts

too, so make sure you do it as early as possible.

Maintenance loans are meanstested against household income, but you don’t have to repay either loan until after you graduate, and only if you are earning over £25,000. Until you reach this earning threshold, you won't pay a penny. When you do reach it, the repayments are arranged on a sliding scale according to your earnings.

BUDGETING TIPS As the loan is paid in three instalments, it’s up to you to budget this so you don’t get caught out! Our current students have suggested the following budgeting tips.

1. DON’T SPLASH OUT TOO MUCH ON ACADEMIC BOOKS in the first year – look out for second-year students selling their old books.

2. USE A BUDGETING APP if you struggle to keep tabs on how much you’re spending.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 3. A PART-TIME JOB can be a great experience if you can manage your time well while you’re studying.

4. TRY NOT TO EAT OUT TOO OFTEN but when you do, always try to use vouchers and discount codes.

5. DOWNLOAD THE UNIDAYS APP AND BUY A 16–25 RAILCARD as this will save you lots of money when travelling and shopping.

6. DON’T KNOCK SUPERMARKET BASICS until you’ve tried them. Rather than buying branded foods, go for cheaper alternatives.

Plymouth is the 7th most affordable city in the UK for students.

(Superprof, 2022)

7. HAVE A SEPARATE ACCOUNT to your loan and rent so you can see what you are spending your money on and what’s coming in and going out.

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR

MONEY AT UNIVERSITY We know how important it is to consider your finances before you apply to uni.

We want to do all we can to ensure you live your best student life, whatever your financial situation.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE There are lots of different ways we can support you.

The University offers various bursaries and funds to help students who are experiencing financial hardship. You can also get advice from our friendly and experienced staff in the Student Funding team. The Students’ Union also offers advice on making the most of discounts available exclusively to students through rewards and loyalty cards.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING Take advantage of the Give It a Go programme, which offers a weekly timetable of exercise activities including badminton, yoga and climbing. All activities have equipment provided and are either free or low cost. The SU Gym offers low student pricing and a cooling-off period for subscriptions (new members receive a refund if they change their mind). There are free menstrual products and showers across campus, and free toiletries in the Hive in the SU. You can also find free mental health support, counselling, and pastoral and spiritual support at the Student Wellbeing Service in the Student Hub.

FOOD AND DRINK Students can heat food for free using the microwaves in the SU and Charles Seale-Hayne Library. There are plenty of water bottle refill points around campus to ensure there is no need to spend money on water.

A variety of good-value meals and snacks can be purchased at the campus cafés, and customers who bring a reusable cup can receive a discount on drinks. Make sure you download the Too Good to Go app! You can reserve discounted food from the campus cafés and restaurants around the city centre at certain times of the day.

TRAVEL Students can apply for a range of bus discounts for travelling around the city. The SU also offers help with applying for discounted bus passes. There is also the 16–25 railcard, which enables you to save at least 1/3 on train fares throughout the UK. The University supports active travel by providing free and secure cycle stands. Plymouth City Council also provides a range of cycling offers, including free bike loans, maintenance courses and training.

ADVICE FROM OUR STUDENTS

“I calculated my monthly expenses and how much on average I would spend a month, to figure out my monthly outgoings and how much money to leave myself with as my monthly budget. Overall, budgeting will be different for everyone depending on income and lifestyles.

However, definitely ensure you are putting money to the side for rainy days but also don’t forget to treat yourself as you only live once!”

Shaina, BA (Hons) International Business graduate

“I have two part-time jobs, so as soon as I get paid I’ll calculate whatever 20% is, and I’ll put 20% straight into savings right away, so I know that I won’t be spending that 20%. That’s a commitment I make to myself every month, and I find it has helped me to be better at saving, and not just spending away when I get paid.”

Christian, BSc (Hons) Geology student

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MEET OUR

CALL CENTRE STUDENTS Come results day, we have an army of students manning the phones in our Clearing call centre.

We spoke to four of our Clearing Ambassadors about their advice to callers.

HANNAH

BMBS Medicine student

LEE

BSc (Hons) Dietetics student

What do you do as a Clearing Call Centre Ambassador?

“I answer calls at our busy call centre from early morning on results day. We are there to answer any questions and provide support to prospective students.

If someone is calling to see if there is availability on a course, we take some basic details, including qualifications, and will then check whether the course is open for Clearing applications and whether the caller meets the entry requirements. If someone meets these requirements, we then set up a prospective student record and give advice on the next steps of applying through Clearing. If someone unfortunately doesn’t meet the Clearing entry requirements, we will offer advice on similar or alternative courses, which may be an option at Plymouth or at a partner institution.” – Hannah

PHILIPPA

BA (Hons) Acting student

Some questions you might want to ask: 1 These are my achieved grades, could you talk me through my options?

2 What is the workload breakdown for my chosen subject?

3 Am I able to switch courses?

What accommodation 4 options are available?

5 What is the accommodation application process for Clearing students?

6 What is it like to live and study in Plymouth?

TSIAN

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year student

Do you have any advice for students ahead of Clearing?

“Have all your grades to hand.

Stay positive. Ask us anything, even if it’s about our own personal experiences and recommendations. Think about what you enjoy at home, and ask if we know if it can be done here in Plymouth. It more than likely can... There is so much to do here in Plymouth. Especially within the clubs and societies, there are things I’d never even considered or had heard of!” – Lee “My advice would be to keep your options open. Ensure you find some time to do some research and find what options are out there for you! When Clearing opens, we will be waiting to discuss your options with you.”

– Philippa

CLEARING

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Is there something you’d like to say to students who might be anxious about results day to put their minds at ease about Clearing?

