Moving On Dec/Jan 2015-16

December/January 2015-16 | ÂŁ2.00

Crack the code Careers in computer science

PLUS AP UCAS

Wood work Backstage chat with a scenic carpenter at the RSC

PLICAT IONS AND O P E DAYS N

Game plan How to get a job in gaming

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TOMORROW’S

DRIVING

FORCE

Toyota is a world leader in the advancement and development of automobile technology. So that we can continue to grow as a company, we invest in the very best training programmes. As a Toyota Apprentice, we ensure that you receive the very best, relevant and enjoyable Apprenticeship training available. So if you are a problem solver, a strong communicator or have great practical skills then you could be a great apprentice.

Apprenticeship Programmes are available in the following disciplines: Service Technician

Service Advisor

Parts Advisor

Body Technician

Paint Technician

Your training will be carried out under the supervision of the Toyota Academy, and will take place in our state of the art, dedicated apprentice academy.

FIND OUT MORE 2

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Web: www.toyota.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships Email: brendan.mcguinn@tgb.toyota.co.uk Tel: 0115 884 2858 FIND US ONLINE: MOVINGONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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CONTENTS

DEC/JAN 16 Making a scene

20 Play the game

26 Open days

A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the work of a scenic carpenter at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Moving On’s guide to making the most of university open days.

Advice from the experts on getting into the gaming industry.

5 Letter from the editor

Kate Newton introduces the December/January edition.

7 News

All the latest news and reviews for December/January.

11 Claim it with Shane

Boyzone’s Shane Lynch tells you how to claim Disabled Student Allowance.

13 Want to work with models?

Read about one man’s career path into prop making for the London stage.

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Studying computer science can open doors into all sorts of different career areas.

28 How does UCAS work?

Careers in research for television.

19 A prop-er job

The rise and rise of careers in digital marketing.

24 Get with the program!

The best way to become an actuary.

15 Do the research

23 Word power

A simple, step-by-step explanation of the UCAS application process.

30 Subscriptions

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Letter from the editor Publisher Lynette Daly Editor Kate Newton Email: editor@walpolepublishing.co.uk Production Manager Anthony Brooks Social Media Co-ordinator Tom Clover Advertising Chris Bird, Account Manager Email: chris@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509004 Samantha Beishon, Account Manager Email: samantha@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509007 Gerry Hewitt, Account Manager Email: gerry@walpolepublishing.co.uk Tel: 01789 509005 Schools, colleges & sixth forms Annual Subscription Email: info@walpolepublishing.co.uk Walpole Publishing Ltd. Union House 7-9 Union Street Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 6QT Tel: 01789 509001 Special thanks to Jacky and Ian White at Propak (UK) Ltd.

Walpole Media Group Limited Walpole Publishing Ltd is part of Walpole Media Group Ltd. Walpole Publishing Ltd. has made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press and hereby disclaim any liability to any party caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence or any other cause.

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H

ello, and a very warm winter welcome to the December/January issue of Moving On. Here’s wishing all our readers a very Happy Christmas and New Year!

This month’s edition is like a festive stocking packed full of career goodies! Moving On went to the massive EGX gaming exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham, to ask the experts about careers in this phenomenally fast-growing industry (‘Play the game’, page 20) and there’s a great article on careers in computer science – a degree which can open doors to job opportunities in many different industries (‘Get with the program!’, page 24).

Digital marketing is another growth employment area which we take a close look at in ‘Word power’ on page 23. It’s a fascinating field to work in, as every company or business these days is realising the importance of harnessing the power of the internet and social media to increase sales and heighten their profiles on the internet.

If you’re a whizz with numbers, read ‘Want to work with models?’ on page 13, which is all about becoming an actuary – people who work Reporter Noushka Seher outside the Royal Shakespeare with financial models and who analyse statistics in Company’s scenic workshop in Stratford-upon-Avon the world of business and finance.

Also in this issue you’ll find a great feature on how to get into TV research and there’s some really useful information for those of you who are preparing to apply to universities, in ‘Open Days’ on page 26 and ‘How does UCAS work?’ on page 28.

And if any of you are festive season pantomime fans or you’re considering pursuing a nonperforming, backstage role in the world of live theatre, take a look at ‘Making a scene’ on page 16. Scenic carpenter, Sam Reynolds, talks to us about his job creating the amazing stage sets for the Royal Shakespeare Company – he’s currently working on their Christmas production, Wendy and Peter Pan. And on a similar theme, check out the piece on Allan Edwards on page 19, who talks to us about his job as a prop maker at the National Theatre.

Kate Newton, Editor

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10 great reasons to train as a ship’s officer in the merchant navy 1. Start an exciting lifelong career.

2. Work with the latest technology.

3. Travel the world.

4. Gain responsibility and experience at an early age.

5. Gain academic and professional qualifications.

6. Get paid while training.

7. Course fees covered by sponsoring shipping companies.

8. No tuition fee loan.

9. Get an excellent starting salary.

10. Enjoy a great holiday entitlement.

Open day 22 January 2016 Find out more about an exciting career as a ship’s officer in the merchant navy. There’s lots of information on our website including which sponsoring shipping companies will be at our open day, plus a full programme of events for the day!

Find out more and to register warsashacademy.co.uk/openday

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TWITTER.COM/MOVINGON_MAG Photograph courtesy of P&O Cruises

NEWS

CODE S R E K A E BR I n 2015, Ese Oduyuye entered the Cyber Security Challenge as an amateur contestant; she went on to become the only female contestant to reach the 2015 Masterclass Final, where she competed against 41 of the nation’s finest code-breakers.

“I entered Cyber Security Challenge because I was curious about what skills were involved in guarding people and organisations against cyber-attack. I wanted to learn and see how much I already knew about cyber security.

“The Cyber Camp I went to in Shrivenham in 2014 helped me learn from a practical point of view. It consisted of a mixture of briefings and team-based challenges emphasising different cyber security related capabilities.

“I liked the flexibility of being able to do the Challenge’s virtual competitions from the comfort of my own home. Each virtual competition was run by a different sponsor and required a different set of skills; from hacking encrypted hard drives to finding vulnerabilities in computer code, so each round helped me to learn something new.

“After I did well in the virtual competitions I was surprised and delighted to be invited to take part in face-to-face competitions against the best amateurs in the country. This meant that I had the chance to demonstrate my skills to

Contes onboardtants H Belfast MS Ese Odu and yu (below) ye

the world’s biggest companies in cyber security.

