Contextual offers - Keira's story transcript

00:00

My name's Keira. I am studying law at Solent University and I went to Brockenhourst College. I've got disabled people in my immediate family in my household. Being a young carer, it definitely had a toll in my GCSE exams. I didn't do the best. It definitely affects your life because even though I am a young carer, I still managed to get through college; I got through secondary school.

00:30

I've always really been interested in doing law and I've always wanted to go to university to do something. The contextual offers is the university that you're applying to will look at your background, you know, like where you live, if you've had any struggles growing up or throughout college, or throughout your whole life basically. And they will pick students who they believe should be given a fairer chance at getting into the university and going onto higher education. They lower the tariff points to get onto the course. I feel like if I didn't get that, I wouldn't have gotten on. So it just gives other people who may not have the same opportunities, may not have gotten the best grades, but it gives them a fair chance to try and further their education.

01:30

Solent was really helpful. I applied through UCAS and I applied to the foundation year and the regular three-year course. So when I applied and when I got my offer back and I accepted it, they held information events online where if you had any questions about the contextual offer, you could go on and ask and it would just have all the information that you want or you need to be able to understand why you've got this offer and what Solent do to support you through this transition and throughout your entire entire time at university.

02:13

The contextual offer scholarship is awarded to students who have received a contextual offer. In your first year and the first year only, you are eligible for £500 credit on your dining app. When I received the scholarship, it definitely helped with the spending side and the cost of being a student.

02:37

I would say don't necessarily give up on what you want to do. There are other ways to get through and into university because like having a contextual offer, there is a fair chance to further your education. Everyone can do something when they put their mind to it.

03:03

I like pretty much everything about studying here. It's just such a welcoming environment and I just I love it. I want to be a solicitor. I want to do law and yeah, it's I'm very excited. I cannot wait for the future.

03:25

The Solent red wave appears animated on screen, followed by the Solent University logo and website address, www.solent.ac.uk.