POSTED: 22.3.2006

I´ve got so many questions about GOING to UNI

Answers to your questions!

Staff at the University of Paisley in Dumfries are regularly asked lots of questions from potential students about studying at the Crichton University Campus and here are some of the most common questions and answers.

Q. I’m just about to leave school and I’m trying to decide whether or not to go to university, what should I do?

A. Request lots of prospectuses, browse university websites (and www.ucas.com) and visit as many universities as you can. Think about what you enjoy, what you want to achieve and where you want to live. Find out what each university offers in terms of courses and facilities, do they offer the type of course and the lifestyle you want? Do you have the entry qualifications? Consider the advantages of staying at home (family and friends close by, keep part-time job, know the area, cheaper) and don’t forget to look into your local option! (www.crichton.ac.uk)

Q. I’m not sure if I am capable of university study or if I want to study at the Crichton Campus, do you have any advice?

A. The University of Paisley in Dumfries offers a FREE Summer School for both school leavers and mature students thinking about going into Higher Education. The Summer Schools lasts for 5 weeks from the 12th June and attendance is required for only two days or two evenings a week. – it is a taster course in either Business or Computing and it can help you decide if you want to study for a degree and if the Crichton Campus is the best choice for you. If you’re a school leaver and worried that you might not get all the Highers you need to get into university, Summer School may just help you out! If you’re more mature and worried about studying again, this could be you’re answer too! Call 01387 702075 or email: summer@crichton.gla.ac.uk for more information.

Q. I go to school in Dumfries & Galloway and someone told me I can get a scholarship of £200 per year if I study at the Crichton Campus, is this true?

Yes, it’s true. If you go to school in Dumfries & Galloway you are entitled to £200 per year if you choose to study at the Crichton University Campus when you leave school (regardless of your parent’s income). These scholarships are funded by the Crichton Foundation and are called the Crichton: University Scholarship Agreement or CUSA for short! To make sure you don’t miss out remember to register with the CUSA Officer before you leave school (it’s too late once you leave!). Tel: 01387 702067 or email: cusa@crichton.gla.ac.uk to find out more.

Q. I’m thinking about building on existing qualifications, but not quite sure where to start?

A. Many students study with the University of Paisley to build on their HNC or HND qualifications to achieve their degree – by doing this, students do not have to study from year 1 but can sometimes start in year 2 or year 3 of a degree programme. It is also possible to do this on a part-time basis, either during the day or in the evening. The first thing to do is get in touch to discuss the qualifications you have, what time you have available to study and an Education Adviser will work out a programme of study to suit you and your aspirations. (It is sometimes possible to build on experience rather than formal qualifications, so it’s worth checking it out). Call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk

Q. I’m considering a change of career or hoping to get promotion in my existing job, can I study part-time?

A. Yes, the University of Paisley offers a very flexible programme of study to help students study at a time and pace to suit their work and family commitments. Whether students wish to study out of interest, for personal development or work towards a degree, it is possible to study individual modules during the day or in the evening. Modules can be combined to build a degree but equally count as a stand-alone qualification for those students that don’t need or want a degree. It is up to the individual student to decide how many modules to study at a time – some students study one module a year, while others study up to six modules a year on a part-time basis. To request a copy of the University of Paisley part-time study guide call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk

Q. I’ve been out of work for so long that I think I need to improve my skills and qualifications, but I haven’t studied for years – what would you suggest?

The Summer School may be a good place to start if you want to try out university level study – it’s a free access course lasting only 5 weeks (attendance required two days or two evenings a week) from 12th June. It’s available in Business or Computing and as well as attending subject specific classes you will be given a good induction to IT and library facilities and receive useful study skills sessions on exam techniques, essay writing etc – just what you need if you haven’t studied for a while! On successful completion, you may be offered a full or part-time place on a degree programme. If however, you’d rather just start of with an introductory module, maybe one day or one evening a week, then there a few to choose from – new classes start in May, September and January each year and an Education Adviser can give you advice on what module to start off with. For more information call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk

Q. What study opportunities are available in Dumfries?

A. The University of Paisley offers a range of full and part-time courses in Dumfries, which includes Introductory modules such as Career Planning and First Steps at University (each £25) and the free five week Summer School in Business or Computing. The University Summer Programme also provides students with the opportunity to study an undergraduate module in the evening from June – August. Part-time undergraduate modules are also on offer during the day and in evening starting in either September or January each year. Full-time degree courses start in September each year and currently include Business, Computing and Childhood Studies with varying levels of specialisms available in Marketing, HR, Computer Games Development etc. A limited number of Post-graduate courses are also available. For more information on any of the above courses please call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk.

Q. How much does it cost to study and what financial assistance is available?
Individual undergraduate modules vary from £25 - £150 and postgraduate modules are £385 each. However, depending on your personal circumstances you may be entitled to a fee waiver - if you are unemployed, on low income or in receipt of benefits you may want to discuss this with the local Funding Adviser (Tel: 01387 702066) or you may be able to take advantage of one of the following university initiatives: the Winning Women Initiative (offering a free undergraduate module to any woman who hasn’t studied with the University before) and the ECDL module allowing students to enhance their computing and IT skills to a national standard is currently fully funded by the University.
Full-time students (studying towards their first degree) who live in Scotland are entitled to apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to cover the cost of their tuition fees, however upon graduation, students may be required to pay a graduate endowment. For more information visit www.saas.gov.uk or contact Student Services on 01387 702066.

Q. When should I apply?

It is advisable to apply for the free 5 week Summer School before the end of May (or earlier to avoid disappointment). For an application pack please call 01387 702075 or email: summer@crichton.gla.ac.uk or apply on-line at www.crichton.ac.uk.

To find out what part-time modules will be on offer from the University of Paisley during the summer or from September 2006 please call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk.

For anyone thinking about applying for full-time study from September, it is necessary to apply on-line at www.ucas.com before 30th June. It is still possible to apply after this date, but a late application procedure is followed – to request a late application form during July, August or September please call 01387 702075 or email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk

If you haven’t read the answer to your questions or you want to request more information, call 01387 702075 or Email: crichton@paisley.ac.uk.