“Breathe, you will be okay. We put all our energy into finding you a path to uni.” – Tsian “Try not to worry. Although that is easier said than done, whatever the outcome of your results, there is always an option for you. We will do whatever we can to help support and guide you to find the right path for you.“ – Philippa

Why do you enjoy your role as a Clearing Call Centre Ambassador?

“I love interacting with people, helping students achieve their university dream and most importantly, sharing my experiences and love for all that is Plymouth and the University.” – Tsian “I have been a Clearing Ambassador for four years and I really enjoy it every year.

I like being able to help people achieve their goals of studying a certain subject. Being a small part of their journey into university is a very rewarding experience. I also know how frantic the whole experience can be, having been through it myself, so I like to be able to reassure prospective students that we are here to help as much as possible.”

– Hannah

NG HOTLINE

Universities do not treat Clearing students the same as students who applied earlier.

FALSE! You will be treated exactly the same as every other student regardless of when you applied.

If you have been accepted at your firm or insurance choice university, you can still apply through Clearing. TRUE! Even if you are currently holding an offer at a university, you can still go through Clearing – you will just need to release yourself into Clearing via your UCAS Track. This is quite risky though as you will lose the place you are holding, so make sure the new university you wish to apply to has room on the course and can accept you.

You won’t have the chance to visit the university you apply for via Clearing. FALSE! A lot of universities run Clearing-specific open days the weekend after the A level results day, giving you a chance to view the campus and accommodation before making your final decision.

Your student finance will be delayed if you come through Clearing. FALSE! As soon as you know which university you are going to, you just need to log on to your student finance web portal and update the details to ensure that your money isn’t delayed.

You can’t apply for a different course through Clearing. FALSE! You can apply for any course that is available through Clearing. This could be something completely different to what you have applied to before. If this is the case, you can ask the university whether you can send in a supporting statement alongside your application about why you wish to change course direction.

You can apply to a university that previously rejected your application, or to one where you declined their offer. TRUE! You can apply to any university through Clearing as long as they have spaces on the course you wish to study, if you were rejected because of your predicted grades in the earlier cycle. If they rejected your application owing to additional conditions, such as performance at interview or occupational health checks, just phone them to check you can apply again.

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Finding

YOUR HOME If you’re applying through Clearing, we guarantee you a room – either in our University-managed accommodation, in a managed partnership with ANUK-accredited private accommodation, or with an alternative private provider, provided you meet the terms and conditions.

HALLS OF RESIDENCE University-managed halls of residence are a great opportunity to meet people straight away. It’s often your flatmates that become your first university friends! There are also plenty of other opportunities to make friends on your course and through extracurricular activities.

UNIVERSITY-MANAGED HALLS  Directly located on campus and in the nearby Student Village  A dedicated Halls team available in the evenings and at weekends

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Check out our Clearing accommodation FAQs here:

 24 /7 campus security  Exclusive ‘Residence Life’ events and trips for residents  Safe social media communities – get to know your hallmates before you arrive!  Discounts and exclusive deals for residents  Support from the University Accommodation team APPLY FOR YOUR ACCOMMODATION Please call the University’s Clearing Hotline on 0330 241 6929 to apply.

Once you have been offered a place here at the University of Plymouth, you will be put through to the Accommodation team, to discuss your room options and make your booking.

MADE A BOOKING BUT NO LONGER REQUIRE YOUR ROOM? If your plans have changed and you will no longer be attending the University, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to inform us that you will no longer be enrolling.

Once you have confirmed this with us, we will refund your two weeks’ advance rent payment, cancel your booking and make your room available for someone else.

EMAIL US AT: uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:   @plymuniaccomm

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MOVING AWAY FROM HOME University of Plymouth graduates, Tilda and Millie, talk about their experiences of moving to uni, and what they found helpful when settling in.

Find out more about what to bring to uni:

Explore Residence Life activities and events:

How to cope with feeling homesick:

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“I definitely think when you’re coming to university you have to manage your expectations and not put too much pressure on yourself when you first get here to acclimatise immediately, to make loads of friends, to reinvent yourself the minute you step into your student accommodation.” – Tilda

“For the first time in my teenage life, I didn’t feel anxious; I was just so excited to get there. I threw my bags down and just kind of forgot about everything.

But it’s very easy to think that that’s how everybody feels – I think it’s really important to emphasise that.” – Tilda

“Sometimes you might be excited about change, or sometimes it might be really nerve-racking and really emotional for you; both are equally valid experiences and there’s not a ‘normal’ way to start university. Everybody starts it and feels differently about it.” – Tilda

“See if you can meet your housemates before on social media or something like that – that might help you get talking.” – Millie

“Luckily for students, you will have moments where you can invest that time into yourself and work out what techniques and what tips really help reduce your stress or reduce your anxiety.” – Tilda

PREVENTING HOMESICKNESS Feeling a bit homesick when you arrive at university is totally normal. For many students, this might be the first time you’ve been out in the world on your own, fending for yourself, doing your own laundry. To help you settle in, use these top tips from students and you’ll be feeling at home in no time.

Don’t beat yourself up about it At some point, everyone will feel a little homesick. There is nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. Leaving home is a big step and you are going to have all sorts of thoughts creeping up on you, some exciting and some scary. You don’t need to add to those by being unfairly harsh on yourself about how you’re feeling.

Make a new home

Start by making your new living space your space. You’re going to be spending a lot of time either chilling or studying in your room, so you need to get it just the way you like it. Buy some decorations or bring some objects from home. In the first few weeks of term there will be poster sales and plant sales on campus. Before you know it, you’ll have turned your plain room into a cosy nest that you can relax in.

Get offline and explore

While it may be tempting to remain safely locked up in your room, you have a brand new environment that’s waiting to be explored. Go out and take pictures. Visit the local landmarks and bring back a trophy or souvenir from your travels. Then you’ll have something interesting to share with friends and family when you do go back on social media.

