By Charlotte Stevenson

When it comes to moving to study abroad in a new country, sometimes it feels like it would be so much easier if our destination could come to us, or if our wardrobes were simply complex origami structures that we could flatten and then fold back out again to avoid heavy suitcases.

Unfortunately, this isn’t possible, and going on a year abroad means having to pack all the belongings you think you’ll need. Don’t worry though, it’s not as taxing as it first seems. Here are some tips to stay organized when it’s time to start filling suitcases.

Pack light!

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This first one is going to be harder than it seems. Given you’ll probably have to pay to take a suitcase on your light, you should aim to stick to just the one case. An advantage of doing this is it will ensure you prioritize and avoid taking things just for the sake of taking them. Plan your packing by thinking about the pros and cons of taking each item. For example, as much as you like your complete works of Shakespeare collection (pro) you aren't going to need it really (unless you're a Shakespeare scholar) and it will add a significant amount of weight to your case (con). Hence it would be better to leave that portfolio at home or find a compromise (a lighter edition or e-book version maybe).

Learn to love making lists

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Something I have found useful while packing for my move to the Netherlands has been writing lists. These lists have subheadings (each room of the house) so I can organize exactly what I need to take with me from each space. Not only is ticking things off satisfying but it’s also a source of motivation – each red tick means I’m one step further toward my goal.

Your lists will be helpful once you’ve arrived too, as they’ll help you quickly realize what you need to buy that didn’t fit into your luggage. list can contain extra boxes for the things you need to buy that didn't make the luggage cut, such as a duvet and lightbulbs.

Plan for all seasons

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There’s no sense in packing any clothes which aren’t going to be suitable for the weather at your destination. Look through your wardrobe, research the location and make a note of everything which would be suitable during the seasons you’ll experience during your stay. This will be easier for some countries than others. In the UK, for example, the seasons tend to blend into one another so even in summer you’ll find yourself needing a raincoat and a jumper as well as a pair of shorts.

There might be other factors to consider when choosing clothes. I’m currently stocking up on clothes which are suited to cycling because having a bicycle is a must for getting around Amsterdam and a lot of my longer skirts will most likely get trapped in the wheels.

Allow yourself some sentimental items

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It’s OK to struggle when packing because leaving home is always hard. Dismantling your room will leave you feeling nostalgic and sentimental, as you find countless mementos and trinkets that remind you of your friends and family. Make sure you allow yourself a little space in that (not big enough) suitcase to pack some photographs, a journal or letter writing supplies so you can write to your family and friends once you are settled in at university. Having that comfort will help a lot, particularly in the first few weeks when homesickness is at its worst. With time, you will grow used to being far from home, and you’ll end up appreciating seeing everyone during the holidays even more than before.

What to include in your hand luggage

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Make no mistake, hand luggage is just as hard to pack as your main suitcase, largely because your brain (if it’s anything like mine) will get into the habit of putting things that don't fit in the suitcase, but which you are adamant on taking, into your hand luggage. Ultimately, this isn’t really feasible, so follow the same approach of lists and weighing up pros and cons.

No matter how long the journey, whether it be by plane, train or boat, you’re going to be pretty exhausted upon your arrival and it’s unlikely you’ll unpack everything immediately. Give future you a boost by ensuring toiletries/medication and nightwear can be easily found in your hand luggage, as well as any cables, chargers or other electronic devices you can’t live without (not forgetting travel adapters!)

Start sooner rather than later

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This is probably stating the obvious but packing, especially for something this important, takes time. The sooner you get it over and done with, the more time you will have to go and meet up with friends or spend time with family before you leave. With my year abroad still several weeks away, I already know what needs packing and have my supplies nearby, so can spend the next week reading, ticking off items from my summer bucket list and sleeping (need to catch up!). Starting early also allows more time for ordering any items you suddenly realize you’re going to need, so get started!

