1. Key Messages Dee Sandom Programme Delivery Manager (OFFA and Post-Entry) Liz Robinson Keelelink Officer

2. Say Cheese!

3. What are the key messages? In groups of 8 or less, you have 20 minutes to… – Write down the Key Messages that a Student Ambassador should communicate about Keele University – Write down the Key Messages that a Student Ambassador should communicate about HE in general Feedback

4. Key Messages - Keele University

5. What makes Keele special? Leading campus based university that is collegial, with traditional educational values at our heart We believe that higher education benefits society as a whole not just the individual Our graduates are confident and well educated with a broad experience that makes them highly employable

6. Keele : Statistics Over 9,000 students Intake in 2013 - 1,400 new undergraduate students Students from over 120 countries on campus Our turnover is c. £120m Over 3,200 students living on campus

7. Our History Keele Village dates back to Knights Templar Sneyd family estate, first founded on this site in 1580 with the existing Keele Hall built in 1851 University founded in 1949 Royal Charter in 1962 Largest campus in England Keele is featured on the UK 'Here and Now' edition of Monopoly (2007), taking the place of Fleet Street

8. What place did Keele get in the National Student Survey for Student Satisfaction in 2012?

9. NSS 2012

10. What place did Keele rank in Top 50 of the Worlds Young Universities (under 50)

11. Times Higher Education : May 2012

12. Where in the rankings did Keele come for nightlife?

13. Keele SU 4 th in the UK for nightlife September 2012

14. More facts and figures…

15. Research 85% of research world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour* * Research Assessment Exercise 2008

16. Campus Safety No. 1 Safest Campus in West Midlands

17. Flexibility to thrive in rapidly changing world Curiosity and independence of thought Interdisciplinarity Information literacy Creative problem solving Appreciation of social, environmental & global issues Keele Graduate Attributes (DKC) Ability to communicate clearly and effectively Self confidence and self awareness Participate responsibly and collaboratively as an active citizen Professional approach to life and study

18. Keele: added extras Employability support Work experience Voluntary experience On campus jobs Study Abroad Careers service

19. Key Messages - HE (General)

20. What barriers to Higher Education might a young person face?

21. If you want to go to university, then you CAN afford to go. Repayments depend solely on how much you earn once you graduate/leave university. Regardless of what you borrow, if you choose a career that isnt highly paid, you wont need to repay much at all There are bursaries and grants available

22. Breaking Barriers Raising aspirations = raising attainment You are the key person who will raise aspirations. Your role is important! Parental influence Be aware that there may not be support at home. There may even be active discouragement. Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) You could be the first and only point of IAG for some learners. Therefore the information that you give is important. Dont use jargon. University is not a natural first choice for many young people, even if they have the potential. Staying local is OK! Share your experience of moving away but staying local is sometimes a better option for some people.

23. Making an informed decision is important traditional or modern? close to home or far away? campus or city based? 2,000, 20,000 or 40,000 students? quality? DONT FORGET: Know your audience, know your event

24. University is for everyone!

25. Any Questions?