Get organised

The first few days and weeks are probably going to be the most hectic and it’s here that you may feel a bit lost. By sorting your weeks out with a simple timetable, you’ll feel like you’re more in control of what’s going on.

Look after yourself

Your new-found freedom and independence will be an exhilarating experience, but just remember that you still need to look after your body. Make sure that you are eating properly (the vending machine doesn’t count) and try to get plenty of sleep. Being run down can lead to feeling overburdened, so take some time to make sure that your body is being looked after too.

Talk to people

This can be the hardest one but you need to try and remember that your new housemates and coursemates are in the exact same position as you are. Sometimes people are just waiting for someone to approach them, so be brave and be the person to make that first step. Your new best friend may be one conversation away.

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WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENROL ON THIS COURSE AT PLYMOUTH? I wanted to be in a job that gave me flexibility and a variety of career paths.

I liked the fact that Nursing gives you so many options and you can do so many different specialisms all around the world. I have always enjoyed helping people and supporting them to be independent, look after themselves, and be responsible for their own health.

MAKING A

DIFFERENCE BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health) student Bethany came to the University through Clearing. She tells us about her application experience, her course, and finding her Plymouth Night Patrol society family.

WHAT’S THE COURSE STRUCTURE IN NURSING LIKE? The course is split into placements and theory blocks. Lectures provide the main bulk of theory and are taught to the whole cohort - so hundreds of students. Our seminars are made up of smaller groups of students, where we do more in-depth activities based off the previous lecture. We also have sessions where we learn skills like cannulation - inserting a catheter - and patient scenarios. It’s a great way for us to learn in a controlled environment in the skills labs, which are set up like a small bay on a ward. In my opinion, placement is the best part, where you work in a community or hospital. We get allocated our placements twice a year. They are a great way for us to practise our skills in real life and apply our theory knowledge to practice.

Placements are a crucial part of our training and are where we learn the most. Being in the nursing environment with patients, managing multiple aspects of care, is so important for development.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT SO FAR? I can think of a few moments that have challenged me in different ways, from ethics to practical and mental challenges. Owing to significant staff shortages, there’s not always the capacity to give every patient the level of care I want to – for example, not being able to spend time with those that are dying with no one by their side.

Or not being able to give the time to chat to patients. As students, we are lucky to often have a little bit more time

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than other members of the multidisciplinary team, but we want to do everything we can for our patients.

WHAT WAS YOUR APPLICANT JOURNEY LIKE? WHEN DID YOU APPLY? I applied for Nursing when I was doing my A levels. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I didn’t sit my A-level exams.

My calculated grades were high, but the ones I got back were low and not representative of my capabilities. I didn’t get into my first- and secondchoice universities. So, on results day when I got home, I immediately started emailing, social media messaging, and calling every university I liked the look of! I had already interviewed for Plymouth and previously been offered a place. They searched my record and offered me a Clearing place, which I immediately took. It wasn’t the university I expected to go to but it turned out to be the right choice – some things are just meant to be! I have loved Plymouth and would recommend it.

HOW WAS THE CLEARING PROCESS, AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING APPLYING THROUGH CLEARING? It was really easy, as I had already applied to the University previously on UCAS, and I had already done all my interviews. I applied through Clearing Plus, which sends out your emails to the university, then they get back to you. They got back to me very fast and it all got sorted really quickly too. My advice is to just get on it as soon as possible. Start having a look around as soon as you know that you’re going to go through Clearing, do a little bit of research if you haven’t already about the university, and be really enthusiastic.

WHAT’S THE VALUE IN APPLYING THROUGH CLEARING? I think it gives you a second option, another choice. For me personally, there were a lot of emotions at the time having not got into where I wanted to go, and feeling like I didn’t know what

to do. But then once you go through Clearing, there are so many options and places at universities that you can choose from – ones that you may not have even explored before. That just shows you it’s not the end. You can get to university, you can do it; it’s just maybe not the way you thought you were going to go initially.

HAVE YOU FOUND A COMMUNITY AT UNIVERSITY? I am part of the Plymouth Night Patrol society. Members are trained as first responders, and then volunteer on the main student nights of the week as medical first responders. It is a really amazing society to be part of and it is so well organised. They have really good socials too, including a formal awards evening at the beginning of the month, movie nights, pizza socials, and lots more to come. I’m social secretary for the society, having been involved for three years. The skills I have learnt from the society have been amazing and helped me in my degree.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF PLYMOUTH SO FAR? I love so many aspects of Plymouth and have so many memories here. My favourite memory would be the University Summer Ball. It was an incredible event across campus, with famous live acts and fairground rides.

It was great fun – an amazing atmosphere and lovely to dress up for.

On an everyday level my favourite memories are going down to the sea in the summer and just chilling out with friends in the sun, swimming, having a BBQ until late. In the summer we spend all day outside enjoying the lovely weather and sea. Being so close to Cornwall means we can go just over the bridge to amazing beaches too!

WHERE DO YOU HOPE YOUR CAREER WILL TAKE YOU? When I graduate, I have already got a job in intensive care. I had a placement there last summer, which I loved. I applied at the job open day at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and after my interview was

offered a job for when I graduate, which is really exciting. I also have an ambition to go into the military as a nurse. I’d also like to work for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), working across the world in a variety of areas of nursing care. I have so many hopes for my career. Nursing has so many different specialties, which means I have an exciting career ahead of me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN STUDYING TO BE A NURSE? Look at loads of different universities so you’ll know which one is right for you! I went to eight different university open days before I decided which ones to apply for. If the university has Unibuddy, you can chat to current students online and find out more about your course. I would also advise care experience because as a nurse it’s all patient care, so it’s good to get some experience before you begin.

