University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK) School Liaison Guide 2016

UC MK UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MILTON KEYNES

University Campus Milton Keynes Liaison Activities Guide 2016

Transformational Higher Education Here at University Campus Milton Keynes – and the University of Bedfordshire – we believe in transforming people’s lives through higher education.

Thank you for reading the Teachers and Advisors Guide from University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK).

This guide highlights the vast range of support available from the University for schools and colleges to support their students’ progress to higher education. We put our students first and work tirelessly to create an excellent learning environment and experience so they can go forward and achieve their ambitions.

Students who study at University Campus Milton Keynes can count on us for excellent personal tutoring, superb student facilities and the academic support they need to realise their full potential.

Path to University Maintaining and improving our strong track record of widening access is of the highest strategic importance to the University.

University is a truly transformational experience and means a lot more than just gaining a qualification. We believe that one of the most valuable assets of becoming a graduate is social mobility. Graduates tend to become more involved in communities and civil society, which broaden horizons and wellbeing. That’s why, here at University Campus Milton Keynes, we are proud of the communities our students represent and are keen to engage with them right the way through their educational journey. Our contribution to widening participation is of critical importance and we work with schools, colleges, local authorities, careers services and others to promote the benefits of participation in higher education (HE).

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Free activities for schools We realise that supporting students to achieve their potential starts years before university and our Recruitment and Outreach Teams are here to help teachers support their students to make the right higher education choice. Our most popular activities for schools are listed from page 6 onwards.

If your students wish to visit our UCMK campus, contact our Outreach Team on: 01582 743512, or email us at: slc@beds.ac.uk University Campus Milton Keynes University Campus Milton Keynes is the newest addition to the vibrant, wider University of Bedfordshire community and is an exciting new chapter for Milton Keynes.

Backed by a unique partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Council, the campus offers faceto-face teaching at degree level for Milton Keynes’ growing communities. Our vision is of a world where all are able to benefit from transformational educational experiences. And, as a place to live and study, Milton Keynes is designed for people who live life to the full, and it is home to many national and international employers.

Milton Keynes is a place of tremendous opportunity, and is one of the largest growing places in the UK. At University Campus Milton Keynes, students will find themselves part of a highly supportive, international learning community.

By joining us they will become a member of an international network of creative

self-starters with the desire to make a real difference. We look forward to welcoming your students to University Campus Milton Keynes, and we hope that you find this guide useful.

Did you know?

• The University has risen 17 places in the Guardian University Guide 2016 – one of the top 10 risers in the country • The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment highlighted that nearly half of our research is considered “worldleading” or “internationally excellent,” making us the 2nd highest proportionate riser amongst all universities • We’ve recently been rated as a top 10 university for improving the student experience according to the National Student Survey 2015 • Bedfordshire has been rated as a leading university for personal development, career prospects and career choices in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) 2015 • 92% of our graduates go on to work and/ or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2014)

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

CONTENTS Transformational Higher Education

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University Campus Milton Keynes

4

Supporting Success to Higher Education: A Collaborative Approach

5

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11) activities

6

Key Stage 5 (Years 12 & 13) activities

7-15

Subject activities – Business – Computer Science & Technology – Education & Teaching – Media & Journalism – Psychology

16-22 16-18 19 19-20 21 21-22

– Sport Science & Physical Activity

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Take a look at our Prospectus Access & Mature Learner Activities

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

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UCAS Convention

26

Open Days

27

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University Campus Milton Keynes

The campus and facilities University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK) is located in Central Milton Keynes on Avebury Boulevard. Our state-of-the-art facilities include: independent study areas; specialist laboratory space for electronics, journalism and graphic design; a purpose built library; flexible teaching spaces; and a student project lab. Facilities also include group study areas and a café, so there’s lots of opportunities for students to socialise with fellow students, in between their studies.

What our Outreach team can do for your students: Help with UCAS applications • Tips and guidance on what is required • How to make yourself stand out • Help with writing your personal statement Seminars • What is it like to study at university?

• What subject should I study?

Accommodation and transport We have lots of accommodation options for students who study with us at University Campus Milton Keynes. Whether they want to stay in Milton Keynes (rented accommodation) or in university style halls of residence we can help students find the right accommodation to suit their needs.

For those wishing to stay in university halls, we provide accommodation at our Bedford Polhill campus and provide a free shuttle bus between our Milton Keynes and Bedford campuses (in both directions). For those looking to stay within Milton Keynes, our accommodation specialists, along with locally based estate agents, can help students find a place to live.

