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Introduction
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Taking a degree is a major commitment; this guide has been written to advise students over the age of 21 who are interested in making that commitment. Many of you may not be sure whether you are eligible to apply to the University of Sheffield. You may think that you do not have the right qualifications or that your age precludes you from considering such a step. Many mature students already study at this University and you would not be on your own if you apply and accept a place at the University of Sheffield. In fact, you would find yourself part of a lively community of mature students who take an active and valued role in the life of their department and the University.
The University and its staff recognise the value of mature students and will be pleased to hear from you. Academic staff who have had the opportunity of teaching mature students comment that they enjoy the committed and enthusiastic approach such students bring to their studies. Although you might be concerned that you may be out of your depth at university, you should be reassured to know that, generally, mature students do well and often achieve better than average degree results.
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How to Use This Guide
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You may have already seen the Undergraduate Prospectus and read in it the information for mature students. This guide has been written to supplement that information. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the Prospectus, by covering areas which are of special relevance and importance to mature candidates. The Prospectus carries detailed information of all the undergraduate degree courses on offer, and lists the contact name, address and telephone number for those subjects.
This Guide will help you take the necessary steps to enter the University by giving information on how to apply, what happens to your application as it goes through the system, and the University's facilities for mature students. It contains brief information about preparing yourself adequately for study, and some financial, career and personal advice. There is also a section on part-time degree courses for those who would prefer not to study full-time.
At the end of the guide you will find a list of useful contact names, addresses and telephone numbers, followed by a list of publications which may be helpful to you.
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The University
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The University of Sheffield developed as a civic university through the financial support of its local community. A public appeal for funds brought in donations from every sector of local society, including thousands of factory workers, and in 1905 three existing institutions merged to become the University when the Royal Charter was granted. The campaign poster for a University Charter included the statement 'The University will be for the people'.
These community links and ideals have remained strong ever since. The University still has a firm commitment to people who do not enter Higher Education straight after school. We operate an active equal opportunities policy, which includes encouraging mature students to apply to the University.
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Are You Serious?
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Returning to education may well mean a fundamental change to your life. You will need to think about the effects it will have on you, your family and on your financial commitments, as well as finding out all you can about University courses and what is required from you as a potential student; and it is important to think about all these issues as soon as possible. It is vital that you know what is available at the University and relate this to your own particular interests. Modular degrees offer even greater flexibility and you should use the Prospectus to discover all the options available.
To complete a degree requires a great deal of time and dedication, and the support, encouragement and understanding of your family and friends will be important to you.
The University of Sheffield is a popular university. Competition for places is high among mature students and places are limited. You need to keep in mind that academic departments will look for a mixture of life-experience, enthusiasm for study and adequate preparation when they assess mature candidates. Most of our mature applicants have the first; nearly all of them have the second. To be offered a place, it is the third of these requirements which often tips the balance.
Traditionally, many mature students want to study Arts and Social Sciences subjects and this is where you will find a large number of them. However, there is a growing interest in Science, Engineering and Medicine, so appropriate Access Courses and Foundation Years are now widely available. In considering your choice it is important to understand the different nature of University courses. For example, degrees in Medicine take up to six years to complete, and in Architecture up to seven years, and require students to undertake vocational practice. Other courses will require you to spend time away from home doing fieldwork or, in the case of Modern Languages or American Studies, studying abroad.
The message is: be both ambitious and realistic. All Departments will show interest in your application and try to assess your ability to follow a course successfully. Your duties are to assess yourself and the course you wish to take, to ensure that you and the course requirements are complementary, preferably before you apply. In your local area, Educational Guidance Services for Adults, Connexions Services and Colleges of Further Education will all be able to give you valuable help and advice, so do take advantage of their services when you are planning your return to study.
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What the University Wants From You
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The University aims to have a flexible approach, and we are looking for highly motivated people who will gain from studying with us. Admissions Tutors will want to satisfy themselves that you are sufficiently literate and numerate to succeed, and they may ask you to provide evidence of your ability, but each application will be considered on its own merits, and according to the individual demands of the course to which you are applying. It is important, however, to recognise that departments will require evidence of preparation and prior knowledge of the subject(s) you wish to take.
Some departments will specify which subjects they expect you to have some prior knowledge of and the standard of attainment they require, especially those with a Science or Maths element or in Modern Languages. Check the box headed Entry Requirements and Admissions Procedure in the relevant departmental entry in the Undergraduate Prospectus, or contact the Admissions Tutor for advice. Before you embark on a programme of study such as an Access course, or any other form of preparatory study such as Open University Courses or BTEC, make certain it covers the required subject areas.
