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BU media success over Clearing 2014

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Staff and students from Bournemouth University gave advice and information in a variety of media appearances around Clearing.

BU was featured by several national newspapers, including mentions in:

  • The Guardian newspaper and online five times.
  • The Telegraph newspaper and online five times.
  • The i newspaper four times.
  • The Independent

Interviews with BU’s Head of Admissions Karen Pichlmann – who gave top tips and advice for anyone going through Clearing – were also featured on several regional radio stations.

David Stock, SUBU Advice manager, was interviewed in The Telegraph’s article ‘Strike a healthy bank balance’. He advised parents on how to help their children with their finances..

He said: “It’s best to set the foundations from a young age by getting them used to bank cards and budgets. Once they’re at university, they won’t have anyone nagging them to stick to their weekly budget, so instilling a good attitude beforehand is vital.”

Nicola Murray-Fagan, Head of UK Student Recruitment & Outreach, was quoted throughout The i’s article about how students should prepare for results day.

She advised: “Take the time to research your options and speak to your school or college careers adviser for advice on courses that will still keep you on the same career path.”

askBU’s Helen Elsey and UK Recuitment Manager Matthew Usher gave advice in The Guardian and The Telegraph on what students should say while making Clearing phone calls, while BU students and alumni shared their experiences of the Clearing and Adjustment process.

BU student Alex Curwen-Reed was quoted in The i, giving her tips on the Clearing process.

She spoke about how helpful the askBU team was during her Clearing process and said: “Don’t feel embarrassed about having to come through Clearing. I’m getting better grades than some of the people who got accepted in the first place, so don’t doubt yourself!”

Other articles featuring BU focused on applying for postgraduate courses, with advice from Framework Leader for Postgraduate Accounting, Finance and Economics Dermot McCarthy, and making the most of placement opportunities.

Placement Development Adviser Felicity Robinson said in The Guardian’s article: “I’d advise students to do their own objective setting, so they’re not saying ‘help, give me something to do,’ but being more collaborative in the process.”

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.

 

 

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.

Events Management student discusses choosing BU in The Guardian

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BU BA (Hons) Events Management student Leroy-Winston Scott has appeared in The Guardian, discussing his reasons for picking and sticking with BU.

Leroy, aged 27, was featured in the Education section of the newspaper, and highlighted Bournemouth University as his top choice for travel opportunities.

His excursions with the student union’s Raising And Giving (RAG) charity hitchhike Leggit, and a possible opportunity to travel to South Africa as part of his final semester were among his top reasons to attend BU.

When asked the best way to secure these opportunities at BU, Leroy advised students to take advantage of the many extracurricular activities available to them.

“Lecturers want to know what you’ve done outside of your 16 or so hours contact time in first year – so pick activities that will make the lecturer look at your CV and think, ‘They’ll really make the most of an overseas experience’.”

Speaking after the article was published Leroy said: “Bournemouth the town and Bournemouth the uni matches my character and allows me to express myself and grow.

“I hope by being featured in The Guardian, it has allowed me to spread a message that says to somebody somewhere that they can grab a part of Bournemouth and BU and enjoy it. And for the ones already doing it? Keep going – you got this.”

Read The Guardian article

By Anushka Naidoo, Final year BA (Hons) Communications and Media student at BU

Coverage roundup for BU’s Gravity success

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Following a successful Oscar night for Gravity, in which they picked up seven Oscars, local and national press centred on the 60 Bournemouth University graduates who worked on the visual effects for the film – which subsequently took the Achievement in Visual Effects nod.

Current Bournemouth University lecturer Adam Redford also worked on the visual effects for the film and was quoted in a number of media outlets about the success.

The Guardian led with a feature about how films like Gravity can kick-start the careers of many university graduates. The article focusses on Bournemouth University with comments from both Adam Redford and BU graduate Sam Salek. Similarly, The Independent reported on how Bournemouth graduates were celebrating Oscar glory for their work on Gravity.

ITV Meridian led with footage about Gravity’s win before talking about the involvement of Bournemouth University graduates, while the story was also highlighted in the hourly bulletins of BBC Radio Solent, Heart South Coast, Wave 105 and FIRE FM.