Cardiff is the most affordable city in the UK to attend university, according to a new survey.

The Student Living Index, published by Natwest, calculates the average income and expenditure of students living in each UK city. Students in Cardiff benefit from some of the cheapest accommodation in the UK, with the average monthly rent just £384.23, and also earn more from part-time work than the average UK student.

After Cardiff, the next affordable cities in the UK are Aberdeen, Durham, Canterbury and Swansea. The top five least affordable cities are Glasgow, London, St Andrews, Aberystwyth and Bristol.

London’s status as only the second most-expensive city in the UK might be surprising given its reputation and the fact it has the highest average monthly rent by far (£584.32), but students living there spend less on alcohol and going out than the national average.

Comparing the Student Living Index with QS Best Student Cities

In the QS Best Student Cities 2017 ranking, only eight UK cities were included, so it’s hard to make a full comparison with the much more thorough Student Living Index. Cardiff, for example, doesn’t feature at all in the Best Student Cities, with Newcastle Upon Tyne coming top for affordability in the UK instead.

Even allowing for the difference in scope, there are notable differences between the two rankings. Glasgow, for example, is deemed to be the least affordable city by the Student Living Index, but comes second for affordability in Best Student Cities. One potential factor behind this discrepancy is the fact Glasgow ranks dead last for term-time income (just £786.60 per term). Although the city itself is not that unaffordable, the average student has less money to spend than those studying elsewhere.

Who drinks the most alcohol?

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As well as the cost of rent, the Student Living Index also provides information on which students spend the most on alcohol, going out and fashion. Is your university full of wide-eyed freshers downing pint after pint in expensive nightclubs, or catwalk-ready fashionistas who are constantly dressed to impress? If so, you might find your city listed below.

Lead image: Jon Candy (Flickr)

Technische Universität München (TUM) and Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München (LMU) are currently the two highest-ranked universities in Germany, according to the QS World University Rankings® 2018.

Both universities are likely to be popular with international students, offering highly prestigious education, which for all students will be free of charge. Both are also located in Munich, (München), a city known for its lively Bavarian culture, which was ranked ninth in the latest QS Best Student Cities index.

With so much in common, how should anyone wanting to study in Germany choose between these two universities? We decided to take a closer look at the key similarities and differences between TUM and LMU.

 *Based on the broad subject areas of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017.

QS World University Rankings® 2018

TUM is ranked just two places above LMU in the latest QS World University Rankings, having fallen four places since last year. LMU will be hoping to overtake TUM in next year’s ranking, having climbed two places this year. Looking at the results in more depth (using the rankings indicators), LMU actually beats TUM in three of the six indicators used to compile the rankings, including its reputation among academics. However, TUM achieves a stronger score for its reputation among graduate employers.

The biggest differences between the two top universities in Germany are the scores for their research impact and faculty/student ratios. TUM is 401+ for citations per faculty member, a measure of an institution’s research impact, while LMU is ranked 194^th, suggesting it might be the preferred choice if you value studying at a research-driven university. However, TUM has a much stronger ratio of faculty members to students, ranked 88^th for this indicator while LMU is 334^th.

Finally, when assessing the levels of international diversity on campus, both German universities are relatively equal – ranked within the top 400 for their percentages of international students (with TUM earning the higher score) and in the global top 300 for their percentages of international faculty members (with LMU earning a slightly higher score).

Subject strengths

The QS World University Rankings by Subject enables us to get a closer look at which subjects each of these top universities in Germany are particularly strong in. Unsurprisingly for a German institute of technology, TUM achieves a very high score for the broad subject area of engineering and technology (joint 24^th), although it achieves its strongest score for natural sciences (18^th). LMU achieves a position within the global top 150 of all five broad subject areas, again earning its highest score for natural sciences (joint 32^nd), suggesting there’s very little to choose between the two universities if you’re studying a natural sciences subject. The table below shows how TUM and LMU directly compare for all of the 46 subjects covered in the ranking.

