When students think about university, they often focus on rankings, location, or course titles but one factor that shapes your academic experience is whether your university is research-intensive. A research-intensive university is one that prioritises and invests heavily in conducting original research, so you are not just taught existing knowledge but new knowledge is created through studies and scholarly work 📚 What does this mean for you as

Hi everyone, this blog post is on choosing the right course for you!  Deciding what to study at university can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, it’s easy to worry about making the wrong choice. In this blog, I will be sharing my top tips on choosing a course with confidence.  Research is key  The first most important thing to do is spend time exploring university course pages.

Hi everyone, as it’s nearing exam season in college I thought I’d share some top tips!   This can be a stressful period, however it’s important to space out revision and get the most out of your study sessions. I remember that some of these tips made a huge difference to my revision and starting to perfect these skills can be useful in the long run!   Active recall is your best friend 📚 – it can show you

Today’s post is all about the Academic Skills Module (ASM). The ASM🖊️ is a key part of the Realising Opportunities programme and gives you a taste of what university study is really like. You’ll take part in a university-style lecture, practise taking notes, and learn important skills like referencing, critical thinking, and academic writing.  After the module, you’ll complete an assignment based on what you learned. This is

In Year 12, Super/Supra-curriculars might sound like another thing to add to your already busy schedule – this is what I initially thought but it can actually be one of the most interesting and enjoyable parts of preparing for university.  What are Super/Supra-Curriculars? Super-curricular activities are things you do beyond your school subjects to explore your academic interests more deeply. Extra/supra-curriculars are activities like sports etc, that can help develop

RO Ambassador, Imogen, shares her experience of studying at an RIU! What course do I study and where?  I am studying the BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement at Newcastle University. I am currently in my 4th and final year!  Why do I love studying at an RIU?  I love getting to be part of research that can make a difference to people’s lives! Student experiences will differ between RIUs, but I have had excellent opportunities! What I should

Introduction to me! Hi everyone, 👋my name is Varsika and I’m a current 4th year Medical student at Newcastle University. I’m looking forward to working with you all as your Realising Opportunities Ambassador!  How did I decide on the course and the university? I knew I wanted to study medicine because I wanted my course to be challenging but also the idea of constantly learning about how much the human body can do, really intrigues me! Newcastle wasn’t always my first choice but

The 10 Minute Reset  Sometimes when we are stressed and live a busy lifestyle, tasks build up and this can feel overwhelming. I encourage you to try the 10-minute reset technique: identify a task to complete that would help you to feel relieved and then dedicate 10 minutes of your day to this. For example, making your bed, having a shower, making your lunch for the next

Where to start? The new 2026 UCAS personal statement structure makes it a lot easier to start! I would suggest making a mind map with a bubble for each question. Brainstorm all of your commitments within these categories and then try to link all of these to the course that you are applying for. *See my example for Psychology below! What kind of