“I was excited to be among the chosen few to appear in the Masterclass Final – a simulated attack on HMS Belfast’s gun-control systems – where I had the chance to test myself against

“I had the chance to demonstrate my skills to the world’s biggest companies in cyber security.”

“Being the only woman in the Masterclass Final made it a bit daunting but I was determined to make the most of it and learn. I would definitely recommend the Cyber Security Challenge to other women as this will help you explore the jobs that are ready and waiting in the cyber security field. It’s a win-win situation.

“I would also say it’s a far more diverse career than you might think, involving teamwork, an inquisitive mind and the ability to understand the motivations of hackers. Plus, there’s an honourable side to it, because you are helping to protect people.”

LINKS QUICK

the most talented computer experts from all over the country, in front of TV film crews and reporters. I got to demonstrate my skills in front of all the biggest employers, from intelligence agencies like GCHQ to defence companies like Lockheed Martin and I was lucky enough to receive a number of job offers after the event.

“There is great demand for talent in this field and I felt that I could apply my existing knowledge and skills to help people and organisations in this area. Also, being able to safeguard information from falling into the wrong hands caught my eye. It is a meaningful job with an ethical dimension.

ber camps schemes and cy • Find mentoring o a cyber security int to help you get llenge. bersecuritycha career: www.cy rsityive un n/ io at uc org.uk/ed cyber-camps/ mentoring-andHMS challenge onboard www.

• 2015’s cyber e: zin ga ma d ire W /13/ Belfast, article by rchive/2015-03 /a ws ne k/ .u co wired. t as e-hms-belf cyber-war-gam

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4. My son is an England U16 rugby player… www.movingonmagazine.co.uk/son-englandu16-rugby-player/ 5. The Skills Show 2015 www.movingonmagazine.co.uk/skillsshow-2015/ 6. Can I take my dog to university? www.movingonmagazine.co.uk/can-i-take-mydog-to-university/

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NEWS

BRITAIN’S D FIRST FOO MUSEUM

T

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, is set to become an even greater magical experience this winter. From Friday 13th November this year, fans will be able to visit the set of Harry Potter – now adorned with Christmas decorations! The iconic set of the Great Hall will be lined with eight enormous Christmas trees and the table will be set for an extravagant feast. Other famous sets like the Gryffindor Common Room, will be seasonally decorated and draped with stockings and baubles and scattered with oranges. Even the full scale model of Hogwarts will be coated with fake film snow! Visitors will now be able to embrace the Christmas spirit of Hogwarts by enjoying a warm butterbeer and watching the (artificial) snow fall. The display was hugely popular in 2014 and runs again this year until 31st January 2016.

WORDS: Hannah Skillman

CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS

LEARN A LANGUAGE ON THE GO WORDS: Hannah Skillman

Do you dream of having a job that will take you around the globe? Or maybe you like the idea of studying abroad? Whatever career you have in mind, speaking an additional language will significantly benefit you. Bilingualism is now one of the most useful and soughtafter employability skills, useful in countless professional situations such as international conference calls, translating instructions or aiding customers who are tourists. Whether

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you want to work at home or abroad, learning a language is now more accessible than ever.

Apps like Duolingo are available free on smart phones and tablets from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store and offer the chance to learn French, German, Spanish and Italian and English. You’ll be set daily challenges, which can easily be completed on a bus journey, for instance, to improve both your linguistic skills and your career prospects!

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WORDS: Hannah Skillman

he British Museum of Food, founded by Bompas and Parr, the company responsible for the first barbecue cooked on molten lava, opens its doors on October 23rd, The museum is located in London’s Borough Market and features exhibits which include a display devoted to the art of food and a fully heated butterfly house – dedicated to the importance of pollination. The museum, which is situated in a building previously used as a banana warehouse, will allow guests to be part of an experiment exploring the effects of sound in regard to taste. During ‘Choco-Phonia’, guests can eat chocolate whilst listening to specific soundscapes. Another exhibit will allow guests to experience what it’s like to be food being digested.

You’ll sit on a massage chair timed with vibrations to match a video of food travelling through the gut! Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £4 for children. Find out more at www.bmof.org.

WORDS: Alex Dobbs

E C A F E C SPA RACE!

MUST SEE The Photographers Gallery shows photographs that provoke emotion and thought. Their current exhibition is named The Burden of Proof and it portrays forensic photography through images taken over many years. The real images were used as evidence in court cases, showing how photography has always been widely used to provide legal proof.

The exhibition itself is eye-opening, especially the photographs of crime scenes.

Though the images can be shocking, you get a sense of understanding because you can see what has happened. Within the exhibition there are 11 case studies that illustrate both the geographical and historical context of photography. The time period of these images starts around the 19th century and goes up to present day.

The gallery has many different exhibitions lined up which will all contain interesting images and ideas. Oxford Circus is where this gallery can be found so give it a visit next time you’re around. Entry is free for under 18s or get there before midday and it’s free to enter. Otherwise, entry is only £3 – a good price for a visit to a fascinating exhibition. The Photographer’s Gallery is at 16 -18 Ramillies Street, London W1F 7LW www.thephotographersgallery.org.uk

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TAKING SELFIES IN SPACE? WHY NOT?! FIND OUT WHO’S UP FOR THE CHALLENGE TO BECOME NEXT YEAR’S YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR.

WORDS: Hannah Skillman

Google power?

FIRST TESTS FOR GOOGLE’S DRIVERLESS CAR Would you ever allow a car to drive you around? During October, Google carried out the first test-drive of their latest invention. The car works using sensors that detect objects then this information is inputted into processing software to safely transport the passenger through challenging streets. The project is aimed at preventing many of the 1.2 million traffic accidents every year – 94 per cent of which are caused by human error. Furthermore, Google hope to aid the safety and liberty of the visually impaired. Journalists were invited to a trial ride in a prototype of the Google car – and the verdict? BBC technology reporter Dave Lee’s opinion of the car was – “It was cautious, it was safe but slow and boring.”

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S

taffordshire-based company KMF is once again challenging Year 10 students in 22 local high schools by inviting them to enter a competition to take the best selfie in space! Participants will launch GoPro cameras into space and use tracking devices and techniques to calculate the landing point of the cameras once the space-selfies have been taken. Candidates have to work out how to send up photos of themselves and take pictures of them with a spacescape as the backdrop.

This will be KMF’s fourth annual competition to find their Young Engineer of the Year. The last three, highly successful projects have seen the company work with over 10,000 students, to stimulate interest in the four STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths to develop the skills UK industries need in their future workforce.

