By Rosemary Proctor

Whether you’ve been rejected or just missed the deadline, it can be tough if your friends have all been swept up in the strong, safe embrace of the grad scheme, and you’ve been left out in the cold. Is this to be your life post-uni – watching your friends bob along on a current of success as you struggle to stay afloat? Well, of course not. Here’s why.

You’re not alone

Most graduates don’t land a place on a grad scheme. In fact, it’s likely that most people who apply for grad schemes don’t end up on one. In 2016, respondents to the annual survey of the Institute of Student Employers (previously known as the Association of Graduate Recruiters) reported receiving an average of 68 applications per graduate vacancy, with this figure soaring to an average of 137 and 123 applications per vacancy in the transport/logistics and retail sectors respectively. So, there are more losers than winners in the grad scheme game.

Meanwhile, 17 percent of students surveyed in 2017 by the UK graduate recruitment agency BrightNetwork said they weren’t sure what they were going to do after they graduated. It’s important to note that the survey’s respondents were members of BrightNetwork, meaning they were already taking steps to secure employment post-uni, but they still weren’t sure what form that employment would actually take. The real number of students who don’t know what they’ll be doing after graduation is likely to be higher.

You may not have applied for the right reasons

Being accepted onto a grad scheme can give you a sense of security when you’re faced with the terrifying expanse of The Rest Of Your Life. Sometimes it’s this need for security, and not a real vocation for the work in question, that’s the driving factor behind grad scheme applications.

This may be one of the reasons why, when asked how long they intended to stay with their first employer, a fairly large proportion of respondents to the BrightNetwork survey said they didn’t know. Surprisingly perhaps, only 10 percent said they planned on sticking around for over five years.

Of course, this isn’t to say that 90 percent of the students surveyed had serious doubts about their chosen career, but it may suggest that a significant proportion of graduates go into their first job feeling less than certain about their future with the company in question, and perhaps even the industry in question. 

Even if you’d been certain that a particular career or industry was right for you, you still might have changed your mind after experiencing the reality. In fact, the latest annual survey of the Institute of Student Employers found that in 2017, 20 percent of those recruited through grad schemes left their job the year after completing the scheme. Reasons for leaving were varied, but many cited a desire for a change in career or dissatisfaction with their career progression.

You may have dodged a bullet

Let’s say you had landed a place on a grad scheme, but after a few months realised the career or industry wasn’t really for you. Let’s say you decide that sticking around would be a waste of time – you’re going to quit.

Then you remember that you’re under a lock-in clause: your employer has provided you with free training, and you’ve signed a contract stating that you’ll work for them until you’ve paid them back. If you quit, you’ll be liable for a substantial fee.

It’s unclear at present just how many companies use lock-in clauses. The practice has reportedly come to the attention of MPs after it was blasted by Jolyon Maugham QC, director of The Good Law Project, in a recent article for The Guardian. However common lock-in clauses are, their existence is a sobering reminder that the benefits of grad schemes are not always weighted in favour of the grad.

The take-away

If you had secured a place on a grad scheme, you might have hated it at first and then grown to love it, you might have loved it at first and then grown to hate it, you might have hated it from beginning to end or – if you were lucky – you might have loved it all the way through. It’s impossible to say. What is certain is that you haven’t missed out on anything yet: you do that only when you ignore the opportunities you have.

You are where you are, and it’s not a bad place to be. A degree will open doors for you and there are jobs available for graduates outside grad schemes. In those jobs, you’ll forge your own path. Right now, you have something those on grad schemes may lack: independence. In the immortal words of Ultra Naté, you’re free to do what you want to do.

Rosemary Proctor writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in sourcing candidates for internships and graduate jobs.

Education secretary Damian Hinds has confirmed that EU students starting in autumn 2019 will pay the same tuition fees to study at UK universities as British students.

Their access to financial support will also remain open throughout the length of their degree courses.

The Scottish and Welsh governments have already made similar decisions. Students in Scottish universities will continue to pay no tuition fees until autumn 2019, while EU students commencing courses in Welsh universities in 2019 will be treated as home students – a policy announced by the Welsh government on Monday.

