10 Brilliant UK Politics Resources for Students

Leading up to A-Level UK Politics exams, we’ve put together the best resources for boosting you/your students’ revision and notes. A successful candidate will not only be give an example, but explain why it is applicable and show vital understanding in the process. So often examiners spend only a brief period of time skimming through a script. Sign-posting an answer with great examples and insights is thus vital.

*A star donates stellar content that ambitious candidates should be reading every day.

1. BBC Politics*:

You can’t really beat the Beeb. They cover every aspect of UK Pol, but their analysis is also fantastic. Vital for the lead up to the election and focus on parties. Gold-dust.

2. Radio 4 Today Programme*:

Even if getting up between 6 and 9am each morning isn’t your thing, listen back to the show on iPlayer Radio every weekday (and Saturday too – whoop!). I cannot stress enough how good this programme is for making you aware of everything going on in the political world. For instance, on Sat 28th’s show, they had an in-depth piece about Private Member Bills (a lesser known element of the AS Unit 2 syllabus). Also look out for A Week in Westminster on the same station.

3. UCL Constitution Unit:

Granted this is a bit dense for A-Level students, but it is full of outstanding analysis. If you’re looking to add some insights that will put you in the running for 100 UMS or a very high A grade, reading a few of their articles is essential. Look out for Profs Robert Hazell and Megan Russell.

4. Hansard Society:

They chronicle every event in Parliament. They also produce wonderful research reports. Many a pithy quote has been found and used in our revision.

5. Newspapers:

Keeping up to note with the news is essential for getting any decent grade in Politics. Reading a physical or digital copy online should be part of your morning routine. Recommended: Telegraph, Guardian, Times, FT.

6. Twitter*:

If you want Politics news delivered to your phone at the click of a button, then start following some great accounts on twitter. Here’s our favourites.

History of Parliament (@HistParl)
Patrick Dunleavy (@PJDunleavy)
Tim Bale (@ProfTimBale)
May 2015 (@May2015NS)
Neil McNaughton (@NeilMcNaughton)
Tiffin Politics (@TiffinPolitics)
Democratic Audit (@DemocraticAudit)
Oxford Politics and IR (@Politics_Oxford)
Phillip Cowley (@philipjcowley)
Ben Page- Ipsos Mori (@benatipsosmori)
Politics in Spires (@PoliticsinSpire)
Faisal Islam (@FaisalIslam)
Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn)
LSE Constitution UK (@ConstitutionUK)
PoliticsHome (@PoliticsHome)
#Politics (@HashtagPol) [of course]

7. Total Politics .com

I really like this one. The tone is more lighthearted than most, but it provides a welcome sense of perspective.

8. Blogs:

For a more opinionated take on political events, read blog posts. These ones below are well-researched and enjoyable to read. 

Guido Fawkes
LSE Europp
LSE Politics and Policy
Conservative Home
Left Foot Forward

9. Democratic Dashboard*:

Run by the LSE, this is the best place to find out what’s going on in your constituency. Its pregnant with glorious stats.. Nothing better than a great stat to illustrate your point in an essay.

10. Politics.co.uk

A very good, impartial site for news, comment and up to date information

Are you looking for a Politics tutor? Do you want to become a #Tuition Tutor? Visit our homepage.  Check out our past blog posts page for more great articles!

Keep Debating.

JP

8 Insider Reasons to apply to LSE

Angelina Jolie at the LSE

1. It’s a World Class Institution

LSE was ranked second, for the second year in a row, by The QS World University Rankings in Social Sciences. We may have lost out to Harvard, but we only really care that we beat Oxbridge. Love your social sciences? LSE is the place for you.

2. Choice of Programmes

We have approximately 140 taught master’s programmes. With each programme there are a further number of combinations students can opt for. 

The flexible nature of some of the undergraduate courses is also a godsend. Trust me, no one wants to spend all their time doing abstract math or statistics, so you are free to choose an option/s (depending on your course) from pretty much any other department in the university. If you want to study math and economics but graduate as a fluent Spanish speaker, you can at LSE. Just saying

3. You’ll meet the real celebrities

Fancy bumping into Danny Quah or Chris Pissarides on your way to lunch? Well those dreams can become reality. LSE is full of world renowned academics and Nobel Prize Winners. Students have even been lucky enough to be taught by the likes of Paul Krugman and even Amartya Sen (although this was more than a few years back).

But if you have a different idea of ‘celebrity’, don’t worry. It wasn’t long ago that Angelina Jolie paid us a visit to launch the New Centre for Women, Peace and Security, along side with the even bigger celebrity, William Hague.

 4. You’re in London

You can’t be bored in London. It’s impossible. In fact it’s the best place to be if you know where to go. Despite common perceptions London is full of affordable entertainment for young adventurous students ready to take on the world. And if you’re not into the partying scene or the crazy life… Well… you can always take a bus tour.

5. It’s truly international 

The LSE Student body represents over a 150 nationalities! Non-UK students make up for 65% of the undergraduate population and this gives you unlimited opportunities to interact and socialise with people from all walks of life. But the best perk of being so ‘international’ is definitely the international food festival at LSE’s Global Village week. I mean, it is free food from every part of the world. What more do you want?