Throughout September and October, design technology and science students will come together to take on the challenge and carry out some scientific experiments of their own. The project will run throughout the academic year with firm milestones set along the way to maintain momentum.

RAF Cosford is also supporting the project and will host the main capsule launch mission in May. Flight Officer Kathryn Clark is delighted that the

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RAF are involved with the project and said, “This is an excellent opportunity to engage with young local talent and inspire them to follow a STEM career.

We look forward to welcoming students for the balloon launch day at RAF Cosford in May.” Alex Baker and Chris Rose from Sent into Space are experts when it comes to sending items into our solar system are also on board to help students with their space-selfie project. Responsible for the latest Specsavers advert, ‘Teddy in Space’ they said, “Launching things into near space is probably the most exciting thing ever!” Watch how they sent up a camera to film the earth from the edge of space on a shoestring budget at: sentintospace. com/our_story/the-original-concept/ Confirmed sponsors include Staffordshire University, Michelin, Wrights Pies and Motiva who will provide students with financial and mentoring support.

Another keen supporter of the project since its launch in 2012 is Jason Bradbury, who presents Channel 5’s The Gadget Show. He said, “Young Engineer of the Year is a truly remarkable project, engaging young people in a fun and inspiring way whilst at the same time highlighting the importance of engineering.” The competition will conclude in July 2016, with a red carpet award ceremony for all the students involved.

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NEWS

CLAIM IT NE WITH SHA

B

oyzone’s Shane Lynch has kicked off AbilityNet’s Claim It campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness of the availability of the Disabled Students’ Allowance ( DSA) – a Government grant which can be claimed

by UK students in higher education. You don’t have to be registered disabled to claim the funds, which don’t have to be repaid, but recent statistics suggest that at least half the students who are eligible for this valuable extra funding don’t claim it.

DSA can be claimed if you have been diagnosed with a condition like ADHD, dyslexia or tinnitus for example. The allowance can help cover the costs of the specialist hardware or software you’ll need to help you with your studies and will pay for other things you might need, like extra study support and travel expenses.

Pop star Shane Lynch explains how dyslexia has affected his life, offering a very personal insight into his world and the challenges he has faced. You can see the interview with Shane by going to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDK8sl7tT0A For more information on AbilityNet and how to claim the Disabled Students’ Allowance, visit www.abilitynet.org.uk/ dsa They can also be found on www.facebook.com/abilitynet, www.twitter.com/abilitynet and Instagram ClaimitDSA.

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Vocendi has a dedicated team of assistive technology trainers and study skill tutors, who have developed tried and tested methodologies to enable you to do better on your course, through the use of assistive technology strategies. holistic teaching approaches, which are adapted around your needs and course requirements: § Adapting the technology around your disability and course requirements § Developing an Assistive Technology learning plan for your learning needs

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§ Introducing study skill strategies to help you perform course related

tasks including: essay writing, gathering and managing research, exam planning and revision, managing course and learning information, taking effective notes in lectures/seminars, proof reading and reviewing your written work

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The career resource for school and college leavers

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You do the maths If you’re studying maths, or a related subject, an actuarial career could really add up for you.

Reach new heights today: careers@actuaries.org.uk | www.actuaries.org.uk

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FINANCIAL

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Want to work with models?

IF YOU LOVE MATHS, A CAREER AS AN ACTUARY WORKING WITH FINANCIAL MODELS AND ANALYSING STATISTICS COULD BE THE ‘PERFECT 10’ JOB FOR YOU!

A

n actuary is a professional person who works within the business and financial sector. They use their great skills in numeracy, maths, statistics, probability, modelling and problem solving skills to model and predict the risk before business decisions are made. A qualified actuary can work anywhere in the world within many industries and sectors. So how do you go about becoming an actuary?

GET THE CAA QUALIFICATION

A HEAD FOR FIGURES

If you love maths, analysing data and statistics and if you are good at solving problems then this qualification will be right for you. There are no academic requirements to get started – you just need to be good at maths.

“A PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION LIKE THE CAA WILL ENABLE YOU TO WORK IN MANY INDUSTRIES IN MANY VARIED ROLES.”

The Certified Actuarial Analyst (CAA) is a professional qualification provided by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and is available to everyone.

The CAA will equip you with useful business and finance skills by developing your technical, strategic and analytical knowledge. The CAA is a qualification offering a gateway into careers in banking, investment, insurance and finance.

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Anyone can use the CAA as a stepping stone into a career in finance and business – no previous qualifications or experience are required. All learning resources are available on-line, giving you the flexibility to learn in your own time from home and fees for the exams and membership will not break the bank. The CAA qualification consists of six computer-based exams – the first five are multiple-choice and the last one is essay-based and it’s a great option for anyone aspiring to work in the financial sector who has chosen not to go to uni. ■

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Once you start taking the CAA exams you are demonstrating your abilities and desire to work in finance and business and you can apply for roles with job titles like: • Data Analyst • Junior Financial Analyst • Actuarial Assistant • Predictive Analyst A professional qualification like the CAA will enable you to work in many industries in many varied roles and actuaries can now be found in many wider fields, such as: • Nuclear decommissioning • The oil and gas industries • Disaster risk management • Micro-insurance

If you can do the maths and pass the exams then an actuarial career will be right for you, visit our website to learn more: www.actuaries.org . uk/becoming-actuary or email careers@actuaries.org.uk

A career as an actuary has once again been voted a top career 2015 by CareerCast – see a report on their website at: www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-jobs-2015

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Financia l models obvious , ly!

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Barking & Dagenham College Quality Training ● Work-Ready Skills ● Real Work Experience

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We pride ourselves on giving our students enterprise & employability skills alongside technical expertise in their chosen career path.

Upcoming Events ACADEMY Barking & Dagenham College

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Attend our open events for course information and expert career advice.

Take a tour of our amazing facilities, enjoy have-a-go’s and see our current students work.

We also offer guided group “tour & talk” sessions to schools, education providers as well as Parents/Carers.

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Motor Vehicle Photography Business Studies

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and secure your place for next year to avoid waiting lists!

Courses start in January & September 2016

We have partnerships with Estēe Lauder, Siemens, Metro Bank, Morrisons, CISCO, NHS, Costain and many more...

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TELEVISION RESEARCH

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UNSURPRISINGLY, BEING A TELEVISION RESEARCHER INVOLVES DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH SO IF YOU LOVE FACTS, FIGURES AND FINDING THINGS OUT, THIS COULD BE THE PERFECT JOB FOR YOU!

