Welcome to the November edition of the 2021/22 Linking London Uni Connect bulletin.
Below you'll find upcoming events for students and staff.
This academic year, the Linking London Uni Connect team is working more closely together on targeting both adult learners and young learners in colleges. We are combining our monthly bulletins and providing a thorough update on all sides of our Uni Connect work in one mailing.
So far this term over 220 activities were delivered or facilitated by our Uni Connect team, engaging 115 ward learners and an additional 133 non-ward learners. One to one sessions now take a slightly more structured approach, using a ‘pathway menu’ resource that we have developed to better set out the intentions on both sides of the one-to-one relationship and to ensure greater consistency of offer. The main new piece of work this month has been the launch of four new online mentoring schemes, delivered by University of the Arts London, St Mary’s University Twickenham, New College of the Humanities, and Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, in conjunction with all our target colleges. This support is subject-specific for most learners, with undergraduate mentors covering a wide range of specialisms in the creative arts, humanities and social sciences, but even outside these areas mentees seem to value this (almost) peer-level advice and guidance throughout the UCAS and decision-making processes. A pilot programme of resilience workshops has taken place this term in two colleges, coordinated by New College of the Humanities and delivered in person by an external facilitator. Students have also benefited from trips to our HE partners for subject specific workshops including Royal Central and Rose Bruford, and HE partners have also visited our colleges to deliver several workshops including a business pathways workshop delivered by Middlesex University in London South East Colleges and a finance workshop delivered by the London Institute of Banking and Finance. Lastly, on November 18th two of our partners, UAL and Ravensbourne University contributed to a ‘Creative Day’ in Havering FE College with student ambassadors present and help for students with their portfolios which was very well received.
Update on Uni Connect adult learner work
If you require support with IAG and HE advice for your Level 3 adult learners, please complete our request form and we will reach out to our HE partners on your behalf to fill the request. Several colleges have utilised this so far with positive results.
We are in the early stages of planning projects to support Level 2 and below adult learners, with the hope of delivering support next term.
We have provided personal statement to approximately 30 adult learners so far this term.
Birkbeck, UoL list upcoming events here - including campus tours.
Ravensbourne have a series of workshops, tasters, and clinics running, see upcoming events here. Their next open day is December 8th.
Greenwich have sessions for prospective students listed here, including an application support session on October 27th.
Middlesex advertise upcoming events here, including a Disabled Student Allowance Q&A session for staff on December 8th.
Kingston University London - advertise upcoming webinars here, including a session on applying for student finance on December 9th.
Pearson College London are holding taster days on December 4th - book here for the Business school and book here for Escape Studios.
UAL has upcoming sessions for students listed here, including some course-specific open sessions.
UEL list upcoming events here, including some late personal statement and UCAS support sessions.
University of Westminster have a series of master classes, Westminster Wednesdays, running throughout the next few months book here.
GoingToUni has been launched by City, University of London, offering a range of different resources to help support students in their journey to HE.
New Resource for Disabled Learners in London from AimHigher London Unifish is your guide to higher education in London when you need a little more support.
Discover if a higher education provider has adapted accommodation, accessible learning spaces, specialist adapted support social groups, specialist knowledge within the disability service, support available from academic staff and much more. Accessible for all audiences including prospective and current disabled students, careers staff, SEND practitioners, Heads of Sixth Form, teaching staff and others. www.unifish.org.uk
How to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ZAhlqD0po
HEI virtual tours and open days
Brunel have an open day on December 8th - book here.
University of Greenwich have their next open day on December 4th - book here - and their virtual tours here.
Kingston have no more open days this year - keep an eye out for 2022 dates here.
London South Bank University have their virtual tours here.
Middlesex University London - take a virtual campus tour here and book onto their virtual open event on December 11th here.
New College of the Humanities have bookable upcoming open days here - next one is December 4th.
Ravensbourne University London have an open day on December 8th - details here - and their virtual tour is here.
Rose Bruford College have open days available to book here - next is January 15th.
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama list upcoming events here.
SOAS, UoL have a virtual tour available here. Next open day is January 15th - book here.
St Mary's next open day is December 15th - details here.
University of East London have their virtual tour here.
University of Westminster have their next open day in March 2022 - book here.
Linking London Uni Connect Resources
BTEC Support Package
Our videos for Level 3 BTEC students released in April may be helpful for current Year 2 BTEC students. Please do share with students and colleagues and let us know if it's helpful.
The London Uni Connect is part of the Uni Connect programme funded by the Office for Students. AccessHE, Aimhigher London and Linking London* work with staff in schools and colleges across London to help increase awareness among young Londoners of the opportunities available in higher education. Linking London works exclusively with staff in London sixth form colleges and further education colleges.
*Linking London, based at Birkbeck, University of London, is an established partnership of London higher education institutions, colleges and other members dedicated to improving social mobility for college learners through education.