Please note: There is a University-wide requirement to have an acceptable English Language qualification. Such qualifications include:
• GCSE or GCE O level (Grade C or better)
• Kitemarked Access to HE approved GCSE equivalent Certificate
• NEAB University Entrance Test in English (Pass)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grades A, B or C)
If you are undertaking an Access course, please talk to your tutor about whether it is possible to take English Language or equivalent as an option.
Nursing and Midwifery courses have their own educational requirements. The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service Applicant Handbook gives full details of these, including alternative qualifications. The Handbook is available from the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service.
You must find out the requirements for any course before you commit yourself to one particular type of study, and you should talk beforehand to the Recruitment and Admissions Office or the Admissions Tutor in the department(s) you are interested in. If you do not yet know exactly which academic subjects you are interested in, a broad-based course which offers a range of subjects will give you some idea of what subjects you enjoy and are good at.
The Faculties of Engineering and Pure Science offer some courses with a Foundation Year. The Foundation Year is worth considering if you do not have sufficient prior knowledge for entry to the first year of the degree course. For further details, check our online prospectus.
The need for adequate preparation cannot be stressed enough; that and a detailed knowledge about the course(s) of your choice will increase both your confidence and your chances of being offered a place.
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The most important part of choosing the right course is to ensure that you have read the Undergraduate Prospectus carefully. It contains comprehensive details of each course. Departments often have additional leaflets about their courses and you should contact them directly for copies.
The Student Recruitment and Admissions Office can help with general information about preparatory study and making an application. For more specific enquiries about individual courses, you are welcome to contact Admissions Tutors on an informal basis. Their names are listed alongside each course in the online undergraduate prospectus.
You are also encouraged to visit the University before you apply.
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When to Apply
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You apply to university through a central body called the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which is responsible for the processing of all applications in the United Kingdom.
Normally you apply between September and January in the year prior to your expected entry. For example, if you hope to apply for entry in autumn 2004 then your application should be received by 15 January 2004. You must include comprehensive details of Access courses, such as subjects studied, levels, credits and accreditation methods, on the UCAS form. This will assist Admissions Tutors in their assessment and therefore save time in the decision-making process.
Although Admissions Tutors may consider late applications from mature candidates, it is much better if you can submit your application before the closing date. If you are taking an Access course, particularly one lasting only one year, you may feel that the UCAS deadline is too early for you to demonstrate your readiness to enter university or for your tutors to comment on your abilities. Nevertheless, Admissions Tutors would still prefer to receive an application on time. They may request further information from yourself or your referee as you progress in your course.
Applications are forwarded to the University provided they are received at UCAS by 30 June 2004. Applications received after this date are held at UCAS and treated as Clearing applications. If you do make a late application, you should always check with the Recruitment and Admissions Office that there are still places available before sending in your application. The more popular courses, such as Law, Psychology, Medicine or English Literature, are likely to fill their student places early, and you will have less chance of obtaining a place if you make a late entry for such courses.
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An application form to send for the UCAS pack is included with this Guide. You can also request one direct from UCAS.
When completing your UCAS form, it is extremely important to plan your application carefully and to follow the instructions for completion which UCAS provide in their Handbook and Instructions Leaflet.
Some major points to remember are:
• Prepare your application in draft first and practice on photocopies to make sure your personal statement etc. fits into the space provided. Do not start filling in the form until you have worked out what you want to say.
• In section 4, mature students need only give the dates of their last full-time school or college and any other educational or training establishments subsequently attended - for example, the name of the college where they are taking an Access course.
• Sections 7A and 7B of the UCAS form can be used flexibly to maximise the amount of information provided. However, even if you have taken or are taking examinations, you should enter in section 7A I am applying as a mature student in large, bold letters at the top of the section. You must also list as much information as possible in section 7B about your Access course if you are taking one, or any other course you are currently taking, such as subjects, levels, credits and the validation agency which endorses it. See paragraphs 7.11, 7.12, 7.14 and 10.4 of the UCAS instructions.
• You can apply for up to six courses even if you are applying to only one university. Your chosen subject will probably have dual subject options which might interest you just as much as applying for a single subject. However, it is sensible to limit your options to subject areas which are linked. For example, Admissions Tutors might be wary of an application which lists both Physics and History, but they will understand an equal interest in Ecology and Zoology, as they are both within related subject areas in the Faculty of Pure Science.
• Choose a referee who knows about your current situation and can offer an opinion about your academic potential. A tutor from an 'A' level, Access or Open University course would be ideal, and this is a further reason why it is a good idea to undertake a preparatory course before applying.