Most of all, if you want to do it, do it! It is amazing and you will have so many great experiences and learn so much.

We need nurses now more than ever before.

STUDY NURSING BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health) Make a difference to someone’s life when it matters most. Our degree will prepare you to care for adults with acute/longterm illness, in a multitude of healthcare settings. Working closely with other healthcare professionals, patients and their families, you will gain the necessary experience, competencies and skills needed to join the thousands of our graduates working as registered nurses.

UCAS tariff 104–120 points Duration 3 years full time (with placements)

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Eleanor’s CLEARING STORY Law graduate Eleanor shares how Clearing was her pathway to achieving her dream career in fashion.

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Study LLB (Hons) Law

Are you ready to make your mark in the legal world? Combine theory and practice to prepare for a successful career. Build a deep understanding of how the law works and apply this in the real world with the support of our experienced academic team, including trained and practising solicitors.

UCAS tariff 104–120 points Duration 3 years full time (+ optional placement)

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO APPLY THROUGH CLEARING? Prior to results day I had a place at another university to study Dentistry, but a D in Chemistry meant that I didn’t fulfil their grade requirements. As I only had this one place secured, I didn’t have a backup option, so I decided to go through the Clearing process on results day. I knew that I wanted to go to university that year and that I didn’t want to take a gap year or retake my Chemistry A level, which meant that Clearing was the route I needed to take. I had Plymouth at the top of my list as I loved the city when I visited for an open day, so my decision to apply was a quick one. The leap from sciences to a law degree felt scary at first, but it soon turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life – I couldn’t have loved my time at Plymouth more.

WHAT WAS THE CLEARING PROCESS LIKE? I knew quite early on results day that I hadn’t got into my chosen university, so once the initial panic had subsided to some degree, I could look through the list of universities in Clearing. I could see many of the options online, but I decided to ring the Plymouth team at around lunchtime to get more of an idea of my options. Irrespective of your grades on results day, it is incredibly stressful, and the student that I spoke to on the phone at Plymouth was massively reassuring. He managed to help me feel calm enough to make a clear decision and talked me through the different law courses that were on offer.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING THROUGH CLEARING? I would recommend having a few different plans or options that you might be thinking about. It doesn’t need to be a concrete plan B or C if your original plan A doesn’t work out, but having some ideas will be useful. I had a shortlist of universities that I was interested in prior to Clearing, and this is where I started when presented with the huge range of Clearing courses online. On results day, try to keep as calm as possible to allow you to make a confident and informed decision. Clearing led to my place studying law at Plymouth, and even years later I can say it was a great decision that I made on the day!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF STUDYING FOR YOUR DEGREE AT PLYMOUTH? Freshers Week and my graduation day will always stand out in my memory, and living by the sea was a huge bonus when choosing Plymouth. Still, I would say that the last months in the run-up to final exams form some of my favourite memories at University; I would spend my days in the library with a big group of law students, revising together and finalising our last few pieces of coursework. We knew that our time would be up soon, and everyone would be moving to different parts of the country, so we wanted to squeeze everything out of those last few weeks together. After a long day of revision, we’d head to the SU open mic nights or Wednesday sports socials; I still don’t know how I managed to cram so much into our last few weeks! I can’t recommend the University enough; I had an incredible three years and part of me wishes I could do it all over again.

TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES. After graduating with a first-class Law degree from Plymouth, I began an MA in Fashion Design Management at London College of Fashion. Using my knowledge and experience from studying law, I then started Rockett Fashion – a business consultancy company – in January 2020. I also now work part time at the University of the Arts in London as an Intellectual Property Educator. A few weeks into running my consultancy business, one of my clients launched her brand at London Fashion Week. It was so exciting to see how her brand had evolved from idea to reality in such a short space of time, and then get to support her during her brand’s first showcase.

Of course, waiting backstage, knowing that the seats lining the runway were filled with celebrities, buyers and fashion icons, was incredibly nerve-racking, but I’ll never forget that experience. Since then, my client’s successes have only continued; she has dressed celebrities including Kanye West, and her designs have been stocked at Browns, a top London store.

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As a university we not only support you to become the future lifesavers, engineers, researchers, creators and leaders that will inspire change and hold our communities together – we commit to making a difference to the world we live in through everything we do.

Our world-leading researchers are addressing many of the planet’s greatest challenges, and you will benefit directly from their knowledge and expertise. You will also learn how to apply sustainable skills into whatever degree you are studying, and be taught in facilities that meet the highest global sustainability standards, while inspiring you to be a sustainability champion of the future.

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The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings show how universities are working towards the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have consistently ranked as one of the world’s top five universities in relation to UN SDG 14: Life Below Water – in recognition of the quality of our marine research and teaching and our efforts to reduce the impact of campus activities on the marine environment. We were also ranked 15th worldwide for SDG 13: Climate Action, recognising our work to drive climate innovation, reduce energy use across our campuses, and deal with the consequences of climate change.

WHAT ARE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS? The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals that are an urgent call for action by all countries. The SDGs were designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.

The goals look to tackle climate change, and preserve our oceans and forests, but also recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and encourage economic growth.

This is the second time we have been recognised in the rankings – we have increased our scores in the majority of other categories and confirmed our place among the top 5% of global universities for our commitment to sustainability.

SDG 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION

We are also continuing to lead a number of pioneering projects, including a long-running initiative monitoring ecological recovery in the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, and are home to one of the world’s leading research groups examining the impact of – and solutions for – ocean plastic pollution.

In the past two decades, we have consistently reduced our carbon footprint and invested in clean energy projects and research. We have won numerous sustainability accolades, and declared a climate emergency in 2019 with a commitment to achieving net zero emissions.

