Register now for HEC 2013 at Harper Adams

Posted 12 March 2013

Harper Adams University is urging 16 and 17 year olds who want to find out more about university life to sign up for its unique summer residential taster course.

Higher Education Choices (HEC) will take place at the university near Newport, one of the UK’s top universities for rural/farming and animal-related courses, on July 7 and 8, beginning at the end of an open day.

As a result, potential students and their families can all visit the campus on the Sunday. There will be the chance to attend talks on courses, student life and finance, chat to academic staff and tour the campus.

The open day starts at 9.30am, however, anyone staying on for HEC is recommended not to arrive until 12.30pm on the Sunday as all talks and tours are repeated in the afternoon.

HEC begins at 4pm when potential students will be left by their families to fly solo on their taster experience, enjoying a sample of Student Union fun, an overnight stay in the halls of residence and, on the Monday, practical activities that will help them choose the right course to suit their interests.

HEC has been running at Harper Adams for more than 20 years, and applications have far exceeded the number of places available in recent years. The event is open to anyone aged 16 or 17 who wants to find out more about life at the university and the courses on offer at Harper Adams, in areas including agriculture, engineering, land management, veterinary nursing, animal welfare, business, food, and much more.

Harper Adams Students’ Union President, Kevin Broe, said: “HEC is the best way to find the right university course for you. Coming to HEC gives you a real taste of Harper Adams life and makes you feel part of something very special.

“From HEC you forge a load of new friendships along with getting a taste of Harper Adams student life both academically and socially.

“HEC is a fun, vibrant experience that you will remember for years to come. You will never regret going to HEC.”

Harriet Wilson, from Haughton in Stafford, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agri-Food Marketing with Business Studies at Harper Adams, came to HEC after hearing about it through the Young Farmers’ Club.

“My friends and I had a great laugh at HEC. We met lots of like-minded people and found out more about the courses on offer,” said Harriet, who is currently undertaking a 12-month placement with McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd working within its Agricultural Assurance team.

“I was so determined to be a Harper Adams student. By attending HEC, I was able to decide which course I wanted to study and the halls I wanted to be part of.

“I met so many people at HEC and I recognised many familiar faces during my fresher’s week. It made it a lot easier to settle in, already knowing people.

“My time at Harper Adams has been incredible so far. I have met so many amazing people and had some great laughs; it’s like a second family and there is nowhere like it.”

This year’s guest speaker will be Jay Schofield who will be talking about his career at Jaguar Land Rover. Jay is part of the project management team in Product Development and has held many different roles supporting the development of new vehicles. His work has taken him all over the world testing prototype vehicles.

There are a number of travel arrangements in place for students attending HEC. A free coach service will collect and drop off students at Stafford and Shrewsbury railway stations.

Return coach transport will also be available, at £10 per person, from various locations in the north, south-east and south-west of England.

There are also separate travel arrangements for students coming from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The cost of flights is subsidised by Harper Adams up to a maximum of £80 or the full cost of the flight, whichever is cheapest. The university will provide free transport to and from Liverpool and Birmingham airports for people travelling on selected flights.

The closing date for registration is June 21. To find out more or register, visit www.harper-adams.ac.uk/hec/