Sign up for HEC 2013 at Harper Adams

Posted 4 June 2013

Youngsters have just over two weeks left to get their applications in for Harper Adams University’s popular summer residential taster course.

Aimed at 16 and 17 year olds, Higher Education Choices (HEC) is the ideal opportunity to experience university life and meet new friends.

This year, 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 opportunities 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. 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.

The closing date for registration is June 21, subject to availability. There are a limited number of places on HEC, so anyone thinking of attending is advised to get their application in as soon as possible.

Kevin Broe, Harper Adams’ Students’ Union President, said: “HEC is the best way to find the right university course for you. Coming to HEC 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. You will never regret going to HEC.”

Maddi Naish, from Wantage, Oxfordshire, who is in her first year of studying BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management, came to HEC to help her decide which university to apply for.

She said: “When I came to HEC I felt at home right away and fell in love with the university and the area. I had such a great time that I knew Harper Adams was where I really wanted to come.

“The course talks were really informative and all the other activities that went on, like the falconry display, tractor rides etc, were really good fun and helped me get to know people.

“HEC is a great opportunity to experience a few days in the life of a Harper Adams student, have loads of fun and meet great friends. You’ll also learn about the great courses Harper Adams has to offer and be inspired to learn.”

The guest speaker at this year’s event will be Jay Schofield, who will be talking about his career at Jaguar Land Rover where he is part of the project management team in Product Development.

There are a number of travel arrangements in place for youngsters attending HEC.

A free coach service will collect and drop off students at the train stations in Stafford and Shrewsbury.

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.

To find out more about HEC or to register go to http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/hec/