University Centre Shrewsbury prepares for the start of the new academic year

Preparations are underway for the arrival of the second intake of undergraduates at University Centre Shrewsbury, including final touches being made to the Welcome Week programme.

The week’s activities include a Civic Reception to introduce students to community members and vice-versa.

At this stage, a total of just over 80 new undergraduate students have successfully applied and are due to embark on courses at UCS in the 2016/17 academic year; more than double the number enrolled at the same time last year. Undergraduate applications continue to be received through the Clearing process up until the start of term and therefore the final figure could be higher than this.

In addition to these undergraduate places, postgraduate applications are being made to UCS through the usual admissions process throughout the year.

Combining both undergraduate and postgraduate students already studying at UCS, and a third cohort of postgraduates starting courses later this year and early next year, it is anticipated, once all the courses have started, that potentially this will bring the institution’s total student community to nearing 200.

Professor Anna Sutton, Provost of UCS said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our new undergraduates and postgraduates, and welcoming back our current students after the summer break.

“The 2015/16 academic year has been a momentous 12 months with the arrival of our first undergraduates, who received a fantastic reception, and we’re excited about this next step.

“It is a privilege to introduce our new intake to Shrewsbury, their new home, and have this opportunity to develop a University from its very beginnings in such a beautiful town and county.

“Our new students will join our current undergraduates and postgraduates in enjoying an excellent and bespoke student experience. All our students benefit from learning on a personal scale with experienced and highly-qualified academics as well as extra-curricular options to suit a range of interests and develop the skills they need for when they graduate.”

Prof Sutton said that activities extended beyond the preparations for the start of the academic year to ongoing work to look at ways UCS can contribute to the wider community.

“Those joining us in 2016 and 2017 will be supported, as our current students have and continue to be, in joining sports and arts clubs, working and volunteering at organisations in the town, representing UCS at civic events, and running events for charity.

“We continue to be busy in developing links with organisations and groups across the county and beyond, seeing where our facilities and research can be of benefit - from Energize - the county sports partnership, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shropshire Youth Support Trust and Shropshire Disability Network to Shrewsbury Business Improvement District, Team Shrewsbury and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Also, after launching a varied series of public events which has proved popular, we’re planning next year’s programme, again open to everyone, and free wherever possible.”

Established by the University of Chester and Shropshire Council, UCS offers a wide choice of courses and facilities across the main learning and research site at Guildhall in Frankwell Quay, the historic Rowley’s House, and the student accommodation at nearby Mardol House.