According to Cosmopolitan!
Thursday 17 March 2011
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Higher fees and larger debts face students
University students studying in England are facing a higher spending rate than ever before.
The results come from a Student Income and Expenditure Survey taking this year. The survey, which is published by England’s Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, showed that higher tuition fees have increased first year students spending by 12% in the last three years.
This has resulted in students now completing their first year with an average of £3,500 debt.
Despite the rise, the survey also showed a decline in students with part-time jobs during term time. This could have something to do with current economic climate and that with unemployment as high as it is employers are looking for people who can work full-time instead.
The average income of a full-time student has now increased to £10,425 but this includes grants, bursaries and loans with rising tuition fees being the main factor. Coventry University has also increased full-time tuition fees from £3145 in 2008 to £3225 this year.
Report author, Claire Johnson, a principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment, told the BBC that student income had risen overall, although most of the increase was driven by income from tuition fee loans. She said loans and grants were “playing a more important role for students” and this could be the reason for students relying less on income from part-time jobs.
The NUS (National Union for Students) found that students are now more than ever being influenced by financial factors when choosing a University. Despite this however, the survey also discovered that students still had confidence in Universities and 80% felt that going to University was a good investment for their future.
Higher Education Minister, David Lammy, told the BBC that University was still one of best pathways to a good career and it is good that students still see that.
Coventry University student, Stephanie Bristow, felt that she was definitely sending more than she thought she would by attending university. When I asked her about what she felt about rising tuition fees she said “frankly it scares me. If they continue to rise no one from a working class background will be able to attend University and it will be back to the olden days”. She also said that one of the main reasons she choose to attend Coventry University was because of the good academic scholarship it had which would really help her. Despite the worry of rising fees, Miss Bristow felt that “in the long run University is a good choice but the idea of leaving University without a job because of the economic crisis scares me”.
The results come from a Student Income and Expenditure Survey taking this year. The survey, which is published by England’s Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, showed that higher tuition fees have increased first year students spending by 12% in the last three years.
This has resulted in students now completing their first year with an average of £3,500 debt.
Despite the rise, the survey also showed a decline in students with part-time jobs during term time. This could have something to do with current economic climate and that with unemployment as high as it is employers are looking for people who can work full-time instead.
The average income of a full-time student has now increased to £10,425 but this includes grants, bursaries and loans with rising tuition fees being the main factor. Coventry University has also increased full-time tuition fees from £3145 in 2008 to £3225 this year.
Report author, Claire Johnson, a principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment, told the BBC that student income had risen overall, although most of the increase was driven by income from tuition fee loans. She said loans and grants were “playing a more important role for students” and this could be the reason for students relying less on income from part-time jobs.
The NUS (National Union for Students) found that students are now more than ever being influenced by financial factors when choosing a University. Despite this however, the survey also discovered that students still had confidence in Universities and 80% felt that going to University was a good investment for their future.
Higher Education Minister, David Lammy, told the BBC that University was still one of best pathways to a good career and it is good that students still see that.
Coventry University student, Stephanie Bristow, felt that she was definitely sending more than she thought she would by attending university. When I asked her about what she felt about rising tuition fees she said “frankly it scares me. If they continue to rise no one from a working class background will be able to attend University and it will be back to the olden days”. She also said that one of the main reasons she choose to attend Coventry University was because of the good academic scholarship it had which would really help her. Despite the worry of rising fees, Miss Bristow felt that “in the long run University is a good choice but the idea of leaving University without a job because of the economic crisis scares me”.
A lesson in Black Gold
Youth for Fairtrade had a successful evening dedicated to informing students at Coventry University about the global trading of the coffee industry.
The event, which took place on the 10th March in aid of Fairtrade Fortnight, invited students to the student union to watch a film and indulge in some free Fairtrade products. The evening began a little later than the expected time of 5 o’clock but according to Stephanie Bristow who attended the event it was “worth it”. She found the film, which was a documentary entitled ‘Black Gold’, “interesting and made me realise that I should buy food that doesn’t just benefit me”. The eye-opening documentary exposes the multi-billion pound industry through showing one mans fight for Fairtrade.
