Thank you and well done to the 283 students who
attended this year's Conference. Grateful thanks also to our team to
undergraduate student volunteers as well as contributors from ELRAH,
SAAS, NUS, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh Napier University.
Finally, thanks to Heriot-Watt University for hosting the event.
---
The annual LEAPS Conference for S6 Students will take place at Heriot-Watt University on the morning of Friday 16 December between 09.30 and 12.30. This page contains everything you need to know about the Conference.
---
The annual LEAPS Conference for S6 Students will take place at Heriot-Watt University on the morning of Friday 16 December between 09.30 and 12.30. This page contains everything you need to know about the Conference.
If you are aiming for university or college next year or beyond, this event is for you. The Conference will take you through the next steps towards higher education and the combination of presentations and workshops will also offer valuable preparation for the early stages of student life. The Conference is open to any student who participated in a LEAPS Pre-Application Interview or had a phone interview with a member of the LEAPS team.
School students like you, undergraduates from local universities and experts on student funding, UCAS and college-university articulation. There will also be the opportunity to speak to LEAPS staff individually. The event will be friendly, informal and entirely focused on enabling you to collect information that is relevant to your plans for next year.
09.30-10.00 Registration
You will be welcomed at the Heriot-Watt University entrance by members of our student team.
10.00-10.05 Welcome
An introduction to the day and notification of venues and timings.
10.05-10.15 Opening address by the National Union of Students
The Conference will be formally opened by Kelley Temple, Women's Officer for the National Union of Students (NUS).
10.15-10.30 Securing funding for university and college
The level of financial support you’ll receive as a student will be influenced by where you want to study as well as your personal circumstances. What’s more it’s up to you to apply for funding. In this session Laura Steele from the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will take you through these important steps.
10.30-11.30 Workshop
Choose one of the following sessions in advance:
A) ‘How to survive moving away from home’
This session is aimed at students who are considering moving away from home for college or university. This workshop will be led by staff with input from undergraduates who themselves faced the challenge of adapting to a new living environment when they entered higher education.
B) ‘Preparing for a teaching interview’
The majority of universities continue to use interview as part of the selection process for entry to education courses. In this session Dr Hazel Crichton from University of Glasgow will offer a vital overview of what to expect at a teaching interview. Current teaching undergraduates will also be on hand to share their own experiences.
C) ‘Preparing for an art and design interview’
In this session, Antonia Palmer and Robert Davies from the Edinburgh College of Art will offer an overview of what to expect at an interview for an art and design course in higher education. Antonia and Rob will also offer guidance on portfolio presentation and will take individual questions.
D) ‘Preparing for a nursing interview’
Perhaps more than any other type of higher education course, performing well at interview is a vital part of gaining entry to a course in nursing and midwifery. In this session, George Petrie from the Faculty of Health Studies at Edinburgh Napier University will be sharing his extensive knowledge of nursing and midwifery interviews. George's approach will be provide information that is relevant to all institutions offering courses in this field, not just his own university.
E) ‘How to approach your studies in first year’
Higher education isn't a simple continuation of school. New undergraduates are expected to develop new learning techniques whilst simultaneously trying to get to grips with the challenges of autonomous learning and self-motivation. In this session, higher education staff and students will offer an insight into what you can expect from your student environment in first year, as well as strategies to help you make a successful start to your university career.
11.30-11.50 Break
Includes an opportunity to speak informally with undergraduate students from a range of subject areas and universities (including ECA, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Napier, Queen Margaret, SAC and Stirling Universities).
11.50-12.00 Next steps in the UCAS process
You might already have completed your UCAS form, however there are still some important steps to take before you secure a place. Ian Sutherland, Admissions and Wider Access Manager at Heriot-Watt University will cover a number of important themes in this session, including ‘responding to offers’, ‘choosing an insurance course’ and ‘what happens if I have a change of plan?’.
12.00-12.10 Making a college application
Perhaps college is your first choice destination next year? Or maybe you plan to look at college as a positive back up option, perhaps studying an HNC or HND course? Either way, applying to college involves a different process to UCAS and Kate Heighington and Karen Cullen from the ELRAH Articulation Hub and the Edinburgh Colleges will cover what’s involved.
12.10-12.30 Student Panel
A panel of ‘student experts’ will answer your questions about any aspect of university life.
12.30 Continuing LEAPS support and closing remarks
Information about the LEAPS Summer School and other support that will help you take the final steps towards higher education.
You will be welcomed at the Heriot-Watt University entrance by members of our student team.
10.00-10.05 Welcome
An introduction to the day and notification of venues and timings.
