A Guide to Studying in Scotland

Many school leavers have already chosen where they intend to spend their next three or more years of studies, while for others the decision still lies ahead. Studying in Scotland has many perks. For starters, Scottish and European Union nationals do not have to cover the costs of their higher education, while for English, Welsh and Northern Irish students the fees are lower than at universities back home.

What's more, students at Scottish universities get to spend four years learning and developing their skill set in comparison to three elsewhere in the UK.

Whether you're hoping to study in a big city, small town or even rural setting, Scotland offers it all. Study programmes are diverse, and cover everything from classics to engineering to sports.

Rural Higher Education Institutions in Scotland

If you study best in a peaceful setting with ample amounts of fresh air and outdoor scenery, the University of the Highlands and Islands could be for you. As the name itself gives away, the campuses are scattered throughout Scotland's northernmost areas such as Shetland, Orkney and Moray.

Modern facilities are housed in purpose-built academic buildings, many of which boast sprawling views across the local hills and valleys.

Each campus has its own atmosphere and community feel thanks to the small number studying at each location. This is one of the best features of the uni, and will make everyone feel welcome.
Up North you could be studying Tourism, Science, Gaelic (which is rare in the UK!), and more.

Small Town Scottish Universities

Not a fan of big cities, the prices, congestion and other factors that come with them? Fortunately, Scotland is home to various universities set in smaller towns, one of the best known of which is the University of St Andrews, famous not only for its high academic standards, but also for being the alma mater of Prince William.

The town is perched on the East Coast and is easily accessible by car or coach, but not by train. Prices in the area are steep with rents considerably higher than the Scottish average. St Andrews has a firm focus on academics, and so the town isn't the most buzzing of places to spend your student life, but this, of course, suits many individuals. The town does boast excellent restaurants and shops, including designer outlets. You can also find true pearls at the many charity shops.

Here you can read classic subjects such as Art History, Divinity, and Mathematics as well as others.

Stirling University is a medium-sized institution set on one of Britain's most striking campuses with its very own loch, and trails leading up into the nearby mountains. Founded in the 1960s, the uni prides itself on offering an array of modern courses such as Film and Media, Sports Studies, and Marketing.

The town is Scotland's historic capital and so features stunning attractions like Stirling Castle, the Old Bridge, and the Wallace Monument. Its centre is compact with one major shopping centre, a few independent shops, and a generous offering of pubs and restaurants. Life here is quite a lot cheaper than in Scotland's bigger cities.

Other options to consider are the University of the West of Scotland, and individual campuses such as the University of Glasgow's Dumfries branch, and Heriot-Watt University's Galashiels campus.

Big City Universities in Scotland

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen are all home to more than one university. Therefore there is a certain degree of rivalry between students who place a big emphasis on university rankings.

Glasgow is arguably Scotland's most student-friendly city in terms of prices and entertainment opportunities. Much of its student population resides in the city's West End, the hippest part of town. Many are involved in one or more of the city's many political movements.

Edinburgh is quite a bit more expensive, but boasts a rich, historical heritage and academic atmosphere. With four universities to choose from, you could be studying anything from the classics to computing.

The best way to choose a Scottish university is to spend time in each location, soaking up on the local atmosphere. Spend a couple of days in a city hotel in Glasgow, then move on to Edinburgh or wherever else you've decided to check out.

Harvey McEwan writes to offer information and advice on a variety of areas, from what city hotel in Glasgow to stay in to festival fashion tips. View Harvey's other articles to find out more.

