#Best courses to study in the UK 2024

[the-proeducator-blog]

UK Education Trends 2025: In-Demand Courses and Emerging Fields for International Students

The UK remains a top destination for international students, offering a robust education system, cultural diversity, and opportunities to excel in globally competitive fields. If you're exploring higher education options in the UK, understanding emerging trends and in-demand courses is crucial for shaping your future career. Curious about what’s popular and rewarding? Learn about the Top 10 international course in the UK to discover programs that align with your career goals.

Why Choose the UK for Your Education in 2024?

As education evolves, the UK is at the forefront of blending traditional excellence with innovation. UK universities offer courses that are not only industry-aligned but also focus on preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. Emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, climate science, and creative industries are now some of the fastest-growing disciplines attracting students from across the globe.

With its emphasis on cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary programs, and hands-on learning, the UK has solidified its position as a leader in global education trends.

Emerging Fields and In-Demand Courses for 2024

1. Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

The AI revolution is here, and UK universities are leading the charge with comprehensive programs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data. Graduates of these programs are in high demand across industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance.

Key Career Roles: Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Machine Learning Specialist

Universities to Explore: University of Cambridge, Imperial College London

2. Climate Science and Sustainability

With increasing awareness about climate change, courses in environmental science, renewable energy, and sustainability are booming. The UK’s commitment to sustainability provides students with ample opportunities to work on real-world projects during their studies.

Key Career Roles: Environmental Scientist, Renewable Energy Consultant, Climate Analyst

Universities to Explore: University of Exeter, University College London

3. Digital Marketing and E-commerce

The rapid growth of the digital economy has made courses in digital marketing and e-commerce some of the most sought-after in 2024. UK universities are equipping students with skills in SEO, social media strategy, and online business models.

Key Career Roles: Digital Marketing Specialist, E-commerce Manager, SEO Analyst

Universities to Explore: University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh

4. Biotechnology and Life Sciences

As global healthcare challenges grow, courses in biotechnology, genomics, and pharmaceuticals have seen a rise in popularity. UK universities provide state-of-the-art facilities and research opportunities in these fields.

Key Career Roles: Biotechnologist, Clinical Research Associate, Genomic Analyst

Universities to Explore: King’s College London, University of Oxford

5. Creative Industries: Film, Media, and Gaming

The UK’s creative economy is flourishing, making courses in film production, media studies, and game design highly attractive. These programs emphasize creativity, storytelling, and the use of the latest technologies in production.

Key Career Roles: Game Developer, Film Director, Digital Content Creator

Universities to Explore: University of the Arts London, University of Warwick

Traditional Courses Still in High Demand

While emerging fields gain traction, traditional programs such as business administration, engineering, and medicine continue to be highly sought after. These courses provide strong foundational knowledge and lead to lucrative career opportunities.

Explore more about these programs by visiting Top 10 international course in the UK.

What Makes the UK Stand Out?

World-Class Education: Degrees from UK universities are globally recognized, opening doors to international careers.

Industry Connections: Programs often include internships and placements with top firms, giving students real-world exposure.

Diverse Learning Environment: With students from all over the world, the UK offers a truly global perspective.

Scholarship Opportunities: Generous scholarships and funding options make studying in the UK accessible for international students.

Tips for International Students

Research Thoroughly: Look for courses and universities that align with your interests and career aspirations.

Engage in Networking: Connect with alumni and industry professionals during your studies.

Embrace the Culture: The UK offers a rich cultural experience—take advantage of it!

Utilize Resources: Use university career services and online platforms to stay updated on job trends.

Conclusion

The UK continues to evolve as a hub for global education, offering programs that not only keep up with industry demands but also prepare students for the future. Whether it’s AI, sustainability, or digital marketing, the courses offered by UK universities equip students with skills to thrive in an ever-changing job market.

To learn more about the most popular programs and their career prospects, explore the Top 10 international course in the UK. Let 2024 be the year you take the first step toward your dream career in the UK!

This content is tailored to engage international students by highlighting exciting education trends in the UK and the bright future that awaits them.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive (Daily updates!)

Under 1s account for 64 per cent of all childhood hospital admissions with Covid, study finds

By Tom Bawden

Under 1s account for 64 per cent of all childhood hospital admissions with Covid, study finds

Covid is almost as bad for babies now as it was in the early days of the pandemic, while the risk of serious illness among all other age groups has sharply reduced over time, a study has found.

Researchers found that 6,300 babies less than a year old were admitted to hospital, either wholly or partially because of Covid, in the year to August 2023.