Placements are part of our courses Our new BA (Hons) undergraduate courses in business (events marketing and management, management and human resource management), as well as our new BA (Hons) Journalism (with placement) course all offer a twelve week placement as part of the degree course, allowing students who study with us to gain real work experience as part of their course, putting them ahead of other graduates.

“Thanks for looking after our Health and Social Care students over the past couple of weeks. They enjoyed the days very much.”

Paul Winter, Assistant Head Teacher, St Pauls School, Milton Keynes

Taster sessions We can run bespoke taster sessions for groups, or one-to-one drop-in sessions for individuals. Not only will they allow students to find out more about our courses, they can also get involved and experience the classrooms and subject specific facilities.

Contact our Outreach team on: 01582 743512 to visit our UCMK campus, or to get help with any of the above.

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Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

supporting success to higher education

Supporting Success to Higher Education: A collaborative Approach

The University is keen to support progression to higher education for all; including those learners who may face additional barriers or who come from communities with low participation in higher education.

Collaborative working The University works collaboratively with other agencies such as local authorities and specialist providers to establish collaborative approaches. For example, the established steering group for young people in care and leaving care brings together key providers who meet regularly.

By involving children in care and care leavers it allows the group to gain a real understanding and knowledge of the key issues that students face.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

National Networks for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO) The University is the leading institution for the Milton Keynes Network for Collaborative Outreach, which aims to encourage more young people into higher education (HE). NNCO brings together universities and further education colleges into local networks to provide coordinated outreach.

The network aims to reach all secondary schools and colleges in the Milton Keynes area. It provides a single point of contact to help teachers and advisers find out about higher education outreach activity in the area and provides general advice about progression into higher education.

We have a number of partners in collaborative outreach from FE colleges, to SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership) and local authorities.

This enables us to take a collaborative approach to our strand of outreach activity.

We have a number of exciting projects on the horizon which we will be promoting via the dedicated website. We look forward to working with you.

Find out more about NNCO at: www.beds.ac.uk/nnco

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KEY STAGE 4 (YEARS 10 & 11) ACTIVITIES Reach your goal For students visiting the University during their GCSE studies, we offer a day to help focus them on their studies and help assist them in their understanding of how their current education builds the basis for future career progression.

Campus visits for these year groups focus on the following issues: Helping students to develop and focus on their studies

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Developing awareness of links between GCSEs and future careers

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Helping students to harness transferrable skills

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Study skills and revision We can offer bespoke sessions to support students in GCSE study skills and revision.

This can take the form of both generic and subject specific support. Where subject specific support is requested, this can often be supplied by students currently studying at degree level in associated areas.

“Thank you so much for today, it really was a great introduction to University life, the students were buzzing when they came back.”

Deborah Gockelen, Key Stage 4 Teacher, Milton Keynes Academy

Enabling students to realise their potential Enabling students to make well informed choices

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Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13)Â ACTIVITIES

We offer a range of workshops, events, and presentations that are useful for sixth form students who are considering progressing on to higher education, particularly those students who are undecided about whether university is for them.

Here are just a few of the most popular sessions we run.

We are also happy to design something tailored to your students’ specific needs, simply call us on: 01582 743512.

Introduction to higher education (HE) This is a good first activity to encourage Year 12 students to think seriously about HE. The talk offers a general overview of HE and the benefits of continuing in education. We also talk about the next steps for students and start them thinking about how they are going to achieve their goals. We can offer a prospectus workshop to accompany the talk.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Year 12 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

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KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Student life A more detailed (and light-hearted) look at what life is like for students in HE, covering the academic, social and welfare aspects of university. Activities include students working out their own weekly shopping list.

Who: Year 12 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Revision and study skills This talk offers guidance and information about the learning process, including effective revision strategies and developing study skills for further education and beyond.

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Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: During preparation for AS or A2 examinations Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Researching higher education: the HE convention This session concentrates on what a HE convention is and why it is important for students to attend. We cover what research students should undertake prior to attending, key questions that they should ask delegates and common ‘traps’ to avoid.

Who: Year 12 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn and spring terms Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Why study locally?

This presentation will cover the benefits of studying at a local university including financial advantages, familiar surroundings, family connections and support, retaining a current part-time job (if you have one), whilst still providing the social benefits of the Students’ Union, clubs, societies, voluntary opportunities, placements and independence.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring and summer terms Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

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Getting the most out of open days A guide to what students can expect from university open days, and the importance of attending these events. We cover the key things to look for, the crucial questions to ask, and the best people to speak to about different aspects of the institution.

