Who wants to be an undergraduate? Finding out more about university with HE Partnership

“The safest place to be is sticking your hand up and talking to me,” Matt tells the class, encouraging them to contribute their ideas about why people might choose to go to university and what they get from the experience.

A better job, the pupils suggest. A chance to build skills that employers value – not just academic skills, but life skills too. A chance to live away from home and meet new people – or stay at home and study nearby.

“I’m not a salesman,” Matt explains. “I’m not here to convince you all to go to uni. I am here to give you information and to give you the chance to ask lots of questions. If you decide to go to university it will be your decision – not your teachers’, your mum and dad’s, or your friends’.”

The session is part of an on-going programme being delivered by Matt in partnership with Sir Harry Smith Community College under the University of Cambridge’s HE Partnership initiative. Over the course of Year 9 he will visit the school 8 times to deliver classroom sessions about higher education options, student life and finance. Pupils will also visit Cambridge colleges and departments for a taste of higher education in action.

“We’re working with Year 9 students because we think it’s the right time to start discussing these ideas - before minds are made up,” Matt explains. “It’s not about pushing anyone in a particular direction – it’s just about making sure they’ve got accurate information and the opportunity to ask questions from someone who’s trained as an  HE adviser.

Using interactive handsets, Matt carries out an “ask the audience” style poll. 43% of the class say that worries about debt might put them off applying to university, an issue which Matt tackles in a separate session. In second place, the poll reveals that many of the class are concerned about not being clever enough for HE.

“You are wrong,” Matt responds, firmly. “People seem to think that there is a certain level of smartness that you need in order to go to university. Not everybody  wants to sit lengthy exams to be a doctor or a rocket scientist – there are courses out there to suit every type of learning style, ability or career goal.”

“Matt’s sessions have been good,” said Adam, 14. “I’ve learnt a lot more about uni than I thought I would.  I know that I want to go to university because I want to be a history teacher, but I have been worried about finances.”

Ian, also 14, was reassured to learn that student loans don’t have to be paid back until you earn more than £21,000. “University sounds like it brings a lot of opportunities. I want to be able to provide for a family so going to university means that I’d be able to get a better job,” he added.

Mr Jonathan Digby, Principal of Sir Harry Smith Community College, said “We are delighted to be involved with the University of Cambridge HE Partnership project as it helps us to raise the aspiration of our students and to help them to believe they can achieve at the highest levels.

“The sessions with Matt were fun and interactive but also made the students think carefully about their options for the future.

“Matt was able to reinforce the message that we are giving as a school and to challenge the perceptions that the students have about going to university. I am certain that this project will be extremely beneficial for the students of Sir Harry Smith Community College and I look forward to developing further links in the future.”

• HE Partnership is a collaborative project continuing the University of Cambridge’s work with local schools initiated under Aimhigher.  Schools engaged in the HE Partnership are those which have significant cohorts of students from backgrounds with little or no family experience of higher education. There is a particular focus within the programme on younger learners.