The announcement will be greeted with relief by UK universities, as it means that there will be no ‘cliff-edge Brexit’ in March 2019 which could have had a seismic impact on their finances and student numbers.

Russell Group Chief Executive Dr Tim Bradshaw welcomed the government’s announcement, saying: “Today’s announcement could not have come a moment too soon. Applicants open in just a few months and many prospective students are already attending open days and making their decisions".

“Russell Group universities receive over 100,000 applications from EU students each year. They enrich campus life and provide a welcome boost to the UK economy”.

EU students wishing to enrol in courses starting in autumn 2019 at UK universities are being urged by vice-chancellors to confirm their status as soon as possible.

Why is this important?

Had EU students been classified as overseas students, they would have been expected to pay much higher fees, which may in turn have discouraged them from studying in the UK. Instead, EU students applying for courses in UK universities starting in 2019-2020 are guaranteed the continual of a “home fee status” even after the UK has fully exited the EU.  

For the average student on a four-year degree course, this means that funding will extend through to 2023.

Further Brexit negotiations will determine the level of fee for students applying from the EU in the following years.

There are currently more than 130,000 EU nationals enrolled in UK universities, most of which are predominantly enrolled in Russell Group Universities, London institutions and in Scotland.

Meanwhile, Hinds has confirmed the wish of Prime Minister Theresa May to freeze tuition fees in England at £9,250 as reviews are taking place. However, this autumn will see the interest rate on tuition fee loans continue to rise to 6.3 percent.

If you’re heading to Perth in Western Australia to study abroad, you’ll get to spend several years enjoying everything the city has to offer, including a surprising amount of free things.

But there are also plenty of day trips from Perth that shouldn’t be missed, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Read on to discover some of the best, budget-friendly day trips from Perth.

Bike around Rottnest Island

Probably number one on the list of must-do day trips from Perth, Rottnest Island is the perfect excursion for a combination of cycling, hiking and swimming. They offer student discounts on the ferry ride over to the island (AU$35 instead of $50) when you show your student ID, with departures every hour from Fremantle (accessible via the Fremantle train line). After a short 45-minute ferry ride, you will have access to the most pristine white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and hiking trails.

The best way to travel around the island is by bike, which can be rented when you arrive on the island. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even hire a snorkel (which I would highly recommend, since the island has some of the best snorkeling spots in Western Australia). Pack a picnic and this afternoon is one that won’t break the student budget. There are also cheap camping options if you are keen for a weekend away. Don’t forget to take a quokka selfie!

Check out The Pinnacles

A short two-hour drive north of Perth, the other-worldly landscape of The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park is an epic spot to stop along the Indian Ocean Drive. These desert sculptures are composed of shells, and are scattered along the sandy landscape in the thousands. The Pinnacles Loop is a four-kilometer road that can be driven or walked in about an hour, where these jagged pointed figures stand against shifting golden sand. This otherworldly landscape will make you feel like you’re visiting a planet in a universe far, far away.

Sandboarding in Lancelin

After you’ve visited the iconic Pinnacles, begin your journey back to Perth and stop for some sandboarding at the Lancelin Sand Dunes. Sand board hire is only $12 for up to two and a half hours, which is plenty of time to board up and down Western Australia’s largest sand dunes. Make sure to stay for dusk to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

I would recommend either renting a car for both The Pinnacles and Lancelin, or booking a tour and hit both at a small cost. Adams Pinnacle Tours offers a jam-packed day including both of these excursions, along with a visit to Sorrento Quay Hillarys Boat Harbour. However, if you have the time and ability to book a car, it will likely be a more relaxed way to see the sights and gives you a lot more freedom.

Snorkel at Penguin Island

After taking a 45-minute train to Rockingham from the central business district (via the Mandurah line), you can hop on the 10-minute ferry to Penguin Island to meet the world’s smallest penguins. The ferry costs $24 for one way and includes a penguin feeding upon arrival at the Discovery Centre. However, that’s not all that this island has to offer. Grab a snorkel and head to Shoalwater Bay to explore the crystal-clear waters, or walk along the boardwalk and witness the stunning views of the marine park. You can book a tour to swim with wild dolphins, which costs $205 and includes a full day cruise, lunch, snorkeling lessons, and complimentary photos. Or alternatively you can save money on the guided tour and rent a stand-up paddle board for $25 and bring your own snorkeling gear.