6. Employability

No you don’t have to go into Investment banking to get a job out of LSE. Overall, LSE has won University of the Year for Graduate Employment in The Times and The Sunday times LSE 2015. Also, the average salary of an undergraduate is £9000.00 higher than the national average. No complaints from us on that. 

And yes, if you do have an intense, burning, Hollywood movie style passion for the financial world your starting salary is significantly higher. Not that anyone from LSE goes into banking...

7. The societies

Are you passionate about Politics? Economics? Banking? Or are you more into gaming and cider? It doesn’t really matter because LSE has you covered. The societies you can join range from cider appreciation, to gaming, fashion, dance… You get the point.

8. It attracts World Class speakers

Now there’s no point in me just listing all the amazing speakers that have come to LSE but as you must have noticed by now that’s not going to stop me.

We’ve welcomed Natalie Bennett, William Hague, Ed Miliband, David Miliband, Theresa May, Amartya Sen, Paul Collier, Aung San Suu Kyi, David Cameron, Vikram Seth, Michelle Bachelet... this list could continue forever so I’ll stop…of and of course Angelina Jolie..Have I mentioned that she came to LSE already? Can’t remember…but yes Angelina Jolie was here.

Thinking of applying to LSE? Talk to us at #Tuition to help with your application. We’ve also got more articles on Oxbridge, Eton and our top tips for studying. Click this link to check out our past blog posts!

Suyash Raj-Bhandari, LSE First Year Government and Economics Student

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Top 10 A-Level Economics Resources

Leading up to A-Level exams, we’ve put together our best resources for boosting you/your students’ revision and notes. Contextualisation is vital to Economics exam success. For instance, we know of one student who absorbed every resource they could and wrote down the most relevant bits in a news diary. Top marks duly followed. Ready to get top marks? Here are our top 10 resources….

*A star donates stellar content that ambitious candidates should be reading every day.

1. BBC Business*: The best site for up-to-date UK and world economic news. Their ‘Business Live’ Page each morning is also excellent, with lots of up to date stats. Linda Yueh is particularly good for all things Asia related for those doing A2 Macro. Simon Gompertz is very good too.

2. Radio 4 Today Programme*: Even if getting up between 6 and 9am daily isn’t your thing, listen back to the show on iPlayer Radio every weekday (and Saturday too – whoop!). There’s always so much applied content and analysis from the Micro and Macro syllabus.

3. The Financial Times (FT)*: The highest quality news and analysis. Both the breadth and depth of its analyses and reporting is so good for making your long answers/essays shine. Look out for John Authers’ ‘Note’ videos on the FT website. Martin Wolf’s pieces are essential too.

4. The Enlightenment Economics Blog: This is more for those who want to add some of ground-breaking theory into their essays to nail an A/A* grade. Diane Coyle authors this brilliant blog. She seemingly reads every Economics book going, digests them and writes her own neat opinion/summary. Thanks to her, we know about so many more books than we otherwise would have ever been able to read – Thank you Diane!

5. Ian Stewart, Deloitte Weekly Round-Up*: Every Monday morning, Mr Stewart rounds-up all the major Economics news from the previous week and produces an in-depth report on a particular area of interest. All in brilliantly digestible bullet point format and delivered straight to your inbox. Can’t beat it.

6. Twitter: If you want Economics news delivered to your phone at the click of a button, then start following some great accounts on twitter. Some of our personal favourites are Dan Ariely (@DanAriely), Mo Tanweer (@MoTanweer), Phillip Legrain (@Plegrain), Ninja Economics (@NinjaEconomics), James Bennett (@JamesRBennett), Frances Coppola (@Frances_Coppola), Rory Sutherland (@rorysutherland), OBR (@OBR_UK), Trading Economics (@tEconomics) and our own, #Economics (@HashtagEcon).

7. The Economist: If you want the quality and breadth of the FT but from a more considered perspective, read this weekly magazine. Brilliant articles packed full of great stats, analysis and interesting angles.

8. The Mainly Macro Blog: Written by Oxford professor Simon Wren-Lewis, this blog is full of excellent insights from one of the leading macro academics in the country.

9. More or Less: Radio 4, by Tim Harford: Not strictly Economics related, but its full of stats and encourages the sort of enquiring an Economist needs. Stats capture trends and importantly, ideas. Finding the right ideas is the sign of a good Economist, putting aside corollaries and focusing on causation in the process. Master this skill before you sit the exam!

10. Tutor2u: Arguably the most popular Economics resource available. Lots of very decent content, notes and up-to-date stats.

Interested in what we do? Visit our homepage. More posts on everything related to Easter Revision to follow. Check out our past blog posts page for more great articles! 

Over and out.

10 Things that ruin Easter Revision

We’re about to give you the greatest excuses for all that procrastination you’ve been and will go through. Here’s our theory, it’s not your fault! Our thoughts and thus our choices are shaped by our environment; our architecture. Don’t believe us? Then read Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. If there’s fruit on offer instead of cake, we choose the healthy option. If you put a target in the centre of a urinal, you get less spillage. And if you get the architecture wrong, your productivity suffers. Here are our

1. Your Bed:

Studying in a room where your bed is nearby is a recipe for disaster. Or rather, a recipe for falling asleep. You associate your bed with rest and relaxing. Having that thought right by your desk will only lead your mind astray.