• You are not allowed to send anything other than your application form to UCAS. If you would like to send further information, such as the syllabus of your preparatory course, a particularly good piece of work, or details of relevant experience or life-skills, you should send them to the Admissions Tutor in the Department(s) to which you are applying.
• Hand your form, card and fee to your referee with the UCAS instructions. S/he will provide your reference and forward the documentation to UCAS. Don't forget to photocopy your form before handing it over, though!
When you send in your UCAS application form there is a fee of £15 (for entry in 2004). However, if you wish to apply for one course only the fee is £5.
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What Happens to Your Application
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1. All UCAS forms are copied and sent from the UCAS Office in Cheltenham to the University. If you have applied for more than one course at the University of Sheffield, UCAS will send us a copy of your form for each course and you will receive a separate decision for each of them. When the Admissions Tutor for the course(s) you have applied for has looked at your application, you may be asked for interview. If the Admissions Tutor thinks you have the potential to make a good student, you may be made a conditional offer of a place at the start of the next academic year, which usually falls at the end of September. Alternatively, you may be offered a place without being asked for interview. If so, you may still have the chance to visit the University by coming to one of the Department's own Open Days, or attending one of the University-wide pre-application Open Days.
2. Conditions for entry vary from department to department. For example, Maths at Grade B GCSE level or its equivalent is a pre-requisite for courses in the School of Management, and Maths at Grade C GCSE level or its equivalent is a pre-requisite for Psychology. You may be asked to supply external evidence of your ability, such as providing examples of previous or current work, attaining certain 'A' level or BTEC grades, or achieving a specified number of credits and levels on an Access course. Some Departments may ask you to undertake work set specifically by them, such as an essay or case study, or to sit a short subject-related examination. Admissions Tutors aim to give you the best possible chance to show your academic ability, but you should make absolutely certain that you understand the terms of your offer and that they are appropriate and acceptable to you.
3. Every application is treated carefully and sympathetically. Admissions Tutors know from experience that applicants have different backgrounds and levels of attainment, so they aim to make the entry procedures as flexible and individually-tailored as possible. Your life-skills, experiences and commitment will all be important, and you should do your utmost to display these facets when completing your application.
4. Of course, not everyone receives an offer of a place. Competition is strong and some mature students may be better suited to a particular course than others. You need to understand and be ready to accept that your application for a particular course may be unsuccessful if the Admissions Tutor is doubtful about your potential or your academic preparation. That is why it is important to be well prepared, and why we encourage mature applicants to contact us in advance. Being aware of the realities will help you make a positive application, or put you on the right track to making one in the very near future.
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What Happens Once You Are Offered a Place
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Offers of a place at University can either be unconditional or conditional and are made through UCAS.
An unconditional offer means that you have been given a place without needing to fulfil any further academic requirements.
It is more likely that you will receive a conditional offer which will require you to fulfil certain conditions, such as successfully completing a course or achieving certain grades in examinations. Whether your offer is unconditional or conditional, if you applied through UCAS before the deadline of 15 January you should know by early May, or even earlier, whether or not you have been offered a place. In the case of a conditional offer your place will only be confirmed once you have met the conditions of the offer and your results have been received by the Undergraduate Admissions Division. If you have applied for University accommodation, your contract will be sent out separately by Accommodation Services.
Throughout the application process, UCAS will give you all the information you need about offers and how to accept them.
During this period you may not hear directly from the University, but do not feel you have been forgotten. Pre-arrival packs with information about Intro Week and Registration are sent out at the end of July to all those who have accepted an unconditional offer, and then to other students as their places are confirmed after receipt of results.
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Open Days
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Mature Students are very welcome to attend any of our pre-application Open Days throughout the year.
In addition to the opportunity to visit an academic department and have a look around the campus, there are a number of talks throughout the day, including one especially for Mature Students.
For more details about our open Days, including dates and how to book, please click here.
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Alternative Ways to Study - Part-Time Degrees
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The University's Institute for Lifelong Learning offers a number of undergraduate qualification courses. Using the national Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS), they offer Certificates (level 1), Diplomas (level 2) and Degrees (level 3) in a range of subjects. You are therefore able to follow each course of study at your own pace, 'banking' credits as you progress.
There are no specific entry requirements, and applications are welcome from anyone who can demonstrate their ability to study at undergraduate level.
Part-time degrees are offered in English Studies and Performing Arts, French Studies, Social and Political Studies, Spanish and Latin American Studies, Women's Studies, and Natural and Human Environments.
For further information on part-time degrees, contact the Institute for Lifelong Learning to request a copy of the booklet Part-Time Adult Education.
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Childcare: The Nursery
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The Union of Students, with University support, runs a nursery which currently has places for 64 children aged six months to five years. The Children's Services Manager, Cilla Carr, also provides advice on local childcare provision.