Location

Technische Universität München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München both have their main campuses in the center of Munich, with further campuses and buildings elsewhere in Bavaria (and beyond, in the case of TUM, which runs a satellite campus in Singapore: TUM Asia). TUM also owns the Rechts der Isar university hospital, which is considered one of the best hospitals in the region. TUM’s largest location is actually its campus in Garching, a small city located 20km (12.4 miles) to the north, which hosts more than 12,000 students in five faculties, and also has a number of research centers. The Garching campus is easily accessible to Munich via a Metro line, making day trips easy.

Towards the southeast of Munich, in the adjacent districts of Großhadern and Martinsried, LMU’s High-Tech Campus is located, hosting the majority of the university’s natural and life sciences. This includes the Klinikum Großhadern, the largest hospital complex in Munich. More LMU buildings are found in Oberschleißheim and Garching, with the former hosting the university’s faculty of veterinary medicine.

Munich itself has been ranked ninth in the latest QS Best Student Cities index, receiving its highest scores for Desirability and Employer Activity (two of the categories used to compile the ranking). It’s known for its proud, characteristic Bavarian culture, and should be ideal for those who like beer (the famous Oktoberfest beer festival attracts over six million visitors every year). Munich has been rated one of the most expensive cities in Germany to live in, but nonetheless receives a high score for affordability, thanks to tuition fees being either low or non-existent.

Student community

TUM and LMU are both large universities, with LMU hosting the larger number at 51,000. TUM has a fairly equal number of undergraduates to postgraduates, and achieves a higher score than LMU for its percentage of international students, with around 24% of TUM’s students coming from outside Germany, while the percentage at LMU is 15%.

Tuition fees and funding

If you’re interested in studying at either of these top German universities, there’s good news: at the time of writing, both universities do not charge tuition fees to students of all study levels and nationalities, although TUM charge extra fees for some continuing education programs.

You will only need to pay a compulsory semester fee of €128.50 (~US$150) at both universities, which covers the basic student union fee of €62 (~US$72) and the basic semester ticket of €66.50 (~US$77), which allows you to use the entire Munich public transport network at evenings and weekends. There’s also an optional semester ticket, the IsarCard semester, which gives you unlimited travel on the network at any time. This costs €193 (~US$220).

Tuition fees will be reintroduced in autumn 2017 for non-EU students at universities in Baden-Württemberg, a neighboring state to Bavaria, and it’s possible that other German states will follow in the coming years.

Although there are currently no tuition fees, both TUM and LUM offer scholarships and other funding opportunities to help students fund their education. TUM, for example, offers scholarships for international students on behalf of the Bavarian government, which are awarded to currently-enrolled students at both undergraduate and graduate level. The amount awarded is between €500 and €1,500 (~US$580-1,750) per semester, and students must show both academic merit and proof of financial need. Other scholarships offered by TUM include the Nicolaus Scholarship Fund and the Loschge Scholarship, for thermal engineering students.

Scholarships at LMU include the LMU Study Scholarship, also funded by the Bavarian government, which is aimed at international and doctoral students. To be eligible, students need to demonstrate academic excellence, knowledge in your field of study, and financial need. The scholarship awards €650 (~US$750) per month for four months. The university also offers scholarships for third-year bachelor and master students, and the Study Completion Scholarship, which is for international and doctoral students with a history of academic excellence.

You may also be eligible to apply for external scholarships offered by the German government or other organizations. One such option is the Deutschlandstipendium, which awards talented international students a grant of €300 per month (~US$350) and does not consider your personal income or nationality. You can browse more scholarships to study in Germany here.

Which of these top universities in Germany would you choose? Tell us in the comments below, and let us know which universities you’d like to see compared next!

Ukrainian businessmen are using the academic reputation of the University of Oxford to sell millions of pounds worth of fake awards and titles, according to a newspaper investigation.