2. TV:

Working near a TV may seem such a great idea on the surface. You may think it will keep you stimulated and working for longer. That won’t happen. You’ll just abandon work and end up watching another episode of Breaking Bad or the live football.

3. The Internet:

The Internet is much too abundant with distractions like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. ‘It’s a research tool’ you may say. Yes, it is. But it also can be the source of many funny cat videos, memes and embarrassing photos of your friends. Avoid it if you can.

4. Rowdy People:

Don’t work near your friends. They’ll just start talking to you/making funny faces/poking you profusely. Unless your friend is super keen and has a cataclysmic fury which prevents you from disturbing them, keep your studying an individual affair.

5. Sugar:

Okay we’re being a bit hasty here. Some sugar is good. You need lots of fruit and carbs to power your day. But don’t binge on sugary snacks and drinks. They’ll simply make you hyper (and thus unable to work) before crashing (and thus unable to work). You get the picture.

6. The Great Outdoors:

Two issues with this. Firstly, if you’re reading this in the UK, we so rarely have the weather for an outdoor retreat whilst studying. So we advise being less idealistic. Secondly, working outside always gets messy. Be it papers being blown away, an uneven work surface or simply the thought of lying in the mid-day sun, desks indoors were invented for a reason.

7. Hunger:

Your body needs fuel. See point 8. Not eating properly will also mean you snack badly. Eat well and regularly – mealtimes will also act as targets in the day to aim towards.

8. Sleep:

We said our thoughts are a product of our architecture. Yet our thoughts are also a product of our rationality (without getting into a philosophical debate). Basically, the part of our brain that acknowledges our future selves and includes them in our thinking doesn’t work as well when we’re tired. So sleep.

9. Messiness:

A cluttered workspace means a cluttered mind. Start your day by tidying your workspace and/or room. In the process, you’ll probably start structuring your thoughts and how you’ll attack the day.

10. Human Nature:

Be it your recent infatuation, thoughts of lunch or simply imagining that big sports game tomorrow, our own brains are our own worst enemies. We can’t combat our own desires. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. The best advice is simply to put mechanisms in place like those above to make sure your architecture inclines you to be productive rather than lethargic.

Want to avoid procrastination? Book a #Tuition tutor for Easter Revision today!

Carpe Diem,
AB

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Burger and Lobster

Moreishly good lobster.

National Tutoring Conference: 1st April

We’re going to this…. Book now!

1pm – 4pm, Wednesday 1st April 2015

Nutford House, University of London, Brown Street, London W1H 5UL

Bringing together practitioners and stakeholders in the area of the 11 plus preparation

Providing a platform for discussion and debate in the future of the 11 plus

Raising money for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. 

Contact: Cleo Watson

Tel: 07870559780

Email: info@nationaltutoringconference.co.uk

 Speakers are to be confirmed, but are expected to include tutors specialising in the 11 Plus exam, teachers, head teachers, examiners and education industry experts. If you are interested in speaking, please contact us at info@nationaltutoringconference.co.uk.

Just some of the topics include:

The future of the 11 plus and its possible alternatives

The evidence surrounding ‘tutor-proofing’ and how to address this

Fairness of pupil premium priority at lower scores in “tutor-proof” tests or tests that examine innate ability

Are catchment areas necessary when parents are willing to move?

What are the advantages of private primary school education in the 11+?

And more.

The full agenda and schedule for the event can be found at www.nationaltutoringconference.co.uk with regular updates posted to Twitter, via the hashtag #11plus

Due to the popularity of the National Tutoring Conference on 10th February, early bird tickets for this conference are available, as well as standard entry. Please visit here  to get your tickets.

University Applications: Sixth Form Essay Competitions and other Prizes

Essay Competitions are great for two reasons. Firstly, they provide a platform for expanding your knowledge and honing your learning. Secondly, they look fantastic on Personal Statements. For Oxbridge applicants, a few competitions is essential. But, any university application is improved by doing a competition. All these essays are open to students in Year 12 and Year 13. More competitions will be added as they are announced. Contact us to add your essay competition to the list below.

Classics

Title: Fitzwiliam College Cambridge Ancient World / Classics Essay Competition 2014-15

Details: This essay competition is for Lower Sixth Formers (Year 12s). It is aimed at all those in the Lower Sixth form taking Classics and/or Classical Civilization A-levels/Highers/IB, or those with an interest in the Ancient World who currently studying other subjects.

Deadline: 16th March 2015.

Prizes: The prize fund is £300 with a first prize of £200. Certificates of merit may be awarded to runners up who have sufficiently impressed the judges. Prizes and certificates will be awarded at Fitzwilliam College during the University Open Days in July 2015.

Further Details: https://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/mi-client/media/admissions_docs

Title: St John’s College, Cambridge Classics & Ancient History Essay Competition

Details: The competition, focussing on the study of the ancient world. is open to all students currently studying in Year 12 anywhere in the UK, and is designed to give students of any subject the opportunity to write an essay on the classical world.

Deadline: 26th February 2015.

Prizes: Prizes of up to £125 in book tokens will be awarded for the best essays and all entrants will receive a certificate of entry.

