University

[Finchy]

Speaking of higher education, I've heard a few good things about Bournemouth University.

I'm still inclined getting something in film or film production and BU offers a BA course in scriptwriting.

Does anyone of you have personal experience with the uni down there or is there anyone among you with friends studying on the South Coast?

Or are there better alternatives?

Leeds Metropolitan maybe?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

For Film the best is definitely Ravensbourne, just outside London i went to the open day there because i originally wanted to do film etc. It's connections to the industry are incredible an it's reputation for film, broadcasting etc is the best.

Other good ones Falmouth, Bournemouth (few off my course are heading there), Birmingham City ('m off there ).

[Master Fox]

I see you're point. perhaps there should be age restrictions on topics so minnows like me can't actually comment them.

The world/foxestalk would then be a better place. If you look back though Daggers I think the original point I was annoyed about was that MF that accountancy ''sucks ass, and I won't get anywhere with it''

Listen Tommy. I'm sure you realise that I've had to work pretty hard to get there. You'll know starting out, that doing evening classes and the revision for exams isn't easy. I've not done too badly out of it, but when you've been doing it for 8 years or so, you may then think about doing something else? Having a year out perhaps? That’s all I’m saying. I’ve done pretty much every job from Management accounts to financial to analytical roles.

I was the same at your age, a cocky know it all sh*t head, I wanted money quickly and a decent well paid job. Passed some exams and got a promotion, thought this was all easy, i've got a nice car etc. But all I'm saying is that maybe I’d wished i had gone to uni instead. There is no question you miss out if you don’t go. I know the whole 'what is a degree worth' given that a lot of people who went to uni doing Economics or Business ended up having to the course's I've done.

Personally i don't enjoy it enough, i hate going to college and especially hated doing the exams. In life I've learnt that money doesn't equal happiness, but peace of mind and being involved in something you enjoy is far more important.

But you being so naive to think it’s all a breeze and you’ll definitely come out of it a zillionaire, you’re sadly mistaken.

For you to come on here saying getting a degree and University is sh*t, and everyone who goes is a lazy bum, in my mind, makes you ignorant and a bit of a tw*t. You've a lot to learn.

[Joe.]

Speaking of higher education, I've heard a few good things about Bournemouth University.

I'm still inclined getting something in film or film production and BU offers a BA course in scriptwriting.

Does anyone of you have personal experience with the uni down there or is there anyone among you with friends studying on the South Coast?

Or are there better alternatives?

Leeds Metropolitan maybe?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Wanting to do journalism, Bournemouth is a university I'm seriously looking at. Looks quite decent to be honest.

[MC Prussian]

For Film the best is definitely Ravensbourne, just outside London i went to the open day there because i originally wanted to do film etc. It's connections to the industry are incredible an it's reputation for film, broadcasting etc is the best.

Other good ones Falmouth, Bournemouth (few off my course are heading there), Birmingham City ('m off there ).

Thanks a lot for the help.

Ravensbourne? Isn't that close to Maidstone?

TPH? Do you have a spare room for a poor student from abroad?

[AoWW]

Thanks a lot for the help.

Ravensbourne? Isn't that close to Maidstone?

TPH? Do you have a spare room for a poor student from abroad?

Ravensbourne is an amazing place. Very 'creative'. I seriously considered doing my degree there and have since been on several occasions for short courses/seminars and the like. I guess if depends what you're looking for though - as far as I know the courses/expertise of the tutors is excellent and the place is very well respected within the industry. However, the majority of courses are arts related and, in my opinion, because it's quite small it feels more like an art college than a 'city-style uni'. Lovely setting but accommodation around there ain't cheap!

[General Smuts]

Anyone anywhere ever considering uni needs to know that they should do a placement year.

[Tommeh]

Been toying with the idea of going for about a year now and still havn't a clue! Also really gone off the rails with my A levels since December time so not sure how my final grades will stack up. Naturally I've left it far too late to go next year but possibly the year after.