The Europe Business Assembly (EBA) has awarded thousands of awards from its offices in Ukraine and central Oxford, selling titles such as the “Queen Victoria Commemorative Award” for up to £9,300 (US$12,115).

In its advertising, it prominently features photographs of Oxford colleges, copies the university’s typeface and claims to offer access to “exclusive Oxford university lectures”.

However, the organization has no official ties to the university. A former employee of EBA told the Times: “We were selling the idea that [recipients] were becoming part of the great Oxford institution. We didn’t provide a network. We didn’t provide opportunities to broaden their academic horizons.”

Another ex-staff member said: “What’s £8,000 for a certificate? £8,000 is not a lot to have Oxford on your wall.”

Potential award-winners are targeted by EBA, with a focus on countries deemed to be more receptive to paying for an award. One former employee said: “We were asked to focus on areas where people would buy. The Middle East, eastern Europe and Russia . . . where the idea that money buys you credentials is still there.”

The process of approaching potential winners appears to have been random. Another former staff member told the Times about the surprised reaction one person gave when being told their town could win a “best city” award. “One town came back and said, ‘Why have you contacted us? We only have 5,000 people and not even a tourism industry’.”

The organization holds lavish ceremonies for its winners at hired venues in Oxford and across Europe, which prominently feature traditional British paraphernalia. One award ceremony before Christmas in Oxford featured trumpeters, a bagpiper, a man in a yeoman warder’s costume as well as a red carpet for guests.

EBA’s business model is not actually illegal, as there’s nothing to prevent companies from marketing and selling “vanity awards” and no concrete claims are made about their connection to the University of Oxford.

A spokesman for the university said: “We can confirm that the Europe Business Assembly is not affiliated or otherwise linked to the University of Oxford. We have no further comment on this company.”

It’s an argument that’s been going on for over 800 years. Ever since the early days of the Oxbridge rivalry when the University of Cambridge was founded in the early 1200s, students at both venerable institutions have claimed to be the cleverest in the UK, if not the world. Now, we might finally have a definitive answer.

According to new data released this week, a higher percentage of Oxford students graduated with a first-class degree last year than their Cambridge counterparts.

While an impressive 31.7% of all Cambridge graduates left university with a first, this figure is triumphantly beaten by their bitter rivals at Oxford, where 33.2% of all graduates successfully swotted their way to a first.

Although there’s no guarantee this proves Oxford students are cleverer (maybe firsts are just given out by tutors more easily there?), the higher probability of earning a first could be enough to sway more applicants towards Oxford and away from the River Cam.

Professor Smithers, of the University of Buckingham, responded to the information released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency by pointing out: “universities are free to award as many firsts as they like, and have every incentive to do so. Students like to have top-class degrees and may choose universities on that basis.”

So, are Oxford students just naturally cleverer than Cambridge, or is the level of teaching better there? Or do you think Oxford tutors are just going soft on their students? Let us know in the comments below.

Lead image: Ninara (Flickr)

By Amy Durant

Without a doubt, the cover letter is the most-hated part of applying for jobs. Sure, putting your CV together and tweaking it for each job you apply to is hard work, but nothing beats the monotony of writing cover letter after cover letter.

It’s a task that’s made even harder by the fact it’s a struggle to know what employers are looking for. What does a perfect cover letter even look like? Fortunately, we’re here to offer some top cover letter tips to help yours catch the eye of recruiters when it lands in their inbox.

First up, don’t copy and paste

As cover letter tips go, this may sound obvious, but employers can tell straight away when a candidate has pasted in and reused an old cover letter. You will probably be applying to a lot of similar jobs, so you can certainly have a template ready, but each company needs to believe that you have written the cover letter just for them.

If you haven’t written a cover letter before, reading through templates is a good place to start.

Tailor your writing to specific details in the job description

Again, seems obvious, right? You would be surprised how many people haven’t studied the job description properly. If the advert included a list of essential requirements, make sure you address each one, and explain how your skills fit the role.