Further Details: http://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/3086/Classics–Ancient-History-Essay-Competition.html

Economics

Title: RES Young Economist of the Year 2015

Details: School students are invited to choose one of the topics below to write an essay of between 1,000 to 2,500 words, on one of the subjects below, set by the RES judging panel, calling on key elements of their A Level or International Baccalaureate courses, examples from the world around them and imaginative discussion. The RES judges are Sir Charles Bean (RES President, former deputy governor of the Bank of England), Stephanie Flanders ( award winning BBC journalist and Economics Editor, now J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s chief market strategist for the UK and Europe) and Professor Jonathan Haskel (Imperial College and elected member of RES Council).

Deadline: 30th June 2015

Prizes: The first prize will once again be £1,000 together with an engraved trophy together with cash prizes for the other leading essays.

Further Details: http://www.res.org.uk/view/essayEduTraining.html

Title: Marshall Society Essay Competition, University of Cambridge

Details: The Marshall Society, the University of Cambridge’s Economics society, invites students studying for A levels, the IB, or any equivalent qualification, to take part in its essay competition! We would like you to approach your answers with factual evidence, clear and convincing arguments, and of course most importantly, high quality economics.

Deadline: TBC

Prizes: In addition to the prestige of being announced winner of the Dismal Scientist competition, your essay will also be published in 2015 edition. We are also offering £100 to the winner and £50 to the two runner ups.

Further Details: TBC

Geography

Title: Royal Geographical Society Geographer of the Year

Details: The question for this year’s competition is “Why does Antarctica matter?”  This coincides with the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which aimed to complete the first crossing of Antarctica.  However, Shackleton’s ship was crushed in the ice leading to his crew being relocated to Elephant Island; a journey of 800 miles across the Southern Ocean to South Georgia and the successful rescue of all his men.  Despite failing in his original plans Shackleton’s expedition is recognised as a remarkable feat of leadership and endeavour.

Deadline: TBC in April

Prizes:TBC

Further Details: http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/competitions.htm

Title: David W.Smith Memorial Prize 2015 Essay Competition, supported by Routledge Publishers

Details: A2 level students in England and Wales and Advanced Higher students in Scotland are invited to write an essay of up to 1500 words on the following title:

Deadline: Essays must be received by Friday 27 February 2015.

Prizes: £100 in book vouchers

Further Details: http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/competitions.htm

English

Title: The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2015

Details: Open to all Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and under, the Essay Competition offers young people the opportunity to make their voice heard on a global platform and engage with issues important to them. Every year, judges are impressed with the extremely high standard of entry as participants compete with their peers from every corner of the Commonwealth. For many bright and ambitious students, this is the ultimate competition!

Deadline: The deadline for entries is 1st May 2015.

Prizes: There will be a Winner and Runner- up in each category. Winners will be flown to London for a week of cultural and educational visits, culminating in a special award event in November 2015. Runners-up will be recognised in national award events. All four top entries will be published by the RCS.

Further Details: https://thercs.org/youth/competition

Title: Peterhouse Cambridge Thomas Campion English Prize

Details: Write an essay of between 1,500 and 2,500 words on one of the many titles provided.

Deadline: 20th March 2015

Prizes: Top prize of £500 and a second prize of £250; several further essays will be highly commended.

Further Details: http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Campion_15.pdf

Title: The Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize

Details: Students are asked to submit an essay of not more than 3000 words on the Shakespeare topic of their choice. Essays may be either original or previously prepared. They should preferably be typed, with the student’s name and school address clearly indicated.

Deadline: November 2015

Prizes: The winner will receive a copy of Catherine M.S. Alexander’s The Treasures of William Shakespeare: The Life, the Works, the Performances, generously donated by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Carlton Books, and the winning essay will appear in the Association’s Newsletter.

Further Details: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/english-association/prizes/the-betty-haigh-shakespeare-prize

Title: Gould Prize for Essays in English Literature, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: Trinity College launched the Gould Prize for Essays in English Literature in 2013. This is an annual competition for Year 12 or Lower 6th students. The Prize has been established from a bequest made by Dr Dennis Gould in 2004 for the furtherance of education in English Literature.

Deadline: 1st August 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college, and a Second Prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college. The school or college’s portion of each prize will be issued in the form of book tokens with which to buy English books. In addition, up to three further essays of a high quality will be commended.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/gould-prize-essays-english-literature

HISTORY

Title: Peterhouse Cambridge Vellacott History Prize

Details: Write an essay of between 2,000 and 4,000 words on one of the many titles provided.

Deadline: 20th March 2015

Prizes: Top prize of £500 and a second prize of £250; several further essays will be highly commended.

Further Details: http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Vellacott_15.pdf

Title: The Historical Association ‘A’ Level essay competition, 2015.

Details: We are looking for an essay of around 2000 words, making a coherent case for your chosen person to be immortalised.

Deadline: May 1st 2015

Prizes:  The best entries will appear in Student Zone on the HA website, while the winning entry will be published in our members’ magazine ‘The Historian.’ The winner may also be presented with an engraved Bath Aqua Blue glass paperweight at the HA Awards Evening in July.

