Sometimes students might be in a financial position where they need to find a job alongside their studies. Part-time jobs can be tricky to get, so below are some tips for finding part-time work:
 

• Use Indeed, LinkedIn, Guardian Jobs or any other job searching platform to find and apply fo jobs. It really can be a numbers game when it comes to applying for part-time work. With that being said, it is important that you tailor each application to the job that you are applying for - do not use a standardised application for each role. Every employer will be looking for different passions and skills, and it's important your application checks the boxes for them. 
• To figure out how to best tailor your applications, the job description is your best friend. The description should list desirable attributes and skills that they are looking for - so in your application, you can hone in on particular skills that might be appealing for them.
• Try to include a cover letter alongside your CV. It is easiest to make a standard one, but tailor it and change certain parts of it for each application based on the skills and attributes they are looking for.
• Think about how your personal skills and attributes can translate to the job you are applying for. What is your unique selling point? What can you offer and what makes you stand out from other candidates?
• Remember to apply for roles that will allow you to be flexible with hours; that may help you avoid overworking yourself you whilst you’re studying.

• Make it conversational: relax into the interview and try to make it a reciprocal conversation rather than just lots of questions and answers. Ask them how they are, try to build a rapport with them. They are interviewing you to be one of their colleagues, so getting on with the interviewer goes a long way.
• Stay concise: It is so easy in an interview to go off track and talk a lot, trying to get every single piece of information in your head out on the table. It is important to focus on the question that is being asked of you, at that time. Keep your answer focussed, concise but descriptive and try to give examples where you can.
• Don’t over-prepare: Prepare a good amount, but you don’t need to rote-learn answers. As an interviewer, it is really clear and obvious when someone has rote-learned what they want to say and they are not being their authentic selves.
• If you are anxious or nervous, just say that. You don’t need to keep your nerves a secret, just admit to it. Your interviewers are human, they have been in job interviews before and they were probably nervous too. Admitting your nerves shows that you are authentic, genuine and real - and it usually really takes the edge off.
• Ask questions: It is super important to ask questions in the interview. It is great to weave them throughout the conversation or ask them all at the end of the interview. Asking questions shows that you are interested, engaged, and eager to learn more. Have a think about what is important to you - is its company culture? Values? The journey of the company so far? Think about what is important to you and ask - the more questions the better.

Repaying your Student Loans- Home Students:

Once you have finished university, you will begin paying your student loan back when you earn over a certain salary, this is called the repayment threshold. If you earn above the threshold, the amount you repay monthly will depend on the amount that you earn. Whether you are an employee, self-employed or if you have moved overseas, you will still need to pay back your loan. The threshold does change from time to time, so for up to date on the threshold check the UCAS website here.
 

Repaying your Student Loans- International Students:

Once you accept an offer to study at UCA, you will be asked to pay a deposit as part payment of your tuition fees. You will receive an offer letter which will state how much you will need to pay. Once you have paid your deposit, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number will be issued to you, which you will need to apply for your student visa. For the remainder of your tuition fees, you will have an agreed plan with the finance department, stating how much you will need to pay and when. It is very important that you meet this payment plan.

• Make the most of the opportunity to learn. If you're struggling, use all the resources you can, including learning development tutors and other academic support.
• Get involved. There are plenty of clubs and societies to join or set up study groups.
• Get involved with the Students' Union. You could run for president, part-time officer or even be a course representative - the voice for your coursemates to the university.
• Make the most of the day. Don’t sleep in too late, get into a good routine.

If you have moved away from your home town for university, there is a chance you may experience homesickness. Homesickness can happen when you are away from home for the first time, or if you go away often and it can happen to anyone. Some symptoms of homesickness include feeling lonely, depressed, feeling anxious, social withdrawal, and missing anything that reminds you of home. Below are some tips on how to combat homesickness:

• Bring something from home that brings you comfort to university.
• Keep in contact with family and friends from home, via call, facetime or skype.
• Take care of your mental health, or reach out for support if you need it.
• Teach yourself to cook the meals you might usually have at home.
• Allow yourself time to get used to the new environment, new friends and new people.
• Get involved in campus activities, build yourself a community where you are.

There are many reasons why you may feel it is the right decision to change your course, and the Students' Union are here to help you make the right decision for you. You might have an academic concern, such as not feeling as if the subject is for you, or there is something else you would prefer to pursue. If this is the case, it is a good idea to speak with a member of academic staff who you feel comfortable with about how you are feeling. They will be able to discuss your options with you, and the Students' Union are more than happy to set this meeting up, facilitate it and support you throughout the process.

If you feel like the workload is getting quite a lot for you, and you are struggling to understand how to be the most successful in assessments, you can book an appointment with the Learning and Development Tutor. You can access these services through Gateway on your campus, either pop in and see them in person or email at:

• Canterbury: gatewaycanterbury@uca.ac.uk
• Epsom: gatewayepsom@uca.ac.uk
• Farnham: gatewayfarnham@uca.ac.uk

You may be working through some personal issues that are getting in the way of your course. You can contact the Wellbeing team for a wellbeing check-in. At the check-in you can discuss your circumstances and decide the best route forward, whether that be counselling or something else. Please contact the wellbeing team at wellbeing@uca.ac.uk If you feel that you might struggle to meet a deadline on account of your personal circumstances, you can apply for mitigating circumstances. See the information on mitigating circumstances and how the Students' Union can support you here.

There are several options you can take and people you can speak to about this. It is a big decision and not to be taken lightly, so please know you can always come and talk to the Students' Union, to your Course Leader, or anyone else you feel comfortable having that conversation with. If you do decide to leave university, we will be sorry to see you go.

If you'd like to know more about withdrawing from UCA and check if you are eligible for a refund, you can take a look at UCA's Fees, Refunds, and Debtors Policy.

You might decide that you would like to take a break, and under certain criteria, you can do this. Non-academic interruption is when you have permission to take a break from continuous study, for personal reasons rather than academic performance. If you choose to interrupt your studies for non-academic reasons, you need to discuss this with the Course Leader and have approval from UCA. The interruption will be at the discretion of your Head of School.

If you don’t seek approval and have not provided medical or other evidence about non-attendance (of two weeks), UCA will assume that you have withdrawn. If you need to interrupt your studies for medical reasons, you will be required to provide evidence that you are fit to resume your studies before you rejoin the course. Interruption will initially be approved for a period of no longer than one year and will normally be approved for a period no longer than one term. You are entitled to apply for further successive periods of interruption if appropriate.

Will these changes affect me/my ability to complete my course?

No. All current UCA students will be able to complete their courses as planned.

Will any current students be required to leave, or transfer courses?

No. Only a few of the courses UCA plan to withdraw are currently running. For these, there will be a ‘staged withdrawal’ that allows all current students to continue and complete their courses.

Will UCA still support/resource my course to the same level now that it has plans to withdraw it?

Yes. UCA is committed to providing every student with the best possible experience while they are enrolled. The fact that your course will not run in the future does not make it any less important while it continues to be taught.

Why is UCA changing the selection of courses it offers?

The course portfolio is reviewed yearly and changes are made based on the numbers of applicants and enrolled students. This year, making the differences between courses easier for prospective students to understand was also considered, so that it is more straightforward to for you to work out which might suit you best.