The University of West London

Students given a sneak preview of life at the University

Wednesday 08 August 2012

Prospective students had the opportunity to get an exciting preview of what lies ahead for them at the University's first Study Skills Summer School in July.

The brand new initiative saw UCAS applicants, who had made the University their 'firm choice' after receiving unconditional and conditional offers for full-time undergraduate courses starting in September 2012 receive exclusive incites to attend the event.

Applicants, who were aged 17 to 32 were selected on the basis of being from backgrounds currently under represented in higher education as part of the University's Access Agreement.

The Summer School took place over four days, and prospective students took part in eleven 90 minute study skills sessions focusing on independent learning, academic writing, contributing in seminars, using module study guides and a range of other essential topics that would transform them from successful school/college learners into prosperous higher education students – bridging a gap that many students say is very challenging to overcome.

To help prepare them for student life those participating also enjoyed a budgeting workshop and a healthy eating cookery class (so they have no excuse for living on takeaways when they join us in September).

In addition to dramatically enhancing  students’ confidence in their study skills (judged by questionnaires taken before and after the intervention), they commented on how the evening social activities – which included a Greek cuisine-tasting evening, a trip to Tenpin bowling alley and a quiz night – helped them to become more confident in fitting in, making friends and constructing peer support networks.

The feedback from the event was positive and those in attendance commented:

'The staff were really friendly and I now feel confident about coming to the University.’

'At the start of the Summer School university was really unfamiliar to me so I felt nervous.  But I made new friends and the staff were really lovely and friendly.’

The Study Skills Summer School was organised by the University’s Education Liaison Team, who offer a range of ways sixth form and college students can have a taste of life at the University.

Please see www.uwl.ac.uk/scc for more details.