Year 12 students had the chance to experience what life at university is really like when they enrolled at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s
#DMUaspire programme.
The week-long scheme sees teenagers carry out research and do presentations, have lectures and enjoy the social side of being university students by taking part in fun events on campus.
#DMUaspire aims to give students a fuller picture of what university involves and the opportunities higher education offers.
They were each given their own DMU pass to get access to buildings across campus and most importantly, the library where they spent much of the week researching and preparing their own research posters supported by staff from DMU’s Library and Learning Services team.
An exhibition of their work was held with topics ranging from climate change to computer gaming. Many students took the chance to learn more about subjects they were interested in studying at degree level.
Schools taking part included Countesthorpe Community College, QE College in Leicester, King Edward VII College in Coalville, City of Leicester College, Beauchamp College, Wreake Valley Academy in Syston, Wigston College, Regent College in Leicester, Loughborough College and Landau Forte Academy in Tamworth.
Jess Bogic, widening participation manager at
#DMUlocal, said: “It has been so rewarding to work on #DMUaspire and see all the students really embrace the opportunity. They have thrown themselves into the activities, made new friends and I think most importantly it has shown them what they can get from a university degree.”
Students said #DMUaspire had given them more idea of what to expect at university and they felt more confident making an application.
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Ten ways students can help refugees in Leicester Layla Corrall, who is at Wreake Valley Academy, said: “I’ve always wanted to go to university, so #DMUaspire has confirmed that it is the right thing for me to do. I’m very proud of myself for coming out of my comfort zone, we have all been determined to make the most out of this week.”
Her friend Courtney Tompkins, who plans to study Psychology at university, said: “It has been fascinating to study and research this week. I have made new friends and I’ve learned lots.”
Jacob Kendrick, who is planning to study Mechanical Engineering, said: “I was already looking at university and to be able to come onto campus and see how our timetables might look and how the courses are taught has been very useful.”
Vannesa Masanga, of Regent College said: “This week has just showed me what the reality of university is like. We’ve learned how to reference properly, we know that there’s so much self-directed study and that if we want to do well it’s up to us to make that happen. It’s made me want to work harder. This is such a good opportunity.”
Posted on Tuesday 10 July 2018