Read up on the company’s recent history

There will probably be hundreds of people applying for the jobs you want, but one way you can stand out is by researching the company in depth. Don’t just tell them how great their company is, explain why.

Have they recently been in the news? Has one of their products sold particularly well? Have staff members published reviews on Glassdoor saying how great the work environment is? Reading the company website, and scrolling through Google are good places to start. Include a couple of lines showing that you have taken the time to look the company up.

Back up what you say with facts

Don’t just say the opportunity is ‘amazing’ and the company is ‘great’. Quote facts from your research. Have they been voted one of the top companies to work for? Have they published a report on their annual turnover? Are they doing something innovative? Prove to them how much you care about their company.

The same goes when writing about yourself. Don’t just say you’re a good team player, give examples of when you’ve worked successfully as part of a team. Instantly, your cover letter will feel more substantial.

Don’t hold back on selling yourself

Not everyone finds it easy to sell themselves, but now is not the time to be shy. You only get one chance to make a first impression with your cover letter, so shout about your achievements.

Picture someone you worked with and admired, and write a practise statement about them. The praise comes easy, doesn’t it? Now, do the same thing for your own achievements, and learn how to sell yourself.

Address it to the right person

Not all job postings include the name of the hiring manager. If they do, and you fail to include the name, get the name wrong, or misspell it, you will be committing one of the biggest cover letter faux-pas, and you will find yourself in the slush pile immediately.

If a name isn’t included, then you need to find it out. There should be a general phone number for the company, or, if not, a general email. Get in touch immediately and ask who to address it to.

Double-check it thoroughly and ask someone else to proofread

Check it, check it, and check it again. Proofreading errors will put employers off immediately, so ask an extra pair of eyes to make sure you’re not missing anything obvious. Even if your skills tick all the boxes, your cover letter is going straight in the bin if it’s riddled with errors. Reading backwards and reading aloud are two good proofreading tips.

Don’t be afraid to follow up on the phone

Our final cover letter tip may seem overly pushy, but you can really make yourself stand out by calling up the company a few days after you send in your application. A quick call to make sure your application was received shows how much you care about the position, and gives you the chance to tell the person you speak to how excited you are about the opportunity and that you’re really looking forward to hearing back from them.

Amy Durant writes for Inspiring Interns, a graduate recruitment agency which specialises in sourcing candidates for internships and giving out graduate careers advice. To browse graduate jobs London and graduate jobs Manchester, visit their website.

Consistently the two highest-ranked universities in their country, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) will be at the top of your list if you want to study in Mexico.

Both universities feature within the global top 200 and are in the top 10 for Latin America according to the most recent QS University Rankings: Latin America. Rankings aren’t the only way to choose a university though, so here’s a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of both of these top Mexican universities.

 *Based on the broad subject areas of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017.

QS World University Rankings® 2018

As you can see, UNAM ranks 77 places higher than ITESM in the latest QS World University Rankings®. When you take a closer look (using the indicators used to compile the rankings), UNAM is the clear leader both for its reputation among graduate employers and academics, with positions in the top 100 for both. However, ITESM is not too far behind UNAM for its reputation among graduate employers, ranked 81^st while UNAM is 62^nd.

ITESM does beat UNAM in two of the indicators – faculty/student ratio (in which ITESM places in the global top 150, and percentage of international faculty members, in which it ranks 71^st while UNAM is in the 401+ range. The former is particularly notable as it suggests students enjoy smaller class sizes and more individual contact time with tutors. Both universities score 401+ for percentage of international students, suggesting improvements could still be made in terms of recruiting talented students from other countries.

