University 2020 :8: Use the CAGs, don’t use the CAGs...

[MillicentMartha]

...if you can use the mocks, then use the mocks but not if they're higher than the CAGs.

And hopefully on to university!

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3993327-University-2020-7-Results-tombola-roll-up-roll-up-pick-a-prize?pg=39

I am paying £6k for my son and his course (post grad) is starting on line with no fixed time for the real doors opening other than he thinks 21 Sept a bookable library might open. £6k is a fair bit of rent to pay when he could be here at home paying zero. I was hoping they would open at least a few days a week for some smaller groups like most universities are managing.

Exactly Xenia - so many will pull out of their accom. Which as we know is a huge earner for the unis. Leading to job losses for support staff and some teaching staff.

When unis such as Leicester and St. Andrews (pos more I don’t know) have covid testing in place and many many other measures, campuses are less risky than most town centres.

Surely the universities would adopt rigorous testing before resorting to closing campuses again. Testing is expensive but the unis may already have the equipment to do it themselves and losing accom fees would be even more expensive. And the law suits from the Americans who have gone to do much cost and effort to get their kids here.....

My Dgd will not defer. She is determined to go even though most learning on line.

Testing seems to be the issue with the UCU - let’s hope unis get it sorted fast!

"For anyone heading to Edinburgh ...."

Not relevant to the point of this thread but I have just come back from Edinburgh and I bloody love the place, could happily live there.

My dd is doing an art foundation diploma at Arts University Bournemouth from September. Its further education rather than higher education but is the favoured route by most art colleges as a precursor to BA Hons in Fine Art (which she will apply for Autumn '21 intake)

She has been told that she will get one studio day per week and everything else will be online, but she can arrange to meet tutors on campus in addition to that for up to 3 hours per week.

She will still stay in the accommodation (when she could do this course from home - we live under an hour by car from Bournemouth, so it wouldn't be difficult to drive in for the studio day) because in her case (General Anxiety Disorder) it will be good preparation for living away from home (in a place where she can come home if it gets too much). But it is an expensive decision

She's a bit peeved that she can't have over night guests due to Covid and that you can't visit any other apartment. I have pointed out that the Uni can't police off site social events on the beach or down the pub etc

Many students are already committed to 12 month rentals - in fact some have already moved into them, so there is to some extent a phased return to university cities already. Telling those students to stay at home would be a bit late - they would have to have been told last November before they entered into the tenancy agreements! Would be interesting to know the numbers in that position. But I suppose UCU would say they can still stay off campus - watch lectures and do zoom seminars from their bedrooms.

Was it on this thread that a pp explained the university management are keen to get students on campus and living at the university rather than being online, because management think they are more likely to drop out if they stay at home online? If that's true of many, UCU and management may not be aligned on this point.

I tend to agree that for some of the most competitive universities/courses the doors will shut on deferrals if this starts to look likely in the next couple of weeks. (or will they revolve - not sure of the appropriate metaphor!)

It’s very different for freshers who may defer, and established students who are more settled and can work more independently.

Still lots of places in clearing at excellent unis.

I think the most competitive unis would look at the strength of the applicant requesting a deferral before saying no. It's not in their interests not to keep the best of this year's bunch, especially with a different approach being taken to tests/ interviews for 2021.

DD has just said she will 100% not do a wholly online course this year and I'd be right behind her on that. She's another one incredibly keen to get going but equally keen to defer if everything is moved online.

Might even do a holding letter now, to say if moved wholly online, can I defer. Her Oxford college has invited applications to defer, so maybe the halfway house is the way to go :)

I’m sure unis would love to say no to everyone but other places are just a phone call away.

Some freshers will go anyway for a change of scene but the cost will simply put other off. Accom costs alone can be saved - a huge source of income for many unis.

I suppose the other 'deferral question' for students to consider is - will things be so different next year?

No way of knowing, obviously, but I suppose the changes to online learning may not be fully reversed, whatever the coronavirus position, vaccine, treatment etc, turns out to be by next September. Deferring, only to find that some of the restrictions that made you decide to defer are still in place, could be fairly annoying - particularly if the gap year isn't particularly productive. I'm not including working as unproductive by the way - that would be a good outcome! but unfortunately it looks as though retail, hospitality work etc may not be that easy to get over the next year.

Uncertainty next year will mean fewer students signing up to accom before they absolutely have to

Yes you may be right Newgirls. In fact I suppose if you're a 2nd year now, predicting that a large part of the course may still be online next year, you might decide to do the last year at home and commute in for your one day a week that you're going to be allowed on campus! (If you're in commuting distance of course - won't apply to by any means all students.)

I think most DC would prefer to go and live independently in a student flat even if all teaching is on line.?

Dd has just seen a video of catered eating arrangements , basically like sitting in an exam hall. Individual tables facing back of person in front. So really antisocial. She's not impressed and it sounds from sm chat that most will opt to take out food and eat back in accommodation. Also uncertain if any indoor communal areas will be available for use.

It’s expensive if you don’t actually need it though? I already know students deciding to study from home. Saves up to 9k for some accom!

Wow where is that LIzs?

That would not be good - what is the point?

I know mine looking to pull out if all her teaching is online. Will save a fortune. Really no point if cant even eat together.

Dd2 wasn’t impressed with going to uni and it all online but seems happier about a campus uni rather than city.

My older son after the first year drove to Reading when he had lectures and lived at home (he did not take part in university life at all and is a very unusual case) but it does show it works for some although it was certainly not the university experience his 4 siblings have had.

LIZS, is that Edinburgh? My dd just told me the same. Not very sociable at all. But yes, hopefully they can socialise together in the communal areas of their halls.

Not going would be a huge blow for many. They have been itching to get out and get going with life. I would hope that testing would be the way to go. A huge number would simply lose the enthusiasm for higher education after such a horrible end to their school life. I think my DD who has ridden so many highs and lows over this whole process and is all set for new life would retreat under her duvet while I had to hide all the bits and pieces she has been getting together for her room since results.

@Pippilangstrumpfy yes it is.

Hi all, wondering if anyone could help with suggestions for student insurance.
Move in day is Thursday so fast approaching!
Particularly thinking of his lovely new laptop and his trumpet.
Something independent would be preferred rather than an add on to household insurance
Any suggestions?