T

he role involves gathering information and fact-checking for television programmes and presenters, alongside doing independent research to develop new programme ideas. For this, it is important to have a good understanding of the television industry. Television researchers don’t get to make the final call on which programmes are produced, so being able to work in a team and rely on the judgement of others is important!

Television researchers also interview and assess the people who contribute to television programmes. They need good people skills in order to get the best out of contributors.

SKILLS

Other important skills for the role include being organised – television researchers have to ensure that copyright requirements are met by each programme – and being flexible and resourceful as they might be asked to research a huge range of different topics. A television researcher might have to fact-check a script, find a location for a film or search through archives to find material for a programme. Good verbal and written communication skills are useful too, as television researchers need to be good at presenting, to put forward their own ideas for new programmes.

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WORDS:

SALARY

“Starting out as a runner or production assistant with a television company provides the opportunity to learn about the industry from the inside.”

CAREER PROSPECTS

The average annual salary for a television researcher is £21,150, which is about the same as a newly qualified teacher or a newly qualified nurse. Unlike teaching or nursing, TV research work is often freelance and can be irregular.

Long hours are expected, as is overtime in the evenings and at weekends in some cases.

There is the chance to be promoted, as television researchers can go on to become associate producers, then producers or even directors. It is a job which requires passion and a lot of hard work, but for those interested in working for the media it is a very rewarding career in its own right. ■

out as a runner or production assistant with a television company provides the opportunity to learn about the industry from the inside. As the television industry is very competitive, making contacts is vital to maximise your chances of getting a foot in the door.

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QUALIFICATIONS

There are no specific qualifications required to be a television researcher. A degree in a media-related subject would be beneficial or alternatively, going on a course which carries the Creative Skillset Tick would provide a good grounding in production processes. Work experience is another positive asset – starting

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LINKS K C I U Q

at ative courses th • Check out cre et Tick here: ills Sk e tiv ea Cr e have th e_ illset.org/creativ www.creativesk courses a wide range of • The BBC offer emes s and trainee sch hip es tic en pr ap ich wh n tio uc d prod in journalism an w.bbc.co.uk/ ww re: he nd can be fou -schemes-andcareers/trainee apprenticeships MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

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TECHNICAL THEATRE

Making a

OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE WORK FOR THE WORLD-FAMOUS ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE IS SAM REYNOLDS, WHO WORKS AS A CARPENTER IN THE RSC’S SCENIC WORKSHOP IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, WARWICKSHIRE

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stage Dressed dy and en W m o fr n at the Peter Pa C. S R

en

The sce worksh nic op the Ro for Shakesp yal ea Theatre re

THE RSC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME If you’re interested in doing an apprenticeship at the RSC there are a few new openings coming up

in the scenic workshop and in electronics. Details about the apprenticeships will be advertised in full on the RSC website this November, with an open day for more information in December. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and to develop new skills at one of the most famous theatres in the world, so keep your eyes peeled for more information.

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WORDS:

eher

S Noushka

ar ent/Gap ye Media stud ire Warwicksh

S

am works in the team which creates we have to go back regularly during rehearsals all the sets used in productions at the to alter things sometimes, if some parts of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the scenery don’t work for the actors.

Swan Theatre in Stratford and other WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU theatres all around the world. He started work WORKING ON RIGHT NOW? in the RSC’s scenic workshop six years ago, “Well I’ve been at the theatre for the past week when he was 19, having been accepted on to an and a half, putting the Love for Love set in at the apprenticeship programme run by the RSC every Swan Theatre. I’ve come in today, picked up bits couple of years. Moving On interviewed Sam to and bobs, helped out on jobs that are ongoing – get an insider’s perspective of what it’s really like but I haven’t made any to do an apprenticeship scenery myself for the at the RSC. past two weeks because Sam took us through I’ve been down at the what is known as the theatre fitting the wood shop, where he show. I’ll be back down and 20 other people the theatre tomorrow are busy at work on – I’ve just come off the set for this year’s working 9am-10pm production of Wendy shifts on the last and Peter Pan. The fit up and I’ll start show was a huge success SAM REYNOLDS that shift pattern in 2014 and it’s back again again this week. At the moment, here in this year – but with a whole new set design. This the scenic workshop, we’re working on particular set, and the set used for Matilda in the set for Wendy and Peter Pan. 2010, are the two that stand out for Sam, who has been working on multiple projects recently, DO YOU FIND THE SET including new productions of Henry V and Love DESIGNS ARE SIMILAR FOR for Love at the RST and The Swan Theatre. After EACH SHOW? a tour around the wood shop, Moving On asked “No, most of the floors are the same Sam some questions about his job. but you’ll always be doing something WHAT DOES BEING A SCENIC different. I don’t always just work with CARPENTER INVOLVE? wood, sometimes it’ll be polycarbonate “Making the scenery in the workshop, then or plastics or polystyrenes... Until I get going down to the theatre and fitting it all into given a drawing I don’t know what I’m place. The actors then begin rehearsing and going to be doing. ➤

“Everyone always says that once you’re here you’ll never leave! It’s a very good job.”

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MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

17

The apprenti RSC’s c is being eship scheme de the gen veloped with ero of The B us support uffini Founda Chao tion.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC SET THAT STANDS OUT FOR YOU? “Well, Wendy and Peter, as we did that last year and we’re doing it again now. Matilda was a good one but it was never-ending! The production went from Stratford to London, then we had to make stuff for the sets going to theatres in Australia and New York. It was a lot of hard work!

YOU DO ALL THE SETS HERE, EVEN FOR SHOWS IN NEW YORK OR JAPAN?

“Yes, and then it gets shipped out. We did Henry V in Stratford-upon-Avon, now that’s going to London next week and we’ve just made another set that’s going to America and China.

DO YOU GET TO TRAVEL WITH THE SETS TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES?

“Some RSC carpenters have but this show isn’t going abroad. I was pestering my manager, saying, “If this show goes abroad, I want to go with it!” But there will be the opportunity for me to travel with the sets at some point. The senior guys pick and choose what they want to do but I’m the newbie so I just do as I’m told! Hopefully I’ll be chosen next time though, because I’ve worked my way up now, I’m not a trainee anymore.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?

“It depends! You do get a good sense of accomplishment seeing the sets you’ve created being used in the shows. I’ve always wanted to be a carpenter and the money’s always a bonus.

DID YOU SPECIFICALLY WANT TO WORK AS A CARPENTER IN THE THEATRE?