Who: Year 12 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring and summer terms Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Applying to university (UCAS form and personal statement) A comprehensive guide to making UCAS applications. The second half of the presentation focuses specifically on the personal statement, with advice on what information students should include and what admissions tutors will be looking for.

There is also an interactive activity where students take on the role of an admissions tutor and assess example statements.

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Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Summer term for Year 12, autumn term for Year 13 Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Personal statement drop-in sessions We are happy to come into schools to assist and advise students already writing their UCAS personal statements. These sessions can take place during students’ lunch breaks if necessary.

Who: Year 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

UCAS – the next step?

This presentation covers the important information for students once they have completed their applications. This includes an overview of the UCAS process, explaining Extra and Clearing, as well as information about interviews, open days, and applying for accommodation and financial support.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring term or late autumn term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

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KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Student finance A straightforward, student-friendly guide to HE finance explaining student loans, tuition fees, grants, bursaries and scholarships.

Additional sources of income and successful budgeting strategies are also discussed. The session can include a practical budgeting exercise.

Who: Year 13 (we can also deliver this session specifically for mature/access students) When: Spring term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Budgeting Helpful advice for students worried about managing their finances whilst at university. This session includes advice on the importance of successful budgeting, how to draw up a budget and useful advice on minimising outgoings and maximising income.

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Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring or summer terms Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Interview skills Advice and tips for all students preparing for interviews. The presentation includes advice on body language and an activity looking at questions students may be asked.

We do focus on HE interviews but much of the advice will be suitable for employment interviews as well.

Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Spring term or late autumn Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Introduction to the University A general overview of the University, covering both academic and social aspects.

The session includes information about our history, campuses, accommodation, student support and the different courses on offer.

Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Parents’ talk This is an ideal presentation for an open evening or careers event. The talk prepares parents for what their children will go through during the UCAS application process and gives a general overview of HE and student life. We can also cover student finance advice.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Year 12 parents (or equivalent age group) When: Spring or summer term Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

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KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Campus visits A campus visit allows students to see a HE institution for themselves and to get a real flavour of what life at university will be like. The day includes general sessions on HE, campus tours and a chance to talk to current students.

Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: These visits can generally be arranged to suit your diary Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Campus tours Campus tours are led by our student ambassadors who will walk you through all of the facilities and tell you what life is like studying at the University Campus Milton Keynes.

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Who: Years 12 or 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Every Wednesday at 2pm Where: University Campus Milton Keynes

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

KEY STAGE 5 (YEARS 12 & 13) ACTIVITIES

Careers events, ‘choices’ evenings and HE events We are happy to offer presentations at these events, as well as to set up a stand and chat to parents and students about HE and the University.

Who: Year 12 students and parents (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

Student shadowing For students who may be unsure of what course to study at university, or who wish to find out more about specific courses, we offer a unique opportunity to shadow an undergraduate student. Students will shadow our Student Associates to lectures, receive a tour of the campus and have the opportunity to receive an honest description of university life from a student who is living it, and experiencing it, for real. This opportunity will be available by request only and places may be limited.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Year 12 students (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school/college or University Campus Milton Keynes

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SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

BUSINESS Marketing in business This session involves a taste test whereby students will be provided with unlabelled products/brands (eg cola drinks) and they will be asked to identify the different brands.

This will be followed by a short talk by the tutor who will relate the results of the test to the role and importance of branding in facilitating consumer decision making in the purchasing of products; hence the role of marketing in customer satisfaction, and profitability.

Who: Years 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

Marketing communications and segmentation This creative workshop asks students to use market segmentation principles at a very simple level to segment a market and subsequently develop an appropriate brand name and proposition. After a brief lecture students will work in small groups to develop their segmentation and communications plan. Groups will present their ideas at the end of the session and will receive tutor feedback.

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Who: Years 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

PR: getting your news in the news This creative session encourages students to create a successful product launch with minimal marketing budget through clever and creative engagement with the media, through either traditional or social media platforms. After a brief lecture, students will work in small groups to develop a way of getting free publicity for a new innovative product. Groups will present their ideas at the end of the session and will receive tutor feedback.

Who: Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality

Is Johnny Cash responsible for the financial crisis of 2008?