Further Details: http://www.history.org.uk/resources/secondary_resource_7808_273.html

Title: Robson History Prize, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: The Robson History Prize is an annual competition for Year 12 or Lower 6th students. The Prize was established in 2007 in memory of the historian Robert Robson, who was for many years a Fellow and Tutor at Trinity. The aims of the Robson Prize are twofold: firstly, to encourage ambitious and talented Year 12 or Lower Sixth students considering applying to university to read History or a related discipline; and secondly, to recognize the achievements both of high-calibre students and of those who teach them.

Deadline: 1 August 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college (the school or college’s portion of the prize to be issued in the form of book tokens with which to buy history books), and a Second Prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college. In addition, three further essays of a high quality will be commended. All successful competitors will be invited to visit the College.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/robson-history-prize

HUMANITIES:

Title: Girton College, Cambridge Humanities Writing Competition

Details: This competition is an opportunity for research and writing beyond the curriculum using one or more of the six objects as your focus. Essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues or short stories) are equally welcome. We are looking for the ability to connect different areas of knowledge, to think about details and to communicate clearly.

Deadline: Friday 13th March 2015

Prizes: The total value of the prize will be £300

Further Details: http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/undergraduates/for-schools/humanities-writing-competition

Title: Benedictus Academic Forum Scholars’ Competition

Details: This year we are running a competition in conjunction with the Forum to give young people the chance to present their ideas before an audience of international and acclaimed academics. Send us either a written document (the equivalent of a 15 minute presentation) or a 15 minute recording.

Deadline: 1st April 2015

Prizes: N/A

Further Details: http://www.benedictus.org.uk/page.php?nav=forum

Land Economy

Title: Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, Essay Competition 

Details: This essay competition is intended for Lower Sixth Formers (year 12s), with no restrictions as to subjects being studied. The word limit is 2500 words.

Deadline: The closing date for entries is 1st April 2015.

Prizes: Prizes and certificates will be awarded at Fitzwilliam College during the University Open Day on 2nd July 2015. The prize fund is £300, including a first prize of £200. Certificates of merit may be awarded to runners-up who have impressed the judges.

Further Details: https://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/mi-client/media/admissions_docs/LandEconomyEssayCompetitionQuestions2015.pdf

Law

Title: The Robert Walker Prize for Aspiring Law Students, Trinity College – University of Cambridge

Details: The Robert Walker Prize for Essays in Law in 2013 is named after an Honorary Fellow of the College, Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, a recently retired Justice of the Supreme Court and former law student at Trinity.

Deadline: 20th April 2015.

Prizes: First prize will be an award of £300, second prize an award of £200; the prizes can be shared. The authors of the top ten essays will be invited to Trinity to see the College and meet the Law Fellows.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/essay-prize-aspiring-law-students

Linguistics

Title: Linguistics Essay Prize, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: The competition is open to all students with an interest in how language works regardless of the specific subjects they are currently studying at A-Level (or similar qualification). For example, it may be of interest to students taking A-Levels in Modern Languages, English Language or Classics, but also to students taking Psychology or Mathematics.

Deadline: 1 August 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college, and a Second Prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college. The school or college’s portion of each prize will be issued in the form of book tokens with which to buy linguistics books. In addition, up to three further essays of a high quality will be commended. The winners of the First and Second Prize will be invited to an informal lunch at Trinity College where they will meet lecturers and students in linguistics.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/linguistics-essay-prize

MODERN LANGUAGES

Title: University of Oxford French Film Essay Competition 

Details: The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University is looking for budding film enthusiasts in Years 7-11 and 12-13 to embrace the world of French cinema. To enter the competition, students in each age group are asked to re-write the ending of a film in no more than 1500 words.

Deadline: 27th March 2015.

Prizes: A first prize of £100 will be awarded to the winning student in each age group, with runner-up prizes of £25. A first prize of £100 will be awarded to the winning student(s) in the filmed entry category (which spans both age groups), with a runner-up prize of £25.

Further Details: http://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/film_comp

Philosophy

Title: Peterhouse Cambridge Kelvin Science Prize

Details: The Theology and Religious Studies Essay Prize is open to Year 12 or Lower 6th students. The aim of the Prize is to encourage able sixth formers to pursue their interest in Theology and Religious Studies, with the hope that they will be encouraged to read this or related subjects at University.

Deadline: 31st May 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600 and a Second Prize of £400, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college; the school or college’s portion of the prize to be issued in the form of book tokens.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/node/668

Title: Philosophy Essay Prize, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: The Philosophy Essay Prize is open to Year 12 or Lower 6th students. The aim of the Prize is to encourage able sixth formers to pursue their interest in Philosophy, with the hope that they will be encouraged to read this or related subjects at University.

Deadline: 31th May 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600 and a Second Prize of £400, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college; the school or college’s portion of the prize to be issued in the form of book tokens.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/philosophy-essay-prize

Title: The Edgar Jones Philosophy Essay Competition, St Peter’s College Oxford

Details: The aims of the prizes are to provide for students in Year 12 or the Lower 6th an opportunity to write about a philosophical issue and thereby, it is hoped, enable them to develop their abilities for independent research and thought and encourage them to apply for an undergraduate course with Philosophy as an element.

Deadline: 11th September 2015

Prizes: St Peter’s College has established two essay prizes in Philosophy, the top prize being to the value of £250, the second prize being to the value of £150. In addition to monetary prizes, all submitted essays which in the opinion of the judges are of a high enough standard will be commended.