“No, I never even thought about working in a theatre. I heard about the job and I ummed and aahed, thinking, “Do I go for it?” because originally, I wanted to be a bench joiner. But the work dried up when I was looking for jobs six years ago and I couldn’t find a job anywhere. I

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went to college for a year and thought I’d apply for the RSC apprenticeship, see what it’s like and luckily, I got it and I’ve never left!

“I don’t always just work with wood, sometimes it’ll be polycarbonate or plastics or polystyrenes... Until I get given a drawing I don’t know what I’m going to be doing.”

SAM REYNOLDS

WOULD YOU CONSIDER WORK IN ANOTHER THEATRE OR ANOTHER AREA?

“I’d never say ‘never’, but I’m happy here at the moment. Everyone always says that once you’re here you’ll never leave! It’s a very good job.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AT COLLEGE?

“I studied bench joinery. The first year I did carpentry and bench joinery and then my tutors said that joinery suited this job better. The RSC’s scenic workshop isn’t like a normal joinery shop where you’re making tables and chairs – it’s totally different.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE YOU STAND OUT AGAINST ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES AND HELPED YOU SECURE THE APPRENTICESHIP?

“I’m not sure! There were so many applicants – no matter whether they had all the qualifications needed, if their attitude was wrong they were gone. I was just lucky I guess!

DID YOU HAVE ANY PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE?

“Not in carpentry no, I spent a year working as a landscape gardener on J.K Rowling’s property in Scotland and the guys let me do any woodwork jobs that came up, such as helping with the board walk. The garden was huge, the land is just unreal. I used to fly there every Monday morning and fly back every Friday night, for six months.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN YOUR POSITION?

“Stay persistent. I went two years without finding a carpentry job and I was just about to give up and say, “Right, I need a career change.”

Then I got this job! Just keep looking and applying. It’s probably easier now, as there is a lot of work out there in carpentry.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND DOING AN APPRENTICESHIP?

Definitely. Those qualifications mean everything now. To get another job anywhere, everyone wants those recognised qualifications – and you get paid for it. It’s a lot of learning on the job which is great, as you’re getting real world experience.” ■

WERE YOUR TUTORS HELPFUL IN POINTING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

“My college course helped me a lot but it didn’t have much to do with what I do here now. It did help me, because I knew how to work the machines and about all the different joints etc., but what I made at college, I don’t really do here.

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t’s on For more information about wha

to: go on, seas at the RSC this www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/

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PERFORMING ARTS rse War Ho w e N e th t a .

Theatre London rinkhoff B : to Pho urg Mögenb

A PROP -ER JOB MOVING ON SPOKE TO ALLAN EDWARDS ABOUT HIS JOB AS A PROPS MAKER IN THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THEATRE.

Prop m Allan Ed aker w Photo: B ards ra Hobbs. d

A

llan Edwards is a theatre props maker who For anyone wishing to follow in Allan’s prop making has worked at the Royal National Theatre footsteps he recommends starting off by doing an art in London for 15 years. He was involved in foundation course, which will give you experience in the maintenance of the huge horse puppets a number of different areas of design which would be for their hugely successful stage production of Michael relevant to working in theatre. Allan also recommends Morpurgo’s children’s book War going on from there to study Horse. His involvement in the an art degree, which he says is production has tailed off now, an invaluable qualification for as the production has moved to any would-be designer but that the New London Theatre and there are also apprenticeship each puppet is looked after by schemes run by theatres which their props department and might be more suitable for Allan is only called in occasionally anyone with a hands-on, not now, for his expert advice on so academic approach to the the repair of the amazing War practical nature of the job of Horse puppets. Allan is currently prop maker. working on various New London Allan is currently mentoring ALLAN EDWARDS Theatre productions including an apprentice and one of his Husbands and Sons, Waste and former apprentices is now back Evening at the Talk House. working with him full time at We asked Allan how easy it is to become a props maker the National Theatre, in the theatre. He said, “If you are focused on your goal, after working as a research the way the industry works and acquire the freelance props maker for training you need, you should find your way into it with a year. ■ patience and perseverance.”

Allan spent some time after leaving school working for a ceramics company and pursuing his love of acting but The National Theatre runs regular events and workshops he decided to go back to college to re-train and went to for those interested in a career in theatre. the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to study Theatre Set and www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/discover-more Costume Design.

“doing an art foundation course will give you experience in a number of different areas of design.”

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ALLAN’S TOP TIPS • Find out about the industry, how it works, what your options are. Find names and telephone numbers of companies, and arrange visits to see the building.

• Most theatres run back stage tours, as we do at the NT - www.nationaltheatre. org.uk/discover/ backstage-tours-0 • And you can see us at work from the newlyopened Sherling HighLevel walkway www. nationaltheatre.org.uk/ your-visit/sherling-highlevel-walkway • Find out who runs the department and write them a letter. Emails are all very well but a piece of paper is not so easily missed or forgotten about. And try to arrange a personal visit if you can.

• Organise your plan of action. Give yourself small achievable targets with a realistic date to achieve each target by.

• Not forgetting that if you are a maker, make!

Take photos, compile a personalised folio of work and be prepared to talk about it. Be interested, confident and friendly and show you are willing to learn.

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19

GAMES DEVELOPMENT

GAMING IS BIG BUSINESS! MOVING ON VISITED THE EGX GAMING EXPO TO ASK THE EXPERTS ABOUT CAREERS IN THE INDUSTRY.

T

he global games market is expected to reach $102bn by 2017 and games sold more than DVDs or CDs in 2014.

There are estimated to be 33.5 million games players in the UK and the UK gaming industry is worth over £3.9 billion. With approximately 1,900 video games companies in the UK and a market that is growing by around 22 per cent year-on-year, the UK gaming industry represents a significant and fast-growing area of employment.

Jobs within the industry are as varied as the industry itself. Actors are needed for motion capture and voiceover work and other roles include concept artist, animation programmer, AI designer, audio engineer, web designer and PR and marketing officer.

WHERE ARE JOBS IN GAMES DEVELOPMENT FOUND?

There are 12 identified ‘hubs’ for games development in Brighton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Guildford and Aldershot, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and Rotherham and Warwick and Stratford-uponAvon. The advice from the experts is to find out which games companies are near to you or which

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MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

ones you might like to work for and connect with them via social media. Follow what they are doing and show them that you are passionate.