Got no idea what to do with this year coming either, finishing school for good next month so thats it. Got a great job for a student, decent pay/hours, although I couldn't do it full time as its particularly boring and I doubt I could do it for the next 3 years financially, I'd be at home forever!

I'll probably put more thought into everything next year after I've been out of school a bit working more and the spare time will start to hit home.

But for now, I'm really enjoying going into school, relaxing, seeing mates, going out most weeks and just living the good life tbh.

It's getting me nowhere but I am enjoying myself.

Always had an ambition of learning / moving to London, how I afford to live/study around there though I'll never know.

Can also imagine how great uni life would be too but if I've virtually given up learning for Alevels, will I be able to cope with Uni?

Arrggghhhh, Ain't got a clue!!!

[Finchy]

Ravensbourne is an amazing place. Very 'creative'. I seriously considered doing my degree there and have since been on several occasions for short courses/seminars and the like. I guess if depends what you're looking for though - as far as I know the courses/expertise of the tutors is excellent and the place is very well respected within the industry. However, the majority of courses are arts related and, in my opinion, because it's quite small it feels more like an art college than a 'city-style uni'. Lovely setting but accommodation around there ain't cheap!

Yeah definitely more like an arts college, i reckon if your going to uni to socialise with loads of people, llive in halls and have the 'experience' etc it's not the place to go, but if your going simply for the course then it would be great.

It's a tough uni to get into as well.

[Ultra]

Anyone anywhere ever considering uni needs to know that they should do a placement year.

Agreed.

Especially given the level of fees these days.

[AoWW]

Yeah definitely more like an arts college, i reckon if your going to uni to socialise with loads of people, llive in halls and have the 'experience' etc it's not the place to go, but if your going simply for the course then it would be great.

It's a tough uni to get into as well.

I got accepted - was over the moon. Then chose to go to DMU instead.

[CKB]

Shut it you

I was gonna say India, but Harbhajan Singh might end up slapping him! So i opted for Aussie land!

[Scow]

Really? My LEA have said that providing I continue next year, even at a different uni and on a different course, that they will still pay my tuition fee. The only difference will be that I wil ahve an extra years worth of money to pay back once I'm earning. Did you complete your original degree or has there been a gap between your two stints at university?

I did not complete my original degree. Luckily for me, the course provided me with a HND after two years, so it wasn't a complete waste of time. I tried to do the third year, but couldn't get through it. I was completely demoralised at this point.

I then worked full time for over 2 years afterwards, and then went back to uni.

For some reason there is a difference between some LEA's in this matter - Northants could wait to pay for me even though they'd already done it twice before.

Every student union has a financial bod to offer help and advice though and every Uni now has contingency funding that can be applied to - I'm sure you've looked into it already Scoweh, but if not it may be worth checking out...I got £3200 on my last application the other year (although having two kids helped).

Not only that but a number of Uni's will also give mature students on certain degree programs non-repayable grants to cover your fees, Aston is a case in point. They offered it but I wasn't paying my fees anyway.

I've not actually. I shall look in to it though - thanks for the advice.

[Finchy]

I got accepted - was over the moon. Then chose to go to DMU instead.

WHY??

[TrickyTrev]

I'm not saying it won't. I have an optomistic outlook on life though. You could apply that to any profession, but if you go in with the attitude that you won't succeed then it's likely you won't. You also have to have the right personal skills to go with natural academic talent.

A lot of students who achieve straight A's in A levels/GCSE's often have restricted people skills due to their sheltered academic life. Thus when they get into the real world and get a job and apply their knowledge in say a business environment.. they are utter useless.

The successful people in this world are the ones in between.

Or people with a complete lack of imagination (thats a nice® way of saying shit for brains) so can't define success in life in any other way than career advancement?

[TrickyTrev]

This topic's helpful and confusing in equal measure.

I'm just finishing off college now and I'll be straight off to Uni afterwards. I've applied to Bristol and Leicester, but if I stay in Leicester I'm living away from home anyway.

