Blogs

I meet with Susan, my mentor, once a week, sometimes for an hour, sometimes for two. We sit and chat about uni and life; it’s a chance to speak to somebody about any concerns I have or any anxieties I may be feeling. I have Asperger’s syndrome and I have just finished a degree in English Literature at the University of Bedfordshire.

You’ve earned your bachelor’s degree and are probably at a crossroads wondering whether you should pursue postgraduate studies or enter the workforce.

Getting another qualification may lead to a wage premium, while work experience early on may equip you with skills that cannot be learned at university.

Increasingly, students are looking to earn money while they are completing their studies to alleviate some of their post-graduation student loan debt. There are positions in institutions that have long been student jobs – leaders in students’ unions, for example. But now, careers centres are not waiting until students have become alumni to connect them with employment opportunities. Working while at university is valuable for both the student and the institution.

“Minus 27” and “Minus 1” – in times like these you need not be a mathematical whizz-kid to understand the meaning behind these arithmetic operations. Twenty-seven places to live, love, study and work could be lost for Britain‘s youth. While not shutting the door entirely, Brexit and those who voted for it have pulled up the drawbridge, most likely taking away many of the privileges enjoyed by past generations. 

Students get a rough time these days. That, to me, seems almost indisputable.

Yes, laugh, if you must. Cue the violins and so on. But it’s true.

You have probably heard students’ sob stories before:

A note to my fellow disheartened university students: the fight for unity is not over

I had a good day last Thursday: walking around London, enjoying the sights, making the most of a beautiful city that I have grown so attached to. I was making the most of my final days here, as it is only next week when I’ll have to pack my things and move back to Medway, a much smaller place in Kent. I have been, for several months now, dreading that move. The thought has only made me feel sick to the stomach and rather despondent.

IELTS, TOEFL, CPE, CAE, they all have one thing in common: these collections of letters are an obstacle you need to overcome provided you are an international student and want to study at an English-speaking university. This can be nerve-racking, time-consuming and expensive. However, it is a requirement that is not disputable and questioning the exam itself does not get you anywhere, so the best thing to do is to accept it and try to make the best out of it. This article aims at helping you to do that.

For many, working towards a PhD is more than a stepping stone in their career – it’s a personal journey. I’m in the final stretch; it’s a stressful time, but despite that I’m feeling content and at ease with myself and the world around me.

“Free speech” seems to be a pretty hot topic right now – particularly in relation to universities, which have been the backdrop for a lot of recent no-platforming and protesting. Do universities have a right to prohibit certain individuals from giving public speeches on campus on the grounds that their beliefs are distasteful or harmful? Is it reasonable for students to boycott or protest against some speakers or speeches? Or should university campuses be a verbal free-for-all, where anyone may promulgate anything, no matter the implications or potential consequences?

Asia is still the fastest growing economy in the world. Many employers are expanding into Asia, and entrepreneurial opportunities are wide open. The region is also home to awe-inspiring adventure destinations and many interesting cultures. Asia’s exciting environment and excellent prospects have attracted students from around the world for tertiary education, be it undergraduate or postgraduate studies.