Show off your skills by modifying existing games (known as modding) or creating your own. Moving On spoke to Rob Saxton, technical director of Aniode, a new Southamptonbased indie games company at the EGX show

“Getting a degree in computer science can be helpful if you are looking to work in the mainstream gaming industry.” in Birmingham, where he was showcasing the company’s latest game, Nature’s Zombie Apocalypse.

Rob explained how he got into gaming and passed on a bit of advice. “I studied maths at Southampton and decided that I wanted to develop games so I taught myself to code and I

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made a video game so that I had something to put on my CV which showed what I could do.”

Rob was keen to make young hopefuls aware that when it comes to coding, it’s important that you can show what you are capable of and how building a portfolio and that showcasing your work is equally as important. Rob works with Richard Hawkins, games designer and artist, mostly via Skype. Rob does all the programming and Richard, who has a degree in animation and worked as a graphic designer before moving into games, does all the animation using Modo.

Rob was particularly keen to express how happy he is to see coding enter the school curriculum, saying that “we should have had coding in schools years ago, rather than focusing on writing reports and making presentations.”

Working as an indie games developer can be a bit of a lonely job so Rob recommends gaming meet-ups, where you can get together with other developers and co-work at a venue. These meet-ups might be for indie developers, they might be specifically for Unity users or perhaps a ‘Women in Games’ meet-up, where females wanting to work in the industry can meet video games professionals and network with others who want to work in the games industry.

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GAME RAMS E V I F P TO PROG T N E M P S DEVELOOR BEGINNER F

“I taught myself to code and I made a video game so that I had something to put on my CV which showed what I could do.“ ROB SAXTON

aker: Studio /studio 1. Game M ames.com og oy .y w ww 2. Unity m unity3d.co

d la Sa e 3. Gam .com gamesalad 4. Twine g twinery.or er VX Ace 5. RPG Mak akerweb.com m pg .r w w w

QUALIFICATION ROUTES INTO GAME DEVELOPMENT

What you choose to study will depend on what you want to do within the gaming industry and whether you want to work in gaming PR, the legal side of the sector or in finance or games development. After GCSEs, there are various options available to you, including doing an apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media, studying A-levels or an extended diploma in games design / development or gaining a qualification in animation or music. You could then choose to do an HND, a foundation degree or a full honours degree.

Getting a degree in computer science can be helpful if you are looking to work in the mainstream gaming industry but the advice that comes from everyone is “make stuff and play stuff” and being able to sell yourself and your skills with a good portfolio is vital. A good plan might be to search for jobs and find out what is being asked for, whether it’s experience with C++ or HTML5.

If you know what the industry standard is then make sure you can use it. It’s also well worth searching for www.notgoingtouni.co.uk trainee or intern programmes hosts lots of live apprenticeship in the industry. ■ opportunities in games design.

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MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

21

R O F T N E E V I V LDS UN E EW AR O S N HIP A YE S E TIC 9 N 1 E R 15 APP Y RSIT

FREE ENTRY

26 & 27 February 2016, NEC Birmingham

Get your FREE ticket at WhatLive.co.uk Meet the UK’s leading school leaver employers & universities, including* What Career Live? in association with:

What University Live? in association with:

*Correct at time of press

180x130_WL_ADVERT.indd 1

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11/11/2015 10:30

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DIGITAL MARKETING

D R WP OOW E R

WORDS:

right Megan W

A-levels th Form, Andrew Six Thorpe St. Norwich

D

EETERS W T P O T katyperry 1. Katy Perry @ lowers 74.92 million fol justinbeiber @ 2. Justin Beiber lowers fol n llio mi .17 67

a @barackobama 3. Barack Obam ers low fol n llio mi 63.55 @taylorswift13 4. Taylor Swift lowers n 62.75 millio fol ube ut yo @ 5. YouTube lowers 54.15 million fol

WHETHER IT’S THE POPE’S TWITTER POSTS OR YOUR NEIGHBOUR’S DOG’S FACEBOOK PAGE, NEARLY EVERYONE USES DIGITAL MARKETING TO BIG THEMSELVES UP – AND BUSINESSES ARE NO EXCEPTION.

igital Marketing is basically the promotion of products or brands, via one or more forms of electronic media. As more and more companies and organisations engage with consumers by using digital platforms such as social media, the role of digital marketing is becoming increasingly important to a business’s success.

It is an ever-growing method of promotion and it’s why companies use digital marketing techniques to advertise and promote their products to as large an audience as possible.

WHERE DO DIGITAL MARKETERS WORK?

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY FOR A DIGITAL MARKETER?

A typical day in one of these jobs includes activities such as designing website banners, conducting keyword research, reporting on web statistics, keeping up with current digital trends and new social media platforms as well as contributing to company and industry blogs and managing e-communications.

“Companies use digital marketing techniques to advertise and promote their products to as large an audience as possible.”

There are different career areas within digital marketing, including social media marketing, which is concerned with attracting high numbers of internet followers on social media through a distinct online presence. There is also search engine optimisation (SEO) which deals with finding strategies to increase the number of visitors to a website, enabling it to become higher-ranked in search engine results, pay per click (PPC) campaigns, mobile marketing and affiliate marketing.

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DO I NEED A DEGREE TO BE A DIGITAL MARKETER?

CAN I DO A DIGITAL MARKETING APPRENTICESHIP?

You can access a digital marketing career through both the graduate and non-graduate route but unless you have lots of practical, hands-on experience in this line of work, the non-graduate route is a trickier option.

If you opt for the graduate route, all degree subjects will allow you entry onto a digital marketing training scheme but there are some particularly useful subjects to think about studying, such as marketing, business, journalism and creative design. Due to the competitive nature of the industry, studying one of these related subjects could increase your chances of gaining a place on a training scheme. ■

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Yes! A digital marketing apprenticeship trains you to become a specialist in all electronic marketing techniques and develops your communication and research skills. You’ll work alongside experienced staff, gain jobspecific skills, earn a wage and get holiday pay and you’ll also study part time towards a related qualification.

To find out more information about digital marketing jobs and apprenticeships, go to: www.gov.uk/guidance/socialmedia-and-digital-marketingapprenticeships

MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

23

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Get with th

program

COMPUTER SCIENCE IS AN EXTREMELY RELEVANT DEGREE CHOICE AND STUDYING IT CAN OPEN LOTS OF DIVERSE CAREER DOORS, INTO MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.

