Ucas launches student networking site

Debbie Andalo
Wednesday May 2, 2007 EducationGuardian.co.uk

A website which allows university students to meet and talk to each other online
before they start their course has been launched by the commercial arm of the
university admissions service Ucas.
The yougofurther site (www.yougofurther.co.uk) also allows students to upload
work, such as musical compositions or articles they have written, to show
prospective employers what they are capable of.
Ucas Media, the money-making arm of the admissions service Ucas, is running
the site. It claims it is "the ultimate online platform for students from application
to graduation."
The site will be restricted to students who are in the process of applying to
university - an estimated 500,000 young people - as well as those
undergraduates already at university.
The company has teamed up with commercial partners - including iTunes,
Lonely Planet and Cult Clothing - who will offer competition prizes as well as
advice to students on issues such as gap year travel and the latest news in
fashion and music.
Other areas of the site have the support of the housing charity Shelter, which
offers students help with accommodation away from home.
There is also financial advice from Money Saving Expert to help students keep
out of debt as well as careers advice from graduate recruitment site
doctorjob.com. Ucas Media refused to give details about the cost of the site or
how much money it was expected to make, but promised that any profit will be
fed back into Ucas's coffers.
The money would go towards offsetting any future increase in the Ucas student
application fee and the fee universities are charged in order to register with
Ucas, a spokeswoman for Ucas Media said.
Ucas Media's project manager for the site, Lisa Feege, said: "We have created
a fantastic new platform for students to help them get the most out of their time
at university and ultimately progress their careers."
The university admissions service Ucas said the site will be valuable because it
will enable undergraduates to get to know who is on their course and who will
be living in their student halls before they start university, as well as giving
existing undergraduates the opportunity to exhibit their skills online.
A spokesman said: "It will also enable us to maintain a relationship with
students."