Further Details: http://www.spc.ox.ac.uk/content/essay-prize-year-12lower-6th

Politics

Title: The R.A. Butler Prize, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: The R.A. Butler Prize for essays in Politics and International Studies is a competition that can be entered by students in Year 12 or the Lower 6th. Essays should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words (not including the bibliography).

Deadline: 12th June 2015.

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college (the school or college’s portion of the prize to be issued in the form of book tokens), and a Second Prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college.

Further Details:

Science

Title: Peterhouse Cambridge Kelvin Science Prize

Details: Write an essay of between 2,000 and 4,000 words on one of the many titles provided.

Deadline: 20th March 2015

Prizes: Top prize of £500 and a second prize of £250; several further essays will be highly commended.

Further Details: http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Kelvin_15.pdf

Title: Bill Bryson Prize 2015

Details: The Bill Bryson Prize is a creative science communication competition. It is open to students around the world from ages 5–18. There are three categories: ages 5–11, 12–14 and 15–18. Your entry can take absolutely any form you want, and you can choose to enter individually or in a team (the age of the oldest team member will decide which category your team falls into). The theme for 2015 is Chance.  From the Big Bang to evolution, from probability to penicillin, all kinds of scientific concepts relate to ‘Chance’.

Deadline: 31 March 2015

Prizes: The top 100 entries will win a Bill Bryson book.12-18 year olds will get a copy of A Short History of Nearly Everything. 5-11 year olds will get a copy of A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. The top 25 shortlisted entries will win a Bill Bryson book and a £100 Amazon voucher. The runner up in each category will get a Bill Bryson book and a cash prize of £250.The first prize winner in each category will be given a Bill Bryson book and a cash prize of £400. The overall winner of the Bill Bryson Prize for Science Communication 2015 will receive a signed copy of a Bill Bryson book and a cash prize of £500!

Further Details: http://www.rsc.org/competitions/bill-bryson-prize/

Theology

Title: Keble College Essay Competition in Theology and Religion

Details: At Keble, one of the colleges of the University of Oxford, they are running an essay competition to encourage more interest in Theology & Religion in schools, and to offer an opportunity for students to consider in more depth questions of contemporary and historical significance. We are looking for essays which are carefully researched, well-structured and well-presented, but which also reflect critical awareness and an ability to reason through an argument.

Deadline: 30st April 2015.

Prizes: The essay judged best by a panel of Keble College theologians will receive a cash prize of £300.  Smaller prizes will be awarded to runners-up.

Further Details: http://www.keble.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/subjects/theology-inc-philosophy-and-theology

Title: Theology and Religious Studies Essay Prize, Trinity College Cambridge

Details: The Theology and Religious Studies Essay Prize is open to Year 12 or Lower 6th students. The aim of the Prize is to encourage able sixth formers to pursue their interest in Theology and Religious Studies, with the hope that they will be encouraged to read this or related subjects at University.

Deadline: 31st May 2015

Prizes: The competition carries a First Prize of £600 and a Second Prize of £400, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college; the school or college’s portion of the prize to be issued in the form of book tokens.

Further Details: http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/theology-and-religious-studies-essay-prize

General

Title: Essex University 50th Anniversary Essay Competition

Details: Simply write 3,000-5,000 words about one of our six research themes listed below. Topics include: Delving into Water’s Hidden Depths; Devil’s Pact or Dream Match; Whose life is it anyway?; Asking difficult questions about control; Ageism; Social Change; Rights

Deadline: May 2015

Prizes: The overall winner will receive £1,000. Plus six additional winners, one from each theme, will each win £500. Each winner will also receive £250 of books for their school or college.

Further Details: http://www.essex.ac.uk/fifty/essay/default.aspx

To find out more about what we do at Hashtag Tuition, visit http://www.hashtagtuition.co.uk

10 Ways a Tutor can Market Themselves

One of the most common questions I receive through The Tutor Website is ‘what can I do to market myself as a tutor?’ So, when I was invited by Hashtag Tuition to write a guest post for their site, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share my experience and provide an introductory guide to marketing as a private tutor.

Incidentally, this post also coincides with a new eBook that we’re hoping to publish in the next few months that takes a more in-depth look at effective marketing methods for tutors. To help get you started in running a successful tutoring business, here are my top ten ways a tutor can market themselves:

1. Word of Mouth Marketing

One of the most reliable ways to market yourself as a tutor is by good old fashioned word of mouth. It’s no secret that the best tutors, particularly in London, find themselves booked up months in advance through word of mouth referrals. By offering a truly valuable service, you’ll build up credibility in your local area and generate a steady business stream.

2. Register with a Tutoring Agency

One of the best things about tutoring agencies is that they’ll take care of a lot of your marketing for you. According to TES Connect, some online tutoring agencies have as many as 10,000 tutors registered with them. However, those that tend to be the most effective, limit the amount of tutors that they allow to register, ensuring that the quality of tutoring is consistently high.  Independent agencies can also boost your credibility as they employ a thorough recruitment process, which normally involves meeting tutors face to face, carrying out reference checks and applying for DBS certificates.

