University of Bradford offers advice to school-leavers worried about Covid-19 affecting 2020/21 intake
University of Bradford responds to concerns over 2020/2021 intake
Virtual open day, webinars, ‘Unibuddy’ sessions, frequently asked questions and individual advice and guidance form part of a raft of measures unveiled by the University of Bradford in response to prospective students’ concerns over how Covid-19 will affect academic life.
The university has also drawn up a list of tips for students enrolling in 2020/21.
Top tips for worried 2020/2021 applicants:-
- Contact the university (see links below)
- Sign up for the virtual open day on June 20
- View our webinars on student finances, choosing courses, adult learner applications, fees and more
- Chat to students who have already made the transition (our ‘Unibuddy’ sessions)
Claire Pryke, Associate Director (Recruitment Operations), University of Bradford, said: “We completely understand applicants’ concerns about their calculated results. As the University of the Year for Social Inclusion, we have always taken an individual approach to our admissions decisions at results confirmation and clearing and we would like to reassure applicants that this is an approach which we will continue this year.”
The concerns are outlined in a new report by TSR Insight, which is part of The Student Room, the largest online student community in the UK. The survey found only seven per cent of prospective 2020 students were ‘very confident’ about their calculated grades, while 35 per cent were ‘quite confident’. A majority of 2020 students wanted clarity on how flexible universities will be with grades and also practical things like start dates and reading lists.
The report notes: “Despite the uncertainty of the current situation, almost three quarters of 2020 entry respondents felt they had enough information to make a decision about which university to go to. Clarity was wanted in terms of how flexible and lenient universities would be with those who do not achieve the entry requirements for their course.”
The report says of the 2021 cohort, 78 per cent were worried about the current situation will affect grades, with 73 per cent worried about ‘what happens next’ and 73 per cent concerned about traditional summer open days being cancelled.
Lack of motivation to study independently was a worry for many (70 per cent) along with concerns about missing this year’s teaching (69 per cent) and having to cram more into the next academic year (62 per cent). It also said a significant number were now looking at options which would enable them to live closer to home.
The University of Bradford will be running a Virtual Open Day on Saturday June 20, with information about degree programmes and what it’s like to be a student. Registration is now open at www.bradford.ac.uk/openday.
Additional advice is included in a series of webinars and ‘Unibuddy’ live sessions. These cover subjects from student finance, preparing for university study.
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) are also providing a range of resources and support to help applicants to make their choices and to understand more about the options available to them.
Details about University of the Year for Social Inclusion.
Useful links:-
https://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/coronavirus/faq/applying/
https://www.ucas.com/coronavirus
Useful contacts:-
schoolsandcolleges@bradford.ac.uk
Telephone: 01274 236088