51Âþ»­

Enrolling at 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) through Clearing proved to be the ‘best decision’ for International Relations student Aaron Kent, who is celebrating having secured a graduate job at Virgin Media Business.

A-Level results day was a rollercoaster of emotions for Aaron, who initially felt crushed by failing to get into his firm choice. However, by midday, that pain had turned into excitement, as the 22-year-old from Nuneaton began preparations for a move to Leicester’s vibrant city centre.

Aaron Kent

Aaron was eager to enrol on an International Relations course with high employability rates, modern facilities and a city-centre location. It wasn’t until he phoned 51Âþ»­’s Clearing team that he realised it was the place for him.

Aaron said: “When my firm and insurance choices fell through, I began quickly researching universities that hosted my course and had high employability rates.

“I found 51Âþ»­ ranks very highly for employability in my course and, having grown up in Nuneaton, I was happy to stay relatively close to home. Going through Clearing was a little nerve-racking at first, but in hindsight, I’d needn’t have worried because the student I spoke to had been through the process herself and understood any anxieties I had.

“We talked about what Leicester has to offer students and the city’s vibrant, multicultural heritage, but I didn’t appreciate how diverse the city was until I lived here. What has stood out to me is the range of foods I’ve been able to try here, especially on Narborough Road.

“There were spaces on my course and I got my place without any hassle. I was even booked on to a tour of the campus the next day and was really impressed with what I saw, particularly the library.

“I’d love to thank that student because coming to 51Âþ»­ turned out to be easily the best decision I have made so far.” 

Clearing is now open to prospective students and more information on the courses available can be found here.

The 51Âþ»­ student experience got full marks from Aaron, who went on to become a brand ambassador for the university in 2020.

Aaron Kent inset

When the time came for Aaron to search for graduate opportunities, he enlisted the help of 51Âþ»­’s award-winning careers service, 51Âþ»­ Works. Working together with the Business and Law employability department, the teams scoured his CV and provided both application and interview tips to help him prepare for work.

By December 2020, he knew that he would be leaving university and moving up to Manchester to join a two-year graduate scheme with one of the country’s largest telecommunications companies.

Aaron will start work at Virgin Media Business as a Business Sales representative this September and is especially grateful to the employability teams for helping him land such a coveted job.

“Both 51Âþ»­ Works and the Business and Law department teams were simply fantastic,” Aaron said. “I organised a session to go through my application and the next day I had a one-to-one session – without them I may not have got this wonderful opportunity.

“I know it’s cliché, but there are so many opportunities at 51Âþ»­ and any student, like me, deflated on results day should look at their options through Clearing. The facilities are great here and all the tutors and fellow students are on hand to help you out. It’s a great environment.”

51Âþ»­ Works is the university’s dedicated team of career experts that offers both students and graduates flexible and tailored professional support. In February 2021, the team scooped the Best University Careers and Employability Service at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards, and in June, 51Âþ»­ was named in the top three for both Graduate Outcomes and Excellence in Digital Innovation at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards.