Emma Collier still remembers the acute disappointment she felt when she didn’t achieve the grades she needed to get straight on to a degree course at Northumbria University. But now, more than five years later, she’s a graduate of the university with a degree in communications and public relations, and is employed as president of its students’ union.
“I still remember the pain of not getting the grades I wanted on A-level results day,” says Collier, 24. “But when I approached Northumbria via clearing, they were so friendly, it made me excited about going to university.”
She started on a foundation year, an extra year of study at the start of a university course, “which turned out to be really beneficial – there was less pressure, I made loads of friends, and it helped me work out which course was right for me. Even if you’re not sure where you’re going, the university will help you every step of the way.”
The social life
Collier enjoyed her time at Northumbria so much that she stood for election as president at the students’ union, and now part of her job is to help new students settle in.
“I remember thinking in the middle of my first year, ‘I’m meant to be here. This is my university, and I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world,’” she says. “The best thing about Northumbria is that it’s such a welcoming community, whatever you’re into. We have more than 35 sports clubs here, and 100 societies – everything from salsa and snow sports to Disney and Doctor Who.
“When I started, I was in the hockey club, and I absolutely loved it. I made friends for life, and now I get to watch students meeting their new best friends at freshers’ week, without even knowing it. People they never would have met if they hadn’t come to Northumbria.”
To help students settle in, the university and students’ union collaborate on an initiative called Be Part Of It, which puts on events and activities around Newcastle and the north-east.
“We’ll do pizza-making, trips to the beach, paddleboarding … there are loads of ways for students to meet people and make friends,” says Collier. “The campus is set up in such a way that it creates a real community feel. There’s a quad in the middle, between the gym, the students’ union and the library, that’s perfect for meeting people. There are benches dotted around, and a beer garden outside the union, and everyone sits outside in the summer – it’s a great place to hang out.”
Support with becoming independent
As well as the social side, the students’ union works closely with the university’s wellbeing team, offering free, confidential advice on everything from finances to housing.
Northumbria’s student support network includes Ask4Help, a 24/7 assistance helpline open during term time that’s a first point of contact for any student-support enquiries, and a SafeZone app, which connects students to security staff or the emergency services at the touch of a button, so they can provide emergency assistance.
The student support starts early. “We know the transition from school to university is an emotional journey as well as an academic one, so we start talking to students about their wellbeing when they’re making their university choices,” says Sue Broadbent, assistant director for student life and wellbeing at Northumbria.
“We also drive down into the personal journey of each student. What are their individual circumstances – financial, health and disability-wise? Who are they as a person, and what do they need to make the leap into Northumbria University? Then we look at what reasonable adjustments they might need to settle in. It’s all about inclusion, access to education, and providing a cloak of support.
“We look at what you need to be resilient at university, not only from an academic perspective, but also from a wellbeing perspective. You’ll grow as an individual if you feel well – physically and mentally – and that’s really important to us.”
A career boost
Just as the support starts before enrolment, it also extends beyond graduation, assisting students as they look for meaningful careers that suit their new degrees.
“The university’s careers advisers help students enhance their employability, with things like honing their CVs and landing work experience or internships,” says Renée Fraser-Shepherd, 22, a final-year entrepreneurial business management student. “It’s a trajectory they look at from the start of your course – they’re always looking at your end goal, and how they can help you get there.”
Learning the skills to start a business
Partly thanks to the university’s support, Fraser-Shepherd has already landed a post-graduation marketing role, and she also plans to continue building a skiwear business she launched as part of her degree, Sloobie Skiwear.
“The entrepreneurial business management programme is so practical – the course and your marks are actually based on starting and growing your own business,” she says. “It’s really hands-on, and has given me plenty of skills to help run Sloobie Skiwear after graduation, including how to deal with numbers, networking, marketing and customer feedback.”
Gaining life skills
Going to university means she’s also gained skills that aren’t just academic, she says. “As well as having a degree to fall back on, I’m more confident, time-efficient and disciplined, and I’ve learned some vital life lessons, such as how to live with people and navigate social politics, which shouldn’t be underestimated.
“I’m so glad I came to Northumbria – not just for the learning, but for everything that comes with it. It’s more than just a degree.”
For more information visit Northumbria University’s clearing hub