Heroes in the History of Quality Assurance and Quality Control

When you go to the drugstore to buy allergy medication, you are benefitting from more than a century's worth of development in an unsung field: quality assurance and quality control. When you go to the grocery store to buy a cantaloupe, you are relying on graduates of food quality training to make sure that it was grown and packed with respect for food safety rules. But who are the pioneers behind today's food and pharmaceutical testing?
Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #1: Frederick Winslow Taylor, the father of science-based management (1856-1915)
Frederick Winslow Taylor was a leader of the Efficiency Movement, an early 20th-century movement that aimed to reduce waste in industry and society. He was so influential within this movement - the echoes of which are still felt in pharmaceutical testing and food quality training today - that it is sometimes known as Taylorism.
Taylor was born to a Quaker family in Pennsylvania. He started his working life as a machinist. In his time on the shop floor, he realized that his fellow workers were not working to their fullest capacity. This sparked his interest in the concept of productivity. He went on to promote the application of scientific principles to industrial management, a legacy that endures today in practices that guide food and pharmaceutical testing.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #2: Walter Shewhart, the father of statistical quality control (1891-1967)
This Illinois-born physicist worked in the Inspection Engineering Department of the Western Electric Company. When he joined, quality assurance and control was focused exclusively on inspecting the end product. He introduced a new goal - trying to minimize defects during the manufacturing process - which is still a tenet of pharmaceutical testing and food quality training today.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #3: William Edwards Deming, the father of the quality evolution (1900-1993)
World War II was integral to the industry movement, and Iowa-born statistician W. Edwards Deming was a leading figure of the time. A meeting with Walter Shewhart inspired him to consider the application of statistics. The resulting theories are said to have transformed how industry operates. He is still recognized as a hero in Japan for his post-war work there improving quality in the manufacturing industry.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control Pioneer #4: Joseph Duran, evangelist for quality (1904-2008)
In 1925, Romanian-born, American-raised Juran received training in statistical sampling from the Bell laboratory where he was employed. He would go on to develop a theory that a resistance to new ideas was often a cause of quality assurance and quality control problems.
The next time you are in the drugstore or grocery store, take a moment to reflect on the pioneers behind food and pharmaceutical testing.

Visit AAPS for more information on online learning.
Rima Hammoudi is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

Bachelor of Arts Degree or a Bachelor of Science Degree?

Ask a number of students and the two top decisions when choosing to study a degree will be which university they will go to and the subject they will study. Little or no student pay particular attention to whether they will be studying a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

What's The Difference?

The difference between the two types of degree is actually relatively small and in most cases is down to the specific university.

Some experts suggest that a Bachelor of Arts degree focuses more on a liberal arts education that may be more use if you are uncertain as to whether you will want to continue in to the related industry. Some Arts degrees also stipulate in their criteria that students are required to complete a number of credits in a foreign language. They tend to be of wider scope and place emphasis on humanities and wide-ranging understanding in a recognized discipline.

Bachelor of Science degrees tend to include more mathematical and scientific courses. Indeed, students may have to include more statistical or research elements in to their degrees and the subject matter may be more focused on application of the methods learned in the degree. As above, students may wish to include a foreign language in their courses but, unlike the Arts degree, it is not mandatory. Students will be expected to take a more focused approach to their studies which will include a mix of liberal arts, technical knowledge, mathematics, research as well as practical skills that may be required whilst working in the field.

Essentially, the type of degree is traditional to the university. It is based on how many credits within the degree are focused on liberal arts courses. An Arts degree must include 75% of the program in the liberal arts; Science degrees must have at least 50%.

Which Degree Is Better?

Whilst one degree is not necessarily better than another, a number of education experts suggest that students who complete a Bachelor of Science degree may have more flexibility and enjoy more career opportunities. The caveat is that in most cases it is preferable for the student to choose the degree that fits best with their interests, skills and career goals.

As students are now taking on more debt than ever to fund their degree, it is essential that students have a clear idea of what they want to do after completing their studies and that their qualification is tailored towards that goal. There is evidence that employers prefer graduates with a Science degree rather than an Arts degree, indeed, students who complete the former often are seen to command a higher salary.

Bachelor of Arts degrees are good options for students who have a strong interest in a particular field but may want to include other disciplines. Plus, a Bachelor of Arts degree may be more useful if the graduate subsequently chooses to change career and enter a different industry.

Bachelor of Science degrees are good for individuals who are certain of their career goals and desire to gain in-depth knowledge of an industry prior to working in the field. It is often for this reason that graduates with a Science degree are seen by employers to be the preferred candidate as they will appear to be more motivated within their chosen field.

Digital Media Courses Bring a Fresh Approach to Film Schools

Film school is a place to explore the medium of film, discover new ways of looking at the world, and develop the movie-making skills required to create your own masterpiece. But hand-in-hand with the development of your creative vision comes the need to master the tools of film production. Digital media courses provide those necessary skills.

Digital media skills are becoming increasingly in demand by film and television production companies. While the ability to create visual pieces through traditional film making methods is still highly valued, these production companies now require film makers who can utilise more modern tools of the trade.