LYERS F H G I H d University entists from Oxfor • Computer sci salary in the te ua ad gr hest command the hig , six months 95 3,8 rn up to £4 UK. They can ea tes from ua llege and grad after leaving co l College ria pe Im ’s on nd Lo Cambridge and s. ing rn ea for p ten feature in the to d Computer die stu ge Pa er, Larry e USA – he • Google found th in ty rsi rd Unive Science at Stanfo 9.2 billion. is now worth $2 also Mark Zuckerberg er nd • Facebook fou time at Harvard is th , ce ien Sc er studied Comput 5.7 billion. is now worth $3 in the US and he

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MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

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WORDS:

Matthew

Harness

A-levels th Form, Andrew Six Thorpe St. Norwich

E

very day you undoubtedly encounter a product which has been developed by a computer science graduate.

Computer science is at the core of almost everything you come across ranging from the obvious, like your phone and the social media websites you have accounts on, to perhaps the not-so-obvious, like patient information in the healthcare industry which needs to be kept up to date and secure whilst still being available to the correct medical staff.

Computer science is a rapidly evolving and extremely relevant degree subject and is very desirable to employers across many industries.

he

m!

COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE COURSES

Of course, content varies from course to course and at different universities but generally, computer science degrees are very broad and cover everything from the theoretical, more mathematical side of computing but also cover its practical, real world applications. For example at the University of Surrey, students study languages including Java, C++, Android and Python, which one student went on to use practically to develop a system which detects events on CCTV footage. Due to the mathematical nature of the subject it is usually a requirement to have demonstrated an aptitude for maths, usually by having done maths A-level.

Some universities offer computer science students a year in industry as part of a degree.

Potential employers will be looking for graduates with academic knowledge as well as the ability to apply that knowledge practically so a degree offering a year out working in industry is a good choice.

CAREERS AFTER A COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE Healthcare: A huge number of industries actively seek computer science graduates. Healthcare is just one industry which does so and graduates have been fundamental to recent advances in the sector such as mapping human DNA, processing images for radiology scans and creating electronic medical records.

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Accountancy and finance: A degree in computer science is also very useful when looking to break into the financial sector as it an extremely useful employability skill which demonstrates confidence with mathematics, logical thinking and the ability to work well in a team. It is also very applicable to the work as it can be used to update/develop bank websites and apps, to keep customer information secure and repair any corrupted software which could be damaging to the business if it went undetected.

“Computer science is a rapidly evolving and extremely relevant degree subject and is very desirable to employers across many industries.”

Gaming: Games development is a multi-billion pound industry (see article on page 20) which also employs many computer science graduates in a diverse array of roles such as programmer, quality assurance tester, 3D modeller and audio engineer.

IT: IT consultants advise clients on how best to utilise technology to increase efficiency or to overcome problems in order to grow a business.

Typical tasks within this job may vary from working with clients to determine what they need, how long it will take and then actually budgeting for, planning and executing projects for clients.

CAREER PROSPECTS AND SALARY

Computer science is an extremely relevant, modern degree subject which is why an increasing number of industries are seeking graduates who have studied the subject. Because demand is high, a computer science graduate can expect to earn a starting salary of between £21,000 - £32,000 a year in the UK and lots of large employers offer graduate schemes which allow participants to progress much faster than they otherwise would.

This is beneficial for both parties as companies who participate in graduate schemes end up employing very talented individuals and graduate participants have better career prospects. ■

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Find out more about careers in the IT sector: www.thetechpartnership.com

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25

OPEN DAYS

MAKE THE MOST OF UNIVERSIT THE EFFORT WHEN THE T

O

pen Days are designed for you to meet the staff and students, to view the campus and its facilities and to check out the accommodation and the local area.

Open Days are really well organised and they’ll give you a real taste of the place where you’ll be spending a big chunk of your life.

WHY DO I NEED TO GO?

It is absolutely vital that you visit your shortlist of universities before making your final choices.

Open Days are usually held at weekends or during school holidays and dates and times can be found on individual university websites or on the UCAS website www.ucas.com/events/ exploring-university/find-open-day. If you can’t make it on the day they’ve advertised, contact the university and ask for a private visit – they’ll be happy to arrange it for you.

BE PREPARED

!

TOP TIP n’t • Take notes, do stick to the tour k provided and as ke questions that ma — in le rab mo me u yo a good way!

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MOVING ON DEC/JAN 2015-16

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Universities require you to register for Open Days so make sure you do this well in advance. It’s best to go with a family member or friend but remember that you’re the one going to university so it’s important that you do your homework and ask the questions.

COSTS

Ask about special grants, bursaries or scholarships – if you don’t ask, you don’t get! Find out about living costs – is it cheaper to live in catered halls of residence or in rented accommodation in the local area? Ask a student representative about how they managed their money in their first year, where they chose to live and how it all worked out…

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TY OPEN DAYS — YOU’LL BE REALLY GLAD YOU MADE TIME COMES TO MAKE YOUR FINAL CHOICE… ACCOMMODATION

Most universities provide tours of their halls of residence during their Open Days. Find out about living in halls in your first year and ask about when you should apply — rooms get snapped up really quickly.

“It is absolutely vital that you visit your shortlist of universities before making your final choices.”

DECISIONS, DECISIONS…

University students we spoke to agreed that making the effort to visit Open Days really helped them to make an informed decision about where and what they wanted to study.

Sometimes, they’d made their choice simply by having a good feeling about the place but generally, most students felt that doing the rounds of Open Days really helped them choose the right university and prevented them from having to deal with any nasty surprises at the beginning of term.

During each Open Day, ask yourself, “Will I be happy here for three years and is the course the right one for me?” It’s as simple as that – only you can decide where and what you study.

Don’t end up regretting your choice of university because you couldn’t be bothered to go and check it out. ■

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G N I M O C P U S Y A D N E P O

Goldsmiths, University of London 6 January 2016 – 9:00 - 23:00 www.gold.ac.uk/open-days/virtual/ Writtle College 6 January 2016 – 10:45 - 15:00 www.writtle.ac.uk/opendays London Metropolitan University 7 January 2016 – 17:00 - 19:00 www.londonmet.ac.uk/applying/ open-days/undergraduate-events/ Norwich University of the Arts 8 January 2016 – 9:30 - 16:30 www.nua.ac.uk/visit/opendays/ De Montfort University 9 January 2016 – 9:00 - 15:30 www.dmu.ac.uk/study/ undergraduate-study/opendays/open-days.aspx The University of Northampton 9 January 2016 – 9:00 - 15:30 www.northampton.ac.uk/ opendays Camberwell College of Arts 11 January 2016 – 10:00 - 13:00 events.arts.ac.uk/ event/2016/1/11/FoundationDiploma-in-Art-and-DesignOpen-Day/ Kingston University 13 January 2016 – 12:00 - 14:30 www.kingston.ac.uk/opendays/ subject-area-events/

