Professor AC Grayling, former Professor of Philosophy at Birbeck College, University of London is leading the launch of the College, along with other world class academics Richard Dawkins, Sir David Cannadine and Niall Ferguson.

Speaking of the college, which will offer eight undergraduate degrees in five areas of the humanities, Grayling says, “Our students will be challenged to develop as skilled, informed and reflective thinkers, and will receive an education to match that aspiration.”

The London-based College, which is due to open next September, has sparked much debate among educational professionals and professors across the UK in regards to equality and financial fairness.

Commenting on the institution, Baroness Blackstone, Vice Chancellor of the University of Greenwich said that The New College of Humanities would be “an institution for the very rich”.

Whilst General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) Sally Hunt said, “While many would love the opportunity to be taught by the likes of AC Grayling and Richard Dawkins, at £18,000 a go it seems it won’t be the very brightest but those with the deepest pockets who are afforded the chance.”

Speaking at an event in London on Tuesday, Grayling found himself facing stern criticism and angry chants about budget cuts and his responsibility to the education sector from audience members. Defending his position Grayling stated: “We’ve set up a charitable trust as well that is already taking endowments. We want to be able to educate gifted people from the state sector for free – we might be the only institution doing this.” He continued “We are not in it to get rich, God knows that is not going to happen.”

What do you think? Is The New College of Humanities a good idea? Do you think it discriminates against poorer students?

Mercer University is one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning, offering rigorous programs that span the undergraduate liberal arts to doctoral-level degrees. With more than 8,000 students enrolled in eleven schools and colleges on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah, and at three Regional Academic Centers around the state, Mercer is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading institutions by such publications as U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review.

The session is open to students and counsellors, where a Mercer University Representative will be answering any queries or questions you may have.

To view the Mercer University online brochure please click here.

This edition of i-MAD contains a variety of articles on key subjects and career prospects in the media, arts and design fields as well as profiles from top art schools, colleges and universities across the globe. We have also included a special music supplement packed with a wealth of information on this fast-developing and exciting study field. i-MAD is truly a smorgasbord of information for students interested in the creative disciplines.

Look out for our spotlight articles:

• Top Tips for Putting Together Your Portfolio
• Study Music in Europe
• Why Study Design in Perth

i-MAD is just the first of this year’s subject-specific magazine releases for i-studentadvisor. Keep an eye out for our upcoming publications i-LASH (liberal arts, social sciences and humanities), i-BEL (business, economics and law), i-SECT (science, engineering, computing and technology) and i-MHS (medicine and health science).

Next week will see the launch of i-studentadvisor’s first issue of i-LASH, the online magazine to promote courses and institutions in the fields of liberal arts, social sciences and humanities internationally.

The liberal arts, social sciences and humanities and the subjects encompassed within, continue to be popular study options for both international and domestic students.In particular, psychology and politics remain in the top 15 subject choices for international students in the UK in 2009, whilst history, sociology, geography and philosophy also feature highly.

The social sciences are about people and how they behave, both individually and collectively, as part of society. The role of the social scientist is to question and attempt to understand the environmental, social, biological or cultural factors which shape, change and diversify societies and the individuals within. Similarly, the humanities encompass academic disciplines, which study the human condition. This is done using methods that are principally analytic, critical or speculative, rather than empirically focused.

For those students not wishing to focus on one specific subject, the liberal arts are a good choice. This indicates a curriculum which imparts general knowledge, rather than specialising in one particular field. Study areas include languages, literature, history, philosophy, mathematics and science, designed to develop an individuals rational thought and intellectual capabilities. Throughout the US, there are many public and private colleges and universities emphasising undergraduate study in 
the liberal arts.

A critical mind is essential when studying in the field of liberal arts, social sciences and humanities and you can expect to be equipped with the skills to analyse, scrutinise and question issues of society, culture and humanity.

Many liberal arts, social sciences and humanities graduates pursue successful careers in teaching, research and public service or policy. Whilst others go on to become psychologists, counsellors or to work in human resources or other business sectors. Alternatively, almost 50% of humanities and social science graduates go on to further study.

In this issue we have collaborated with writers, professionals and academics within the liberal arts, social sciences and humanities sectors to create a guide to the individual subjects in these fascinating fields and the endless career possibilities that follow.

The i-LASH issue will be online on Wednesday 7th October at www.i-studentadvisor.com check the website on Wednesday to get the first look at the issue our subscribe free to get all the latest i-studentadvisor issues direct to your inbox.

i-SECT, i-studentadvisor’s science, engineering, computing and technology magazine is now online and ava

This edition of i-SECT is bursting with editorial from academics and leading professionals in the SECT disciplines as well as featuring a range of university and college profiles. So, whether students want to study chemistry in the UK, maths in Australia or geology in the USA, this edition has something for every SECT minded student.

Following the release of i-MAD earlier in the month, i-SECT is the second of our subject specific issues to be launched this year and soon to be followed by i-LASH (liberal arts, social sciences and humanities), i-HT (hospitality and tourism) and i-BEL (business, economics and law).

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of i-SECT and would love to hear any comments or feedback you have.

Whether you are a high school student interested in studying overseas in the USA or a Guidance Counsellor wanting to find out what each state can offer prospective international students, i-studentadvisor Volume 5 USA summer is a great place to start the search.

This issue includes our comprehensive Study Guide which features ‘need to know’ information and essential links to help students through the application process. After the popularity of the Washington interactive map in i-studentadvisor Volume 4 USA Winter we decided to introduce interactive maps to each state in i-studentadvisor Volume 5 USA Summer, which provide details of institutions within that state.

Other highlights include editorial from top US institutions and personal welcomes from state Governors.

We would like to thank everyone involved in the latest US issue and also we would like to encourage all readers to send us some feedback! We are offering five lucky readers the chance to win a Lonely Planet USA Travel Guide and all you have to do to enter is send us your thoughts on this latest US issue. Please email all feedback to editorial@i-studentadvisor.com.