As of 2016, the QS World University Rankings by Subject includes a ranking of more than 100 top nursing schools in the world. Ranked based on factors such as their academic and employer standing, here is this year’s list of the world’s top 10 universities for nursing.

Top nursing schools in the US and Canada

The US dominates quite a large area in the list of World Rankings by Subject, and that includes the field of nursing – it occupies almost half (four) of the top 10 and 29 of the 101 overall. This is an increase from last year, with five US universities joining the top 101. In addition to the top 10 (shown above), the most sought-after US universities for nursing this year include the University of Michigan (ranked 12^th), the University of California, San Francisco (13^th), the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (at 14^th place) and the University of Pittsburgh (ranking 16^th).

Alternatively, Canada has exactly 10 of the best nursing schools, with the University of Toronto still in the top 10 but boasting an impressive second place this year, up four places. Other notable Canadian institutions for a nursing degree include the University of Alberta, which remains in the top 20 (ranking 17^th), McMaster University, which climbed a remarkable eight ranks from last year to rank 19^th, and the University of British Columbia, which retains its position of joint 20^th.

Top nursing schools in Europe

As was the case last year, this year’s ranking of top nursing schools seems to be rather dominated by European institutions and their number has increased (from 26 in 2017 to 31 in 2018). 15 of these universities are located within the UK and aside from its three entrants in the top 10, other top nursing schools in the UK include the University of Nottingham (28^th), the University of Edinburgh (30^th) and Ulster University (joint 33^rd).

Fellow European countries such as Sweden, Ireland, and Finland also offer some of the top 50 universities for a nursing degree, with Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet placed 11^th and Ireland’s Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin ranked joint 25^th, while Finland’s two entries are in the top 50: University of Turku (joint 44^th), University of Eastern Finland (49^th).

Some of the top 100 schools for a nursing degree in Europe are also located in Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, with Universitat de Barcelona, University of Basel, Ghent University and Utrecht University all ranked 51-100.  

Top nursing schools in Asia

11 of the top nursing schools in the subject rankings are situated in Asia, five of which are in the top 50, including the National University of Singapore (NUS) at 10^th place, National Taiwan University (NTU) ranking 22^nd and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) sitting at 29^th.

Amongst the top 100 nursing institutions, China, South Korea and Japan also claim respectable positions in the 51-100 range, with Fudan University and Peking University in China, Seoul National University and Yonsei University in South Korea and the University of Tokyo as Japan’s only ranked nursing school.

Top nursing schools in Australia & New Zealand

Heading south-east, Australia and New Zealand occupy 18 places in the nursing school ranking – 15 of which are claimed by Australia, with University of Technology Sydney holding seventh position as one of the top 10 nursing schools in the world, followed by the University of Sydney (15^th) and Monash University (18^th) in the top 20.

New Zealand has one entrant in the top 50: the University of Auckland (joint 41^st), while Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the University of Otago are both ranked 51-100. 

Top nursing schools in Latin America

Latin America features less prominently in the nursing school ranking, with only two  institutions in the top 100: Universidade de São Paulo and Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), both ranked 51-100.

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**Updated July 4 2018**

On June 23 2016, a hotly contested debate on the UK’s continued membership of the European Union culminated in a public vote narrowly in favor of the “leave” campaign. The full implications of the referendum remain uncertain.

On February 1 2017, the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government’s Brexit bill authorizing Prime Minister Theresa May to invoke Article 50. On March 29, May triggered Article 50, by signing a letter to the EU which formally starts the two-year negotiating window.

For now, it’s unlikely there will be any significant changes for students or others until March 2019 when the negotiating window draws to a close.

While much remains unclear, what could Brexit mean for students from the EU, UK and elsewhere?

Will tuition fees and financial aid change?

