Chilling in Manchester

• Well located minutes walk from the main University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University
• A choice of new studios and mix of flats, all completely self-contained with excellent study, storage and chilling space
• Ultra fast new generation 50mbps broadband FREE
• Personal Contents insurance included in the rent
• All inclusive rents (electricity, water, broadband, Wi-Fi)
• Brand new on-site laundry
• 24 hour security and on site management
• On-site gym
• Air conditioning
• A fantastic student social atmosphere in our large common room complete with flat screen TV, and free Wi-Fi .

Visit our main Student Castle website – Manchester Student Accommodation page for more details.

The survey takes into account all aspects of student life, including cost of living, atmosphere, nightlife and other elements.

Newcastle boasts top-flight football, rugby and basketball teams, as well as hundreds of pubs and bars across the city. The city also has a great cultural element to it, with the Baltic Gallery, Millenium Bridge and Sage Centre all must-visit places on Tyneside. Also reknowned for its friendly and warm atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Newcastle took the top spot as the UK’s number one university city.

Student Castle’s iPhone app, ’A Student Guide to Newcastle’ comes out in just a few weeks, sections of the app (e.g. nights out guide) will appear in the coming months on this blog!

Student Castle’s ’A Student Guide to Newcastle’ - available on iPhone by the end of September.

Obtaining a degree is seen as the definitive mark of academic achievement amongst students and employers alike, and the pressure on university students to get a 2:1 degree is intense – for all the wrong reasons. With the planned tuition fee increase this September, averaging at around £8,500 a year in most universities, students will already be under huge pressure to get a ‘good degree’ (considered to be a 2:1 or first). The current method of classifying degree results, in which 0.2% can be the difference between a 2:1 and a 2:2, is hugely unfair on candidates who miss out by such a small mark.

In the majority of universities, if a student gets 59.9%, they will receive a 2:2 degree, yet 60.0% and above represents a 2:1(although some universities do make exceptions for marginal marks). With many companies’ only accepting applications from candidates with a 2:1 or first-class degree, those who narrowly miss out on a ‘good degree’ face an unfair uphill battle hardly aided by record youth and adult unemployment levels. As of next year, the future career of a student that’s paid up to £27,000 in tuition fees for a standard 3-year course could be dictated by less than a mark; surely something needs to change?

In the UK we are taught and tested at secondary school, then given grades ranging from ‘A*’ to’ F’ for our work. College is much the same, even more so now the A* has been introduced to A-Level marking guides. Then we have university. A chance for students to specialise in a field, and to then use the skills they’ve learnt and mastered in the world of work. However, the final step can be majorly hindered because a student misses the golden ticket of a 2:1 degree by the narrowest of margins. What’s fair about that, especially in comparison to school and college grading systems, I hear you ask? The answer: Nothing, changes have to be made immediately.

Potential solutions have been looked at proving that some people appreciate a problem exists. It should be noted however, the proposed amendment to the current system would only be to add a ‘graduation transcript’ detailing a student’s grades for each module and/or subject.

A fairer way of classifying a university students achievements would surely be to oust the current system altogether and adopt more grade differentiations, like schools and colleges implement. Currently the UK has four generally used and accepted degree boundaries: A First, where a mark of 70% or higher is achieved. A 2:1, 60-69.9%. A 2.2, 50-59.9%, and the lowest classification, a 3^rd (40-50%). Restructuring would require taking many other factors into account, such as whether a new system would be globally recognised; especially as many other countries use similar systems to the UK. America and most European countries have a very similar degree classification, where four main ‘degree types’ are awarded, depending on what grade a student averages. Surely adding more, and possibly even doubling (to 8) the number of degree boundaries would give a more accurate reflection how someone has done at university?

Regardless of whether a ‘graduation transcript’ is introduced, the only way to remove such stern punishment for missing grades by less than 1% would be to add more tiers to the current system. Doing so would dispel problems where some universities have lenient marking areas, resulting in some students who are near a 2:1 (around 59%) or near a first (around 69%) having their marks raised and put into the next grade band. There is no guideline relating to raising marks near grade differentiations, so surely it’s unfair on universities who firmly conform to the marking guides laid out in the current 6-tier system?