In coming to Plymouth, students will study at one of the UK’s only waterfront universities, with teaching spaces overlooking the sea and the opportunity to study by, on and in its waters.

Students will also get the chance to work with our many regional, national and international partners, and see why Plymouth is the go-to UK destination for marine-related research and innovation.

In 2022, we achieved our targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions three years early. As well as thinking globally, we have collaborated on a number of local community initiatives – such as the Devon Climate Emergency, Plymouth Plan for Plastics and Fab City Plymouth – and consistently found new ways of engaging with businesses across the South West.

We are now expanding this as a part of two major regional projects: the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre.

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CLIMATE ACTION LEADERS OF TOMORROW Elyssa, Professor Judith Petts CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth and lead of Universities UK Climate Task and Finish Group, said: “When it comes to sustainability, our University is not just ‘talking the talk’ but also ‘walking the walk‘. Our whole systems approach is enabling researchers to identify the major challenges facing our planet, and providing the connections through which responses can be delivered.

We are committed to working with communities, industry, policy makers and individuals to bring about the seismic shifts and cultural changes our planet needs to survive.”

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology graduate: “The ocean plays a huge part in my life. I live and work by the coast and I’m hooked. But the ocean is in trouble: humanity is exploiting it at an unsustainable rate and we are losing one of our greatest natural resources. I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to conserving the oceans and educating others, to help the ocean recover to a healthier state. I’ve made it my mission to save the ocean. What will you do?”

Rhys,

BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability student: “I decided to study this course because I’ve always had a passion for looking after the natural world. I never knew you could study it at university until I discovered Plymouth. The three years I have spent here have been amazing. I don’t know how my career is going to pan out but I do know that I want to make a difference in trying to conserve and protect the environment.”

Find out more about our path to net zero:

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Get involved with the Students’ Union

Be part of something bigger than yourself. Overcome your fears, boost your confidence, gain new skills and enhance your career by volunteering.

Alvania,

BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability student: “Since a very young age, I have been incredibly passionate about environmental conservation. I have tried to help my country to the best of my abilities through volunteering. I knew that it was time to put the knowledge behind the passion. I found the course perfectly equipped with what I needed to help my country. Coming from an ocean country like the Seychelles, it was essential for me to be reminded of why I am pursuing this degree, and what better place than Britain’s Ocean City!”

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PREPARING FOR UNIVERSITY We know that going to university may seem like a big step, but it’s also one of the most exciting times of your life where you get to spread your wings and seek new experiences. There are a number of things you can do to get prepared for the transition to university to make the process feel less daunting.

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LISTEN TO OUR STUDENT LIFE PODCAST  Our Student Life podcast is here with advice and guidance about transitioning to university! Topics covered include mental health, careers, our Students’ Union and societies. Listen now and make sure to follow the podcast on Spotify to keep up to date with the latest episodes.

CHAT WITH CURRENT STUDENTS  Chat to our students on our website and ask them questions about their course, accommodation, funding, placement years and their future aspirations.

HOW IS UNIVERSITY DIFFERENT TO SCHOOL?  The most obvious difference between study at school and university is that the structure of school hours is no longer there, so you’ll have to develop time management skills and work out your own timetable.

How much you study will depend on your course.

Expect to burn the midnight oil sometimes, especially around exams, but also plan to have days off.

 At school, support is always

there. At university, you’ll have to seek it out – and don’t be afraid to do so. Being independent doesn’t mean you cannot ask for help. You will find very quickly that there is a wealth of support around you that you can tap into should you need it. Our Student Hub is on hand to support you with a range of services.

STUDENT BLOGS  Read blogs written by our

students to gain a deeper insight into the areas you’re interested in. From living in accommodation to everything you need to know about your first year, get reading and feel one step closer to studying with us.

 You will need to learn some

new academic skills. There is more for you to think through, and a much wider range of reading. You might not be used to reading around subjects, writing 5,000 words or reading difficult texts. You will need to develop your reading skills: finding the library, getting the books on the reading list, not being put off by the language, and techniques for skim reading.

We can support you with all these skills at our Writing Café.

 Finally, university isn’t all

about studying! It’s a fantastic opportunity to widen your circle of friends. We pride ourselves on our close-knit student community and there are a vast range of clubs and societies that you can join. So, join us and get stuck in!

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Criminology student Laura tells us why going through the Clearing process was the best option for her.

WHY DID YOU GO THROUGH CLEARING? DID YOU APPLY LATE OR NOT GET IN TO YOUR FIRST CHOICE UNI? As an international student, I was waiting for my residency card to arrive, and for my first choice of university this seemed to be a problem. Despite receiving an unconditional offer, they rejected me, so I applied via Clearing with Plymouth. They were incredibly understanding of the obstacles international students can sometimes face, and explained that they would hold my application as pending up to the point when my residency permit arrived. I was then able to fully access my course!

“Working in the crime scene gives me the opportunity to learn practically. We study motives and connect them to the crime and the physical evidence, for example fingerprints, weapons and CCTV. Learning about criminal justice gives me inspiration to learn more about society and how relevant this field is for our everyday lives.”

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE CLEARING PROCESS? When August came around, I called the University helpline and explained that I was planning to apply. I didn’t know much about the process, but the adviser was very clear and understanding, and managed to guide me through my options.

They were so positive about my opportunities at Plymouth that I instantly felt happier and excited.

I actually remember it to be a great experience; it was much easier than I expected it to be.

WHAT ARE YOUR CLEARING TIPS? To ask for help, going through Clearing can seem scary, but the University has a team of people who will be able to advise you on the actions to take. If you’re thinking about it, take the risk!

I’d say be prepared to go through the process on results day. Whether you’ve done really well or not as you expected, there are other routes you can take such as Clearing.

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STUDY CRIMINOLOGY BSc (Hons) Criminology Why do people commit a crime, and how do we deal with criminality? Get under the skin of the criminal justice system and learn about rehabilitation inside prison walls as you develop your understanding of how to work with, challenge and change the system. Immerse yourself in live-action and virtual reality crime scenes and tackle faceto-face suspect interviews.

UCAS tariff 104–120 points Duration 3 years full time (+ optional placement)

HOW DID YOU SETTLE IN TO UNIVERSITY? I settled in well. The Accommodation team allocated me a room in Radnor Halls despite how late I applied. It was an easy process: I came to pick up my keys and was also able to have my parent help me move in, which was nice as it made moving in so much easier.

The University is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants – perfect for a student. Having the seafront close by is also very nice; I love going for walks there. My course, Criminology and Criminal Justice, has been so interesting to me that I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I’d advise anyone starting their course to enjoy it all. After the first week, university all becomes so much clearer to you; friends start to come along, and in time you will settle down and enjoy student life.

HOW HAS THE UNIVERSITY SUPPORTED YOU? The University has always been here for me – first with my residency status, and then from helping me through Clearing and the accommodation. These small details have made my whole experience so much easier than expected. In terms of support on my course, my lecturers and seminar leaders have been here to give me advice every step of the way.

I have also received library support on essay structures and guidance.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY YOUR COURSE? I have always had an interest in criminology, and after doing some research on Plymouth’s course, I found some past experiences from Criminology alumni students which convinced me.

I would like to work for MI5 in the future and I am hoping that my degree will allow me to do this. I’d recommend coming to an open day if you can, which will give you more of an insight into your chosen course and the University.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING GOING THROUGH CLEARING? Go for it! For me, going through Clearing wasn’t planned until it happened. I was given the chance and received a place, and when I think about it, I know that being here is best for me. I don’t see myself as comfortable anywhere else. It could work out for you as well as it did for me!

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FINDING THE RIGHT FORMULA TO PROFIT FROM PLYMOUTH Plymouth Business School graduate, Shahana, tells us why keeping it local and studying BSc (Hons) Economics at Plymouth was right for her.

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I WAS READY TO BE INSPIRED

BY MY COURSE I live in Plymouth – this is my local university. I felt connected to the University even before I received my unconditional offer. Coming to the campus for maths masterclasses and work experience while still at school gave me an indication of what the teaching was like and where things were. In many ways, these were my first stepping stones towards becoming a student here.

I have always had a real passion for numbers and having an answer for everything – mathematics is the subject I have found the most fulfilling.

Even though Plymouth was a strong option from the outset, I did look around at courses at other institutions. The most important aspect when looking at universities was the course content and the range of opportunities available.

I identified early that economics would build upon my love of mathematics and that it was important for me to find a course that would enable me to channel my interest in the humanities, having studied history and geography at A level.

After considering multiple options, Plymouth remained the best choice for me because of the quality of the BSc (Hons) Economics course content as well as the course’s flexible structure of optional modules, which will allow me to carve a personal pathway that will guide me towards graduation and beyond.

I hadn’t decided my module specialisms or even a particular future job role – I knew that as I progressed through the course, a spark would ignite and point me towards a more specialised career pathway. Whether a particular module, a placement

experience (another big pull for me to come here) or advice from tutors, I was ready to be inspired by my course.

AN EQUATION FOR PERFECT PREPARATION The summer before starting my course was a unique one for me.

I had worked hard to achieve my A level grades and I was preparing for the future, filled with mixed emotions – I felt excited and scared in equal measure. In a few weeks’ time, I was going to university – the next big milestone in my life.

I allowed myself to get back into the things that I was restricted from doing during the intense exam season. Having some ‘me time’ has always been important, whether losing myself in the latest best-selling book or exploring new areas of the South West, going for runs and walks.

I prepared for university the best I could, relaxing and hanging out with my friends, seeking greater independence, from finding a job to beginning to learn to drive.

A few months into my course at Plymouth, I felt very settled.

GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS Plymouth has a good balance of the things that I want in an area.

With the sea on one side and the countryside on the other, the surrounding location is one of the University’s greatest strengths.

Living locally meant I could stay at home for my first year, which helped me out financially.

I figured in the second year, once I became closer with new friends, I would want to move out. At first though, the convenience really suited me.

Making friends with people on my course was probably the most important thing for me to start with. It was great to be able to meet new people and help

EXPLORE OUR BUSINESS DEGREES Plymouth Business School’s industry-led courses will set you up for successful employment and a happy lifestyle. Our degrees, taught by experts in their field, aim to put business-ready graduates on the path to a successful career.

them explore the city I had lived in for 18 years. Perhaps the best part about staying in the city I have grown up in was that I knew the place inside out and had my friends and family with me along the journey.

Starting university is a daunting experience, but for me it was nowhere near as scary as it would have been if I had chosen to move across the country. I am grateful to have had family around me while I learned who I am.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE When you are an economics student, the dream company is the biggest company. I want to work my way up towards those heights and the University has supported me on my journey.

I have always known the city’s great, and my experience here has proven that the University is great too.

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LIVING IN BRITAIN’S OCEAN CITY AND BEYOND Hear from our students about their favourite places to spend their time in and around Plymouth.

“Rame Head is one of my favourite places to go next to Plymouth.

You can either walk there along the coast from Plymouth, or drive/ get a bus. I have seen a number of sunrises at this place, and every time, it is so different. In the quiet mornings, finding yourself alone (or with your best friends), surrounded by deer and horses, listening to birds while the sun comes up from the ocean on your left, there’s a true sense of magic.

You could probably come here every day and each time will bring a different experience.”