As such, infants accounted for 64 per cent of all child admissions for Covid for that year, according to the new study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

The study shows the rate of hospital admissions among infants has hardly changed as the pandemic has progressed, with a total of 19,790 under-ones admitted between August 2020 and August 2023 (an average of 6,596 a year) – representing 43 per cent of all child admissions over that time.

Meanwhile, during the period when Delta was the dominant variant, from May to December 2021, infants made up less than 30 per cent of children’s admissions.

Taken together, these figures show that while serious cases fell sharply among children aged one and older, they are little changed among the under-ones.

The continuing high rate of hospitalisations among babies is largely because babies are born with no immunity to Covid and weak immune systems more generally.

This is in contrast to many older children, who have built some immunity from Covid infections and vaccines.

Most infants are only in hospital for a short time – about two days – but about 5 per cent needed intensive care.

“The pandemic is as bad as it ever was for babies. Under-ones are the only age group where admissions have not gone down over time,” said Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London.

“As children over one year old gained some immunity from infection or were vaccinated (with vaccination mostly in teens), their risk of needing hospital fell. But this doesn’t help infants in their first encounter with the virus.”

She expects the picture among infants to have been “about the same” in the year to August 2024 as they were the previous year, “as we’ve continued to see waves of Covid and immunity in newborns remains low”.

This is the first study to show that UK Covid hospitalisations among babies have hardly fallen during the pandemic.

Although a vaccine has been developed for children aged six months to four years, these are only given to those who are clinically vulnerable.

As such, the best protection a baby can get is if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy – ideally in the third trimester, scientists say.

The baby builds up some protection from the mother’s vaccination “in utero” and boosts this further after birth from breastfeeding, when antibodies are passed on through breast milk. The vaccine also reduces the risk of the mother catching Covid and passing it to her baby.

Professor Pagel points out that vaccine uptake in pregnancy is quite low, at about 40 per cent, and urges more pregnant women to get vaccinated.

“Not enough infants are being offering the protection of a vaccine – from six months – and the benefits of maternal vaccinations aren’t be promoted enough,” she said.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a vaccination during pregnancy reduced risk of hospitalisation for Covid among infants under the age of six by 61 per cent.

Analysis by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that Covid hospitalisations in babies under 6 months old are higher than any other age group apart from over-75s – although the difference is that hospital admissions among that age group have fallen sharply over the course of the pandemic, even if they are still higher than for babies.

Dr Simon Williams, lecturer at Swansea University, who was not involved in the research, said: “The findings of this new study are very concerning and help to debunk the myth that Covid is harmless in children. Although a majority of children will not be seriously ill from Covid, this study shows that in some cases it can be serious, and particularly in babies, who are vulnerable and with low immunity.”

Sheena Cruickshank, professor of public engagement and biomedical science at the University of Manchester, who was also not involved in the study, said: “Young babies are exceptionally vulnerable to Covid as their immune systems are still developing.

“This paper shows that even while older children are being hospitalised less, this is not the case for younger children. If mothers are able to breastfeed and have been vaccinated during their later pregnancy, then their maternal antibodies can protect the baby.”

“However, takeup of these vaccines has not been quite as good as it could be leaving a lot of mums and their babies vulnerable,” she said.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UK Health Security Agency, said: “The Covid vaccine for pregnant women is offered during a relatively short window during Autumn [October to December], so we advise them to take it up when it’s offered this year and not delay.

“This way the vaccine can protect more pregnant women and newborn babies, whatever stage of pregnancy they might be in and if they were to deliver prematurely.

“The Covid-19 vaccine is already offered to ‘babies over 6 months of age and children who have certain long-term conditions’, who are among those most at risk of severe illness.

“For other babies and children, Covid-19 will generally be a mild illness. Our surveillance shows that whilst infants under 6 months of age currently have the highest rates of hospitalisations, the number requiring intensive treatment remains relatively low.”

“As with all vaccination programmes, the JCVI keeps the Covid-19 vaccination programme under review and informed by best available evidence.”

Study: www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(24)00473-6/fulltext

[aeligsido]

[WM — September 2024] Prompt 23 — Pensieve.

Rating: G.

TW: none.

Characters: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, Lily Evans Potter, Tom Riddle; heavy mention of the Black family in general.

Additional Tags: reality tv show au; the Black have a reality tv show; press; media article; implied prongsfoot in the article; implied James/Lily/Sirius/Remus in the fic; it is very much a thing in this au tbh; a bit of domesticity.

