What is an Arkwright Scholarship? (Another teen needing advice)

[shinester184]

Need some advice

I'm currently doing my GCSEs in Year 11 at school, and will be choosing my A Level options very soon. I'm pretty academic, being in the top or second classes in all my subjects that are streamed according to ability out of seven classes.

I was considering Physics, Chemistry (Trad), Maths (Mech) and Economics for A Level, but I only considered economics because it would probably come in useful for a business career where most people end up!

But today, while in D&T, my teacher pulled me aside and said I was being offered an Arkwright Scholarship, but I'm a bit unsure as to what this implies! He said it was for who they considered was proficient in maths and physics but could also use their hands in a practical way. He also said that it would give me an advantage in getting onto a engineering/phys/maths based degree and would give me a £200 reduction on University fees per term, basically a sponsorship to encourage more people to become an engineer.

The rest I am completely clueless about, I really am lost about the whole thing, like how do I get one of these things...and how do they limit me? Would I be silly to turn it down? I really am confused about the whole thing other than the aims behind it. I would drop economics for D&T.

Would anybody be able to clear things up a bit for me? Apparently I need to make the decision pretty sharpish, and as you can understand it's quite a big one in my life so far!

Thanks

EDIT: Does accepting one of these cut off every degree that is not engineering based?

 

[Davies_M]

I suppose it's worth a shot going for, as I believe you can always turn it down?

Don't they ensure, or atleast help you get into a University which is highly respected for engineering?
Are you interested in engineering at all?

http://www.arkwright.org.uk/sponsors/universities.htm

now that's impressive

If you are interested in engineering, I would advise you try and snap that up! It sounds like a challenge and needs to be something you want.




From the site;

'To be considered for an Arkwright Scholarship a student must be:

* In Year 11 or Scotland S4. They will be in their fininal year of GCSEs, Scottish Standard Grades or National Diploma in Engineering, Level 2. They will be at an Affiliated School or planning to study in the sixth form at an Affiliated School (arrangements can be made to affiliate a new school subject to agreement:
* Studying Engineering, Design and Technology in one of its specifications for public examination in that academic year. (Scotland Technological Studies,Graphic Communication, Craft & Design or DET)
* Making a commitment to Maths at AS Level and preferably to A2 in the Sixth Form. (Scotland Higher or Intermediate 2, preferably to Advanced Higher in S6)
* Making a commitment to an Engineering National Diploma, Level 3 OR D&T at AS level and preferably to A2 in the Sixth Form OR be able to demonstrate enthusiasm and aptitude in practical engineering or technology.
* ( Scotland Technological Studies, Graphic Communication or Product Design Highers and preferably to Advanced Higher level in the Sixth year
* Actively considering higher education in Engineering, Product or Industrial Design or Architecture
* The International Baccalaureate is an acceptable alternative to A/S and Highers and study should preferably be taken to Higher Level.

Up to 15 Scholarships per annum will be available for outstanding candidates who do not intend to take Maths beyond GCSE level. '

 

[shinester184]

Yes I am definitely considering an engineering degree or physics, but don't want to do maths because plain number work doesn't excite me much. Really enjoy projects and making things, always looking for something to do, and have a reasonable creative side.

Would I be awarded the scholarship at the end of my A2 year? The thing is I am worried that by going down this route I will close so many doors, and people's aims in life often change in the transition from 16yrs old to 18/19.

 

[Davies_M]

Yes I am definitely considering an engineering degree or physics, but don't want to do maths because plain number work doesn't excite me much. Really enjoy projects and making things, always looking for something to do, and have a reasonable creative side.

Would I be awarded the scholarship at the end of my A2 year? The thing is I am worried that by going down this route I will close so many doors, and people's aims in life often change in the transition from 16yrs old to 18/19.

I think you get a certain amount of the cash every term or year, from the site:

Scholarships are funded by Industry partners and Charitable Trusts. From September 2011 the value of the Scholarship will be £2000 over the 2 A Level years of the Scholar. It is divided between the Scholar £600, the School's Design & Technology Department £400 and the remainder will be used to add value to the programme.




Maths is just something you have to endure I'm afraid. It's soul crushingly boring for the most part, but by god it's probably one of the most respected qualification out there.