Louise, BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology student

DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK IS ONLY A 30-MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE UNIVERSITY “The Barbican is a new favourite place of mine not only because of the amazing views but also because it has history attached to it which I loved discovering. It is also a great spot for late-night walks when you just want to think.”

Jessica, BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations student

“Whether it be for transport, fun or exercise, I’ve always incorporated cycling into my lifestyle and I’m eager to push it further here in the South West.

My favourite observation around here is the diversity of terrain in such a closeknit yet open-air region. You quickly move from muddy moors to clean, clear coastlines with ease… I’m pretty certain

that the beautiful riding experiences in and around the city are in my top five memories as an undergraduate student here.”

Xavier, BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability student

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FROM THE CITY THAT’S ALIVE WITH THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY TO THE BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES OF THE COASTLINE AND COUNTRYSIDE, THE SOUTH WEST IS A REGION THAT LIVES UP TO ITS REPUTATION AS A PLACE TO LIVE THE LIFESTYLE YOU WANT.

“Plymouth is so beautiful, it’s very difficult to choose one favourite place, as most places I absolutely love! The top locations in Plymouth for me are the seafront, Sutton Harbour and Devil’s Point because being by the sea is actually the best thing ever! I love going to watch the sunrise by the sea as it’s just so tranquil and such a great start to the day!”

Christina, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science student

“The great thing about studying in Plymouth is that you can see the sea pretty much all the time! One of my favourite things after a stressful week is to walk to the Barbican for fish and chips, which you can follow up with a hot chocolate sitting on the Hoe.” Sumbel, BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery student

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“There are many places to go swimming in the sea around Plymouth. You can pretty much enter the water anywhere you like, along the Hoe, the Barbican, and surrounding beaches. Just be careful you’re not swimming near shipping routes and someone knows where you are!”

Hannah, BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology student

“I chose Plymouth because I grew up here and I absolutely love the city for its closeness to the ocean and nature. I also find that the city has everything that a student could need, including a good nightlife, and that everything is very close together, which is convenient.”

Jasmine, LLB (Hons) Law student

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“The majority of Plymouth’s student accommodation, halls and houses are within a 15-minute walk of the University, which is one of the most convenient things for me. This means that it’s so easy to get to university, to see your friends at their places or to get into the city centre too.”

Lily, BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design student

“Located close to campus, the Hoe is probably the first place for anyone who visits the city.

Grabbing some fish and chips or an ice cream while walking along the coast is one of the best ways to relax after a long day of lectures.”

Shahana, MSc Data Science and Analytics student

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BA (Hons) Photography graduate Dave shares how Clearing was the platform for a spontaneous career change.

My brother was asking me, “Are you sure you want to do this?

It’s pretty late…” My answer was resolute – I have to do it. There was definitely a now-or-never feeling behind applying to get into university when I did.

I was helped through the application process by the University, pointed in the direction of useful advice and resources, and sent helpful emails throughout. This was great for me personally – I was working nine to five, five days a week, so I needed all the help I could get to make the Clearing process easier around my busy schedule.

I had my heart set on the city for years. I used to visit my brother in Plymouth every summer – going surfing, enjoying the ocean and absorbing the South West’s culture. I

“I was working a full-time job, happily earning a salary, when changes in the company left my position uncertain. This turn of events was the motivation I needed to go to university to pursue something I enjoy and seize control of my career. I wanted to follow my dreams.” instinctively gravitated towards Plymouth thanks to my positive memories, and it was the only university I applied to.

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY? Photography has been a hobby that started the moment I got my hands on my brother’s digital SLR camera hand-me-down about four or five years ago. Quite quickly after playing and messing

about with my new toy, I started to wonder about the possibility of studying this art form in more depth.

The University’s BA (Hons) Photography course ticked all my boxes and served as the perfect overarching degree that would allow me to learn about wideranging theories and techniques and help me to develop my own photographic style.

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Explore our Art degrees Evolve your skills, develop your talent and harness your full creative potential.

I’ve genuinely been surprised and even baffled by the amount of opportunities that you gain from being at university, even in the first year. I’ve met so many potential business contacts through networking and I was able to shadow the University’s photographer to find out more about how photography can be professionally applied to a business’s marketing activity.

It’s a bit of a cliché but I’ve always been one of those people who has never really known what they want to be when they grow up. However, university really helped me to see the possibilities.

Right now I feel I could dive into underwater ocean photography, start my own business, or, having seen my lecturers’ passion for their field, even get into teaching.

My favourite memory so far

was definitely our study trip to the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol.

Martin Parr is a professional photographer famous for exploring British life and culture in his playful collection of documentary photographs and wider work, and is a contemporary artist that I respect and admire greatly.

I went to the Foundation in my first year to attend a talk

by Eamonn Doyle – another photographer I idolise. I sat down ready to listen to his talk and Martin Parr sat down right next to me. I almost had a heart attack.

I’m ten yards away from Eamonn Doyle and am sat next to Martin Parr, who, after the talk, invited us into his library to continue the discussion. It was all quite surreal.

At some point in the future, I’d love to become a member of

the exclusive Magnum Photos collective, of which Martin Parr has been a member since 1988.

I’m determined to ‘make it big’ and publish my own books that showcase my work and photographic philosophy – how poetic would it be if my books end up on Martin Parr’s shelf one day?

FINAL THOUGHTS It’s easy to say it now but the only thing I would change about my approach to Clearing is to worry about it less and remain reassured that all the help available will get you through things as smoothly as possible.

Embrace the fact that university will open up avenues for the rest of your life.

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THE UNIVERSITY HOLDS A PART-TIME JOBS FAIR, WITH OVER 30 EMPLOYEES COMING ON TO CAMPUS TO RECRUIT STUDENTS EACH YEAR

WHERE WILL

YOUR DEGREE TAKE YOU?