Adam Redford was interviewed at length on BBC Radio Solent and BBC Dorset about the film’s success and his involvement and the Bournemouth Echo also interviewed Adam, along with current Bournemouth University students, about BU’s successful graduates.

Gravity’s success extends further than the Oscars, with the movie also picking up several high-profile awards at this year’s BAFTA ceremony. BU graduates involved in the BAFTA win also received widespread local coverage. MA TV Production graduate Ben Mallaby was also nominated for a BAFTA this year in the Short Film category for his work directing the film Island Queen.

Gravity was not the only Oscar-winning film to have involvement from a Bournemouth University graduate as Vanessa Salas Castillo was part of the Disney team that worked on the film Frozen, which picked up the Best Animation award.

At least one BU graduate is also currently working on visual effects for The Hobbit trilogy – which was nominated alongside Gravity in the visual effects category at this year’s Oscars.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on 5 March 2014, Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as saying, “Bournemouth University has excellent courses that have helped to build up the British post-production and facilities industries, which are busy helping to create blockbuster films. It is very good news not only that are we winning Oscars for British films but that British studios are full to bursting point making movies.”

BU students in The Guardian on deciding where to study

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A Bournemouth University student suggested in The Guardian that people need to go and visit their prospective universities in person, before they make the final decision on where they will study.

Charlotte Humphrey, 20, who has just finished her second year at Bournemouth University said, “Pictures can’t show the Uni vibe. I remember going to the Bournemouth open day and thinking, wow! I loved the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle, the canteens, the coffee shops. And seeing the halls is definitely better in person than in the pictures, which will make them look better than they really are.” 

The article titled ‘Get a taste of your new home’, discusses the importance of students making the trip to see as many institutions as possible. This is because getting the feeling a university is right for someone cannot be found by only looking on university websites and browsing the internet.

This is highlighted further in a second Guardian in the article titled ‘Online opinion; Get insider knowledge on your uni choices via Facebook and Twitter’, where a comparison is made between choosing a university and buying a holiday. The article states “when you book a holiday, you don’t just look on the hotels website, so why do the same when looking for a university course”. The article goes on to say how social media sites are a great way of finding out about universities from a student perspective.  

Patricia Obawole, in her second year of a Law degree at Bournemouth University added to the article by recommending The Student Room (thestudentroom.co.uk). “It’s a forum that allows you to ask any question, from things about specific universities and being a student, to how everyone else found the exam you took. I’d advise you use it to check out the accommodation.” 

By Peter Blackhall
2nd Year Student at Bournemouth University, BA Public Relations

Bournemouth University’s media success with this year’s Clearing campaign

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This year’s Clearing campaign has been a huge success with a number of media appearances.

Bournemouth University was mentioned in the following media outlets:

  • Two Mentions on the Telegraph online
  • Coverage on the Guardian online
  • Five Mentions in the Guardian
  • Coverage in the Independent
  • Two mentions in the i paper
  • Two reports on BBC Radio Solent
  • A report on Wave FM
  • A report on Fire
  • TES coverage

Second year Law student Diana Dimofte explained her clearing experience and coming to Bournemouth University through the clearing system in the Telegraph online video that really showed off Bournemouth University and the local area.

“University Clearing was the best thing that happened to me,” said Diana Dimofte.

Team leader for askBU enquiry service, Helen Elsey, gave advice on what to say on the phone during clearing on the Guardian online website, adding; “We [the clearing team or person taking the clearing phone call] will look at your grades and talk about the subject you enjoyed and the career you have in mind.”

TES  shared multi-media journalism undergraduate, Emily Reason’s clearing experience.

“After almost having a breakdown, I noticed that Bournemouth University were advertising opportunities to get in through clearing. I rang the clearing helpline and was put through to a woman who was very helpful.” Emily added. “I went from crying my eyes out to screaming with joy, all because of clearing.”

Mark Ridolfo, Associate Dean of student experience at Bournemouth University, added comment to an article in The Guardian about balancing time. “Students have to balance work time, study time, social time and time for eating and sleeping; which is difficult.” He added, “Sometimes they [university students] sacrifice the sleeping and eating, and sometimes they sacrifice their studies”.

Matt Usher, student recruitment officer at BU, explained student funding in The Guardian during the clearing period; “The most important thing to say is that there’s lots of support available and students don’t have to pay anything up front”.

