University opens its doors to provide expert advice and guidance for potential students
As one of the region’s largest universities, Anglia Ruskin offers more places than any other in the East of England – and experts will be available to speak over the telephone and in person at its campuses in Chelmsford and Cambridge from results day through to Thursday, 11 September.
Professor Richard Andrews, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “Going through clearing can be a daunting prospect, but applying for a course in this way can mean you gain a place at a university where there are exciting research opportunities, good links with employers and expert teaching in your chosen field.
“Clearing also provides you with a chance to look at courses you are interested in but might not have previously considered. Going to university is about more than academic achievement – it also gives you a social, personal and financial education.”
Georgia Gann, 20, is going into her final year of a Law degree at Anglia Ruskin and is Mooting President of the Anglia Ruskin Law Society, after originally applying through clearing. Georgia said: “After not getting the required results for my desired university I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I thought I wanted to go out and work full time until I heard a radio advert for Anglia Ruskin University and decided to go through clearing.
“The clearing process was quick and easy, and the staff very helpful and considerate. After one phone call I registered my name with the Law school. Since being at Anglia Ruskin, I have participated within the mentoring scheme, gained vital work experience, come fifth in a national Mooting competition and most recently become the Mooting President.”
Clearing is not just for A-Level students taking the next step. Statistics show 58% of the 57,000 people who applied to universities nationally through clearing last year were over 21 and therefore classed as mature students. Ana Filip decided to return to university late and after going through clearing to study BSc (Hons) Architecture, she has received a First and has also had some of her work displayed in Washington DC by the American Institute of Architects.
Ana, 28, said: “I was spending time in Italy trying to find a career path. One morning, I decided to go back to university and contacted the admissions team and one of the architecture lecturers to ask if I could apply through clearing at such short notice. They made it really simple and the process was straightforward. It was the best decision I have made.
“I had my one of my drawings published in Architects Journal, one of my projects was exhibited in Washington at the American Institute of Architects and I also received the Royal Institute of Architects East Student Award for my Dissertation Project. I am also so glad to have got a First.”
Anglia Ruskin’s clearing centre will stay open until 8pm on results day, and will be open from 8am until 6pm on Friday, 15 August and from 9am until 2pm on Saturday, 16 August. It will reopen on Monday, 18 August at 8am.
You can also telephone the appropriate number for the course you want to take. The numbers are:
- Arts, Law and Social Sciences – 01223 698444
- Education - 01245 684530
- Health and Social Care - 01245 683400
- Lord Ashcroft International Business School - 01245 684430
- Science and Technology - 01245 687830
- Optometry - 01223 695120
If you are not sure which faculty the course you want to take is part of, call 01245 686868 or e-mail answers@anglia.ac.uk.
Professor Farah Mendlesohn, Head of Department of English, Media and Communication, shared her top tips for people coming through clearing:
- “Ask yourself what you actually enjoy doing. Don’t just think about what subjects you got the best marks in. What you actively enjoy and explore for pleasure is what you should go for. There is a strong link between passion for a particular subject and success and almost no link with A-Level grades.
- “If you have a clear picture of the career you want to go into, consider what is useful to have to work in that particular field, rather than the direct route. For example, there are plenty of people on journalism courses, but there is a shortage of people who can write about science or economics or agriculture.
- “Read the course outlines (if you want a practical course, look for how much practice is assessed) and find out about staff actually teaching the course. What they are interested in can often help you distinguish between degrees with the same name, and the same core courses.
- “Call clearing, and if they say: ‘We have no places on this course, but here is a related course,’ take a chance. Interesting careers are formed by taking risks.”
- For more details about the clearing process and to see a full list of available courses, visit www.anglia.ac.uk/clearing. Details of clearing events at Anglia Ruskin’s partner institutions, the College of West Anglia, University Centre Peterborough and University Centre Harlow, can also be found here.
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 0845 196 4716, e: Jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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