The Nursery, which is inspected and approved by Ofsted and the local authority, is in Brunswick Street, five minutes' walk from the main University campus. Opening times for students are 8.45am - 5.00pm. Nursery fees are subsidised for students' children and are calculated on a sliding scale according to income. The Nursery operates criteria for admission, so you should apply early, but special consideration is given to each student's family circumstances. The Nursery operates an open door policy all year.
If you are interested in sending your child/children to the Nursery you should make enquiries as soon as you apply for or are offered a University place, as there is a heavy demand, and often a waiting list.
New children are invited to an Open Day at the beginning of each academic year.
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Childcare : Holiday Playscheme
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Playschemes for children between the ages of 4½ (in full-time education) and 12 operate every school holiday except Christmas. The scheme is organised by qualified and experienced staff and is authorised by a registration certificate from the local inspection authority. The playscheme is held in a local school with outdoor play area, near the University and on a regular bus route.
Opening hours are 8.30am to 1pm and 1pm to 5.30pm.
The activity programme includes swimming, visits to the cinema, ski village, "just for kids", creative and sport activities, IT games (limited) and half day trips. Some activities are organised for individual age groups, but there are also opportunities for all the children to play together.
Sessions can be booked for a half or full day, except for day trips which are for a whole day.
There are fee subsidies for the children of University of Sheffield students; students are required to submit financial details for assessment of their fee contribution. There is a discount for the second child.
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Accommodation
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Many of the University's mature students are local and therefore may not need to look for accommodation. However, for people moving to Sheffield, the University's Housing Services Department has a number of houses specifically for mature students (over 21 years old). These houses are all within a two-mile radius of the University. If you wish to be considered for mature student accommodation, please indicate on the choices section of the application form that you are eligible for a mature flat or house. There are also a few flats and houses suitable for married couples with families. Should you require any help or advice, please telephone Housing Services once you have been made an offer by the University.
Full details, including an application form for housing, are sent out to all new students during March. Mature students are encouraged to complete the application form and return it to Housing Services as soon as possible.
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The Union of Students
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The Union of Students provides services and activities for all its members, and mature students are encouraged to become involved with its many societies.
The Union of Students has a committee specifically responsible for mature student issues. The aim of the Mature Students' Committee is to help mature students get the most out of their time at University and to ensure they are represented in all aspects of student life. It is active in finding out what mature students want from the Committee, the Union and the University and in representing their interests. The Committee also publishes a regular Mature Students' newsletter.
The Mature Students' Committee has a resource room in the Union, providing a port of call for information and a place to meet up with members of the committee. There is also a designated lounge specifically for the use of mature students.
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Student Advice Centre
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The Student Advice Centre provides free, professional and confidential advice and information to all students on a wide range of issues. The Advice Centre is similar to a Citizens Advice Bureau, but caters specifically for students.
At the Advice Centre you will find a wide range of information about Union and University activities, and also details of local and national welfare support services. If they do not have the information that you require they can usually refer you to another agency who will be able to help.
A team of professional advisers at the Advice Centre provides a general advice service and also specialises in finance, housing, academic, immigration, employment and consumer matters. The Advice Centre is open throughout the year from 9am - 5pm in term time, and 9am - 4pm in vacations.
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Welcome Sessions
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| At the start of the academic year, all mature students are invited to various introductory sessions, which provide an opportunity to meet other mature students, and to find out about support services at the University. Students will be sent details of these sessions before the start of the first semester.
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Counselling
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Most mature students cope well with full-time study, even though many of you have the additional domestic responsibilities of home and family. However, for one reason or another, you might find yourself under pressure at times.
You will find that much of the support you receive at University will come from other mature students. In addition, your personal tutor is there to help with advice about academic matters and to offer general support and guidance.
The University also has a Counselling Service which deals with a wide range of personal and academic difficulties, providing a free and confidential service to all students. In addition to providing individual counselling, a series of workshops and groupwork programmes is also offered.
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Careers Service
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The University Careers Service provides an integrated guidance, information and vacancy service for all students of the University. It aims to help students make effective career decisions which recognise their skills, motivations and circumstances. It provides facilities to help students seeking work experience, as well as advice on career planning and strategy, current vacancies and careers events.
Whatever your plans, it is never too early to start thinking about and planning for those important career decisions which lie ahead. We encourage you to visit the Careers Service early in your time at the University, and to make full use of the expertise on offer.
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Students with Disabilities, Dyslexia or Additional Support Requirements
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The University of Sheffield is committed to respond appropriately and effectively to the additional support requirements of students.