All financial models are wrong, but some are useful. This is a true story of country music and romance, death, greed, statistics, life insurance, financial modelling, bankers and politicians hubris, a disappearing Nobel Prize candidate and narrowly avoided collapse of the financial system. This session will outline the underlying factors behind financial modelling and present the events leading to the financial crisis of 2008, showing the role of banks, financial regulation, governments and general economic factors.

Who: Years 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Accounting & Finance

Employee versus entrepreneur This session is for students who are interested in starting their own business, explaining the differences between being an employee and working for yourself.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Accounting & Finance

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SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

Social media: a force for good or bad?

Is social media a force for good or bad? Does the time spent engaging with social media mean that people become duller and develop fewer skills, abilities and hobbies?

This interactive session encourages students to look at the positive and negative aspects of social media. There will also be discussions about companies who have suffered badly as a result of poor social media management. Students will review and develop a social media policy to help protect the interests of companies.

Who: Years 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Management & Business Systems

Project management: building bridges This interactive session involves students working in small groups to build a lego bridge. Students will use the basic concepts of project management such as planning, implementation, evaluation, the importance of resource management, and division of labour in a team-based environment.

Who: Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Management & Business Systems

Teamwork: lost in the desert Students work in groups to come up with a solution for surviving being stranded in the desert. They are given clues and data which they have to use to come up with a plan.

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Who: Years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Management & Business Systems

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

COMPUTER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Robo wars Students will learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming with robocode.

They have the chance to build their own on-screen robots and engage in a battle with their friends. They can reprogramme their robots to run away, hide behind someone else or blast their way to survival.

Who: Any year group When: Autumn or spring term Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Computer Science & Technology

What‘s the difference between an engineer and the world’s richest man?

This session will focus on discussing what engineering means and will explore the types of careers that graduates with an engineering related degree can expect to go into.

Who: Any year group When: Autumn or spring term Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Computer Science & Technology

EDUCATION & TEACHING So you think you’d like to be a teacher?

This session gives an introduction to the varied role of a teacher and asks students to consider their role models and stereotypical images. There will be an interactive group discussion alongside the main presentation and a chance to ask questions throughout.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Years 6, 7, 8 and 9 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Teacher Education

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SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

Routes into teaching This session will outline the different routes into teaching. It will help students to understand the core routes to becoming a teacher, the barriers they may face and what they need to do to be proactive in enhancing their chance of success. This can be tailored to a school or college’s specific needs.

Who: Years 10, 11 and 12 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Education Studies or Department of Teacher Education

Working with children and young people This session explores what is important to the lives of children and young people, and discusses how academic courses in the subject area can lead to future careers.

Starting with small group discussions about what is important in their own lives, the session will then move on to ideas of how degree courses can lead to careers which will have a meaningful impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

Who: Years 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Education Studies

Early years education: just playing?

This workshop introduces students to the importance of play in the school curriculum and how it supports learning. The students will have the opportunity to engage in a playful learning activity and reflect on the impact it has on their disposition to learning.

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Who: Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Education Studies

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

MEDIA & JOURNALISM Radio LaB – presenting a programme Suitable for groups of up to 13 young people, this session utilises our professional studios to create a radio programme which will be broadcast at a later date on Radio LaB 97.1FM. Each participant will be asked to introduce themselves and a song for the programme.

Who: Any year group When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Journalism & Communications

Radio LaB – recording and editing Suitable for groups of up to 15 young people, this session utilises our professional studios to create a radio programme which will be broadcast at a later date on Radio LaB 97.1FM. Each participant will be taught basic audio-recording and audio-editing skills to create content for the programme.

– please call to discuss your requirements Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Journalism & Communications

Who: Any year group When: Negotiable throughout the year

PSYCHOLOGY Psychology talk This talk helps pupils to understand more about psychology, what they can expect to study during a psychology degree, and future careers related to psychology.

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

Who: Years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Psychology

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SUBJECT ACTIVITIES

Mini psychology lectures Lectures based on specific topics of the psychology A Level curriculum. These sessions are meant to make a contribution to the teaching of psychology at your school as well as to the students’ knowledge. They are delivered in the typical style of a lecture, so we contribute to the pupils’ decision-making process about coming to university and studying psychology.

Who: Years 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Negotiable throughout the year – please call to discuss your requirements Where: Your school or University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Psychology

These mini-lectures are not meant to replace the teaching of essential topics in the psychology syllabus but may relate loosely to those topics.

