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Welcome to UKEducationGuide’s June Newsletter!
Preparing for University?
This summer will see nervous students waiting for results before heading to universities in September-also many other young people will start exploring university options for entry in September 2018. The University of East Anglia has an excellent free course featured on the FutureLearn platform exploring and developing analytic skills that students will need to be successful at university. The course lasts 6 weeks and takes about 3 hours study time per week.
Skills gap – big data analysis
During the World Manufacturing Forum, held last year in Barcelona, Sanjay Brahmawar, global head and managing partner strategic business development for IBM’s Watson Internet of Things business, pointed out: “One of the biggest issues is going to be the gap in skills. Getting the skills required to analyse and manage all of this data is going to be difficult.”
He then added “By 2020 we will have one million unfilled jobs in the IT sector. Primarily because the skills we have today aren’t the right skills for the future. The future is more about the business understanding and the data understanding.”
So what are the best courses to take at university to get one of these highly paid, sought after roles?
There are many MSc programmes in Data Analysis and Big Data being offered by UK Universities. Some are 1 and some are 2 year courses, run on campus. However, international students might be particularly interested in University of Liverpool’s Big Data Analytics online MSc course that can be completed part time. Also, University of Southampton offers a 6 week certificate, CPD accredited online course in Data science that is a good introduction to the subject area.
TEF results announced
The results of the 2017 teaching excellence framework (TEF) have been released, with more than 130 UK universities and other higher education institutions being awarded gold, silver or bronze ratings for the quality of their teaching.The TEF is a government-backed assessment of undergraduate teaching quality across all higher education institutions in England, which also includes some institutions in Scotland and Wales (with others opting not to take part). Full results can be found here. The results have included some surprises, not least 3 Russell Group universities achieving only a Bronze award.
UK’s general election—what does it mean for UK education?
The election result will have significant implications for UK education, not least regarding the stance the UK government takes in relation to Brexit and immigration control. Brexit negotiations have now officially started and the EU has made clear that the issue of residency of EU citizens living in the UK and the status of UK citizens living in the EU, alongside the financial penalty that the UK will face on leaving the EU need to be the first issues to be resolved. We will keep you updated on developments in future editions of the newsletter.
What’s new on the site?
We are running a competition to win £250. The competition is really easy to enter and open to all site members-you! Simply answer the 3 questions here. The money can be used for any purpose, but clearly it is aimed at supporting education costs- such a books or travel costs-but the choice is yours. The competition will run until the end of July.
Liverpool City Guide continued….
Where to visit?
Liverpool has an amazing list of places to visit. Let’s start with museums and art galleries. The Walker Art Gallery is truly impressive and well worth a visit. It is also housed in one of Liverpool’s extraordinary Victorian buildings.
There are many museums in and around Liverpool, but a personal favourite is the Maritime Museum. The Museum has many fine exhibitions and charts Liverpool’s rise to be one of the most influential ports in the world and is a must see. Situated near the Pier Head by the Mersey Ferry Terminal it also affords great views across the Mersey and will give you a chance to see the majestic and world famous Liver Building (see top image)
If you are a Beatles Fan, then you might also like to visit the Beatles Experience, at the Albert Dock about half a mile from the Liver Buildings. Cavern Walks is also worth a visit as this is where the iconic Cavern Club is based where the Beatles played many times in the early years of their career.
Get outside
There are many lovely parks and walks in and around the city. It is hard to beat a walk along the ‘front’ from the Pier Head to the Albert Dock. The rich history of Liverpool, as a port and influential trading city comes alive as you pass old, renovated warehouses and see the wonderful Victorian architecture.
A couple of miles outside the city centre is Sefton Park a 235 acre park, built again in Victorian times. There are a number of statues commemorating famous Liverpudlians and those that helped shape the city’s destiny. There is also the wonderful Palm House that hosts events, concerts and an impressive botanical collection.
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