3. Spread the Word Amongst Friends and Family

When it comes to marketing, we’ve all got to start somewhere, and often, using the resources we have closest to home is the best strategy. We’ve all heard of the theory of six degrees of separation right? By telling people closest to you that you’re looking to take on new students, the chances are that it won’t be long before word gets out on the ‘friend of a friend’ chain and you’ll start receiving new business leads.

4. Tell Your Existing Students

Assuming that you already have some students on your books, why not tell them that you’re looking to take on new tutees? In many ways, your existing students are actually the best marketing network you have as they’re in constant contact with other students, who may be looking for your help. You could also consider introducing a ‘refer a friend’ scheme in return for a free lesson.

5. Have a Presence at Local Events

For some people, face to face marketing is a daunting prospect. However, it needn’t be a stressful experience. Perhaps your local community is having a networking event that you could hand some business cards out at? Or maybe your town hall hosts community groups that you could talk to for ten minutes about your services? The more people you can get the word out to in one go, the better.

And remember to ask them to pass your details on to anyone they know who might be interested in using your services.

6. Register with Tutor Directories

Marketing yourself online is one of the most effective ways to generate leads for your tutoring business. However, online marketing takes time and when you’re first starting out; there can be a lot for you to get your head around. That’s why creating a profile on paid online tutor directories like The Tutor Website is so beneficial. Tutor directories can be a great way to drum up new business and have students contact you directly. Before you register, do a Google search for private tutors in your local area and see which directories appear at the top – these are the ones that are likely to bring you the most students.

7. Get Yourself a Website

When it comes to building a website, you have two options: create one yourself, or pay a web design company to build one for you. If you decide to build your own, hands down, the best open source website builder is WordPress. For complete beginners, it might take some time to get used to, but the flexibility it offers is second to none. Investing in a website can bring you some excellent leads in the long term and is something that every serious tutor should consider.

8. Optimize Your Website for Search Engines

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is the art of ensuring that your website appears high in search engine rankings. Although there can be a lot to research in this field, it’s definitely worthwhile getting to grips with the basics. There are many resources online that can point you in the right direction if you’re just starting out, but what I will say, is that you’re best staying on Google’s good side as websites that adopt outdated ‘black hat’ SEO techniques, won’t survive long in the marketplace.

9. Be Active on Social Media

Nowadays, social media has become an essential part of every business’ marketing strategy and as a private tutor, you should embrace it too. Wikipedia currently lists 213 of the most popular social networking sites online (I’ve counted them) and this list is by no means exhaustive. Choose two or three sites that you’re familiar with and connect with people who may be interested in using your services. The more active you are on social media, the more engagements you’ll make.

10. Identify Gaps in the Market

My final piece of marketing advice is to take some time to properly research the private tutoring landscape in your local area. Who are the most popular tutors in your area? How do they market their services? Once you know how your competitors market themselves, consider what they could be doing better. Can you see any gaps in the marketplace that you can fill? Some of the biggest tutoring agencies in the UK grew their businesses by identifying ways to do things differently.

Key Takeaways

To help you build these marketing methods into a tangible plan, here’s a summary of the most effective actions you can take to generate more interest in your tutoring business:

• Speak to people about your business; the more people who know about your services, the more likely you’ll be to receive a referral from a friend of a friend
• Consider registering with tutoring agencies in your local area, they establish your credibility and bring you regular work
• Make yourself known in your local community by attending local events. Get yourself some business cards and hand them out to people who may be looking for a tutor.
• Leverage your existing student network by encouraging students to spread the word about your services
• Improve your online presence by being creating a profile on The Tutor Website
• Create your own website and implement an SEO strategy to help you get found in search engines
• Choose two or three social media websites that you’re familiar with and aim to engage with people who might be looking to use a tutor in your local area.

What other marketing methods do you recommend as a private tutor? Which of those mentioned above do you see as being the most effective? Do you have any of your own strategies that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re thinking about becoming a tutor, why not register with Hashtag Tuition? It is in everyone’s interests to join. See why here! 

About the Author

Jamie Thomson is the founder of The Tutor Website, an online community for the private tuition industry. If you found this post useful, keep your eyes peeled for his new eBook about marketing for tutors, which will be available online in the next few months.

An Ode to Procrastination

It’s an intriguing concept, that of procrastination. So tinged with latent ambiguity, with elusiveness. It lacks intention; there is never any purpose to it. It creeps up on you, pulls a veil over your eyes and distracts…oh look a cute dog. I must hunt it down and eliminate it.

No one has ever seen this procrastination. But then, can one ever see an idea? Oh ideas, what are thee? So fleeting, popping like bubbles. Bubbles! So circular, reflected, soapy…where was I? Ah yes. Let’s get to the point. I hate procrastination. Filibustering, avoiding, flipping, changing, mooting, delaying, reassessing…infuriating.

I often spend my days searching for this mysterious procrastination. I dress up as a detective, ready to hunt it down. I spend hours doing so. And yet I always just miss its coat-tails. It’s one step ahead. I turned my search to the Internet. Yet that procrastination is so tricky! It laid traps! Through the maze of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and the quicksand of ‘Buzzfeed’ it led me. Still I follow, glancing a faint flick of its tail. And then, it’s scent!