Whether to stay in Leicester or not is starting to eat at me a bit now. On the one hand it seems like the best of both worlds, living away from home, staying with old mates and keeping new, but whether it'd actually be like that is another matter altogether. This that LCF said is whats worrying me, pretty much:

I don't want it to be like that if I stay about, and I'm worried that it would be. Bristol is a beautiful place and I've no qualms about going there, but its a touch expensive and the course isn't quite as suited to me as the one at Leicester. Deciding whether having old mates about is a good thing or a bad one its whats going to tip it one way or the other, I think.

That all sounds appallingly like me. Uh-oh. The other thing about not staying in Leicester is that Geology, which I'll be doing the degree in, really only interests me in fits and starts. Fortunately its a damn good thing to have a career in in terms of earnings and oppurtunities, but I really much prefer English. If after a year I decide to change to English, I'd really rather beg the Bristol English department, an incredibly good one, than the Leicester one.

Urgh I'm hopelessly stuck. Help me, Internet!

PS: I forgot to mention: I'll be having a new Baby Brother close to 19 years my junior in the next couple of weeks. Whether to take that into account I've not decided yet, either.

Good course, good Universities. It's a tough decision but a nice one to make because you'd have a good time at both and have plenty of options when you've finished.

Oh and don't worry about all the posh kids working really hard, inbreeding means they have to compensate for a base lack of intelligence.

[Cal]

Ive just decided I want to go to Uni. Ive not applied or anything but the people in the know at my college reckon I can apply now and maybe still get in for this year. My A levels are not looking good at all, ive basically pissed around for two years, but regret it now. Im hoping to do Criminology with these grades:

A Level Business - E

A Level English Literature - C

A/S Film Studies - A

A/S Citizenship - C

(All predicted)

That equals 220 UCAS points (If they accept AS levels which most do) so my University options will be limited, even if a Uni does accept me. I really want to be a police officer, ive already got to the assessment centre stage but got knocked back (Im only 18). I think i'll need more life experience before they accept me, or maybe even become a PCSO .

Anyone got any knowledge, or reccommendations as wheres best to apply to or anything?

Dont think my chances are too good, Ive left it way too late..

[Lord Nibblington]

Ive just decided I want to go to Uni. Ive not applied or anything but the people in the know at my college reckon I can apply now and maybe still get in for this year. My A levels are not looking good at all, ive basically pissed around for two years, but regret it now. Im hoping to do Criminology with these grades:

A Level Business - E

A Level English Literature - C

A/S Film Studies - A

A/S Citizenship - C

(All predicted)

That equals 220 UCAS points (If they accept AS levels which most do) so my University options will be limited, even if a Uni does accept me. I really want to be a police officer, ive already got to the assessment centre stage but got knocked back (Im only 18). I think i'll need more life experience before they accept me, or maybe even become a PCSO .

Anyone got any knowledge, or reccommendations as wheres best to apply to or anything?

Dont think my chances are too good, Ive left it way too late..

It's not too late at all. Plenty of good Unis will still want to take people through clearing in the summer, since their courses won't be full, and at the end of the day, the more people on a course, the more money the Uni gets. You should maybe sit down with whoever's responsible for UCAS at your college. They should be more than willing to help you out.

[The People's Hero]

It's not too late at all. Plenty of good Unis will still want to take people through clearing in the summer, since their courses won't be full, and at the end of the day, the more people on a course, the more money the Uni gets. You should maybe sit down with whoever's responsible for UCAS at your college. They should be more than willing to help you out.

Spot on. Good advice.

Pay attention to the above.

[Cal]

Thanks alot, hopefully my grades wont be too low to get in somewhere half decent.

[Daggers]

Ive just decided I want to go to Uni. Ive not applied or anything but the people in the know at my college reckon I can apply now and maybe still get in for this year. My A levels are not looking good at all, ive basically pissed around for two years, but regret it now. Im hoping to do Criminology with these grades:

A Level Business - E

A Level English Literature - C

A/S Film Studies - A

A/S Citizenship - C

(All predicted)

That equals 220 UCAS points (If they accept AS levels which most do) so my University options will be limited, even if a Uni does accept me. I really want to be a police officer, ive already got to the assessment centre stage but got knocked back (Im only 18). I think i'll need more life experience before they accept me, or maybe even become a PCSO .

