University can be ridiculously spenny at the best of times so imagine the luck of those would-be students who are being asked to NOT go for the sum of £10,000.
This is not BS. The University of Leeds is really offering students a five-figure sum and free accommodation to defer their courses…
… that is, if you’re wanting to study law or business. So bad luck if you’re academic interests don’t fit the criteria.
Still, what an offer. But why? Have they gone mad? No. The reasoning is fairly sound, not that it matters. You’re already applying to uni as law and business students.
But for those of you still reading: Deputy Vice Chancellor Peter Jimack explained how the university is making the offer as some courses are full.
The proffessor said the nature of teacher-assessed grades as opposed to exam-based grades had made it “harder to predict” the number of successful applicants.
He told the BBC: “We’ve contacted students on a small number of programmes in two schools to let them know that we are going to make them an offer to defer to next year with an incentive of a cash payment of about £10,000 and our fee for their halls of residence in their first year being paid by the university.
“We are not putting pressure on anybody to make that choice, it’s an entirely free choice.”
He said any students who chose to defer until 2022 would be provided with online materials to help them prepare for their actual start-date next year.
Jimack said the university was also creating an extra 30 places to study medicine for students who were unable to get a place at universities which were chocka block.
A record number of students have applied to study medicine this autumn. Thats more than a 20% rise on last year.
Whew.
Jimack added: “We recognise that there is a national need and we know from the last 18 months how important our doctors and nurses are.
“So we’re stepping-up and making available some additional places that we will make available to students from oversubscribed universities to come and study with us at Leeds.”
Happy days for lawyers and business types.
News
Otley is now bidding to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture in 2028
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
Josh Teal -
22nd August 2021 