SUPPORT The Careers Service offers support during your time at uni, after graduation and beyond. The team can help you secure part-time work, work experience, graduate positions and more! If you need advice on interview preparation or looking for employment, or need help with your CV, they can take you through the resources and guide you to the next step. You can also arrange a scheduled face-to-face or virtual appointment, and there is no limit on how many times you can see our careers advisers.

EVENTS The Careers Service runs a wide range of employer-led careers and recruitment events to help you to interact with employers, along with a programme of skills development workshops. This includes career fairs, employer drop-ins, and insight panels for students wishing to explore placement, graduate and part-time work opportunities, along with workshops on interview success, assessment centre advice and tips for job searching.

MENTORING The University offers a career mentoring programme to support you on your career journey.

Students are matched with industry professional mentors who give their time and knowledge to support students. Mentors can help students gain unique insights into their desired careers, learn about networking opportunities, increase their skills and undertake mock interviews, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market. Programmes run over six months, designed to fit around your studies, and any undergraduate student can apply.

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“The placement allowed me to put into practice the modules I did in the first and second year and gave me the experience and connections I needed to get a job after graduation.”

PLACEMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE Undertaking a placement in your course, or gaining other work experience while at university, will greatly improve your chances of achieving the graduate role that you want.

Rachel, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare student

There are a number of opportunities to gain work experience through our emerging micro-internships programme of up to two weeks within the work environment.

Careers education and activities are embedded as part of your academic programme.

Our careers consultants work in partnership with your lecturers to design and deliver tailored career development activities within your course.

These range from talks and workshops to competitions, helping you to bring your future into focus as you study… make sure you take advantage of them!

MYCAREER As a student and for as long as you need it after you graduate, you have access to myCareer, our innovative online system, supporting you to develop your skills and career. This gives you the chance to find part-time, placement and graduate vacancies; book onto workshops, webinars and career fairs; and find appointments.

Get in touch!

Follow us on ,  or  @uniplymcareers Email: careers@ plymouth.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1752 587456

DIGITAL RESOURCES myCareer Digital Resources has a whole host of activities, tools and videos which can help you build your employability skills.

Using this, you can: • get CV feedback using CV360 • understand the interview process, take mock interviews and get advice from employer videos using our interview simulator • use our psychometric and aptitude tests to practise some of the most commonly used assessments to improve your chance of performing well in the real thing.

“Being part of the mentoring programme helped me gain a clearer insight into what life will be like after university, and how to make myself stand out in a work environment and when applying for jobs.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking for potential career paths after graduation and looking to improve on professional skills.”

Sylvia, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering student

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HOW PARENTS AND GUARDIANS CAN HELP EASE THE PRESSURE OF CLEARING Lots of schools will have teachers on hand to help during the Clearing process, but parents and guardians can also help ease the pressure. After all, going to university is a big step for them too! You will want to lend as much support as you possibly can, which is why we have put together some practical tips on how you can tackle the rollercoaster that is Clearing together.

Top Clearing tips for parents and guardians:

the phone or via email. If you know your child is going to be away or unavailable on A level results day, make sure this is set up via UCAS beforehand and you are an intermediary contact on their UCAS application.

 Be proactive in the lead-up to results day by doing lots of research and planning. Have a look on the UCAS website for information, including important times and dates.

Have a think about backup universities and course choices, ready for the day.  On the day, if your child is too upset to ring universities, you can do this on their behalf. Universities will need confirmation from your child that they are happy for you to talk about their application, but this can be done over

New to all of this?

Take a look at pages 6–7 for a full guide to Clearing.

 Make sure your child has any university correspondence to hand so they can find their reference number if speaking to a university they have applied to before, or about their existing application. Also, make sure they know what their UCAS reference number is and UCAS log-in details for any new universities.

 If your child has narrowly missed the required grades for their firm and insurance choice university, don’t panic. It is still worth ringing the universities to find out whether they can be offered an alternative course or what options they have available.  Have a look on university websites as there are many useful articles and pages about Clearing, including what it is and what to expect. For the University of Plymouth, you can visit plymouth.ac.uk/ clearing, which has lots of useful information about the basics on what Clearing is and how it works.

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A PARENT’S GUIDE TO CLEARING Mark helped support his son through applying via Clearing last year. He tells us how the day looked for them and what his advice would be to parents.

Our son did look at league tables for his subject and locations he was interested in, but I tried to remind him other things were important to him initially and that the league tables fluctuate so much, they aren’t everything.

From our own experience with Clearing, here are some suggestions:

 If you can, take results day off work. Also, try and keep the weekend after A level results day free. A lot of universities hold Clearing open days for students, so you may need to attend the university campus/city that your child is considering, or has applied to.  Stay calm and positive. Your child may be disappointed but there are so many options out there for students going through Clearing, and there is still time to make considered decisions before needing to apply for a new course/university.  Ultimately the choice lies with your child – but as parents you can guide them to follow their gut feeling, rather than being forced to say yes to a course or university that’s not right for them.

 Do some further research on the universities and courses you have as offers  Make a list of others that you might also consider in Clearing  Look for student reviews and even live chats (not directly on their website)  Just before Clearing, have links or open web pages for all the university course pages – get phone numbers and pre-register  Make sure phones and laptops, etc., are all fully charged  Check on anything important like clubs/societies, guaranteed accommodation, and halls policies and costs, and make a shortlist  Speak to friends who are considering university to see what they’re researching  See whether your child can talk to one of the lecturers or a student who is studying the subject your child is interested in  Double-check any reviews before accepting  Ensure that your child has made a note of names and contact details and is clear on what s/he needs to do next.

I basically hung around my son’s room and joined him (when I was allowed!). The key was to let him know I was showing an active interest in his research, and ultimately encouraging him to come to his own decision.