Students who need support or advice should contact the Central Support and Welfare section of the Student Services Department. This section has a responsibility for overseeing the requirements of students with disabilities.
Further information is available in the University publication Information for disabled students, dyslexic students and students with additional support requirements. Copies are available from the Student Services Information Desk or the Union of Students Advice Centre. They are available in large print or braille on request.
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Other Help and Support
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A publication, The Survival Handbook for Mature Students, is available to all undergraduate mature students from the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD). The purpose of the Handbook is to act as a source of information and reference whilst at University.
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Money
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Everyone's financial circumstances are different and the regulations surrounding fees and loans will vary from person to person.
Details of student support arrangements are provided by the DFES and you should seek advice on your entitlement from your Local Education Authority.
The Union of Students' Student Advice Centre also has advisers who can advise mature students on financial matters. The service also provides information on benefits for University students.
The University also produces its own leaflet on financial support which is given to all students at registration or in the pre-arrival information.
It is highly likely that taking a degree course will cause your income to change, so careful planning and guidance are necessary. We strongly advise mature applicants to seek information and advice from the sources mentioned above.
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Action Plan
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1. Work out, by using the University Prospectus, your local Careers/Educational Guidance Services and publications about choosing a degree, which subject areas are of interest to you.
2. Discuss your current qualifications and life experience with appropriate advisors such as:
• Local College Staff
• Careers/Educational Guidance Services
• The Recruitment and Admissions Office
• Admissions Tutors
3. Work out how much time you have to spend on any academic study you will need to undertake, and look for preparatory courses which will accommodate your requirements.
4. Check again with Admissions Tutors or the Recruitment and Admissions Office whether your choice of preparatory study programme is appropriate to the subject you wish to take at degree level.
5. Attend an Open Day to find out more about the University.
6. Apply to the University by completing a UCAS form, preferably before 15 January in the year you wish to start, and send it to the UCAS office in Cheltenham.
7. If you are taking a one-year course, send any subsequent information or updated references obtained after 15 January to the appropriate Admissions Tutor(s). Include your UCAS reference number, which you should have by this stage.
8. If you wish to make a late application, check with the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office that places are still available on the course.
9. Await the University's decision, which should be made by the end of April/beginning of May at the latest.
10. Complete the conditions of the offer, and ensure that the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office knows that you have done so.
11. Apply to your local education authority for an assessment of your fee status.
12. Use the remainder of the time before coming to University to brush up on study skills, start your background reading and organise such practical details such as accommodation, childcare and finances
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Your Future Career Prospects
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If you plan to obtain a degree to enhance your career prospects, or have a specific career in mind, take professional advice from a qualified careers adviser before committing yourself to a particular course.
This Guide has stressed the need to be properly informed and advised on every step of the way to University. There are serious issues which you have to consider, as well as having the enthusiasm and desire to study. We hope that we have helped you in your decision and that you are now interested in making an application to this University. We are sure you will find the experience worthwhile. To quote a former mature student speaking about her degree course at Sheffield, 'the periods of uncertainty are always outweighed by the positive benefits of returning to study - it was a wonderful experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'.
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Directory of Useful Names and Addresses
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The University of Sheffield
Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TE
Main University Switchboard
Tel: 0114 222 2000
Disabilities Advice and Information,
Central Support and Welfare, Student Services Department
Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN.
Zoe Chapman/Ruth Phillips/Catherine McAuley,
Tel: 0114 222 1313
Fax: 0114 222 1304
Institute for Lifelong Learning
Part-Time Degrees
196-198 West Street, Sheffield, S1 4ET
Tel: 0114 222 7000
E-mail: adultconted@sheffield.ac.uk
Housing Services
Accommodation & Campus Services
The University of Sheffield
Sorby Hall
Endcliffe Vale Road
Sheffield
S10 3ES
Tel: (0114) 222 6041 - General Enquiries
Fax: (0114) 222 0289 - General Fax
Tel: (0114) 222 6039 - New Student Enquiries
Fax: (0114) 222 0290 - New Student Fax, Sheffield, S10
Mature Students' Committee
Union of Students, e-mail: MSC@sheffield.ac.uk
Nursery and Holiday Playscheme
Children's Services Manager: Cilla Carr
Holiday Playscheme Co-ordinator: Ian Chico Hamilton
93 Brunswick Street, Sheffield, S10 2FL
Tel: 0114 273 9361
Fax: 0114 275 2506
Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS)
General Enquiries: Tel: 01242 544949:
Student Advice Centre
Union of Students, Tel: 0114 222 8660
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3SH
General Enquiries: Tel: 01242 222444
Applicant Enquiries: Tel: 01242 227788
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