From Clearing to Westminster

Politics and International Relations graduate Rosie Jackson started her journey at Kent through clearing and will soon begin working as a Parliamentary Assistant to a Member of the Shadow Cabinet.

Rosie was drawn to study at Kent by its vast campus and surrounding areas. She was initially intending to study Law but had a change of heart and found that at Kent she could study Politics and International Relations. After getting advice from Kent’s clearing team, she realised where her passions lay and that she would be happier undertaking a degree in Politics and International Relations. She changed courses, was assigned accommodation through a simple process and the rest was history…

Rosie did not feel treated any differently that she had applied to Kent through Clearing. She said: ‘People do not know unless you tell them, and nobody cares that you went through clearing. You’re starting university and a whole new chapter of your life – everyone’s too focused with getting on and settling in to care about how you got there.’

During her time at Kent Rosie took part in the WorkStudy scheme which helped her to gain work experience and was also involved in a political society. Extracurricular activities did not just enhance her skills in politics and debating but also made her some friends for life.

Rosie also found the student support at Kent to make a big difference to her experience. She said: ‘I had a real personal crisis at the beginning of third year, which I received incredible and empathetic support for.’

Her advice to anyone going through Clearing is: ‘Please, please, don’t panic. It will be okay and you will get to where you’re meant to be. You’re about to have the best three years of your life, and when you’re at the end of your degree, like me, you won’t believe you ever could have considered studying anywhere else.’

As Rosie looks to her future career as Parliamentary Assistant, she is looking forward to getting stuck into the role. She will be responsible for administrative duties such as diary management, event support and conducting research on pressing issues facing people in the UK for casework.