Stephanie said “ I attended the event because even though I knew about Fairtrade I wanted to find out more”. The documentary provided lots of facts such as the average kilo of coffee can make $230 but the average Ethiopian coffee farmer is lucky to even make half a dollar.
The film was shortly followed by a brief presentation from the events organisers who talked about a free Fairtrade training programme in a youth hostel which students could become involved in. Ben Bilverstone, one of the organisers, said that the training was “a lot of fun”. Ben, who is a UK ambassador, first became part of Youth for Fairtrade after attending a conference and being influenced by a man who was very passionate about Fairtrade. He said that if students wish to help out then they should “buy what Fairtrade products you can even though Fairtrade is slightly more expensive, the extra pennies make all the difference”.
After the presentation, those who watched the film were able to try some Fairtrade products such as wine and chocolate which everyone appeared to be trying. This event was followed by a previous Fairtrade event which took place the week before called ‘Go Bananas’ where free Fairtrade bananas were given out. If you would like to become involved in Fairtrade and their events go to the Fairtrade website at www.fairtrade.org for more information.
The event, which took place on the 10th March in aid of Fairtrade Fortnight, invited students to the student union to watch a film and indulge in some free Fairtrade products. The evening began a little later than the expected time of 5 o’clock but according to Stephanie Bristow who attended the event it was “worth it”. She found the film, which was a documentary entitled ‘Black Gold’, “interesting and made me realise that I should buy food that doesn’t just benefit me”. The eye-opening documentary exposes the multi-billion pound industry through showing one mans fight for Fairtrade.
Stephanie said “ I attended the event because even though I knew about Fairtrade I wanted to find out more”. The documentary provided lots of facts such as the average kilo of coffee can make $230 but the average Ethiopian coffee farmer is lucky to even make half a dollar.
The film was shortly followed by a brief presentation from the events organisers who talked about a free Fairtrade training programme in a youth hostel which students could become involved in. Ben Bilverstone, one of the organisers, said that the training was “a lot of fun”. Ben, who is a UK ambassador, first became part of Youth for Fairtrade after attending a conference and being influenced by a man who was very passionate about Fairtrade. He said that if students wish to help out then they should “buy what Fairtrade products you can even though Fairtrade is slightly more expensive, the extra pennies make all the difference”.
After the presentation, those who watched the film were able to try some Fairtrade products such as wine and chocolate which everyone appeared to be trying. This event was followed by a previous Fairtrade event which took place the week before called ‘Go Bananas’ where free Fairtrade bananas were given out. If you would like to become involved in Fairtrade and their events go to the Fairtrade website at www.fairtrade.org for more information.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
BOYZONE IS BREAKING NEW GROUND
Irish boy band Boyzone has become the first boy band to feature a gay couple in their new music video ‘Better’.
After reforming for a UK tour back in November last year, Boyzone have been looking to try something new and gain a new generation of fans. In their latest romantic video, each member is shown paired up with a female partner as part of the storyline. All apart from Stephen Gately, who became open about his sexuality in 1999 and is currently in a civil partnership, who is paired with a (fictional) male character.
Not only is this new video a big break through in changing societies attitudes towards different sexualities it was also almost unheard of before for a boy band. Previously any inclination that a teen idol was gay could potential see the end of their career but this is a clear sign that views are changing.
Previous gay stars such as George Michael were seen onscreen with women and made it very convincing that they were straight. Singers such as Elton John and Westlife’s Mark Feehily get around the issue by not showing themselves in romantic situations.
Gately told BBC Newsbeat “it’s just me being me and I don’t think there should be a real big issue about the whole thing anyway”.
They originally decided on their own partners being in the video but none would appear. The decision to include a gay couple in the video was a joint decision from the whole band.
He added “I’m hoping this video will have a good, positive, all-round reaction”.
