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
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Josh Teal -
22nd August 2021 