Anyone got any knowledge, or reccommendations as wheres best to apply to or anything?

Dont think my chances are too good, Ive left it way too late..

Certain FE/HE colleges are running diploma programs which build up to enabling you to pass the recruitment process - also, there are books around which give your direct guidance on how to deal with the AC proceedure.

But you are right, life experience counts for a lot - not least when trying to empathise with someone threatening to cave your head in. Did you get your feedback from AC? Usually this gives you some clear indication where you need to address in order to pass next time.

Being a PCSO doesn't help you during the application process as a rule as a lot of them rely on Cop buzzphrases which get marked down during assessment.

If you want to go into HE though, phone the admission officer at the Universities you are interested in as you are certainly not too late if they have space and you meet the requirements. The last time I went to university I didn't apply until July!

All the best with whichever route you follow

[Cal]

Certain FE/HE colleges are running diploma programs which build up to enabling you to pass the recruitment process - also, there are books around which give your direct guidance on how to deal with the AC proceedure.

But you are right, life experience counts for a lot - not least when trying to empathise with someone threatening to cave your head in. Did you get your feedback from AC? Usually this gives you some clear indication where you need to address in order to pass next time.

Being a PCSO doesn't help you during the application process as a rule as a lot of them rely on Cop buzzphrases which get marked down during assessment.

If you want to go into HE though, phone the admission officer at the Universities you are interested in as you are certainly not too late if they have space and you meet the requirements. The last time I went to university I didn't apply until July!

All the best with whichever route you follow

Thanks alot for your advice, Im going to speak to the person dealing with UCAS and all that tomorrow, see which places Id be most likely to get into and apply for them.

I passed everything at the AC but failed on the respect for race and diversity. I didnt say anything racist or disrespectful throughout the whole day, so im sure it was something I didnt pick up on in a situation in the role play or one of the other activities. I was told they are crying out for PSCOs too, but its not something im keen on.

[Daggers]

I passed everything at the AC but failed on the respect for race and diversity. I didnt say anything racist or disrespectful throughout the whole day...

It's all about buzzwords, don't sweat it. It's no longer enough to be simply not racist - now you have to demonstrate how not racist you are in every other sentence using the generic term of approval that day.

Seriously, have a read through of one of the books you can get on Amazon, or pop into a decent bookshop and read it for free

[MC Prussian]

Alright, your opinion on:

Leeds Metropolitan

University Of Westminster

National Film And Television School, Beaconsfield

[MC Prussian]

Ravensbourne is an amazing place. Very 'creative'. I seriously considered doing my degree there and have since been on several occasions for short courses/seminars and the like. I guess if depends what you're looking for though - as far as I know the courses/expertise of the tutors is excellent and the place is very well respected within the industry. However, the majority of courses are arts related and, in my opinion, because it's quite small it feels more like an art college than a 'city-style uni'. Lovely setting but accommodation around there ain't cheap!

Thanks for that. However, after having a close look at the courses offered by Ravensbourne, I've come to the conclusion that it's not my cuppa tea. Ravensbourne doesn't really do something specifically film-related (as you mentioned). It's either Animation, Broadcasting, Sound Design or Graphic Design - all too far off from what I'd like to do.

So, the question remains - what would be a good, respected Uni/College with a film production degree for you to recommend to a guy like me?

And I still don't know where to put Leeds Met on the map - is it any good?

[Dr The Singh]

Thanks for that. However, after having a close look at the courses offered by Ravensbourne, I've come to the conclusion that it's not my cuppa tea. Ravensbourne doesn't really do something specifically film-related (as you mentioned). It's either Animation, Broadcasting, Sound Design or Graphic Design - all too far off from what I'd like to do.

So, the question remains - what would be a good, respected Uni/College with a film production degree for you to recommend to a guy like me?

And I still don't know where to put Leeds Met on the map - is it any good?

My mate did his degree at Luton University, it was film production based, he now works on Hollyoaks and some kids tv programme!!

According to my NUS, I study at Brighton University!!