The video is expected to attract controversy but it has also pleased many including gay student Adam, 18, who believes “this will show homosexual people who are worried about expressing their sexuality not to be afraid”.
In the 1990’s, ‘Bring Boring’ by the Pet Shop Boys very briefly featured two men kissing at a house party and this has been the only other time a boy band has shown a gay couple. Openly bisexual singer Christina Aguilera also featured a gay couple kissing in her video ‘Beautiful’ and also infamously kissed Madonna and Britney Spears onstage a few years ago.
After reforming for a UK tour back in November last year, Boyzone have been looking to try something new and gain a new generation of fans. In their latest romantic video, each member is shown paired up with a female partner as part of the storyline. All apart from Stephen Gately, who became open about his sexuality in 1999 and is currently in a civil partnership, who is paired with a (fictional) male character.
Not only is this new video a big break through in changing societies attitudes towards different sexualities it was also almost unheard of before for a boy band. Previously any inclination that a teen idol was gay could potential see the end of their career but this is a clear sign that views are changing.
Previous gay stars such as George Michael were seen onscreen with women and made it very convincing that they were straight. Singers such as Elton John and Westlife’s Mark Feehily get around the issue by not showing themselves in romantic situations.
Gately told BBC Newsbeat “it’s just me being me and I don’t think there should be a real big issue about the whole thing anyway”.
They originally decided on their own partners being in the video but none would appear. The decision to include a gay couple in the video was a joint decision from the whole band.
He added “I’m hoping this video will have a good, positive, all-round reaction”.
The video is expected to attract controversy but it has also pleased many including gay student Adam, 18, who believes “this will show homosexual people who are worried about expressing their sexuality not to be afraid”.
In the 1990’s, ‘Bring Boring’ by the Pet Shop Boys very briefly featured two men kissing at a house party and this has been the only other time a boy band has shown a gay couple. Openly bisexual singer Christina Aguilera also featured a gay couple kissing in her video ‘Beautiful’ and also infamously kissed Madonna and Britney Spears onstage a few years ago.
Thursday 13 November 2008
Quantum of Solace Review
Certificate: 12A
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench,
Giancarlo Giannini, Olga Kurylenko
Running Time: 106 Minutes
James Bond has clearly not driven his last Aston Martin judging by the latest block buster hit.
Daniel Craig continues to prove the critics wrong in Quantum of Solace with his smooth ‘shaken not stirred’ attitude when playing Bond and his wittiness is still making me giggle.
Although not my favourite Bond film, Quantum of Solace has definitely been worth the ticket fare. The action scenes were plenty and are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat with the opening car chase scene one of the most memorable. I did, however, notice a lack of gadgets which is not typical of a Bond film.
The plot is slightly on the confusing side but does have a lot of connections with ‘Casino Royale’ as Bond is trying to get revenge for the death of Vesper.
He is assisted by a number of old friends including the ruthless M, played by the legendary Judi Dench, and Mathis, played by Giancarlo Giannini. Both were excellent performances but the most surprising performance came from rising star Olga Kurylenko who plays Camille and Bond’s newest partner in action. The pair is brought together due to their search for revenge on those that have killed their loved ones.
Other brief but brilliant performance come from Gemma Arterton, typically named Miss Strawberry Fields, as Bonds latest ‘easy’ conquest and also the bad guys including Mathieu Amalric.
The only down side to this film would have to be the opening song sequence. Yes, we get the point that you special effects guys are good but was there any need for the (many) giant sand women at the beginning? And if that wasn’t enough the song that went with the sand people made me want to shut my eyes and my ears. When you here that Alicia Keys and Jack White are doing a duet it’s got to strike as a very odd combination and then you hear the song which I have to be honest and say is the oddest James Bond song I’ve ever heard. Sorry but listening to ‘Another way to die’ could actually be another way to die.
Thankfully, the film quickly made up for it and it is well worth seeing as is any James Bond movie, even if you are not a James Bond fan.
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