On April 21 2017, the government announced that EU students applying to commence studies at UK universities in autumn 2018 will remain eligible for the same loans and grants as domestic students. The announcement states that these conditions will apply for the entirety of each student’s course, even after the UK leaves the EU. On July 4 2018, the same was confirmed for EU students commencing their studies in autumn 2019. Scotland had previously been the first UK country to confirm the student finance of EU students on February 16.

EU nationals commencing studies in the 2018 academic year will also remain eligible for Research Council studentships. This will apply for the full duration of their course.

In short: for EU students commencing studies in the 2018/19 or 2019/20 academic year, fees and financial aid will remain the same as before the Brexit vote, regardless of when the UK actually leaves the union. It remains to be seen whether there will be any changes in the 2020/21 academic year.

In the longer term, it seems likely that EU students will have to pay the higher fee rates that currently apply to those from outside of the EU. However, those looking on the brighter side have pointed out that the pound’s fall in value, if sustained, will continue to make studying in the UK more affordable for all international students.

Will EU students need to apply for student visas?

With immigration controls so central to the Brexit debate, it is likely that new regulations will be introduced. If the UK withdraws from existing agreements on freedom of movement, future EU students may need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa or a short-term study visa in order to study in the UK.

There could also be more widespread changes to the current student visa system, affecting all international students. In October, home secretary Amber Rudd announced several consultations on student visas, in the context of a series of strategies to reduce overall immigration numbers. She outlined a possible two-tier system, in which “tougher rules” would apply to students enrolling in “lower quality courses”. It is not clear how these proposals would be enacted, and they may not be taken forward, having provoked much criticism from across the political spectrum and from the higher education community.

Do British people want fewer international students in the UK?

Overall, the answer to this question seems to be no. In a public poll conducted by Universities UK in October 2016, 75% of those who expressed a view said they would like the number of international students in the UK to stay the same or increase. In addition, only 24% of survey respondents said they view international students as immigrants, suggesting that students are not usually considered part of the ‘problem’ of high immigration levels.

UK universities are certainly united in the aim of continuing to welcome students and researchers from around the world. More than 100 universities and other organizations have so far joined the #WeAreInternational campaign, which aims to ensure Brexit does not result in fewer international students and academics coming to the UK.

Will EU nationals need a visa to work in the UK?

Currently, the most common visas for working in the UK, including Tier 2 (General), require applicants to have a job offer in place before applying for a visa. If this remains the case, life could become more difficult for EU nationals, who currently do not need a visa to seek work in the UK. However, it is possible the UK will reach some form of compromise on the freedom of movement issue, perhaps by introducing a grace period in which graduates and other EU citizens can search for work within the UK.

How will UK students be affected?

When we spoke to students in June 2016, many UK students said they were concerned Brexit would limit their opportunities to study, travel and work elsewhere in the EU. It’s likely that in future, UK students will face higher fees in many European countries, as they will no longer be eligible for domestic rates. They may also need to apply for student visas, and in some cases may have reduced rights to work during and after their studies. British students will also presumably no longer be eligible for funding via the Erasmus exchange program – or not to the current extent – though UK universities will strive to maintain strong exchange partnerships within and beyond Europe.

Will UK research be affected?

Following the referendum result, British researchers voiced concerns about the potential loss in EU funding – which amounts to almost £1 billion annually. There are also concerns about the potential decline in incoming talent; 16% of researchers at British universities currently come from other EU states, and, in a January 2017 survey of over 1,000 lecturers and professors, three-quarters of continental EU academics in the UK said they are more likely to leave the country following the Brexit vote.

Research partnerships between institutions may also decrease, and – if you listen to the most pessimistic predictions – industry investment could fall, while borrowing may become more difficult (and expensive) for universities and the government.

From the more positive side, the strong reputation, facilities and relationships of UK universities will certainly not disappear overnight, and the UK higher education sector is strongly united in its determination to maintain current levels of opportunity for all students and faculty members. No doubt the nation’s universities and students – both domestic and international – will be important voices in the discussions yet to come.

This article was originally published on 29 June 2016. It was most recently updated in July 2018. 

If you’re studying abroad in Australia, you’ve probably quickly realized that this country doesn’t exactly have student-friendly prices on everyday items. Luckily, there are a ton of student discounts available to you on things such as food, travel, clothing, school supplies, and activities.

