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Get clear on Clearing: Advice from Bournemouth University

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Bournemouth University (BU) will be on hand to support and guide students whose A Level results are not what they expect.

Trained advisers will be available at BU from 8am on results day (Thursday 14 August) to talk students through the Clearing and Adjustment process, and help them pick the right course for them.

Clearing is the last point in the UCAS admissions cycle and offers students who have been unable to secure their first or second choice course, or haven’t yet applied for university, the chance to find a course that starts in September.

Karen Pichlmann, Head of Admissions at BU, advised people to prepare in advance of exam results – thinking about what universities and courses they might like to approach if they find themselves in Clearing.

“Choosing a place through Clearing is no different to choosing a place through choosing a university place full stop, only it takes place over a shorter period of time – so preparing your Plan B and thinking about who you want to go to is key,” she said.

“At Bournemouth University we’re here to support the students through that process.

“We’ll have a large team of trained and helpful staff to take calls from potential students.

“We’ll discuss with their exam results, what opportunities we have and potentially give them an offer – so there’s plenty of people to help and support and encourage students through that process.”

Karen added that, when going through Clearing, potential students should not rely on parents to make the calls on their behalf and should be prepared for a mini-interview on the phone.

“Once they know they are in the Clearing process, my top tip would be to get on the phone early to talk to the universities, because some will only have a small number of places and they can go really quickly,” she said.

“Be prepared for a mini-interview – so think about why you want to do that course, what interested you about that institution and what you think you’re a good match.”

She added: “We really do need to speak to the student in this and while it might be difficult for them to make that phone call, we really do need to talk to them and not their parents.”

Students who exceed the conditions of their original offer can choose to study on a course with higher entry requirements, through a process called Adjustment.

Karen explains: “If students find that they receive better results than expected, and they are still happy with their firm choice, they don’t have to do anything more than go and celebrate.

“However, if those results mean that they are now qualified for something they never thought they could achieve, there’s the UCAS Adjustment process which enables students who have exceeded the conditions of their firm choice to discuss with other universities the option to go and study there.”

Clearing and Adjustment toolkits, which explain the process and what to do if you find yourself going through it, are available to download from the BU website.

A BU Clearing helpline will be available from 8am until 8pm on results day, 8am until 6pm on Friday 15 August and from 9.30am to 4pm over the weekend.

“We will have trained advisers there ready to discuss opportunities and to help people through the process,” said Karen.

“We do understand that it can be very stressful and we’d really like to help students make the right decision for them.”

To find out more about Clearing and the opportunities available at BU, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/clearing or call 01202 966777 from 8am on Thursday 14 August.

BU features in The Guardian’s Guide to Clearing 2014

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Staff and students from Bournemouth University gave their advice on the Clearing process for several articles in The Guardian’s Guide to Clearing 2014.

The guide is used by students across the country to help them prepare to receive their A-level results, and explains the process of Clearing.

An article on Clearing phone calls quoted askBU’s Helen Elsey, who advised students on the importance of keeping calm when talking to admissions tutors.

She said: “Don’t panic! Stay calm – the people on the other end of the phone want to help you, not catch you out.”

She also warned students against blindly accepting their first offer. “Think it through. This is a big decision – and you can contact as many universities as you like.”

Kyle McClellan, a first year economics and finance student at BU, was interviewed on his experience of Adjustment.

He spoke about choosing and applying to BU after receiving better grades than expected, saying: “I explained what grades I’d got and the course I was interested in doing and they said there was room for me. It’s worked out really well.”

In an article explaining the importance of Open Days, BU marketing and communications officer Sarah Jane Knox said: “Open Days give you the opportunity to look around the campus and facilities and make sure the course you have chosen is right for you.”

“Open Days are your best chance to chat to lecturers and students and get a real feel for what the courses are like – so make sure you don’t leave and then realise you’ve got lots of unanswered questions.”

The article also detailed the importance of visiting the town and areas around the campus when visiting a university.

BU was noted for offering free bus tours of Bournemouth, and Sarah said that even going for a wander round and having a meal “gives you a good feel for the place where you could be spending the next three years of your life.”

The supplement appeared in The Guardian’s 9 August 2014 edition, with many of the articles available on The Guardian’s online Clearing pages.

By Harriet Gilbraith

Harriet is a student at Budmouth College in Weymouth, who is working at Bournemouth University in the Press and PR Department. She joined BU on a Sir Samuel Mico Scholarship, which provides 10 students from the college with work experience for four weeks over the summer.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) seeks local business leaders to join board

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The Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is seeking business leaders from the local community to join its board.

The Dorset LEP aims to deliver growth, innovation and business enterprise across the region.

It is looking for local business leaders to join its voluntary board and contribute to the organisation’s strategic role, as well as advising on and influencing policy and the delivery of Dorset LEP activities.

Dorset LEP has recently been awarded a £66 million Growth Fund investment from the Government, which will used to improve road networks around Bournemouth Airport and the Port of Poole, among other initiatives.

Lorna Gibbons, Director of Dorset LEP, said: “This is a really exciting time for the LEP, after being awarded the £66 million growth deal with the Government.

“We are looking for people who understand and care about Dorset and can help the Dorset LEP achieve its task of creating jobs and growth for the region.”

The Dorset LEP board comprises leaders from a variety of different business backgrounds, alongside representatives from local government and further and higher education.

The available board positions are voluntary non-executive posts with a commitment of up to the equivalent of circa 2 days per month, with a three year maximum term.

The deadline for applications is Monday 8 September 2014.

For more information please contact Anushka Naidoo, Communications Assistant for Dorset LEP, on 01202 962349 or anaidoo@bournemouth.ac.uk.

BU’s Dr Darren Lilleker on BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze

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BU Senior Lecturer in Political Communication Dr Darren Lilleker contributed to BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze programme, looking at the way politicians present themselves to the public.

Dr Lilleker took part in the programme’s debate around politics, personality and principles, which focused on how the way politicians look and act influences public opinion – and how important such characteristics appear to be.

Dr Lilleker told presenter Michael Burke that he believed politics had changed – with people now wanting to see politicians offer solutions and answers to the problems they face.

“What we’ve ended up with really is a choice of managers,” Dr Lilleker said.

“Party leaders and party teams present themselves as managers, people who can solve problems – which really goes into a whole range of qualities that are outside politics.

“It’s about the person, it’s about their ability to get things done and often they use their private life and a whole range of other parts of their character to signify how they will be in politics.

“I think that’s a fundamental change.”

Dr Lilleker said that he believed that the differences between the main political parties were shrinking and so the way they were presented by the media could make a big difference.

“I think the media make a big deal out of these small actions that make someone look a little bit foolish.”

He added that he thought negative political campaigning in terms of personal attacks on character concerned him as it made it difficult for people to know what a politician is really like – leading to public cynicism and apathy.

“Politicians package themselves to emphasise the best bits, their opponents try and attack them and undermine them and emphasise the worst bits – and I think what it leads to is a cynicism, to people not being able to make a choice because they are unsure who is the best.

“They’re trying to work out often who is the least worst – and becoming very apathetic.”

Listen to the Moral Maze – Politics, personality and principles debate in full

Business School holds Economics Forum for Russian students

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The Business School hosted an Economics Forum for Russian students, arranged by M.L.S International College in Bournemouth.

The event, on Thursday 24th July, involved approximately 90 students from Financial University in Russia.

Students from Financial University study with M.L.S for a tailored programme each year and the Business School was invited to participate by delivering a guest lecture and being a member of the Economics Forum Panel.

The event took place in the Executive Business Centre and Dr Dermot McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Economics, was also joined by the following external panel members:

  • Adrian Simpson, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Director of own Accountancy and Tax company
  • Bill Cotton, Executive Director, Environment and Economy at Bournemouth Borough Council
  • Barry Bull, specialist tutor at M.L.S. teaching on the Financial University programme

Students prepared questions in advance of the event, which included the following themes: Migration; Scottish independence; the Euro and Europe; Education; Starting up a business and the World Cup.

CoPMRE Annual Symposium

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The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Research and Education (CoPMRE) is holding its Eleventh Annual Symposium: Impact in Healthcare Research and Education.

The free event will take place at Bournemouth University’s Executive Business Centre on Tuesday 14 October and will run from 8.45am to 4.40pm.

This symposium is suitable for primary and secondary doctors, allied healthcare professionals, academics and anyone with an interest in medical research and education.

This conference will discuss developments and activities around impact in healthcare research and education and explore impact from the perspectives of the public, the research funder, the university, the provider, the student and the medical educator.

National speakers include Professor Trish Greenhalgh, Professor of Primary Care and Dean for Research Impact, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry; Simon Denegri, Chair INVOLVE; Natalie Carter, Head of Research Liaison and Evaluation, Arthritis Research UK; and Jonathan Grant, Director, Kings Policy Institute.

Places are strictly limited and must be registered in advance through the Eventbrite site.

For more information,visit the CoPMRE Eleventh Annual Symposium 2014 website.

Wordcamp UK event hosted by Bournemouth University

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Bournemouth University hosted the 7th annual WordCamp UK event earlier this month.

The event is a chance for the community of WordPress developers to come together, share ideas and experiences, and provide each other with support and advice.