Subject strengths

If you’re still unsure as to which one of these top universities in Mexico gets your vote, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 can be a useful reference point, showing you which institution out-ranks the other for your chosen area of study. Looking firstly at the five broad subject areas covered in the ranking, UNAM is the leader in each one, achieving its highest score (joint 81^st) for arts and humanities. ITESM meanwhile is ranked in the global top 300 for engineering and technology and social sciences and management, achieving a stronger score in the latter.

The table below shows how UNAM and ITESM are ranked in this year’s ranking:

Location

UNAM is located in the capital city of Mexico, Mexico City, which was ranked 51^st in the latest QS Best Student Cities index. The city is ranked as one of the top 10 most affordable cities for students, benefiting from low average tuition fees and living costs.

As well as being affordable, Mexico City is known for its grand colonial-era architecture, delicious street food, vibrant carnivals, and interesting historical sites. UNAM’s campus is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its masterpieces of architecture and modern art, having been built as a collaborative architectural design project in the 1950s.

As well as the large Ciudad Universitaria (University City) main campus, UNAM maintains several other campuses in the Mexico City metropolitan area and elsewhere in Mexico, including a Center of Teaching for Foreigners in the small city of Taxco, 170 kilometres (106 miles) southwest of Mexico City.

Another one of the most affordable cities for students in the Best Student Cities index is Monterrey, where Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)'s main campus is based. Living costs in Monterrey are generally lower than Mexico City, but tuition fees are slightly higher on average. The third-largest city in Mexico (with around half the population of Mexico City), Monterrey is a booming industrial city, known for its modern outlook. 

However, Monterrey is more than just a commercial hub, and students will find many interesting attractions to explore in their spare time, such as the city’s famous Museum of Contemporary Art. If you’re not swayed by either location then don’t worry: both UNAM and ITESM maintain a large number of satellite campuses across Mexico (with ITESM running a total of 31 campuses in 25 cities), so you’re by no means limited to studying in Mexico City or Monterrey.

Student community

UNAM has a significantly larger student community than ITESM, hosting a whopping 349,539 students in 2016/17, most of which are at high school or undergraduate level. ITESM is much smaller, but is still a large university, with around 95,000 students enrolled. According to ITESM, 300 international students arrive every semester, while at UNAM there are 6,935 international students currently enrolled.

Tuition fees & funding

Tuition fees vary at both universities, although ITESM’s status as a private institution means it has higher tuition fees than those at UNAM, with an undergraduate degree costing roughly US$1,800 per year while postgraduate tuition fees are around US$3,800 per year. At UNAM, you’ll generally be able to study an undergraduate degree for less than US$1,000 per year, while postgraduate tuition fees range between US$1,000-2,500 per year. You’ll also need to pay registration fees.

Living costs in Mexico are low, with most students needing around US$270-350 per month for accommodation. However, if you need help with funding, there a number of options available, including scholarships from the Mexican government, which aim to help foreign students study in Mexico. For example, there’s a government scholarship available to study a bachelor’s degree at UNAM. To be eligible, students must be less than 26 years old, have an interest in the dissemination of science, and have at least the minimum grade and percentage of academic credits.

Scholarships are also available at postgraduate level at UNAM, with master’s and doctoral students (with a grade average of at least 8.5) eligible to apply for scholarships in the form of monthly maintenance grants.

ITESM also offers various scholarships, including the Socioeconomic Support scholarship, aimed at students with a grade average of 85/100 who require financial aid. They also offer Cocurricular Talent scholarships, for students with an outstanding performance in cultural, sports and leadership activities, and Distinction to Academic Talent scholarships, which are aimed at students of any nationality or economic background who have excelled at high school.

Which of these top universities in Mexico gets your vote? Tell us in the comments below, and let us know which universities you’d like to see compared next!

Sponsored by the University of Johannesburg

Thanks to cloud computing, the rise in smartphone ownership and surge in demand for the “internet of things”, jobs in big data are expected to grow by 4.4 million by 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Unlike other computer-based career paths, big data touches a wide range of sectors, from advertising to financial services and online shopping. The average salaries earned by graduates in this field are pretty eye-opening too, with computer science graduates in the US earning more than twice the median of all other jobs.

