By Lizzie Exton

2018 has seen a sharp spike in the number of A-Level students being made unconditional offers by UK universities.  According to statistics newly released by UCAS, the number of unconditional offers made in England, Wales and Northern Ireland grew by nearly a third and now make up a little over seven percent of all the offers made.

For many that will have been a welcome relief, meaning they secured a place at their preferred university and felt less pressure to perform well during exam season.  But could the rise in unconditional offers do more harm than good in the long-run, and is it a trend which looks set to continue?

Good news for students?

There has arguably never been a more stressful time to be an A-Level student.  On top of the age-old pressure to do well in their exams, young students feel the strain of comparing themselves to others on social media and have increased worries about the cost of university.  Securing an unconditional offer can help ease some of that burden, as it means they know there’s a place for them even if they somehow manage to underperform in their exams.

There will probably have been a sigh of relief from both students and parents alike when they found they’d received a free ticket to university, but there’s something troubling the rise in unconditional offers.  The same UCAS report found that almost a quarter (23 percent) of those who received an unconditional offer went on to fall short of the grades they had been predicted.  For some, it seems, an unconditional offer may have become an excuse to take things a little less seriously, with no need to strive for the necessary A to C grade they should have been aiming for.

And while that may have meant an easier ride for the last few months of school, it could be setting them up for a fall when they do reach university.  A Levels are something of a practice run for the real deal of getting a degree, and getting into a laid-back mindset about exams could mean they go to university without the study skills they’ll need to succeed.

Go in with the wrong work ethic and you could quickly find you’re struggling in a more rigorous academic environment.  It’s also worth remembering that A-Level grades are often taken into account when it comes to applying for graduate level jobs, internships or workplace graduate schemes.  With so little to differentiate one applicant from another, many potential employers will look even further back than a university degree to help them decide.  Poor A-Level grades could still, therefore, be coming back to haunt students many years down the line.

Built-in inequality

Many higher education establishments pride themselves on being fair with students, treating them all as equals and not discriminating.  The rise in unconditional offers would seem to fly in the face of this, effectively creating a hierarchy between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ when it comes to getting in.

This creation of a two-tier system could be bad news for both students and universities alike, with some starting their university life having had a free ticket and an easy ride and others having had to fight fiercely to secure their first-choice place.  Unpopular as the view might be among A-Level students, university should be difficult to get into – universities need to take the best and most promising students regardless of background, and it’s unclear what criteria they work from when they make unconditional offers.  While it may not be apparent yet, the trend towards offering more unconditional places could fuel an undercurrent of resentment between those who were handed their place on a plate and those who had to work incredibly hard to get there.

Blessing or bribery?

Some might see the offer of an unconditional place as a blessing, while to others it will look like little more than old-fashioned bribery.

Some UK universities offered unconditional places only for students who firmly accepted them within a certain time frame.  Deciding which university to go to shouldn’t be rushed at any cost, particularly as the increase in tuition fees means there’s a lot more riding on a student’s choice than there was even a handful of years ago.

It can cost upwards of £9,000 a year to study at university and student debt is fast increasing.  Pressuring students to accept an offer and not giving them the time and space to explore all their options cannot be good, and some students will be tempted to simply take the offer on the table even if it’s not their desired course or institution.  That could lead to heartache down the line if they realize they have made a rushed decision they later regret, and they may end up crashing out with nothing to show either degree- or A-Level-wise.

It’s also not good news for universities.  UK universities have a strong global reputation for academic excellence and incredible research, attracting students from all over the world.  Making too many unconditional offers could backfire and undermine that strong academic reputation.

If they lure in students who then underachieve at A-Level, they could run the risk of the same students underachieving at university.  In order to balance things out, that might mean they end up lowering the bar on grades and awarding more undeserved firsts and 2:1s, just to make themselves appear more successful.  In the end all that does is reduce the quality of the work they do and lower academic standards overall.

Too many unconditional offers comes off as an easy get-out for universities desperate to fill places and ensure the income from tuition fees, and it’s a disservice to the universities themselves and the students who have worked so hard to get there.  Students would be better turning down an unconditional offer if they’ve been put under pressure to accept.  This is too big a decision to be left open to bribery, and in the end there will be no winners.

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Lizzie Exton writes for Inspiring Interns, which specializes in sourcing candidates for internships. To browse our graduate jobs in London listings, visit our website.