It attracted over 100 people from around the UK and Europe, all with varying levels of knowledge of WordPress.

Those attending the weekend event were able to benefit from a range of topics and speakers, including “A beginners guide to web accessibility”, “Learning to sell your services as a web designer”, “Designing with data” and “How not to launch a start-up”.

Naomi Kay from Bournemouth University, who assisted with the event, was delighted to be able to attend some of the sessions.

She said: “One of the most helpful sessions from my perspective as a novice WordPress user was a series of 5 minute lightening talks on topics such as the importance of password security and finding out how long it would take a hacker to crack your password, how to set up a developer event, and a poetic recital of how to problem-solve your website issues.”

“This was also a great opportunity to network and considering the tickets were just £10, has been fantastic value,” she added.

There are additional WordPress events scheduled in the UK and Europe during the rest of 2014.

Moscow’s Financial University visits the Business School

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A delegation from the Financial University in Moscow has visited the Business School, for the first of two events arranged in conjunction with local partner M.L.S International College.

Approximately 90 students – together with academic colleagues from M.L.S and Financial University – attended a lecture on Tuesday 17 July, entitled ’25 Years of Economic Transition – Successes and Failures’, which was delivered by Professor Jens Holscher, Head of Accounting, Finance and Economics at BU.

Next week, the School will be hosting an Economics Forum in which the students will prepare questions for an expert panel. Dr Dermot McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Economics at BU will be representing the Business School.

Financial University is a leading Russian higher education institution with a student population of over 80,000 students.

The university is interested in exploring collaborative opportunities for students and staff in the Business School and School of Tourism at BU.

Further information about Financial University

Bournemouth University Boat Club named NUS Sports Club of the Year

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Bournemouth University Boat Club (BUBC) has been named Sports Club of the Year at the nationwide NUS Awards.

The awards, which this year received over 600 nominations, recognise and celebrate outstanding work from Students’ Unions across the country.

Judges awarded BUBC the Sports Club of the Year award for 2014 after being impressed by the club’s response to financial and resourcing problems and their work with local schools and colleges to open rowing to a wider demographic.

Clive Green, BUBC President for the past year, said: “Winning this prestigious award meant a lot to not only the committee but to all those associated.

“We are privileged to have such great support from all of our Alumni and family, and alongside SUBU’s guidance the club has a great network of people to share this award with.”

He added: “This award symbolizes the development the club has gone through this year and further potential BUBC has to achieve even more. We pride ourselves on our openness to memberships and can accommodate any level of athlete.”

Clive said that he believed multiple factors led to the club’s win – including their large membership, dedication to training and community and charity work.

“It’s not just our large squads training daily and performing well; it’s the charity work, training camps, university engagement and willingness to support our local community that makes BUBC a winning club,” he said.

“We raised over £400 for Help for Heroes by completing a rowathon, and we also went abroad to France for a training camp.

“In addition, BUBC help coach students at Winton Arts Media College, with some club members also coaching at Canford School.

“Again, all of these are organised and managed by the students.”

The team were nominated for the award by Emma Hiscutt, Activities Development Manager for the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU).

She said: “Even being recognised for a national award is an amazing achievement and so for BU Boat Club to win one is something that SUBU are very proud of.

“We have seen the club move from strength to strength and are constantly astounded at the efforts the club members put in. It’s a real pleasure to work with these students throughout the year and see them gain in confidence and witness their accomplishments.”

She added: “We are very proud of the Boat Club and can’t wait to see what they achieve next year and beyond.”

Find out more about BU Boat Club

BU academic in Parliament to present research on women MPs in the media

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A Bournemouth University (BU) academic was in Parliament to share her research findings on media coverage of women politicians.

Senior Lecturer in Politics Dr Heather Savigny spoke at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sex Equality, presenting findings of research she co-authored into press coverage of female politicians over the last 20 years.

The research – hailed as “important” work by Mary Mcleod MP during the session – found that women politicians in 2012 were receiving less coverage in proportion to their relative numbers in Parliament than in 2002 and 1992.

It also demonstrated that Conservative and Labour women were receiving proportionally more negative coverage than their male counterparts by 2012, while female Liberal Democrats were generally ignored.

Dr Savigny and co-author Deirdre O’Neill from Leeds Trinity University recommended that a media monitoring group be set up – comprising politicians, media representatives and academics.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group session was organised by the Fawcett Society.

Chair of the Group Diane Abbott MP welcomed the research and other presentations during the session, and pointed out that party press offices needed to do more to promote female politicians – and a wider range of women  –  in the media.

Co-chair Bernard Jenkins MP called on his male colleagues to participate in this debate, rather than dismissing it as a “women’s” issue.

They agreed to meet to discuss taking the issue further forward.