We spoke to the University of Johannesburg, just as they launched their new Institute for Intelligent Systems (IIS), for their insight into why big data is the go-to place for talented computer science graduates.

What’s big data?

Big data is the aggregation of datasets that are so big they are measured in exabytes (i.e. one quintillion bytes). Big data can include anything from cute animal videos on social media, to your medical history, to bad restaurant reviews on Yelp.

What does the job market look like in big data at the moment, and does it pay well?

In 2015, Forbes reported that more data had been created since 2013 than in the entire history of the human race. Why’s that? Because big data is exploding, and more than ever, we need to find new ways to store it, analyze it and use it - that is, narrow down large datasets to just usable information. So, it’s fair to say that prospects are looking good in this sector, with average salaries of US$91,000 in the US, US$46,000 in the UK and US$61,200 in Ireland, according to Payscale.

What does a data scientist do exactly?

Data scientists study big data using software and algorithms to detect trends and any usable information and decide what information to keep or scrap. Once that’s done, they create charts and graphs to summarize their findings to key stakeholders.

This means that data scientists may shape or dictate company policy, particularly if they work as chief data or information officers, or actually write the computer programs themselves as software developers.

Of course, businesses in every field need skilled workers to collect and analyze data for them so, you may end up working in a wide range of sectors, from marketing to healthcare, for example.

What vital skills do you need to work in big data?

To work in big data, you would need to learn programming languages like Java, C, Python, or Scala, as well as mathematical concepts like statistics, linear algebra and discrete mathematics.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with big data platforms like Apache Hadoop or Apache Spark as well as databases like NoSQL. You should be able to find a number of free tutorials for beginners on YouTube, but there are also a number of really good textbooks on the subject like Learning Spark by O’ Reilly.

In terms of “soft skills”, you would need to be an intuitive problem-solver and strong analytical thinker, so you’re able to think your way out of a difficult situation and think on your feet.

What training do you need?

Big data work can be very technical, and there’s a lack of skilled professionals with the right training. Holding a master’s degree in computer science or a bachelor’s degree in a related subject would be a huge asset and really help you access senior posts.

One final word of advice….

If you’re interested in working in big data, you should consider studying computer science at the University of Johannesburg at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.

They’ve recently launched their Institute for Intelligent Systems (IIS), a team of the world’s finest researchers in management, healthcare and computer sciences, all charged with the herculean task of finding new ways to use big data.

Among them is Professor Wang, an internationally renowned electrical engineering researcher who’s worked with UC Berkeley, Cambridge, and the Singaporean Ministry of Defence. His research focuses on two different projects: improving the scheduling of the local public transport system through the use of big data and creating a reliable and consistent flow of electricity through both coal-fired power stations and renewable electricity.

Experts like Professor Wang at the Institute strive to resolve Africa’s most pressing issues and facilitate development on the continent. Every day, they work with industry, government, local communities, as well as other research centers to develop patents, carry out groundbreaking new research and find solutions.

Do your future a favour.

Students at UK universities are more likely than ever before to graduate with a first, with nearly a quarter of all students in 2016 receiving the highest grade possible.

A record-high 24% of all graduates received a first-class degree last year and that figure is even higher at some universities. The University of Surrey awarded a first to nearly half of its graduates, with 41% receiving the top degree classification. This is more than double the percentage of firsts awarded at the university five years ago.

The percentage of first-class degrees was also above average among the prestigious Russell Group universities, with more than a quarter of students at these universities earning top honors.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, it’s now more common to graduate with a first than a 2:2, with only 21% of students receiving a lower second last year. 2:1 remains the most common degree, received by 51% of graduates.

Commentators have pointed the finger at universities for causing this rapid grade inflation, criticizing the fact universities can award as many firsts as they like.

