The figures show that 18 year old applicants have decreased by just 3.6%, meaning that it has been mature students who are not choosing to go to University as much. Universities warned that there has been a large downturn in applications from mature students, a drop of 13.4% in the number of candidates aged 21 or over compared with the same time a year ago.

Surprisingly, applications from students from non-EU countries rose by a whopping 13%, especially from the Far East, showing a continuing rise from people outside of Europe applying for Universities in the UK, however there has been a drop of people applying from countries within the EU. This is most likely due to the fact their Universities are cheaper and the cost of living is generally more affordable, so it comes as no surprise that more people have been looking to study abroad. Let’s be honest, if a holiday in Cornwall cost more than a Vegas holiday no one would go to Cornwall. In the same principal, why study in the UK when it’s expensive and cold, when you could study in Germany (yes it is also cold there but they get proper snow) which costs around 1,000 euros per year. That’s a massive amount of money you can save and you’re studying in Germany, that’s a WIN WIN (and if you’re going “oh but that’s miles away” it takes roughly 7 hours to drive to Aberdeen and about 7 hours to drive to Belgium, so it’s no different than going to Scotland). So why has there been a rise of 13% of non EU students applying for Universities in this country?!

While the figures have decreased, it has been expected that the drop in application figures would have been a lot worse than they have been as people were not sure of the new fees and what help they can get to pay for it. As an 18 year old who was applying for University, as soon as we all heard about the new fees a lot of people didn’t even bother to research Universities or even start their UCAS applications. All you heard and saw on the news is that it’s going to cost £9000 a year and you’ll be in debt for the next million years. It was not explained enough what the new fees mean and where you could get help with paying it.

Why doesn’t the government give more advice and help? It’s as if the thought of £9000 a year has scared off 43,000 people from applying.

Not everyone is suffering from a loss in applications though. The University of Huddersfield has actually seen a rise in applications. It is in the top 10 for teaching excellence in England, the top 10 among mainstream Universities in England for student satisfaction and among the top 10 in England for getting students into employment, a pretty big achievement! Huddersfield have done a lot to make sure people know about their University, they have revamped their website and are one of the few Universities in the UK which actually utilises social media such as Twitter and Facebook; two places where most 18 year olds spend most of their time instead of doing UCAS applications (I mean the UCAS application is massively boring). And of course the cherry on the cake, a fee of £7,950 a year, which is lower than any other University in the top half of the ‘Times’ league table.

Not only has Huddersfield had an increase in applicants, so have the more ‘wise’ subjects such as Maths, English and the Sciences etc. instead of Arts and Media. This might be as it costs more to do an Art course than it would to do Maths, as with an Art course you must pay for resources and equipment. Also it might be that with jobs playing hard to get, people want degrees that aren’t just relevant to one specific are but one that appeals to a wider range.

With less people applying for University this year (well it really wasn’t a surprise was it) what effect will this have on our Universities? Now with studying and working abroad looking cheaper and therefore a lot more appealing, for example the Netherlands have a massive 94% employment rate, so while this is very attractive the government are becoming worried that people will go abroad and the quality of teaching won’t be as good. This might be true but when faced with paying a wallet sucking £9,000 a year in this country, or £1,500 abroad, it’s quite difficult to see beyond the money.

Read more here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/06/university-europe-no-debt

By Lewis, SLK Associates for DIGS Student Accommodation

I have to start with the fact that I have never, in my twelve years in this industry, seen such a storm kick off after one simple press release was uploaded online. Within minutes my facebook newsfeed was littered with rather, let’s say expletive and negative, responses. World-renowned DJs were appalled, global dance magazines poked fun at Simon Cowell’s revelations and to be quite honest I can’t remember when such an overwhelming and vast majority opinion had been expressed so quickly!

Here’s what Mixmag had to say - http://www.mixmag.net/words/news/simon-cowell-to-launch-x-factor-for-djs

When it comes to the DJ fraternity it’s all very clicky and the dance industry is just the same, we’re all very protective over our underground scene and if someone comes along and wants to sell it out we’re none too impressed. There’s a ceiling on the level of success a DJ’s allowed to reach before being labeled as “commercial” and handing his soul to the money game, so for a Pop music bigwig to invade our beloved genre and to try and make “superstars” out of it is horrifying to say the least.