在A级成绩公布日前，教育专家警告称，继续教育中的中产阶级青少年和他们的父母一直在不断利用清空系统，以争取最佳课程，而这是以牺牲不那么特权的同龄人为代价的。

根据招生官员的说法，最近几年，一流研究型大学协会（Russell Group）的录取人数已经大幅上升，因为申请者继续“挑选和选择”更好的录取通知书，这是来自不那么富裕背景的中学毕业生所没有的特权。

UCAS的数据显示，去年清空录取人数创下历史新高，包括对录取要求更严格的高排名大学，如诺丁汉大学，2011年至2017年间，清空录取人数从180人增加到995人，纽卡斯尔大学（从95人增加到805人）和利物浦大学（从225人增加到690人）。

“很多富裕家庭的父母一旦得知成绩就会采取行动”，教育慈善机构萨顿信托的创始人彼得·兰普尔爵士说道。“他们与大学交流，争取让自己的孩子上最好的课程”，他继续说。

兰普尔强调：“来自低至中等收入背景的孩子没有家长可以玩弄这个系统，他们所在的学校也没有为将孩子送进一流研究型大学而做好准备”，他表示“从这个意义上说，清空系统是不公平的”。

曼彻斯特大学社会科学学院的招生经理阿曼达·格里姆肖表示：“我看到学生们变得更有组织（用于清空），或者他们的父母是这样。他们在（成绩公布日）之前打电话或者在过去的一个月里访问大学”。

积极的变化正在进行中

幸运的是，有迹象表明这个问题正在得到解决。格里姆肖还确认，曼彻斯特大学将从明年开始为不那么特权的申请者提供更低的录取要求，那些成绩下降一个等级的学生也有可能被录取。

高等教育政策研究所主任尼克·希尔曼表示，“新的学生事务处衡量大学招收来自弱势群体的能力”，并建议来自贫困背景的学生“与大学清楚地说明他们可能经历的任何不利因素”。

萨顿信托的兰普尔安抚说：“许多大学正在实行情境录取”，意思是“他们为贫困学生降低了录取要求”，并总结道：“明智的做法是说‘我来自低至中等收入背景，请给我一个机会’。”

If you’re studying in Melbourne, you may be getting tired of these cold (ish) winter months. If this season has you reaching for your duvet and binge-watching shows on Netflix, read on to get ideas on some worthwhile events to get you out and about during these colder months.  From festivals to markets, indoor events to hot springs, there’s plenty going on in and around this bustling city.

Get cultured!

Image credit: Phillip Capper (Flickr)

National Gallery of Victoria (NVG)

Another great way to inject some culture into the dull winter evenings is to head to the NVG. Every Friday night until the beginning of the October, it's providing exclusive access to MoMa at NGV;130 years of Modern and Contemporary Art, featuring work dating back to the nineteenth century up to the current day.

This year the museum is bringing in a string of different gigs each Friday to perfectly compliment your late-night art session.  Expect music from rising hip hop star REMI, super smooth Maurice Brown, classically trained Linda May Han Oh as well as many more.  

Tickets also include access to the exclusive bar and dining area, so head over to www.ngv.vic.gov.au to book your ticket before they all sell out!

Queen Victoria Winter Night Market

The winter night market held at Queen Victoria Market is back this year, offering even more stalls, extra luxury seating and new immersive events. Every Wednesday until the end of August, you can expect to find street food stalls from well known Melbourne institutions such as 400 Gradi and Southside Smokers, as well as food from up-and-coming restaurants WonderBao and Arancini Siciliana - all of which will have you coming back every week to try something a little different.

Book a table on the website in advance, at no cost, to guarantee prime seats to enjoy your food in front of some of the best live music Melbourne has to offer.

New to the market this year is the six-course degustation (mystery tasting session) on offer.  Carefully paired with Mitchelton wines, you will be provided with six different courses from all over the world. The menu changes weekly, so why not treat yourself a few times? It’s well worth it!

Melbourne International Film Festival

Melbourne Film Festival has been an annual event for over fifty years, so no wonder it attracts people from all over Australia and the world. Showcasing a variety of features such as international movies, family friendly films, art house cinema and many more, there is bound to be something to suit your taste.

Prices vary from showing to showing, but you can find all the information from ACMI, Federation Square, which is also where you can buy your tickets.  If you’re keen to catch a couple of showings at different venues across Melbourne, consider buying a Mini Pass, which is the best value for money and also gives you access to a variety of master classes and lectures!

Get outdoors

Watch an AFL game

Victorians are well known for their avid following of the Australian Football League, so immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere whilst watching a game and indulging on a good old Aussie meat pie.

If you are after the real experience, head to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the biggest stadium in the southern hemisphere, to watch the match. If you’d rather go somewhere closer to home, your local pub is bound to be showing the match, along with some great value beer deals! The Precinct Hotel in Richmond is a classic water hole during the AFL season. With six large screens and drink deals starting from AU$5 it’s the perfect place to get the real ‘Aussie experience’. Top tip; don’t forget to go in your team’s colors, or you might feel a bit left out.

