This document summarizes a student's research into higher education options. The student is primarily interested in attending Sunderland University for its film production program. As backups, they are considering SAE Institute in Glasgow or Liverpool for a shorter digital film course, or applying to film programs at Manchester or Bournemouth universities. The student lives near Sunderland, so they would save on accommodation costs by attending locally. They determined they could not afford to relocate based on student loan amounts not covering full living expenses elsewhere. The document outlines the research process of using UCAS to explore course options and requirements to inform the student's university applications.

1. HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH

2. Why research ?
In order to know what university is best for me and my future I will need to look into the
course, accommodation, grades needed vs predicted grades and my overall
preference.
Researching into each part of these will inform me of what is best for me and make sure
I make the right decision and don’t just pick any random course.
In order to begin looking into Universities I need to sign up to UCAS and then begin
looking at courses.

3. What is UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is a company based in England,
provides educational support services for students applying for university. It is a great
way for students to look at courses, there length, what is involved within the course and
also look for opening days. I have previously been to Sunderland University for trips with
my college. Sunderland has always been my first choice in mind due to it being known
for being one of the best universities for media and also due to it being local.
Therefore, my first protocol was to look straight at Sunderland University.

4. Sunderland Uni
As said in the previous slide I have been to Sunderland university before and thought it
was a great University. Not only do I think it is great, but studies prove it as well.
As stated on this link:
• Ranked as a top 50 university
• track-record for providing quality student experiences that result in graduates
• Sunderland is recognized internationally as a leading university, receiving five stars
for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities in the QS World University
Rankings 2023.
• One of the UK’s leading widening participation Universities and was named The
Times/Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2021. We were also
shortlisted as University of the Year by the T.H.E

5. So what course?
From my industry research and because of my inspirations I feel like I defiantly wish to work within the film genre
and field of work. Therefore, I want to apply for a film production course.
After a quick search on UCAS I found the exact course, I was after... FILM PRODUCTION.
The description of the course is perfect for what I wish to do and become. Learning the fundamentals of how to
make a good scene and a powerful image is all I am about and is my dream job. For me there is no worry about
accommodation if I study here due to the fact I live nearby and can drive to the University. Being at home also
means that I can keep the same part time job and do not have to worry about food, water and problems that arise
with having your own home.
Even before signing up to UCAS, I was already sold on going to Sunderland University and the fact that the course
tailors to my exact wants, is the "cherry on top".
I could stop there and only apply to Sunderland. However, in order to get into the course I need 120 Tariff points
which translates to the Grade of DDM. The course has a foundation course as well, since I am applying to the
regular course, as long as I get a PPP, I have a guaranteed place in Sunderland Uni. No matter my grades and as
long as I pass, I will be going to Sunderland Uni. However it is best to look at other options incase I change my
mind down the line or if I find a better course. Although my predicted grades are DDD, it is still safer to have
backup plans in case I do not get the grades needed and then I have a fallback Uni.

6. Glasgow and Liverpool.
Next on UCAS I decided to have a look at other courses which would be a good fallback if Sunderland fell
through. I stumbled upon the SAE's institute Digital Film Production course. The initial thing that intrigued me
was the physical length of the course. The actual course itself is only 2 years long and since I want to enter
the industry as fast as possible, this got me really interested.
The course states that it is about making the next generation of filmmakers. It is stated to be a fast-tracked
course and is the reason why it is only two years long. Focusing on the hands-on training, the course is said
to prepare you for working on any film set around the world. Spending time learning the fundamentals and
then being allowed to create work and learn from your own mistakes is a great way to learn about film and
your own style of storytelling.
I do like this course a lot however I would still like to go to Sunderland as it requires no relocating, and I
would rather spend an extra year at university in order to make sure I learn and progress as much as
possible.
As just stated, the biggest problem for me about going to SAE is relocating. There are two campuses that I
would like to go to, Glasgow and Liverpool. I decided that I would like to apply for both, therefore I not only
have a backup course, but I also have two chances to get in at my backups.
The biggest struggle is the relocating, and it would be hard for me to live comfortably while studying due to

7. Why not move away?
I would love to leave home and be able to live for myself and be more independent. However, there are other factors that
come into play with such a decision. As just stated in the last slide, I would have to relocate in order to study at anywhere
other than Sunderland, Durham or Newcastle.
After looking at a Student Finance Calculator, I have found out that I would be expected to receive around 6.5k per year as
my loan. Although it sounds like a lot of money to a young person, this money has to provide for an abundance of things
including; accommodation, food, travel, social life, tools for work and basic needs.
To see if I could afford to live off my Student Finance, I had to look at the accommodation around different University's.
Living at Sunderland will be technically free for me as I would be living at home and will probably only have to pay my
parents a small amount of money for board. However, living away, for example, would cost a large sum of money. As stated
higher up, I would receive around 6.5k to live away. However, after looking at accommodation around a variety of unis, the
costs would take up most of my money. For example, a year accommodation in Glasgow would cost between 5.5k and 7.1k.
Therefore, at the minimum I would be left with around 1k over the year for food, mobile, social life, travel etc. Although
getting a part time job and having the extra 1k would be suitable and would work, I feel like staying home and having more
financial freedom, would make me less stressed and feel less need to need a job in order to function. Therefore I can spend
more time on uni work.

8. Other Universities
From my current research I would like to go to Sunderland and Sunderland only. However, I have my backup
Universities of Glasgow/ Liverpool in case I decide to change my mind. Within my application I have up to five
options to chose from. Being very confident with my chances of going to Sunderland and then having my backup
plans of Glasgow and then a further backup of Liverpool, I decided to apply for courses that interest me but are
only there for worst case scenario.
Due to my interest in product photography and media alike, I decided to apply for Manchester's Film producttion &
Content creation course. The course is about learning the fundemantals of film and then using a variety of work
experience of placements in order to gain strength and knowledge within content creation, making you leave
university with the knowhow of the industry and helping you enter the workplace with a firmer grasp of what to do
and how to do it.
Although Manchester involves traveling, I decided that the course would be worthwhile due to people at my part
time job, who studied and visited there, that the university was one of the best experiences and that they do not
regret their choices. Also, Manchester is known for being a great university as shown here.
7th uni in the UK for employability,
9th Times higher education impact ranking in the world and 2nd in Europe,
Aswell as being an award-winning city to live in.

9. Other University's
As my final and last choice for university I decided to go for Bournemouth university and its Film
Production course. In their own words, "You’ll discover the entire process of film production and the
relationship between the various roles and stages including designing, editing, sound, cinematography,
production and direction." This course is quite similar to the course at Sunderland with them both
looking at the fundamentals of how to create a film. Being "hands on" from the beginning, the course
gives some of the best practical knowledge you can gain.
Due to the distance, if I was only accepted to Bournemouth. However it is my last resort.