“Regardless of how much you’ve borrowed, your repayment is based on your graduate income. You’ll be charged 9% of all income over £21,000 – so if you get a £25k job, you’ll expect to be repaying around £30 a month”

Patricia Obawole, a law student at Bournemouth University and David Stock, manager of Bournemouth University’s Student Union advice service featured in both The Independent and the i Paper, adding comment about the essential skill of budgeting and finance. “We do all get a bit excited when the first loan instalment is in your bank account”, she added.

“For the typical 18-year-old fresher, it’s the largest amount of money they’ve ever had, and they’ve never had to think about setting a budget,” Stock tells the papers. The report claimed that he has encountered the odd student who’s blown several hundred pounds at a casino in their first night and students in £25,000 debt. “Even then there are some things we can do at that stage. It’s never too late to get help”.

Anastasia Stankovsky also featured in The Independent explaining her adjustment experience after adjusting her course to a BA (Hons) in Television Production at Bournemouth University.

“My predicted grades were not good, I really wanted to go to Bournemouth University because it is one of the best in the country for TV production, and was so upset when I found out my grades weren’t going to be good enough”, Stankovsky explained. “Opening the results was a strange feeling, because I had got such good grades, but I was going to a university I really didn’t want to go to. But on my results it actually said I was eligible for adjustment and then I was so excited.”

“I checked my points and called Bournemouth University and said my grades were higher than predicted. They checked my UCAS profile and then I had a ten minute interview on the phone with the TV production department. It was nerve-racking, but it was really much easier for me than for people who had actually had to go and attend interviews. It was all over surprisingly quickly. I thought I was going to be living at home and going to Middlesex University, but within a few days of getting my results I was on my dream course and getting ready to move to Bournemouth”.

Many thanks to everyone who featured in the papers and on the radio during clearing week.

By Dean Eastmond

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

Benefits of doing an MA in Public Relations at BU featured in The Guardian

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The benefits of studying an MA in Public Relations at BU were featured in an article in The Guardian.

The article, which featured in the newspaper’s postgraduate study supplement, looked at how Public Relations courses were adapting to the changing landscape, with social media and viral campaigns becoming increasingly important.

Journalist Carrie Dunn spoke with Hilary Stepien, programme coordinator for MA Public Relations at BU, about how the course ensures its graduates are fully up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology PR professionals are expected to master.

Hilary said: “We do equip students with a lot of the practical skills they’ll need to work in PR, from developing social media campaigns to pitching to clients to media relations skills, so we do all that as well, but it’s also heavily theoretical.”

She added that students often have a range of previous experience and come from lots of different backgrounds – including journalism, international relations and science.

The article also featured 2010 BU graduate Vanessa Procter, who now works as a project manager for PRIME research in the automotive industry.

She said that the course’s strong links with industry and networking opportunities helped with her smooth transition into work.

“The lessons learned, techniques applied and research conducted during my study enabled my career step straight into a demanding, fast-paced and exciting role with a global leader in strategic communications.

“All in all, the MA programme had a door opening effect for me, unleashing an exciting career path.”

Read The Guardian article in full

Benefits of studying part-time at BU featured in The Guardian

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A Guardian article looking at the benefits of studying part-time featured Bournemouth University.

The article, by Sarah Jewell, discussed the career benefits of doing a part-time degree alongside working.

It quoted 50-year-old Peter Elliot, who is doing a part-time BA (Hons) degree course in International Business and Management at BU alongside working full-time as a deputy director of operations in the sports industry.

He said he chose the course at BU because it offered “great flexibility” and that communication with the university was “impressive from the start”.

He does the course online, and added that he hoped that it will benefit his current job and “open doors” in the future.

He added that, while it can be hard work, he would recommend part-time learning to others.

“You do need to have time management skills – you need to have the dedication to be able to really apply yourself – but it’s worth it,” he said.

Milena Bobeva, programme coordinator for the online Business and Management courses at BU, was also quoted in the article.

She said that the courses were geared to offer maximum support to students, and that unit tutors were always on hand “to help sort out any problems.”

She added: “All our learning is done online through a virtual learning environment with online discussion forums, video recordings and electronic books, and there is a strong online peer-to-peer support network.”

Read the article in full.