University, Autism and You: Recent Episodes
Cardiff University
University can present unique challenges for autistic students. Outreach staff at Cardiff University, Scott and Freya, offer insight and advice on the key parts of researching, applying and attending university.
In this episode, Scott and Freya talk to Ian, a Cardiff University Law Student. Ian chats about why he chose to go to university, what it is like accessing support and making the most of work placements.
00:00 – Intro
00:28 – Meet Ian
08:49 – Accessing student support and DSA
19:15 – Making the most of university with work placements
‘The Need for Different Minds’ by Julie Jaggin https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/lawyers-with-disabilities/the-need-for-different-minds
What do you need to spend money on at university? What should you consider when opening a bank account? Following a special Discovery Project event that happened just before Christmas, Scott and Freya discuss some student budgeting basics and bank accounts.
Average Cardiff student living costs: www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/student-life/living-costs
A useful guide to budgeting and finance created in partnership with Cardiff University alumni Martin Lewis: www.young-enterprise.org.uk/resources/your-money-matters-financial-education-textbook-wales/
NAS Managing Money guidance: www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/benefits-and-money/personal-finances/managing-money
Examples of online/app banks:
www.starlingbank.com
monzo.com
Branch-based banks with student bank accounts:
www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/123-student-current-account
www.hsbc.co.uk/current-accounts/products/student/
With so many different options available at university, day-to-day life as a student can vary depending on the course you choose. Scott and Freya chat to current students Kyle and Soamopriya about their daily routines.
You can choose to move away for university or stay at home – or do both! Scott, Freya and several of our Student Ambassadors discuss preparing for university, your first day and top tips for starting university.
00:00 – Introduction
00:56 – What can you do to prepare yourself for starting university?
04:56 – Programmes that help you transition to university
08:25 – Moving into university accommodation and types of residences
11:45 – Residence Life Team at Cardiff
14:47 – Types of university accommodation
16:00 – Discovery Summer School
16:36 – Your first day at university and moving away from home
21:43 – Ask the Students: Astrid’s Moving In Story
22:33 – Ask the Students: Top tips for when you start university
30:39 - Conclusion
Cardiff University Residences
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/accommodation/residences
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/accommodation/life-in-student-accommodation/accommodation-preferences
Disability and Dyslexia Service at Cardiff
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/student-life/student-support/disability-and-dyslexia-service
Looking after yourself when you arrive at university
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/new-students/when-you-arrive/looking-after-yourself
How can universities (and student finance) support you? Scott and Freya talk through the Disabled Students Allowance, bursaries and how student finance works. Whilst these systems can be difficult to navigate, they can really help you at university!
00:00 – Introduction
03:15 – Support Services at university
09:14 – Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)
12:29 – Ask the Students: What did you do to prepare for university?
14:38 – Introduction to Student Finance
19:17 – Applying for Student Finance, Scholarships and Bursaries
21:31 – How where you live affects Student Finance
23:37 – Paying back your Student Finance loan
24:50 – Ask the Students: University accommodation[FM1]
26:44 – Jobshop at Cardiff University and the role of Student Ambassadors
30:28 – Financial support at university
33:06 – Conclusion
Disabled Students Allowance
https://www.ucas.com/finance/additional-funding/disabled-students-allowances-dsas
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/applying-disabled-students%E2%80%99-allowances-dsas
Student Finance and Funding
https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding
In this episode, Scott and Freya talk about how you apply to university through UCAS and give some top tips. This includes discussing the key parts of the UCAS application process, with a focus on the Personal Statement. They also answer the question of whether you should put a disability, such as autism, on your application.
00:00 – Introduction
00:33 – UCAS application
04:50 – Should I tell UCAS I’m autistic?
06:20 – Support and the Discovery Project
09:54 – UCAS application continued
13:40 – Introduction to the Personal Statement[FM1]
15:03 – Tips for writing your Personal Statement
20:36 – Ask the Students: What type of experiences did you reference in your personal statement?
23:44 – Ask the Students: What was the opening line of your personal statement?
25:10 – Who reads your Personal Statement?
27:19 – Scott and Freya choose 1 top tip for writing a Personal Statement
UCAS Application
https://www.ucas.com/
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/disabled-students/support-disabled-students-frequently-asked-questions
Personal Statements
https://causeway.education/howto
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/personal-statement
What qualifications are important when it comes to applying to university? Should you go straight after sixth form/college or not? Scott and Freya discuss grades, course requirements and what happens if you struggle with schoolwork.
00:00 – Introduction
00:35 – Routes to university
08:05 – Qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs and more)
15:12 – Grades and Course Requirements
22:54 – What do you do if you struggle with exams and schoolwork?
25:24 – Game: Guess what these people studied at college and university
Useful links:
For examples of what others interested in certain careers studied
https://www.whatuni.com/degrees/courses/
Course search
https://digital.ucas.com/search
Example of entry requirements and course information via Cardiff University
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2022/geology-bsc
Welcome to University, Autism and You! Scott and Freya summarise what university is in practical terms. This includes discussing different elements of university life, types of courses and meeting new people. They're joined by current students Kyle and Zoe.
00:00 – Introduction
01:13 – What is university?
05:13 – Ask the Students: What did you think about university before you went?
06:23 – Different elements of university life
09:35 – BA/BSc and types of courses
17:45 – Meeting new people
20:53 – Ask the Students: What is it like if you don’t know anyone at university?
22:47 – How are you supposed to decide if you want to go to university?
Useful links:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/teachers-and-careers-advisers/widening-participation