One DJ that’s been linked to this charade is the “World’s Number 1 DJ” David Guetta. Now Mr Guetta is not a favourite among the “true blue” dance music lover, in fact he’s viewed generally as a bit of a joke. He’s made music with pop stars, massive no no in this industry, but looking from the outside in that would seem as the ticket to madeitville. It doesn’t work like that, we’re brutal.

One thing that needs to be explained about DJ’ing if you’re unfamiliar, it’s quite boring to watch. Unless we’re talking about DMC scratch DJ champions -

But on the whole, this is not the kind of DJ’ing you’re likely to see! Your Kissy Sellouts, Annie Macs and Neros do not play like this. At most they play with three CDJs (the CD players) and more often than not with a laptop, making this very unentertaining Saturday night viewing.

The speculation of who might judge the DJs is rife, with people like Paul Oakenfold, Afrojack and god forbid Kim Kardashian being mentioned to vote on the next “Super Star DJ”.

The industry would hate to pee on anyone’s bonfire, total lie it absolutely relishes in it, but whatever DJ wins this “talent show” will more likely be seen behind the box of Oceana than on the terrace at Space Ibiza.

By Kelly at SLK Associates for DIGS Student Accommodation.

In your booking pack we have included an addendum form and we would just like to clarify its purpose to alleviate any confusion.

An addendum is a supplemental addition to legal contracts. It is an additional document not included in the main body of the contract which may contains additional terms. We have included this in form in addition to your Licence Agreement (contract) and you will need to complete this form if you are going to be a first year in September 2012. By completing this form it means that as a first year student, you can now book and guarantee your room at Storthes Hall Park or Ashenhurst Houses for September 2012 before you receive your A Level results. No more waiting, no more worrying, safe in the knowledge that if you do not get the grades in August, we will release you from your contract and repay your booking fee and deposit! There is no longer any need to wait until A Level results day, so feel free to send your booking documents and payments back to us now – yippee.

The addendum form only applies to you if:

• You are coming to University for your first year.
• The University of Huddersfield is your first choice on UCAS.
• You are 100% sure you want to stay with DIGS.

We recommend only sending your booking forms, along with your addendum form, back to us if the above points apply to you. If you are not sure whether Huddersfield or DIGS is your first choice, we strongly advise that you wait until after you have made a firm decision (usually after A Level results) before you send back your booking forms and payments.

You will only be released from your contract and have your payments refunded if you do not make the grades to study at The University of Huddersfield. If you have not made the grades come August, please write to us or email us at mail@digstudent.co.uk with proof of your grades, by the end of August 2012. Once this has been received you will receive confirmation from us that you have been released from the contract.

For more information, please refer to your booking pack, or contact the Accommodation Office on 01484 473104.

We can’t wait to meet all of you in September. Have a great year!

The DIGS Student Accommodation Team.

As a result of Megaupload being shut down it’s sparked attacks on the FBI’s and US justice’s website from the hacking group Anonymous. Why people are sticking up for criminals? Or does our society see piracy as a victimless crime?

Kim Schmitz, the owner of Megaupload, had barricaded himself in one of his mansions with a gun, no better way to prove you’re innocent (and not paranoid) of course. The New Zealand police smashed their way into this house and seized his mansions, including the most expensive mansion in New Zealand worth £15.5 million! They also seized his many cars – one notable car being a pink Cadillac, classy! Kim also drove around in a Rolls Royce with the number plate GOD, proving he also owns a delightfully inflated ego.

With the charges he’s facing Kim Schmitz is looking at least 20 years in prison, a hefty punishment and also facing extradition to the USA, a country known for its leniency (not). It’s not looking all that rosy for the Pink Cadillac loving Schmitz especially as this isn’t his first flirtation with law breaking. In 1998 he was arrested and issued with a two year suspended sentence for hacking into banks and stealing tens of thousands of pounds.

Nothing Mega about that Upload.

By SLK Associates for DIGS Student Accommodation.

Find out what happens when aliens visit the University of Huddersfield.

www.hud.ac.uk
www.hud.ac.uk/ihud/