It's no more closing doors as when you have to chose your degree in A2. It seems to be a highly prestigious scholarship.
I have found that a lot of people changed their minds about degrees mainly because they didn't really have a focus and with the vast array of choices, they found it hard to narrow it down so kept umming and aahing right until the end.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Good on you posting here, get as many opinions as possible, there are a fair few engineers/maths people around.

Have you talked to any careers advisors/universities yet?

Finally best of luck!

 

[A.N.Other]

If you're interested in Engineering / Design as a future career, then it's a useful thing to have, but far from essential. The actual scholarship doesn't really give you anything, but obviously most people don't have it and to get into somewhere decent, you need things that make you stand out.

It really depends on what you were hoping on doing at AS and whether your 6th form will require you to do DT as one of those if you apply for the scholarship. If you're happy with your AS picks and can't get the scholarship without swapping one out, then I'd probably tend to stick where you are - they're good for anything and everything, including engineering and design courses, though it depends where you apply (i.e. check out the application requirements for universities you might be thinking of applying to now).

If you're keen on getting the scholarship and don't mind dropping economics, then don't worry that puts your out of the market for finance/law/accountancy/etc in the long run, as it really doesn't (it might put you out of the running for a degree in it, but that doesn't necessarily matter either way). Alternatively, consider doing more AS levels, and then deciding what to take forward from there.

If your 6th form lets you (most should), then I'd personally be inclined to go for the last option and get the best of both worlds. 5 AS levels in one year isn't so bad if you're motivated.

 

[Davies_M]

Definitely second what Greenlizard said, and I wish somebody with a better understanding swoops in!

My biggest regret was not going down an engineering route. If OcUK forums is good for one thing, it's utilising the knowledge of some really brilliant and successful people.

*as to above*

I don't think lacing Economics in A levels prevents someone from a degree in areas that may be affiliated. Most of the people I speak to say all they do in the first term is re-cap over the two years of A levels (Usually Business and/or economics)

 

[GreatAuk]

But today, while in D&T, my teacher pulled me aside and said I was being offered an Arkwright Scholarship, but I'm a bit unsure as to what this implies!

I had always thought that you had to go through a selection procedure rather than just be offered one straight off.

Anyway, my school kept quiet about it, so I didn't hear anything about it until year 12.

edit:

Maths is just something you have to endure I'm afraid.

That does depend on who you are though... It may be a drag for some, but for me, once all that silly GCSE stuff was out of the way, I have found the A level maths course really quite interesting, and very satisfying when things 'click'. It probably is the hardest of all my A levels, but I'm certainly glad I did it, without even thinking about how essential it is for some engineering courses.

 

[dante6491]

According to the information Davies_M post further up you would not qualify as you plan to take maths beyond GCSE level. Personally Maths>DT. I hated maths with a passion but it is needed for pretty much any degree to do with physics, design or economics so you shouldn't drop it just to get a scholarship.

EDIT: Unless they mean up to 15 further scholarships rather than 15 total.

 

[A.N.Other]

According to the information Davies_M post further up you would not qualify as you plan to take maths beyond GCSE level. Personally Maths>DT. I hated maths with a passion but it is needed for pretty much any degree to do with physics, design or economics so you shouldn't drop it just to get a scholarship.

EDIT: Unless they mean up to 15 further scholarships rather than 15 total.

As I understand it, they would normally expect you to take Maths beyond GCSE. If you're very special, there are 15 scholarships available for those that don't want to.

 

[shinester184]

As I understand it, they would normally expect you to take Maths beyond GCSE. If you're very special, there are 15 scholarships available for those that don't want to.

Yep, they have a lot of time who will do A Level Maths, but only 15 scholarships for people who have dropped it at GCSE.

As I understand it (and it could be wrong!) I have to work for the scholarship through my A Levels. Now this seems a big risk because if I didn't receive a scholarship, I will have dropped economics for DT, and the whole reason for it would have been wasted! Apparently Eco does give you a significant advantage if you go you into the business world. My dad did a MechEng degree, but ended up doing a business MBA several years later.

Having to make such big decisions about my future really make my stomach churn