Go skiing

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that it actually snows in Australia! Luckily for us, snow rarely hits the cities but there’s plenty up in the mountains. Just a three-hour drive outside of Melbourne you can reach Mount Buller, a popular spot for a weekend getaway in the mountains. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, grab a hot toddy from one of the bars whilst appreciating the breath-taking views on offer.

The snow season runs until September 2^nd, so you still have plenty of time to embrace life in the snow for a weekend, and come back to Melbourne feeling refreshed. 

Relax in natural hot springs

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the natural hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula provide a luxurious escape from the muggy city air.  Located at the top of a hill, the springs offer a 360-degree sweeping view over to Sorrento and Point Nepean.  After spending some time in the hilltop baths taking in the surrounding views, warm up in the Moroccan Hamm am, Saunas or the Barrel Baths – the choice is yours! And with prices starting from $20 for students, it’s an absolute steal.

Main image credit: Chris Phutully (Flickr)

As reported by The Guardian last month, suicide rates among students in England and Wales have risen slightly over the past 10 years, with 1,330 student deaths by suicide – 1,109 (83 percent) were those of students studying at undergraduate level, while those studying at postgraduate level accounted for 221 deaths (17 percent).

The Guardian also reported that, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the year leading up to July 2017 saw a total of 95 student deaths by suicide – which equates to one every four days.

Additionally, of the 1,330 deaths, there was a significant gender disparity - 878 (66 percent) were men, and 452 (34 percent) were women. But why are the majority of student suicides male? Read on to discover the reasons behind this gender gap and what needs to change.

What is happening?

Earlier this summer, an article by The Tab mentioned that 11 students from Bristol University killed themselves in the last 18 months – and just over half (six) of them were males.

As is the case with the overwhelming amount of suicides across some of the UK’s top universities in the last 10 years, including Oxford and Cambridge, the epidemic has led people to question Bristol University’s ability to provide adequate support to students suffering with mental health issues. Very few of the deaths are being reported by the media, and parents of those who died are calling for more to be done to help students who are suffering.

In a 2017 BBC Three documentary titled ‘Real Stories: Student Suicide’, it was revealed that ‘one third of students report feeling depressed or lonely’ while ‘nearly half of students with a mental health condition do not disclose it to their universities’ – both facts may point to an ongoing pattern concerning a lack in open communication between students and their universities.

The documentary highlighted three cases of student suicides, of which two were male students.

Why are suicide rates higher among males than females?

A commonly raised argument for this is the notion that men, in general, tend to be more prone to ‘bottling their feelings’ because of the stigmas society has always attached to men who are ‘too overt’ with their emotions. According to George E Murphy in an article titled ‘Why women are less likely than men to commit suicide’, “Men value independence and decisiveness, and they regard acknowledging a need for help as weakness and avoid it”, while “women value interdependence, and they consult friends and readily accept help”. As the statistics continue to show, this idea may prove to be true, and some of the reported behavioral patterns displayed by men prior to their suicides seem to testify to that.

Andrew Kirkman, who was a 20-year-old Physics and Philosophy student at Oxford University, died in 2013 after he took his own life by “gassing himself” inside a tent.

Student Suicide documented Andrew’s friends and family, four years later, as they publicly shared their perspectives following his death, including his final days leading up to it. His girlfriend Clarissa, who lives in Brazil, made a revealing statement that could very well attest to the societal stigmas surrounding masculinity and mental health: “He told me that he felt like a fake and that he was falling short of the image that people had of him.” She added that “He didn’t want to tell anyone else about his depression because he felt ashamed” and that “He told me that he really, really wanted to die and he didn’t even know anymore (sic) if he wanted to get better”.

The documentary also revealed the final days of Stefan James Osgood, a 21-year-old mathematics student at Aberystwyth University, who died in March of 2016 after self-inflicted injuries. His distressed mother gave a candid interview, speaking of her son’s final days and expressing that he was “tired of his depressions (sic) and tired of carrying them and holding them and not showing anybody”. She also claimed that Stefan had a “fear of failure” and that “he just didn’t want to be a burden”. Ms Osgood thinks that “Stefan was very much of the mindset that it wouldn’t be very ‘blokey or ‘manly’ or appropriate to admit that you’re depressed”.

Ged Flynn, CEO of the young suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS, told TopUniversities that he thinks the high number of suicide among men in contrast to women may be the result of more than just one particular factor: “Whilst it used to be the case that males used more lethal means, that is no longer necessarily true. I think the reasons for these demographics are more complex than this.”