10.05-10.15 Opening address by the National Union of Students
The Conference will be formally opened by Kelley Temple, Women's Officer for the National Union of Students (NUS).
10.15-10.30 Securing funding for university and college
The level of financial support you’ll receive as a student will be influenced by where you want to study as well as your personal circumstances. What’s more it’s up to you to apply for funding. In this session Laura Steele from the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will take you through these important steps.
10.30-11.30 Workshop
Choose one of the following sessions in advance:
A) ‘How to survive moving away from home’
This session is aimed at students who are considering moving away from home for college or university. This workshop will be led by staff with input from undergraduates who themselves faced the challenge of adapting to a new living environment when they entered higher education.
B) ‘Preparing for a teaching interview’
The majority of universities continue to use interview as part of the selection process for entry to education courses. In this session Dr Hazel Crichton from University of Glasgow will offer a vital overview of what to expect at a teaching interview. Current teaching undergraduates will also be on hand to share their own experiences.
C) ‘Preparing for an art and design interview’
In this session, Antonia Palmer and Robert Davies from the Edinburgh College of Art will offer an overview of what to expect at an interview for an art and design course in higher education. Antonia and Rob will also offer guidance on portfolio presentation and will take individual questions.
D) ‘Preparing for a nursing interview’
Perhaps more than any other type of higher education course, performing well at interview is a vital part of gaining entry to a course in nursing and midwifery. In this session, George Petrie from the Faculty of Health Studies at Edinburgh Napier University will be sharing his extensive knowledge of nursing and midwifery interviews. George's approach will be provide information that is relevant to all institutions offering courses in this field, not just his own university.
E) ‘How to approach your studies in first year’
Higher education isn't a simple continuation of school. New undergraduates are expected to develop new learning techniques whilst simultaneously trying to get to grips with the challenges of autonomous learning and self-motivation. In this session, higher education staff and students will offer an insight into what you can expect from your student environment in first year, as well as strategies to help you make a successful start to your university career.
11.30-11.50 Break
Includes an opportunity to speak informally with undergraduate students from a range of subject areas and universities (including ECA, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Napier, Queen Margaret, SAC and Stirling Universities).
11.50-12.00 Next steps in the UCAS process
You might already have completed your UCAS form, however there are still some important steps to take before you secure a place. Ian Sutherland, Admissions and Wider Access Manager at Heriot-Watt University will cover a number of important themes in this session, including ‘responding to offers’, ‘choosing an insurance course’ and ‘what happens if I have a change of plan?’.
12.00-12.10 Making a college application
Perhaps college is your first choice destination next year? Or maybe you plan to look at college as a positive back up option, perhaps studying an HNC or HND course? Either way, applying to college involves a different process to UCAS and Kate Heighington and Karen Cullen from the ELRAH Articulation Hub and the Edinburgh Colleges will cover what’s involved.
12.10-12.30 Student Panel
A panel of ‘student experts’ will answer your questions about any aspect of university life.
12.30 Continuing LEAPS support and closing remarks
Information about the LEAPS Summer School and other support that will help you take the final steps towards higher education.
|
The Conference will take place at Heriot-Watt University on the western edge of Edinburgh. You can find the exact location of the University by using the interactive map to the right. If you would prefer to use an alternative interactive map, the campus postcode is EH14 4AS. Heriot-Watt's campus has full accessibility however please feel free to contact us in advance if you have any questions about accessibility.
Heriot-Watt University is served by regular bus services from Edinburgh city centre and other locations including the 25, X25, 34 and 45. You'll find full details on the University website. Journey times from the city centre normally take between 30-45 minutes. If you choose to drive to the Conference, free parking is available. If you attend any of the schools listed below please note that coaches will be travelling to and from the event. Alloa Academy, Armadale Academy, Bannockburn High School, Berwickshire High School, Dalkeith High School, Eyemouth High School, Galashiels Academy, Grangemouth High School, Hawick High School, Lornshill Academy, Inveralmond Community High School, Newbattle Community High School, Selkirk High School, St David's High School, Whitburn Academy. Here are the bus times and pick up points (please contact us if you have a problem access this file and we'll provide the details in a different format: 
|
|||
We will be in contact again (by text or e-mail) with a reminder a few days before the Conference takes place. Meanwhile you might want to bookmark or take a print out of this page. As the Conference is likely to be oversubscribed once again this year, if after having booked you are no longer able to attend, please contact us so that we offer your place to someone on our waiting list. Please notify your school of your intention to attend this event.
Got a question about the Conference or having difficulty with any part of this webpage? Please contact us by e-mail at leaps@ed.ac.uk or on 0131 650-4676 between normal working hours and we'll be happy to help.
