Applying to University for 2022? Better look lively - deadline is 26 January 2022!

AS most Schools and Colleges break up this week it's important for students to use this time wisely if they still haven't applied to University, the deadline is 26 January for starting in 2022. Studying a degree is a significant commitment and it's a big decision, over 20,000 don't start their 2nd year so it's really important to make sure you get as much information as possible over this Christmas break, to help you make the decision that's right for you. Applying to University can be daunting, and if you've put it off and put it off; you're really going to have to look lively; so what can you realistically do during this Christmas break?

Dr Lisette Johnston, who is a former BBC World News Editor and Head of School at ScreenSpace, which is a collaboration between MetFilm School and the University of West London, with courses delivered at the MetFilm, School London campus at Ealing Studios and Leeds campus, at Prime Studios, has offered some helpful advice to those wanting to apply study at University, next year. His tips are as follows:-

"1. SUBJECT FIRST. Which degree will best suit you? For example, there is a difference between:- 'Film and Screen Business' and say:- 'Media Studies,' so you need to do your homework. League tables give some idea, but also look at Uni websites. Most courses give a module overview to give a sense of what topics you'll cover across the degree. Are there similarities or differences in the courses you like?

2. UniversitY NEXT. Just because a University offers your degree subject and ranks well doesn't mean it's the best place for you. Reach out to current students via Unibuddy, social media and forums; ask them about their experience at the University, try TheStudentRoom.com, groups on Facebook etc... also check out the University's Insta account; get a feel for what people are responding to and how they are responding."

He added:- "If you haven't already, as soon as you can book on an Open Day; you're probably going to have to apply whether you've visited the Uni or not at this late stage, but before you accept an offer, try to get to the campus; remember you will spend 3 or 4 years there, and may have to move from home, so you want to make sure you will be happy.

► Checkout what the student union is like.

► Do they have clubs and societies you are interested in?

► How easy is it to get to class?

► Are you on a campus or in a City?

Knowing these things will make it easier to make a decision when the offers start coming in."

Dr Lisette Johnston, also suggested:- "You should think about the future... The decisions you make about where and what to study are only part of the story. Find out:-

► If you get to do work experience.

► Are there sandwich course options with year in industry?

► Also look at employability rates for the University as a whole and your field of study. At MetFilm School, 87% of our students are working within the creative industries within 6 months of graduating. This is very different to marketing puff saying:- 'a high percentage of graduates are working,' get the facts!"

He also recommends you:- "Know and When..." Explaining:- "Universities know how scary the UCAS application process can be, so every candidate who applies for our courses is assigned a dedicated Admissions Manager (other Unis offer this too) who will help talk you through the process, from researching a course, to personal statements and student finance. Even if you aren't currently studying a 'relevant' subject, don't discount applying to a course that really interests you. We, like other institutions consider all applications where students have demonstrated a passion for the industry/subject."

He concluded that:- "To help you learn more about the course that you're interested in, make sure you call the University as soon as you can after the Christmas break, and have a list of questions at hand and… make sure you know about any open days, workshops and / or applicant visits BEFORE you accept an offer."
 

Liverpudlians are collectively spending ₤30M on the great UK festive escape this Christmas

IT certainly is the most wonderful time of the year, as 20% of people from Liverpool and Merseyside are marking the end of an extraordinary 2021 with a joyous festive Staycation during the 12 days of Christmas. The average Crimbocation for travellers from Liverpool is going to be for 3 nights and will cost on average ₤303.21. Collectively these holidaymakers and travellers will boost the UK economy by ₤30 million.
 
These findings have been revealed in Travelodge's latest Travel Index. The hotel chain, which operates 582 hotels across the length and breadth of the UK (including eight properties on Merseyside) has surveyed 2,000 British adults to seek their festive season travel plans.
 
Key findings from the study revealed that 29% of people living in the Region reported that 2021 has been an extremely stressful year and they need a festive short break in order to reconnect with their families this Christmas.
 
Whilst 36% in Merseyside reported that taking a Christmas themed short break is cheaper than keeping the children entertained at home during the 12 days of Christmas, 21% stated that they are taking their children away on a Staycation as their Christmas gift.
 
Interestingly, 36% of Liverpudlians also reported that their Christmas getaway is their 1st holiday this year.
 
Detailed below are the Top 10 types of short breaks people from Liverpool are taking this festive season:-
 

Rank	Song	%
1	Visiting family	50%
2	City break	36%
3	Visiting a Christmas market	29%
4	Activity holiday (climbing, walking, cycling)	29%
5	Catching up with a family member in a central location	21%
6	Catching up with a friend in a central location	21%
7	Visiting a Christmas attraction	21%
8	Visiting friends	14%
9	Rural break	14%
10	Christmas shopping	7%

The report also revealed that 21% of people from the Liverpool are are taking a multi location break and visiting2 different locations as part of their festive break. This could include combining a UK city break after visiting family and friends.
 
Top festive 2021 Crimbocation destinations are dominated by the UK's historic cities steeped in history, culture and renowned for their Christmas decorations and festive markets.
 
Detailed below are Top 10 Cities people from the Region are visiting this festive season:-

1. Edinburgh
2. York
3. Glasgow
4. Dundee
5. London
6. Manchester
7. Bath
8. Cambridge
9. Leeds
10. Blackpool
 
The report also revealed that those from the Region will be travelling on average 58 miles for their festive break this Christmas. In general, travelling by car is the nation's preferred form of transport with 69% of Britons driving to their festive Staycation destination.
 
With holidaymakers spending so much time travelling across the UK during the festive season, respondents were also asked which Christmas songs are on their car drive play list.
 
Topping the poll of Liverpool's favourite festive tunes was the 1987 classic:- 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. In 2nd place is Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' with Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' taking 3rd place. In 4th place came Band Aid with:- 'Do They Know It's Christmas' and Bing Crosby's:- 'White Christmas' taking 5th place.
 
The table below details travellers from Liverpool's Top 10 Christmas driving playlist songs:-
 

Rank Song Singer 1 Fairytale of New York The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl 2 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Wizzard 3 Merry Xmas Everybody Slade 4 Do They Know It's Christmas? Band Aid 5 White Christmas Bing Crosby 6 Driving Home for Christmas Chris Rea 7 Last Christmas Wham! 8 Merry Christmas Everyone Shakin' Stevens 9 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Dean Martin 10 Do They Know It's Christmas? Band Aid 30

Further research findings revealed that visiting family and friends over Christmas is the most popular reason to travel this festive season, and that 45% of Liverpool travellers are expecting to eat 2 Christmas dinners in order to keep loved ones happy!
 
Interestingly, 10% of those from the Region surveyed reported that they have booked a hotel room when visiting family and friends this festive season. The main reasons being not many British households nowadays have a spare room, it supports social distancing, it eliminates the stress of getting under the host's feet and you have the freedom to come and go as you wish.
 
Craig Bonnar, Travelodge Chief Executive said:- "We are seeing a strong level of leisure bookings across our 582 UK hotels this festive season, including our eight hotels in the Liverpool area. Britons are trying to make the most of this wonderful time of the year and are getting outdoors to experience what makes Britain so great at Christmas time. Key destinations are historic UK Cities dressed for the festive season that feature a Christmas market and are renowned as top shopping and entertainment destinations such as:- Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath and London. Also, as the nation's spare room provider we are also seeing more Britons booking a room at one of our 582 Travelodge hotels when visiting family and friends this festive season. Nowadays, not many households have a spare room and Britons have outgrown sleeping on the sofa or on the floor, comfort is key and our Travelodge Dreamer beds don't disappoint on getting a good night's sleep."