hughesie27 Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Got an interview on Friday for Edinburgh. The course is Community Education and I have heard they can be quite brutal. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DG_HMFC Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Got an interview on Friday for Edinburgh. The course is Community Education and I have heard they can be quite brutal. Any advice? No advice, but good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanes de Silentio Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Be yourself - the competition for places is massive - just do your best. Good luck, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peebo Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Got an interview on Friday for Edinburgh. The course is Community Education and I have heard they can be quite brutal. Any advice? What exactly is "Community Education"? Social work-related?? As for advice, don't have any - I wasn't aware Edinburgh actually interviewed prospective students. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incompetnce Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Interviews at Edinburgh can be brutal indeed, especially for Vet. Medicine / Medicine as you truly have to know your stuff to impress there. Following on from this I can only say that as other posters have said to be yourself (as much as you can, you'd be surprised how easy it is to see through someone when they're trying too hard), and be confident. That's not only in mindset, but in the way you hold and present yourself. Do not slouch, get your chest out and stomach in, head up and eye contact where necessary. Also, wear something at least vaguely smart, it never hurts to impress. I'm assuming you know a little about your subject so if you can, try to expand on questions and if possible, throw in a few examples from personal experience. At the end, ask questions! It shows willing and the fact you've at least done some research which interviewers like. They don't have to be about the subject itself though, maybe ask how the interviewers got into their positions (people like talking about themselves I've found if you can get a bit of chat going ^^), or expand on earlier examples or things they may have brought up through the course of the interview. Best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I'd be thinking now about what you'd like to achieve with the degree. If you can explain to them what you plan to do with yourself after Uni and how the degree is critical to you achieving those things then they will be confident that you will stick it out even if it gets tough. Think through examples of things they might ask. Here are some: http://www.learningtechnologies.ac.uk/itq/studentservices/UCAS/submission3/page_25.htm The rest of that site looks handy too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Have you got time to do a bit of research into who the heads of department are? Google them up and see what papers etc. they have published. You'll find out what their specialist subjects are and if you casually drop a couple of comments about those things interesting you they will likely take notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibble Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/CfL_LynTettBiography_2008.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Got an interview on Friday for Edinburgh. The course is Community Education and I have heard they can be quite brutal. Any advice? yeah, head to the main door, keep walking past and get the bus to Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh is full of strokers. In reality though, as Incomp. said above - treat it like a normal interview, don't waffle when giving answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Archer Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 make sure to answer Ya instead of Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 My mate does this and he said the interview wasn't that bad. He's loving the course as well. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughesie27 Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 Cheers so far boys and girls. I think I have a decent idea of what is going to be asked and how I wll answer them. Just heard they can be gruesome. Wish I'd applied for Strathclyde and Dundde too but meh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartsfc_fan Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 make sure to answer Ya instead of Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adi Dassler Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was talking to one of our recent influx of trainees at work and was flabbergasted when she gave me a ballpark figure of the debt she left University with. Apparently this is commonplace. Is it actually possible to go to Uni without getting yourself into serious debt? I presume most people work part time when they are studying? Do you have to take out student loans to supplement this and maintain a reasonable lifestyle? Be interesting to here any students circumstances. Good luck though Zeke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal_ Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I think I have a decent idea of what is going to be asked and how I wll answer them. Just heard they can be gruesome.QUOTE] Get that bit out of your head mate. What is the worst that could happen? I go into interviews pretending i dont care so i'm more relaxed. Sounds like your ready but no matter how much you learn as they can ask you anything in the world so just take time to think and deliver. They'll be just as interested in how you handle the questions as the words you actually say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanes de Silentio Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I believe that they might be doing group interviews for education course at Edinburgh - but don't hide - make sure to say your bit, but maybe don't hog it. All the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Treasurer Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Turn up late (especially if it's in the morning) Don't wash from now until then. Wear a t-shirt of a really "cool" band that you've never seen before. Also wear ridiculous looking, ill-matching second hand clothes that a tramp would turn down. Talk very loudly so as to annoy everyone around you. If all that fails then GET A PROPER JOB YA HIPPY LAYABOUT !!! Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig_ Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I would imagine the first question will be 'which school did you go to?', so I hope for your sake it was Watsons/Heriots etc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartsfc_fan Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was talking to one of our recent influx of trainees at work and was flabbergasted when she gave me a ballpark figure of the debt she left University with. Apparently this is commonplace. Is it actually possible to go to Uni without getting yourself into serious debt? I presume most people work part time when they are studying? Do you have to take out student loans to supplement this and maintain a reasonable lifestyle? Be interesting to here any students circumstances. Good luck though Zeke. Yes. I stayed at home for the first two years of uni (not as bad as it sounds!). Managed to get a paid placement, doing IT in 3rd year. Got myself a flat, decent car etc with the money. Recently finished Uni with no debt. Didn't bother getting a loan because I didn't need one. Obviously people have their heart set on a certain degree then fair enough. Moving away might be their best option. And the things that people say about moving out the house from uni you make more friends - nonsense. I was out the house going on 3 nights a week in 1st and 2nd year mixing with uni folk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommythejambo Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was talking to one of our recent influx of trainees at work and was flabbergasted when she gave me a ballpark figure of the debt she left University with. Apparently this is commonplace. Is it actually possible to go to Uni without getting yourself into serious debt? I presume most people work part time when they are studying? Do you have to take out student loans to supplement this and maintain a reasonable lifestyle? Be interesting to here any students circumstances. Good luck though Zeke. It's very possible, just don't be daft. I'm in a bit of debt, but nothing I won't be able to pay off in a couple of years. About 99% of it is down to me going radge during the week with my mates from Uni and then goign radge with my normal mates at the weekend. Also advice to get into Edinburgh...Speak with an upper class English accent and you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughesie27 Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 With regard to the loans and debt I think you are looking at about 4K a year maximum loan. Obviously this looks to pay for your rent and travel expenses. Staying at home keeps it cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Going by Edinburgh University's performance on University Challenge last night it looks like they'll let any halfwit in nowadays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CostaJambo Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 As already said, relax and make plenty of eye contact and demonstrate that you know a bit about the course and where you want it to get you to job wise. Think about jotting down about 5 or 6 key points or questions you want to raise, memorise them and mentally count them off as you mention them, it's amazing how many times you can forget what you want to get across in an interview setting. Something else I always do is listen to some uplifting music en route to get me in the mood. Eurythmics "Right By Your Side" works for me for some reason. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller Jambo 60 Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Turn up late (especially if it's in the morning)Don't wash from now until then. Wear a t-shirt of a really "cool" band that you've never seen before. Also wear ridiculous looking, ill-matching second hand clothes that a tramp would turn down. Talk very loudly so as to annoy everyone around you. If all that fails then GET A PROPER JOB YA HIPPY LAYABOUT !!! Hope this helps Ha ha what are you like. Lot of that is true though:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigaro Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was talking to one of our recent influx of trainees at work and was flabbergasted when she gave me a ballpark figure of the debt she left University with. Apparently this is commonplace. Is it actually possible to go to Uni without getting yourself into serious debt? I presume most people work part time when they are studying? Do you have to take out student loans to supplement this and maintain a reasonable lifestyle? Be interesting to here any students circumstances. Good luck though Zeke. It is. I would have went through debt free, but I took out a ?2k loan a few weeks before I finished to buy a car:o In the grand scheme of things ?2k is nothing though when you see people leaving with circa ?10k as my sister will be. Ouch. Obviously staying at home makes it a hell of a lot easier to keep the debt down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therapist Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was talking to one of our recent influx of trainees at work and was flabbergasted when she gave me a ballpark figure of the debt she left University with. Apparently this is commonplace. Is it actually possible to go to Uni without getting yourself into serious debt? I presume most people work part time when they are studying? Do you have to take out student loans to supplement this and maintain a reasonable lifestyle? Be interesting to here any students circumstances. Good luck though Zeke. Personally I couldn't care less if students end up in debt. The reason they go to university is because they think a degree will allow them to out-earn non-graduates in the medium term. If they don't get the money they thought they would then the gamble's failed and it's tough breasts. And wtf is "community education"? Is it one of those daft degrees like windsurfing resort management or golf greenkeeping? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deesidejambo Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Some more cosmic stuff........ Match the pace of the interviewers talking - if he/she speaks slowly then try to do the same. Its not easy but it builds rapport. Same with body language - try to mimic theirs - nose scratching, clasping hands etc. If they don't like eye contact then don't try to force that yourself - its a common misconception that maintaining eye-contact is a good thing - done incorrectly it can spook them. If there is a discussion on what you do outside work/course, try not to appear more enthusiastic about that than you do about the course itself. And. Under no circumstances, watch Trainspotting the night before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughesie27 Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 Community Education. http://www.education.ed.ac.uk/cue Think the course has been going since around 1800. Before windsurfing was ever popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therapist Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Community Education.http://www.education.ed.ac.uk/cue Think the course has been going since around 1800. Before windsurfing was ever popular. In that case, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigaro Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 In that case, good luck. Do you have a link for the windsurfing resort management degree? I'm struggling for a job just now and think it could be a decent wee shift back at uni until the economy fixes itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therapist Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Do you have a link for the windsurfing resort management degree? I'm struggling for a job just now and think it could be a decent wee shift back at uni until the economy fixes itself. Sorry mate. As a non-graduate I don't know my way around the tertiary education web sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigaro Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Sorry mate. As a non-graduate I don't know my way around the tertiary education web sites. Ah no problem. I'll have a wee look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspector Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 It is. I would have went through debt free, but I took out a ?2k loan a few weeks before I finished to buy a car:o In the grand scheme of things ?2k is nothing though when you see people leaving with circa ?10k as my sister will be. Ouch. Obviously staying at home makes it a hell of a lot easier to keep the debt down. .............and having your Mother and Father give you cash, wash your clothes, fill up the car etc etc etc:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigaro Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 .............and having your Mother and Father give you cash, wash your clothes, fill up the car etc etc etc:biggrin: That comes under "staying at home". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roop Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Some of the interviewers go out to bully you. One of my mates who started Medicine in September was called arrogant and shouted at by his interviewer, but still got in. The same interviewer is now his Director of Studies and he basically admitted that it's a common tactic to try and push you a bit to see how you react. I didn't have an interview for my course so I couldn't tell you anything first hand, except that a Scottish accent is a minority accent, and might lose you a few potential friends. I'd be careful about who you tell about liking football as well - assuming you get in. Not to put you off or anything, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paws (FTH) Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Have you got time to do a bit of research into who the heads of department are? Google them up and see what papers etc. they have published. You'll find out what their specialist subjects are and if you casually drop a couple of comments about those things interesting you they will likely take notice. This seems like the best advice to me. Lecturer's at Edinburgh like talking about their own research etc. I did both my degrees at Edinburgh and now work there-I have a regional Scottish accent, didn't go to private school and Im footie daft so I wouldn't worry too much about those things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perth2Paisley Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have a regional Scottish accent, didn't go to private school and Im footie daft so I wouldn't worry too much about those things! Agreed - universities stopped being nests of privilege a long time ago. Back yourself and keep your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Personally I couldn't care less if students end up in debt. The reason they go to university is because they think a degree will allow them to out-earn non-graduates in the medium term. If they don't get the money they thought they would then the gamble's failed and it's tough breasts. And wtf is "community education"? Is it one of those daft degrees like windsurfing resort management or golf greenkeeping? **** it, i'll bite. That's kind of a sweeping generalisation is it not mate? I agree that more than a handful of students go to uni as an excuse to score some cheap tax / loans / keep from having to work for a living by doing pointless degrees such as those you mentioned. But you've kinda missed the point that maybe some simply want to actually further their academic education / qualifications. OR (and I may just be fishing here) i'm fairly certain some jobs require education to degree standard before you even get considered due to the nature of the work. When I did my degrees I knew full well that compared to a few of my mates (one of whom is now running his own joinery firm) I'd be earning significantly LESS than them when I got my first job as I would be going through my 'apprenticeship' essentially. However, once I get my chartership (in the medium term) my wages will rise significantly year-on-year (in the long term). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The xx Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Got an interview on Friday for Edinburgh. The course is Community Education and I have heard they can be quite brutal. Any advice? Go to Glasgow uni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acey Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Not sure if I want...people like you at my University, Hughesie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Archer Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Not sure if I want...people like you at my University, Hughesie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redm Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 **** it, i'll bite. That's kind of a sweeping generalisation is it not mate? I agree that more than a handful of students go to uni as an excuse to score some cheap tax / loans / keep from having to work for a living by doing pointless degrees such as those you mentioned. But you've kinda missed the point that maybe some simply want to actually further their academic education / qualifications. OR (and I may just be fishing here) i'm fairly certain some jobs require education to degree standard before you even get considered due to the nature of the work. When I did my degrees I knew full well that compared to a few of my mates (one of whom is now running his own joinery firm) I'd be earning significantly LESS than them when I got my first job as I would be going through my 'apprenticeship' essentially. However, once I get my chartership (in the medium term) my wages will rise significantly year-on-year (in the long term). Students pay tax, the loans aren't all that cheap and most have to work to get through their course. So I don't know where you got this idea.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Archer Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Students pay tax, the loans aren't all that cheap and most have to work to get through their course. So I don't know where you got this idea.... obviously some un-educated pov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_razor Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Depending on your course, univerity is not as simple as many people think. Im now in my 5th year of and Engineering degree at Edinburgh univerity and going to uni for 9am and getting home at 8 or 9pm is common practice. Last week I was in till 2am twice to finish off assignments and not due to the fact i left it all to the last minute. Then you still have work to do at the weekends where as your 9-5 job once you leave the office your work for the day tends to be done. I didnt go to university to score cheap money but to invest in my future. Im lucky enough to be staying at home so by debt is only a couble of k but i know friends who are nearer the 15k mark, so its definately not for scoring cheap money. I didnt have to do an interview for my university course but have had 3 or 4 for placement jobs or summer jobs with multinational oil compaines. This website is pretty dedcent http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/index.htm and has most of what to expect etc. It also has good example of question to ask to make you seem keen. Tbh mate I think you will be fine these type of interviews are normally to check your not a complete div. Anyways good luck mate! And remember work hard, play hard. But just remember to do it in that order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Students pay tax, the loans aren't all that cheap and most have to work to get through their course. So I don't know where you got this idea.... read my post - i didn't say NO tax, i said CHEAP tax. I paid a markedly reduced rate of tax when I was at Uni compared to what I pay now when I am working full-time- THATS the point I was trying to make... obviously some un-educated pov. well if you call a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Sustainability Engineering uneducated then my years f study have been wasted.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Archer Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 read my post - i didn't say NO tax, i said CHEAP tax. I paid a markedly reduced rate of tax when I was at Uni compared to what I pay now when I am working full-time- THATS the point I was trying to make... well if you call a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Sustainability Engineering uneducated then my years f study have been wasted.... I don't mean to correct you. RedM said he didn't know where you got the idea. I was merely suggesting you got it from an uneducated pov. Apologies for the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I don't mean to correct you. RedM said he didn't know where you got the idea. I was merely suggesting you got it from an uneducated pov. Apologies for the confusion. Ahh, my apologies for picking you up wrong, won't 'appen again guv' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Archer Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Serves you right chap, for associating with pov's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Governor Tarkin Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Personally I couldn't care less if students end up in debt. The reason they go to university is because they think a degree will allow them to out-earn non-graduates in the medium term. If they don't get the money they thought they would then the gamble's failed and it's tough breasts. And wtf is "community education"? Is it one of those daft degrees like windsurfing resort management or golf greenkeeping? I agree with you on the debt bit, but not the gamble bit. There's no way I'm going to make as much money when I graduate as in my previous incarnation as a stonemason, and the 18 grand debt is going to be a pain too. I've enjoyed the last four years thoroughly though, and final salary is just not as important to me as prospective lifestyle doing something I'm right into. That being the case then the debt is worth every penny. I suppose it depends on your motivations and expectations when you decide to go into further education. And for the OP, good luck. Edinburgh is not as bad as some make out although the first few months can be a culture shock 'till you get used to the Rahs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughesie27 Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Just an update for you guys. Interview went fine and I was offered a conditional place on Monday. Just need to get a B in my college course which hopefully shouldn't be too much of an ask. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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