The introduction of a new system is highly unlikely however, especially considering the current system has undergone virtually no change since its introduction. In 2003 a white paper was introduced that called for a review of the current 6-tier system in the UK (although as mentioned there are four generally accepted degree grades). However despite citing that too many (over half) of graduates now leave university with a 2:1 or first, no changes have been made whatsoever. So many students paying around £9,000 a year for tuition look destined to face the 2:1/2:2 problem as they enter their final term a few years down the road. A great shame for the higher education system of the UK, but a factor which most UCAS applicants will completely disregard: just when will higher authorities accept that changes need to be made?

Planning for use as student accommodation was granted in late 2010 following the submission of an application supported by The University of Bristol.

Edward Cade, Chief Executive of Student Castle, said the firm is delighted to deliver a long-awaited transformation of the site. “This unique development, which will be the UK’s first conversion of a cathedral to residential units, will enable us not only to address the ongoing shortage of student accommodation in Bristol, but also benefit the local community through bringing this attractive historic building back into use.”

Student Castle has appointed Morgan 2 Hayman as architects on the Pro Cathedral scheme, with Vinci construction as main contractor.

The project is due for completion in September 2013.

Article written by University Business & published on http://www.universitybusiness.co.uk original article here:

http://www.universitybusiness.co.uk/?q=news/cathedral-be-converted-student-flats/4668

Developer Student Castle and its contractor partner Shepherd Construction are behind the build, a 520 room high rise on New Wakefield Street (already a student hotspot). The 33-storey tower, measuring 109 meters, is expected to cost around £45m and will be among Manchester’s tallest buildings.

Edward Cade, chief executive of Student Castle, said: “As a new, expert developer within the sector we are pleased to have this opportunity to make a positive contribution to the regional economy and higher education sector in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.”

The Student Castle development prides itself on having these features:

• Well located, minutes walk from the main University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University campuses
• A choice of new studios and flats, all self-contained with excellent study, storage and chilling space
• Ultra fast new generation broadband 30mbps
• Personal contents insurance included in the rent
• All inclusive utilities (electricity, water, broadband)
• On-site laundry
• 24 hour security and on-site management
• A fantastic student social atmosphere in a large common room complete with flat screen TV, Sky 3D and free WI-FI

Article written & published on Student Map on 2/11/2011 (http://www.studentmap.co.uk/manchester/blog/student-castle-conquers-manchester-skyline.html)

Progress on Marlborough St, Manchester, is coming along quickly. Manchester Confidential followed up their original article about our latest Student Castle building with this positive outlook on how it’s coming along.

Manchester Confidential said: ‘Whoever stays there will be getting the most top of tops ends. On site communal areas will be complete with flat screen televisions and Sky 3D television services.’

They added: ‘The building is just a short walk from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and immediately round the corner from Oxford Road rail station.

Students can sign up for a luxurious and spacious Student Castle flat or room from next month. For more details click here: http://www.studentcastle.co.uk/info-manchester/

Progress on Marlborough St, Manchester, is coming along quickly. Manchester Confidential followed up their original article about our latest Student Castle building with this positive outlook on how it’s coming along.

Manchester Confidential said: ‘Whoever stays there will be getting the most top of tops ends. On site communal areas will be complete with flat screen televisions and Sky 3D television services.’

They added: ‘The building is just a short walk from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and immediately round the corner from Oxford Road rail station.

Students can sign up for a luxurious and spacious Student Castle flat or room from next month. For more details click here: http://www.studentcastle.co.uk/info-manchester/

The article, written by Manchester Confidential, includes details of the building and its specifications. It compliments the design of the building by likening its structure to that of the Rockerfeller Centre.

‘From the CGIs it has that built in slices Rockefeller Centre appearance that creates variety in what could otherwise be an inverted shoe-box design.’

The article also praises the design and innovation of the 37-story building Great Marlborough St, adding:

‘So does Student Castle look any good? The answer is a qualified yes. Every city needs a phallic symbol or two climbing into the air to make it feel good about itself.’

For the updated story on how the Student Castle building is developing, click here: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Property/Student-Castle-continues

For the full original story, click here:

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Architecture/New-skyscraper-planned-for-Manchester