What is that whiff? Do I smell sweets, chocolate and that delicacy…pot noodle!?! Ah the cacophony! It’s like all my temptations rolled into one. But how? Whilst I mull this thought, I must visit the fridge to replenish my hunt. Procrastination is being so sneaky. It’s got into my head! I must not let it. No, I must resist. I must keep plugging on. I need a weapon!

I search and find my sword. Excalibur is buried deep in the stoney depths of my pencil-case, cast in pseudo-silver. I throw the lid aside. Behold as I do this, there is the beast before me! Oh but I can’t describe the sight. Is this awe or horror? I must draw it for future note. With my weapon, I fathom a conception of the creature. Flicks of the nib, specks of ink, a blurred mix of imagination and replication. I look up and procrastination has averted my gaze. When I look back over my masterpiece, I am aghast. I’ve sketched an exact drawing of…me (and a very realistic drawing of cat, must be my side-kick). Oh what has procrastination done to me!

Procrastination is a virus. It’s…infected me. I’m becoming it’s pawn. I am…I am….I am procrastination. Procrastination knows me better than I know myself. But alas, was it all a dream? I pinch myself to check.

….

‘Ouch!’ Oh crumbs, dinner time already? And I still haven’t started my homework! How?! What has possessed me all afternoon? Ah it’s okay, I’ll start tomorrow; it’s only due at lunchtime….

Don’t submit yourself to the viral, beastliness of procrastination. Or at least, procrastinate by reading our post 10 Ways to Study More Effectively (that actually work). Or even, book a fantastic tutor today to catalyse your learning process. Or better still, check out our Easter Gradebooster Courses.

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Interviews: 10 Ways to Succeed

There’s a lot of information floating around the Internet about what  to do during an interview. You’ll read a rule on one website only to discover the exact opposite on another. Here, we’ll simplify it all by giving you advice adapted from the techniques of one of the world’s top interview trainers.

1. Do your homework: 

There’s no excuse for being oblivious. You should know about the institution/company for which you’re interviewing. Know about the company to which you’re applying. Look up key facts and commit them to memory, they may come up during the interview. If you know who’s interviewing you, know them intimately (no, don’t be stalker…and popping up as a LinkedIn notification doesn’t really help your cause…)

2. The Golden Words:

‘For Example’ are the two most powerful words you could ever say during an interview. They show that not only have you answered a question but you’re also directly linking past experience/prior knowledge to it. In short, it kills two birds with one stone.

3. Eye contact:

Most people struggle with maintaining eye contact throughout an interview. Not looking at someone means you lose the opportunity to build a rapport with them. As such, it severely diminishes your chances. Eye contact when speaking displays confidence, but be careful not to stare/leer at your interviewer. It’s off putting (as is staring at that stapler instead…)

4. The Handshake:

No, you’re not Rocky Balboa going in for battle. Nor are you doing an impression of a somewhat wet fish. Quite simply, you need the goldilocks of handshakes. In all seriousness, better to be too enthusiastic than too lethargic. Wait for your interviewer to offer their hand to you, it’s a sign of respect. Crucially, look your interviewer in the eye when shaking their hand, it shows confidence.

5. Sitting down:

Wait to be invited to sit down: this will clear up any confusion as to where you should sit etc. If you’re seated in a comfortable chair, sit towards the front as you’ll be in a more commanding position (and, importantly, not seep ever deeper into depths of that particular sofa). It’s hard to take someone seriously if they’re being consumed by a chair. Sitting upright gives you a good centred position from which you can engage the interviewer.

6. Take your time:

Often people think that silence equals stupidity. In fact, the opposite is true. Listen to the question, compose yourself, take a breath, then answer. If you need a minute to think through an answer, then take it. Your interviewer will appreciate that you’re formulating your thoughts rather than spewing out the first thing that comes to your head. Even if you know the answer straight away, take a pause to consider how you’ll formulate it.

7. Listen:

Quite often, the person who interviews you will be your immediate superior if you get the position. If you don’t really pay attention to what it is they’re saying, they won’t want to have to spend time with you in the long run. Don’t get so caught up in your answers that you’re not listening. More often than not they’ll be helping you out.

8. Be ready to adapt:

Interviews can often go off the beaten track. Be ready to think laterally and make your answers relevant to what it is you’re interviewing for. If you can link questions together, you’ll show this ability and impress the interviewer.

9. Too fast, too slow. Too loud, too quiet: 

The pace and volume at which you speak will vary from interview to interview. Generally, try to match your pace with that of your interviewer. It cultivates a rapport between your interviewer and builds trust. With regard to volume, your interviewer doesn’t need to see your tonsils, nor should they wish you had a microphone. Speak at a neutral volume and make sure you’re speaking clearly.

10. Multiple interviewers:

Having more than one interviewer is actually quite a common occurrence, and most people panic as to who they should talk to when answering a question. Split your time between the two, and shift your eye contact. Slightly favour the interviewer who has asked the question you’re talking about. By looking at both interviewers, you ensure that everyone is involved in the conversation.

Remember, your interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Relax, and talk with confidence. The fact that you’ve made it to the interview stage of a process shows that you are of genuine interest to them, so don’t panic.

If you’d like interview training with one of our coaches, including the world expert, get in touch via this link.

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