Tools such as computer multimedia, digital editing and design suites, internet and web based video channels, even smart phone applications, are commonly used by today's film production units. Without a thorough understanding of these new media tools, film school graduates will struggle to find work. Many audio-visual careers now involve working with internet-based platforms, such as creating online videos for websites and smart phones. Even in traditionally analogue industries like film and television, most production studios now use modern digital equipment and expect their production team to be able to utilise these tools efficiently.

A good film production school will offer digital media courses that enable students to become proficient in these new media production tools.

What can students expect from digital media courses?

Considering the highly competitive and ever-changing nature of the film production industry, students of digital media courses should have a good grounding in the following areas of study:

    Digital photography composition and production
    Digital audio mixer controls and lighting rig systems
    Using high-definition digital cameras for filming
    Adding backdrops to scenes using digital green screen techniques
    Editing film on digital editing software
    Stylising and colour grading images using graphics applications

What can students expect from their film school experience?

In addition to becoming experts in the technical aspects of their work, a good film school should provide students with the opportunity to learn about the more timeless aspects of their craft.

Developing a love of film and appreciating the different genres, styles and methods of great film making is just as important as understanding the tools and techniques of film production.

A good film school should teach students about theories of film and help them to develop an understanding of industry practices. Other aspects of study should include:

    Media industry awareness
    Ethical and legal media issues
    Health and safety on production sites
    Script writing for film and TV
    Researching, recording and presenting information

Upon completion of study, a digital media courses graduate should have a film reel which demonstrates their mastery of digital media production tools as well as their professional filmmaker's eye for style and design.

Digital media courses, combined with traditional film school teaching methods, give film students a well-rounded understanding of film production tools and techniques. http://www.pulsecollege.eu

The History Of Harvard And Stanford

Harvard was initially established in 1636 due to the benefactors of Boston, MA's State Legislature. Harvard is actually the oldest advanced schooling institution in the United States Of America. Amid their founders was a man known as John Harvard. Not long after Harvard's death the institute honored his name and named the area after his own educational institute after the well-known British School, Cambridge.

Stanford's founding meanwhile, was born of a father's love. Leland Stanford founded the school in remembrance of his son, Leland Stanford Jr. who passed away due to typhoid as a teenager. Stanford, a railroad tycoon, invested $40,000,000 to the institute. As if a indication of circumstances to occur, Stanford's first pupil had been Herbert Hoover. Hoover, who slept alone on campus that first night, would ultimately go on to become leader of the United States.

Over the course of the 20th century Harvard's international reputation developed. This was due to the growth of the student population, financial endowment and prominent lecturers. Radcliffe College, established in 1879, would become the sister school of Harvard and the most prestigious school for women in the US.

Interestingly, Stanford began as 'co-ed'. However, soon reviewed the decision after an overwhelming number of female applicants. Jane Stanford limited the number of female enrollments to just 500 before the number was revised to 3:1 until the 1960's. Today, no gender discrimination is in place.

The esteem and respect for these bodies is in no small part due to the galaxy of famous alumni who've shaped the planet.

Harvard, for example, has managed to graduate 8 United states Presidents, such as Obama and Bush, Seventy five Nobel Laureates as well as Sixty four active billionaires including the earths most youngest, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg is actually a member of Silicon Valley, alongside Stanford university in Palo Alto.

Among Mark's neighbors are past Stanford learners, Dave & John, also referred to as Hewlett Packard and, after that ofcourse, there's Google. Stanford students, both past and present, make up the center of these technological and commercial titans.

As a sidenote, the following stars of Hollywood have passed through Stanford and Harvard respectively. They include Reese Witherspoon, Ted Danson and Sigourney Weaver for Stanford. While Elizabeth Shue, Tommy Lee Jones, Natalie Portman and, of course, Good Will Hunting's Matt Damon attended Harvard.

So what are your prospects of becoming a member of these educational icons then? This season only 6% of 36,36 Thousand applicants were approved to Harvard, while 7% were given the distinction of signing up for Stanford's elected few.

Interestingly, both Harvard and Stanford admit a significant number of foreign students, with Harvard's as high as 1 in 10. Of these pupils all our eligible for educational funding. Harvard bests counterpart Stanford right here, by using a school funding account of over $172 million for its learners.

Many thanks for reading this quick write-up. You can find more information on their specific acceptance process by clicking on backlinks below.