Hundreds attend fair showcasing higher education opportunities

UNIVERSITIES from across the country attended the Lakes College Higher Education Careers Fair, drawing hundreds of students and local schoolchildren keen to learn about university and degrees.

More than 170 Lakes College students were put in front of universities from across the UK to meet face-to-face and find out their options.

Students and apprentices found the event, which was organised by the college’s careers and admissions team, was a ‘great and informative’ chance to learn about possible next steps.

T Level business student Emily-Rose Lane said: “It’s been a great opportunity and the event has opened my eyes to new options.

“I’m grateful for the chance to talk to universities and see what they can offer.

“I’ve found out information from universities and what they require, so thank you to Lakes College for setting it up.

“I now know that I want to go to university.”

Daniel Graham, who is a Level 2 NVQ Mechanical Engineering student at the college, added: “There was tonnes of information on offer and it’s made my mind up that I definitely want to go to university.”

The fair was also a hit with 34 pupils from Netherhall School in Maryport who attended and learned more about what higher education has to offer them.

Chris Pattinson, head of sixth form at the school, said: “It was so good to have a chance locally for students to get information about higher education opportunities in the region and beyond, so thank you to Lakes College.”

Gillian Walker, careers lead at Lakes College, said: “We want to provide excellent opportunities for our students and local schoolchildren to find out what higher education has to offer them.

“We were delighted with the response we had from the universities and the event was a fantastic chance for them to meet potential future students.

“We hope the fair helped everyone who attended to make informed decisions about their future education and career options.”

The universities and organisations in attendance were: University of Central Lancashire; University of Cumbria; Northumbria University; Newcastle University; Hello Future; Liverpool John Moores University; University of Stirling; University of Leeds; University of Glasgow; University Campus of Football Business; Edge Hill University; National College for Nuclear; Teesside University.

Hello Future attended to offer advice on higher education opportunities, and Lakes College’s careers and admissions team promoted the offering across campus.

Of the 78 students who gave feedback on the event, 87 per cent said the event was excellent, very good or good, and 100 per cent of the nine universities asked said they would support a similar event in the future.