Professor Smithers, of the University of Buckingham, told the BBC: “[Universities] have every incentive to [award a high number of firsts]. Students like to have top-class degrees and may choose universities on that basis. If every other university is doing it, you don’t want to be left behind.”

Where to study if you want to graduate with a first

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Lead image: School of English and Drama, QMUL (Flickr)

The QS Top 50 Under 50 2018, a ranking of the top universities in the world under 50 years old, is here and six top young universities in Spain are included this year. Age may seem an unusual crtieria by which to judge universities, but it’s worth remembering that there are more places to study than the traditional, hallowed halls of the world’s oldest universities.

Although younger institutions may get looked down upon by some, this year’s Top 50 is full of universities which have achieved remarkable strong reputations for academic excellence in a very short period of time and they would all make for a fantastic study destination. So, if you’re interested in studying in the Spanish sun and learning how to properly pronounce chorizo, these top young universities in Spain could be the perfect fit for you.

1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)

The highest-ranked of young Spanish universities, UAM is ranked 10^th in the QS Top 50 Under 50 in 2018 and joint 187^th in the  QS World University Rankings® 2018, up 23 places from last year. Located about 15 kilometers north of Madrid, UAM was established in 1968 and will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in June 2018 – part of the celebrations includes a commemorative degree program which will include activities open to the whole of society. 

2. Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Ranked 12^th in the Top 50 Under 50 and joint 195^th overall in the world, UAB was also established in 1968 and is located in Cerdanyola del Vallès, around 18km north of Barcelona. The university was recognized as a Campus of International Excellence in 2009, with a quarter of its master’s degrees offered in English, and a third of its PhD students coming from outside Spain.

3. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Established in 1971, UPC is ranked 25^th in the Top 50 Under 50 and 275^th in the world this year, up an impressive 46 places from last year. The largest engineering university in Catalonia with 31,224 students at 31 schools in seven cities, UPC is a member of 12 international networks, including the Top Industrial Managers for Europe (T.I.M.E), a network which allows for student exchanges between leading European engineering schools.

4. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)

Based in Madrid, UC3M is ranked 27^th in the Top 50 Under 50 and 281^st in the world overall. UC3M was founded in 1989 by an act of the Spanish parliament and today has around 19,872 students, of which around 18% are international. More than 21% of UC3M’s students receive funding grants from the Ministry of Education, the Community of Madrid or the university’s own funding programs.

5. Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)

UPF, located in Barcelona, is ranked 30^th in the Top 50 Under 50 and also features at joint 296^th in the World University Rankings. Established in 1990 and named after the prominent linguist Pompeu Fabra, an expert on the Catalan language, UPF now has around 12,400 students. 44% of its masters and PhD students are international and the university has the largest percentage of international faculty members in the QS World University Rankings.

6. Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV)

UPV is ranked 45^th in the Top 50 Under 50 this year and is also ranked joint 373^rd in the world. Originally founded in 1968 as the Higher Polytechnic School of Valencia, UPV became a university in 1971 and now has nearly 37,800 students in 10 schools. The university is focused on science and technology and appears in the global top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject for agriculture.

And in the Next 100 Under 50…

Our look at the top young universities in Spain doesn’t end there, as two more institutions feature in the Next 100 Under 50:

7. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)

Ranked 71-80 in the Next 100 Under 50 and 491-500 in the world, UPM was founded in 1971 through a merger of various technical schools of engineering and architecture from as far back as the eighteenth century. Today the university has just under 41,000 students and is ranked within the global top 50 for architecture.

8. Universidad de Alcalá (UAH)

The final of our list of this year’s top young Spanish universities is UAH, which is ranked 81-90 in the Next 100 Under 50 and 551-600 in the world. UAH was established in 1977 and today has around 28,000 students, 6,300 of which are international. UAH receives five stars in the QS Stars opt-in rating system, gaining five stars for six out of the eight categories.

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