Some things need to change…

Among the concerns in relation to the often-reported inadequate support when it comes to students’ mental health, is the law regarding data privacy.

As reported by the BBC, Bristol student Ben Murray was the 10^th to die in Bristol University’s sweep of suicides, and his father, James Murray, gave an interview to the BBC earlier this year as he voiced his concerns about the tight data protection rules which currently give people over 18 the right to decide to withhold certain confidential information – even if that means from their own parents or next of kin.

In the interview, Mr Murray said that even though the university had “been very open” with Ben’s family since his death, they adhered to the data privacy rules while he was a student there, an act his father expressed discontent towards: “Having gone through all the different moments when we could have intervened to save our son’s life, it’s absolute nonsense that you would look at an issue and say: ‘You’re an adult therefore data privacy applies.' Data privacy that may cause the vulnerable to lose their lives makes no sense at all.”

As a response, the university issued a statement saying that they will be considering an “opt-in contract with students”, which will ensure the accessibility of contact with a nominated next of kin, should a “major concern about their wellbeing” arise.

PAPYRUS’ Ged Flynn did not comment on this particular case, but upholds the belief that “we need to shift from data protection to data sharing when it comes to protecting life”, affirming that, “PAPYRUS is very clear: when life is in danger, information should be shared safely with others in order to protect it. There is no excuse for professionals to hide behind privacy and confidentiality when there is a clear presentation of suicidal risk or emotional distress”.

Flynn went on to suggest that “At the very least, professionals should engage with the person they deem to be at risk and ask them how they would like to communicate with others to keep them safe”, adding that “Very often, a person at risk of suicide longs for this connectivity and support from others”.

“Suicide stigma prevails”

However, the data protection law might not be the sole factor partially to blame for the perturbing number of young suicides in the UK. As Ged Flynn states, we also need to change the language we use around the topic of suicide - “Using the phrase ‘commit suicide’ is an anachronism. We commit crimes. Suicide is not a crime in this country nor has it been since 1961. If we use language that belongs to the world of crime, no wonder that stigma prevails and prevents young people and others from acknowledging, let alone sharing thoughts of suicide and seeking help”.

In addition, many people with suicidal thoughts are often described as being outwardly rather calm and collected – which, to professionals, often makes the acts of self-harm and suicide a lot more difficult to prevent. Dr Chris Kenyon, a local GP to whom Andrew Kirkman was referred by his tutor shortly before his death, mentioned that the Oxford student’s “demeanor was neutral and pleasant” and that “he was not visibly distressed”, adding that “he didn’t give much away (emotionally) at all.” He also made a profound revelation: “We always ask people about self-harm thoughts – and I did with Andrew, he said he had some fleeting thoughts but would never act on them”.

When asked about Andrew’s case, Flynn expressed that although he “cannot comment on the particular case”, he emphasizes the importance of shifting the thought patterns around, and the behaviors towards suicide: “Over the years, we have learned more about how suicidal ideation often presents itself. Many people who are at risk mask the reality.”

“Suicide stigma prevails. That means many people who experience thoughts of suicide learn quickly to adapt their behavior and modify it so that others will have no idea what is going on for them.”

Moreover, Flynn reaffirms the reality that “It is too hard, often, for a person who is experiencing thoughts of suicide to speak out about them”, confirming that “This is often because of social stigma and taboo. We need to change this as a matter of urgency”.

The importance of dialogue and communication

It is no secret that, along with utilizing the correct type of language, an open dialogue plays a crucial role in unlocking many of society’s dilemmas. Suicide prevention is no different, and the charity PAPYRUS is a firm believer in this: “PAPYRUS is simply trying to encourage universities not to hide away from using safe language around suicide, not to hide the word suicide in the dialogue with and about students”, says Flynn, stating that “Stigma still is all pervasive and we need to change that.” He also suggests a change in the nature of the communication between professionals and vulnerable individuals: “Rather than expecting those who are experiencing thoughts of suicide to reach out, we encourage everyone to learn how to reach in, to ask about students' well-being, to express concern if they see changes in behavior, to ask if suicide is on the cards.”

Flynn concludes: “The most prevalent myth is that, by asking about suicide we put the idea into another person’s head. This is nonsense and all the evidence suggests that this is not the case.

“That almost 100 students have taken their own lives for most years over the last couple of decades means that we must be ever vigilant and learn from previous deaths, to prevent future tragedies.”

If you or anyone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please don’t suffer in silence – contact Papyrus for help and support (pat@papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41)