Make sure you’re taking advantage of every student discount available to you. When you’re in need of something new, have a look for second-hand options first. And when you do end up buying something new, always check if there is an option for a student discount. From something as small as a cup of coffee to a holiday abroad splurge, there are plenty of resources available for you to save hundreds of dollars while studying abroad.

ISIC Card

You may be wondering: how can I get access to a golden ticket to unlock all of these discounts and benefits? Why, none other than the International Student Identity Card (ISIC)! Costing only $30.00 AUD, you will be sure to make up the cost of this card very quickly if you take advantage of all the perks that come along with it. This card is the biggest internationally-recognized student IDs, with over 150,000 benefits in 130+ countries (so you can use it if you study abroad elsewhere). It basically acts as a global student ID.

With discounts on plane and train tickets and tour companies, you will be able to explore all that this country has to offer during your stay here. For example, you can receive up to 40 percent off international airfares at STA Travel, a company which organizes tours and flights for young people. The ISIC also gives you access to discounts at a number of clothing stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and even gives you a free travel sim card upon arrival in your destination. Make sure to ask stores and companies if they accept this card, as a lot of them won’t advertise it.

A free ISIC app is also available, so you can research deals on the go, directly from your phone! Some deals include: two for one admission at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, 20 percent off YHA hostels, and 10 percent off Jucy campervan hire.

StudentVIP

Australia’s most popular student platform, StudentVIP offers textbooks, tutors, notes, campus maps, and access to student events. Textbooks are an essential and extremely pricey cost of being a student, but they don’t have to break the bank. If you join this site, you can buy used textbooks and sell them after you are finished with them. You can also sell textbook notes. It’s free to join, so what are you waiting for?

Student Edge

Another resource that is 100 percent free to join, Student Edge aims to help students save money and better manage their finances, as well as assists students in finding jobs. Along with that, they also offer hundreds of deals on products, which are easily accessible via the Student Edge—The App. There is even a map feature where you can find the closest deals to your location! Deals include: 50 percent off Spotify membership, up to $500 off Apple Products, and $13 Hoyts movies.

UNiDAYS

Yes, shopping on a student budget is a guilt-free possibility. For all you fashion forward folk, UNiDAYS provides student discounts on top clothing brands such as Urban Outfitters, ASOS, and Topshop. Another resource that is free to join, you’ll get access to not only clothing deals, but also giveaways for students.

You will be sent your very own UNiDAYS ID, however if you are for some reason without your card, you can still access discounts via the app.

StudentDiscounts.com.au

If you need to buy any type of educational software, Student Discounts is worth checking out. Specializing in tech-based deals, this site offers up to 80 percent off selected products from manufacturers such as Microsoft, Corel, and Adobe.

And if you’re in need of any Apple products, Apple Education Pricing also offers discounts to university students on MacBook models, iPads, and accessories.

Have you studied abroad in Australia? From trying your hand at surfing to taking selfies with koalas, these should be familiar…

You probably had trouble getting work done because the views looked like this:

Study sessions looked like this:

And weekend road trips looked like this:

Your favorite shows weren’t available on Netflix.

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7-Eleven was your second home. Those AU$2 coffees were a staple.

And when you were feeling fancy, those $6 cups of coffee were legendary.

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You tried surfing. And probably failed miserably.

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You also tried vegemite. And hated it.

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You absolutely took way too many pictures with a certain fluffy friend:

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You were either a Coles or Woolys kind of person (but probably Coles, because let’s face it, it’s easier on the wallet).

You eventually had to go shopping for winter clothes because you thought Australia was hot all year round.

(PSA: it’s not).

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You couldn’t for the life of you understand rugby, and don’t even get me started on cricket.

But you went to the games anyway, pretending you knew what was happening.

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You will experience a white Christmas. White sand, that is.

Avocados costed you your first-born child.

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But paying $15 for a pint somehow didn’t faze you.

Tim Tam biscuits were your go-to study snack.

Meat pies were a way of life.

You were astonished to find out that 42 Wallaby Way Sydney DOESN’T EXIST. 