SPORT SCIENCE & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Sport science: field-based fitness testing In this session students perform a range of field-based fitness tests, exploring different physical capacities and how this data should be collated and presented. The concepts of accuracy, validity and reliability of field versus laboratory tests will be discussed. Exact tests can be discussed with participating schools/ colleges, but could include field measures of speed/agility, muscular power/force, flexibility and aerobic fitness.

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Who: Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 (or equivalent age group) When: Autumn or spring term Where: University Campus Milton Keynes Delivered by: Department of Sport Science & Physical Activity

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

ctus 2016 UCMK Prospe

1

uate Undergradduate & Postgra s 2016 Prospectu

TaKe a looK aT our prospecTus At University Campus Milton Keynes we offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses from business and computing, to media, journalism and sport.

Be inspired

Why not take a look at our new 2016 prospectus which shows our full course list including entry requirements and course content, as well as how to apply, and finance and accommodation options.

Take a look online via our website: unibeds.info/ucmk-2016 Alternatively, you can also view our course offering on our website at: unibeds.info/ucmk_courses

c.uk www.ucmk.a

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

if you haven’t found what you are looking for in this guide, we are happy to design something tailored to your specific needs, simply call us on 01582 743512.

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ACCESS & MATURE LEARNER ACTIVITIES

ACCESS & MATURE LEARNER ACTIVITIES

We offer support to a range of learners in further education to help them succeed and progress on to pathways into employment and further study as best suits their individual needs.

Level 2 learners We offer bespoke support through visits, workshops and mentoring in order to engage, motivate and support these individuals in their studies, helping your students to make informed choices, be they further study or entering the workplace prior to considering entry into higher education or the world of work.

Level 3 learners Much of what is on offer to Level 3 learners is already laid out in the previous section focusing on sixth form activities. We are aware that in some cases, vocationally oriented students may have subtly different needs and activities can be modified accordingly.

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Access students A number of activities are on offer to adults returning to education to support them with key decisions about what and where to study, and assist in making a successful transition to undergraduate level studies.

Foundation degree and HND A programme of activities has been designed to support both foundation degree and HND level learners to succeed within their respective study disciplines and to prepare them for the transition into university should they wish to attend a top-up year on to a Honours degree.

Transition events These events give learners the chance to visit a University campus and focus on supporting students on the journey from the final year of their course on to the Honours degree, to enable higher levels of student success and to help develop a sense of belonging when they join the University.

Outreach Associate Scheme Becoming an Associate with the Outreach team gives learners a chance to develop employability skills and confidence.

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

ACCESS & MATURE LEARNER ACTIVITIES

Mentoring Mentoring through peer support and buddying is offered to help with the transition in the early stages of the foundation degree, HND level study and the Honours top-up year.

the transition to the top-up year. They will develop friendships and a sense of belonging within the associated Honours degree to aid the transition and help them to better reach their potential within the top-up year.

Peer mentoring is offered to students in their first year and is run by existing second year students. These sessions can help by providing support for new students to adjust to the demands of the course quickly.

Resources to support success and progression The Outreach team have access to a range of resources and interactive activities to both engage and support students on foundation degree and HND courses.

These focus primarily on study skills and employability and enable them to become more successful students.

Buddying of current second year students with students on the second year of a HND course allows students to begin

scl@beds.ac.uk

www.ucmk.ac.uk

“Thanks so much for the conference last week - I found it really valuable.�

Michelle White, IAG Coordinator, The Lord Grey School, Milton Keynes

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UCAS Convention

Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes Where: University of Bedfordshire When: 20-21 June 2016 Find out more at: www.beds.ac.uk

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More details about other UCAS Fairs, can be found on the UCAS Conventions website: www.ucas.com/conventions

Schools & Colleges Liaison Team: 01582 743512

Make it happen

Make it Beds

Visiting our campus is the best way to get a taste for University life, meet staff and students and see our fantastic facilities for yourself. We hold open days throughout the year, so simply choose the best date to suit you and pre-register online at: www.ucmk.ac.uk/opendays

2015 Saturday 17 October Saturday 21 November

UCMK UCMK

2016 Wednesday 10 February Wednesday 16 March Wednesday 11 May

UCMK UCMK UCMK

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We look forward to meeting you soon!

www.ucmk.ac.uk 01582 743512 scl@beds.ac.uk University Campus Milton Keynes Avebury Boulevard Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire United Kingdom MK9 3HS

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