Q&A: Degrees ‘still seen as a good investment’

Richard Brabner, policy officer at the University of Hertfordshire, says the university's students are helping potential undergraduates navigate the clearing process.

How do applications compare this year to previous years and has the rise in tuition fees affected applications?

The University of Hertfordshire offers a fair fees package and we are delighted to have maintained the level of students applying for a University place this year irrespective of the decrease in numbers nationally.

Last year broke all previous records on the number of applications. Despite higher tuition fees, applicants are still applying to the University of Hertfordshire in large numbers, which is a sign that people still see higher education as a great investment in their future.

What help is the university offering to students at this time?

The University will actively support students who have the potential to succeed through the clearing process. We have around 60 current students manning the hotline today, some of whom have been through clearing themselves.

They are best placed to offer support, advice and guidance to students who call in. Calls will then be passed to academics and admissions tutors from all subject areas available in Clearing. There are currently 150 members of staff taking calls.

We offer a whole range of non-repayable scholarships recognising academic achievements and individual talents. The University is also part of the national scholarship programme.

Support for aspiring students include bursaries, scholarships, work placements and we waive the fee on every placement year taken during an undergraduate degree. The University also offers an educational excellence scholarship to those students entering with AAB and above.

What courses are proving popular this year?

There has been a significant increase in applications for some of our science courses this year, which is a really positive development as the country needs to develop and expand a knowledge based economy