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And you were also extremely disappointed when koalas weren’t chilling in your backyard and kangaroos weren’t hopping down the street.

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Your life is forever ruined because nothing will ever measure up to your time studying abroad in the Land of Oz.

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Every year, QS partners with Alliance Manchester Business School to offer the QS-Alliance Manchester Business School Masters Scholarship, offered exclusively to attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour who have been accepted at Alliance Manchester.

The scholarship covers 50 percent of tuition fees for two students to study a one-year MSc program at the school, and this year’s winners were Sharon Cañas and Lina Vargas Garcia. Read on to find out more about them, plus what advice they’d offer other applicants.

Sharon Cañas

Ecuadorian student Sharon Cañas will be studying an MSc in Marketing, starting in September, and is looking forward to opening her mind to new challenges during her degree. Sharon says she has always been curious about customers’ attitudes and roles within marketing, and hopes that the program will enable her to deepen her knowledge and expertise in this field.

She says: “Since an early age I took part in marketing internships, which taught me about the importance of marketing departments in a company. I understood that marketing begins even before a product or service is created, and in order to generate the right marketing strategies, it is necessary to understand that the world evolves as fast as businesses and peoples’ perspectives. The innovation, evolution and creativity that characterizes the world of marketing has inspired me to pursue further studies in the topic.”

While Sharon recognizes that studying abroad will be challenging, she also believes it will enrich her in terms of career progression and personal growth: “For me, studying in another environment helps students to open their minds, be tolerant to differences, and be more creative as they step outside their comfort zone.”

After finishing her degree, Sharon aims to become a marketing professional with the capacity to work in any marketing department, including overseas, and notes that Alliance Manchester has connections with key companies in the industry, which will give her a great basis for working with experienced professionals around the world after graduation.

Sharon’s advice for other applicants

“Show your own personality in the application, make it personal to you, and tell your story; be clear on what aspects you need to include in the application and create a chart to organize your information and ideas; explain how you will contribute to your program and to the class; and believe in yourself and just try!”

“Even if it’s hard to believe that amongst all the other candidates you could be the winner, believe me, you could be surprised, it’s possible!”

Lina Vargas Garcia

The second winner of this year’s QS-Alliance Manchester Business School Masters Scholarship, Colombian student Lina Vargas Garcia will study an MSc in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at Alliance Manchester this September, having previously worked as a lawyer at one of Colombia’s largest law firms.

Lina says she’s always enjoyed performing different activities and learning different skills, having previously worked as an outdoor educator, seminar teacher and summer internship coordinator. She’s decided to pursue a master’s degree in order to become a consultant in entrepreneurship, having found that her role has given her the opportunity to advise education organizations and consultancy firms in legal aspects – “More often than not, I end up wanting to be part of their business as a consultant in the specific subjects they manage. That is why I want to become a consultant in entrepreneurship.”

She loves to travel and is very excited by the prospect of gaining perspectives and a wide network by studying at Manchester. The school itself was also attractive as “In my research, Alliance Manchester Business School quickly stood out because of its innovative environment and constant drive to challenge itself. I personally praise the support that the school gives to research and the development of student’s projects and ideas.”

Upon finishing her degree, Lina plans to work at an incubator or start-up accelerator which provides tools and advice to entrepreneurs to transform their business models into real life ventures, and in the long term is aiming to start her own consultancy firm for entrepreneurs.

Lina’s advice for other applicants

Lina echoes the advice given by Sharon, stating that you should always believe getting a scholarship is possible – “Don’t hold back when it comes to scholarship applications. Some factors may overwhelm you, such as the number of applicants, the criteria you must meet or the essays you have to write. However, don’t let these things cloud your mind. Trust in who you are and in what you have to tell and to give.”

She also says it’s important to plan ahead and review all the scholarships you’d like to apply for, making a note of their requirements and deadlines, which will help you to avoid rushing your scholarship essay.

And finally, Lina emphasizes the importance of applying for as many scholarships as possible – “Proactivity is a plus when it comes to applying. Be sure to search for scholarships beyond the university. The only thing you will lose are a few minutes that will become an investment if you do obtain any scholarship!”