Local pupils to consider Higher and Further Education choices

Over 3,000 senior pupils from schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are due to arrive at the University of Aberdeen next week to find out more about continuing their education.

The Grampian Higher Education Convention is an annual event which allows pupils to speak to representatives from every Scottish university, further education colleges as well as staff from institutions south of the border, including University of Oxford, being represented.

The event takes place in Elphinstone Hall and is jointly organised by the University of Aberdeen and Careers Scotland.

Details and advice about further and higher education courses are among the wealth of information that will be on offer at the event. There will be informal talks/question-and-answer sessions on offer, including details on how to fill in UCAS forms will be given by a representative from UCAS and a finance talk will be given by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland on Monday evening. There will also be a team on hand from Careers Scotland to provide impartial and professional career information and support.

The Convention takes place throughout the day on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 September.

Around 40 institutions will attend the event, providing information and advice to prospective students. Visitors will be free to speak to as many colleges and universities as they wish and take home prospectuses and course details. The Convention is open to people of all ages who are interested in further and higher education.

For people who need some help to take the next step, there will also be a team of Careers Scotland advisers on hand to provide impartial and professional career information, advice and support.

Lesley MacLennan, Marketing Officer for Student Recruitment and Admissions, University of Aberdeen, said: “Pupils from across the North-East, including all Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire schools have been invited to attend, although the event is open to anyone who is interested in entering higher and further education.

“Over 40 institutions will be on hand with help for prospective students with anything from courses to gap year information. This year we are pleased to have Oxford University among a number of others from south of the border. We have financial information available from the Student Award Agency for Scotland who will be giving a talk on the Monday evening. It really is a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering higher or further education to get all the facts about a wide range of courses, colleges and universities under one roof.”