National Teachers and Advisers Conference 2016

The most recent National Teacher and Adviser Conference took place at The University of Manchester on 18 May 2016. The conference aimed to equip teachers and advisers with information and advice to prepare future students for entry to higher education.

The one-day conference gave teachers and advisers access to a range of resources, information and advice relevant to progression to higher education. It addressed key topics including qualifications reform, admissions, graduate employability and subject-specific information. 

The presentations and resources from our 2016 conferences are available to download below. These are password-protected; all delegates will have been sent a password to access the files.

If you did not attend the conference but would like to receive a copy of the presentations, please email schoolsandcolleges@manchester.ac.uk.

Welcome presentation

Delivered by Mike Gibbons, Director of Student Recruitment and International Development, The University of Manchester.

Keynote speech – Tomorrow's Citizens: Social Responsibility and the Student Experience

Delivered by Professor James Thompson, Associate Vice President for Social Responsibility, The University of Manchester.

Break-out sessions and workshops

Qualification reform and the impact on higher education

Delivered jointly by UCAS and The University of Manchester, this workshop detailed the range of qualification reform happening across the UK, while also exploring the impact and consideration for higher education admissions. There was also the opportunity to gain and understand The University of Manchester's perspective on qualification reform.

Ask the expert: Admissions to The University of Manchester

This session enabled attendees to put their burning questions to our panel of admissions experts on any matter relating to admission to Manchester.

Nursing and Midwifery

The University of Manchester offers three strands of nursing courses – Child Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Adult Nursing – as well as Midwifery for undergraduate entry. Admissions staff from The University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work provided an overview of the courses, admissions policy and procedure for students wishing to study nursing or midwifery at Manchester.

The right choice: How to support and advise students about HE

What are the best resources to help your students navigate their way into higher education? How can you help and prepare your students to ensure that they are making the right choices on universities and courses and have a good chance to be successful in obtaining an offer? This session gave teachers and advisers a practical set of strategies developed for schools and colleges to support and add value to the information, advice and guidance work that currently takes place in schools and colleges.

'It's a small world': Studying overseas as part of a UK degree

Students at UK universities have the opportunity to be inspired and challenged through studying in locations all over the world, from Australia to Argentina, Uganda to Uruguay. This session discussed the benefits of studying, working and volunteering abroad as part of a UK degree and the range of opportunities offered by UK universities. The session also highlighted the range of funding and fee discounts available to students who participate.

  • Presentation to follow

Student experience at The University of Manchester

In this Q&A, attendees had the chance to meet a cohort of current students who discussed themes that concern students new to university life.

Physics and Philosophy

Admissions staff from The University of Manchester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and School of Social Sciences provided an overview of the courses, admissions policy and procedure for students wishing to study Physics or Philosophy.

  • Presentation to follow

Higher education for looked-after children and care leavers

This workshop provided some context and background to the barriers that looked-after children face in progressing to higher education and the types of support that The University of Manchester offers to both offer holders and students who have experienced being in local authority care. There was a chance for participants to have some discussion and to share experiences of working with and advising this target group.

Developing research and independent study skills from day one

What does it mean to be an undergraduate at a ‘research-intensive’ university? Can research skills really be incorporated into the first year of study?

At Manchester, we’re proud of our research power and want to bring this excitement to our undergraduates from the start of their course – but it can be a challenge to bridge the school/college-university gap. ‘Learning through research’ is a distinctive characteristic of Manchester’s strategy for teaching, learning and the student experience. It integrates research skills such as:

  • developing an understanding of evidence;
  • dealing with incomplete information;
  • communicating outcomes effectively and appropriately;
  • developing intellectual courage.

This session shared how we challenge and stretch our students in these skills (and more), particularly in the context of humanities subjects, so you can provide your students with an insight into what it will be like to study in higher education and encourage you to think how they could try out some of these skills in their current study environment.

  • Presentation to follow