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Coventry University College 16 January 2016 – 9:00 - 15:00 www.coventry.ac.uk/cuc/life-atcuc/open-day/?theme=cuc

Plymouth University Saturday 23 April 2016 Wednesday 22 June 2016 www.plymouth.ac.uk/opendays

BIMM - British & Irish Modern Music Institute BIMM London – 12th and 15th December, 8th and 9th January, 6th February, 5th March BIMM Berlin – 12th December, 9th January, 13th February, 12th March BIMM Dublin – 16th and 23rd January BIMM Brighton – 5th and 16th December, 7th and 16th January, 13th February, 12th March BIMM Bristol – 5th and 16th December, 7th and 16th January, 13th February, 12thMarch BIMM Manchester – 12th and 15th December, 8th and 9th January, 6th February, 5th March www.bimm.co.uk/open-days/ Shrewsbury College 14 January 2016 – 17:00 - 19:00 www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/tasters

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University of East London 20 January 2016 – 17:00 - 20:00 www.uel.ac.uk/Open-Days Leicester College 23 January 2016 – 11:00 - 15:00 www.leicestercollege.ac.uk Lancaster University 25 January 2016 – 13:30 - 14:45 www.lancs.ac.uk/study/visit-daysand-campus-tours/ Pembrokeshire College 25 January 2016 – 17:00 - 19:00 www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/ courses/ Bournville College 27 January 2016 – 17:30 - 20:00 www.bournville.ac.uk/schoolleavers/open-days/ Robert Gordon University 27 January 2016 – 12:30 - 15:00 www.rgu.ac.uk/news-and-events/ visit-us/visit-afternoons/visitafternoons University of Cumbria 27 January 2016 – 16:00 - 19:00 www.cumbria.ac.uk/Courses/ ProspectusOpenDay/OpenDay. aspx

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27

UCAS

UCAS – IT’S NOT JUST A MYSTERIOUS ABBREVIATION. IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT GOING TO UNIVERSITY, HERE WE EXPLAIN THE UCAS APPLICATION PROCESS AND WHEN AND HOW TO DO IT.

U

CAS stands for University and Colleges Admissions Services and it’s the charitable organisation through which your applications to universities and most colleges of higher education are processed.

Higher education, or HE, is the next step up the educational ladder after GCSEs at school and A-levels in the sixth form. UCAS process over two million full time undergraduate course applications every year.

WHY ARE UCAS SO IMPORTANT?

Rising tuition fees for university courses have put a huge amount of pressure on young people to choose the right course and the right university so that they don’t make an expensive mistake. UCAS are important because they are the first point of reference for everyone choosing to go down the university route. UCAS understands the twists and turns of the journey students will be making and they are there to provide guidance every step of the way.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

There are three deadlines in the UCAS calendar which students who are applying through UCAS need to be aware of: October for those applying to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, January for those applying to all other universities and March for those wishing to apply to do a degree in art and design. The first two are referred to as ‘A’ route applications and the last as ‘B’ route, as the process for applying to art and design courses is quite different to applying to study academic subjects.

RESEARCH

It’s really important to start doing the research into which unis offer the kinds of courses you’re interested in studying, as soon as you can. The UCAS website contains details on all the universities, the courses they run – there are thousands – plus student finance, accommodation and much more.

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Researching all the possibilities and choosing the right HE course is important because what you study will have an impact on your career prospects and the kind of jobs you’ll be able to do. Courses are not all the same – each university will have structured its degree courses differently, depending on the subject so there’s a lot to get your head around! A degree or an HND significantly improves your chances of finding a fulfilling job and for some professions, like medicine or law, a higher education qualification is essential.

HOW DOE

WOR

KEY DATES JAN

15 January 2016, 18:00 This is the UCAS deadline for the majority of courses.

MAR

24 March 2016, 18:00 This is the UCAS deadline for applying for some art and design courses.

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WHAT ARE TARIFF POINTS?

This is where we explain how points don’t mean prizes – but hopefully, they do mean a university offer! When you’re looking through a university prospectus and notice a column named ‘entry requirements: 280-320 UCAS points’ and you’re like, what? What about my A-level grades or my pass rates on my BTEC course? Don’t panic! It’s just the system that UCAS use.

The UCAS points system converts your post-16 qualifications into points by means of a tariff. This doesn’t affect your grades or make them more or less valuable – it just helps universities evaluate each student’s grades and makes it easier to make comparisons between the wide variety of courses and qualifications available.

However, not all universities and colleges use this system, which makes it even more important that you

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remember which university is asking for which grades.

Some do ask for your raw grades, for example, ABB with one qualification in biology if you’re applying to do medicine. Each university, depending on the course you want to do, may ask for more specific entry requirements, but most use either UCAS points or raw grades. Don’t be alarmed if they ask for both as this does happen sometimes.

It is very important that you take note of entry requirements when first looking for a potential university or college, as it will make you aware whether the course is right for you. If, for example, your target grades for A-level are ABB and you look at a course asking for triple A*, it may be a bit out of your depth. The flip side to this is that you also don’t want to look around a university asking for lower than your target grades, as it may mean you won’t be tested hard enough and you may not reach your full potential.

So how do you calculate UCAS points? www.ucas. com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entryrequirements/tariff-tables is the official UCAS website which contains all the tariff tables for nearly every qualification in the UK and the number of points allocated to each. Use these tariff tables to calculate your expected UCAS points you’ll gain from your own qualifications, including A-levels, BTECs and the International Baccalaureate, amongst others.

GETTING EXTRA UCAS POINTS

Good news if you have a hobby! If you play a musical instrument, have participated in a dance class and have passed exams at grade 6 level or above or if you’ve taken an exam in a vocational subject, these all classify for UCAS points too! Ok, so they are not going to get you into higher education on their own (a pass at grade 6 is only worth 20 points) but these can pull up your total points and help get you that place.

There are a number of elements that universities and colleges will consider when determining whether you are a suitable candidate but the major factor for them is purely and simply your grades. Having said that, universities also take into account your personal statement, work experience and anything else you do outside of school which is relevant to your course or shows that you have other skills. ■

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Students from subscribing schools write many of the articles for Moving On and undertake work placements in our offices, which provides them with invaluable experience and a unique insight into the world of journalism and publishing. We are extremely proud of our gifted young contributors and we strongly encourage interest from potential student writers.

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