Summary: Sirius Black Returns: A Black Lives Exclusive!

Words count: 691.

A/N: Heya! I got the idea of this au some time ago and decided to have a bit of fun here eheh. I hope you like it! 💕

@wolfstarmicrofic

read on ao3.

-

SIRIUS BLACK RETURNS: A BLACK LIVES EXCLUSIVE!

Black Lives, the most watched reality TV show first in the UK, then in the world, from Pensieve Production, is well-known, and so is the family the show follows. The Blacks, from the late English nobility, started this project almost fifteen years ago, and it had since been going strong. The shows followed closely Walburga and Orion Black (or as many call them, THE power couple), beloved Alphard Black, Cygnus and Druella Black, as well as frequent apparition from Lucrecia née Black now Prewett and her husband Ignatius. Other usuals guest stars were Arcturus Black, the family patriarch, and the five family children: Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa, Sirius, and Regulus, whom the show started centering itself on.

Andromeda created the scandal nine years ago when, then aged eighteen, she renounced her family to marry a commoner. (Since then, she gave birth to an adorable daughter!) Four years later — and thus five years from now — the heir of the family himself, Sirius Black, stopped appearing on the show. The family at the time told us the sixteen years-old wanted to focus on both his studies and mental health and as such, was taking a much-needed break. Of course, multiple theories spawned following this statement — but need for it no more!

Just this morning, Pensieve Production announced Sirius Black’s return in an upcoming, special, exclusive season!

“It is with great joy that we are welcoming Sirius back with us,” states Tom Riddle, the Blacks’ manager. “We missed him during those years, but we know how important it was for him. And now, he will, if he wishes so, tell you more about it himself!”

We got more details about this exclusive season as well:

“We will follow Sirius and his brother Regulus on a vacation across the Mediterranean,” announced Riddle — to the glee of quite a lot of us, I would assume! “They will be joined by a few friends, some of which are quite familiar to our long-time viewers.”

Some of those friends are already confirmed. As such, we will greet James Potter (Sirius Black’s long-term best friend, and maybe more), as well as Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, and a young lady somes could have forgotten but who appeared a few times in Sirius' last season on the show, Mary Macdonald.

Riddle teased—

“What are you reading?”

Remus startles, his phone almost falling out of his hands; Sirius, thankfully, catches it. Not thankfully, he starts reading the article — and groans rather unnecessarily, if anyone asks Remus.

“How many times did I tell you not to read those?”

“It was in my recommendations?” he tries innocently.

Sirius sends him an unimpressed look.

“James!” he hollers, and then waits; from somewhere on the ground floor of their house, James hollers right back.

“Yes?”

“We need to keep Remus away from Internet!”

“Hey!” he protests, but Sirius just drops a kiss into his hair with a smirk and no answer.

“Okay!” unhelpfully agrees James; it would be it if Lily hadn’t appeared in the doorway, then, a pile of her favorite fluffy towels in her arms.

“What for?”

Sirius waves Remus's phone as if its answer enough. Lily reaches for it, checks the screen, and sighs.

“Oh, Remus,” she says with a soft, concerned tone he hates having directed at him.

“I just wanted to read a few comments,” he mutters.

“It’s my first time and even I know it’s a bad idea,” she notes, handing the phone back to Sirius. They exchange a look, and she nods decidedly before leaving again.

“Easy to say, everyone loves her,” Remus mutters some more. He has grown disaccoutumed of the show and all it entails over the years, perhaps. He’s feeling almost anxious now.

Sirius drops on the bed beside him, putting an arm around his shoulders and embracing him protectively.

“And we love you,” he reminds him softly.

Remus burrows himself against his chest, feeling Sirius’ heartbeat under his ear. “Yeah, I know. I love you too.”

“Good.” Sirius kisses his hair again, tender and fond, and Remus wants to bottle it and drink it every time he feels down.

[fitzrove]

Musical questions! 28, 29, 30?

[To celebrate 400 followers I'm finally answering all these from my drafts :D]

28. What's a musical that you saw ages ago that you're still not over? What about it made you love it so much?

If watching a video counts as "seeing": Tanz der Vampire. I saw posters and ads on the street for the Helsinki 2016 production... but that was after it was already over, in April/May!!!!! I was so curious about it but forgot after the initial wondering. Then that summer I went to a two-week language camp/course in the UK (my first time abroad without parents!) where we were singing Total Eclipse in the music room and an older "camp counsellor" girl from Germany told us it's actually from a musical, and that night I took it as my sign to look it up and ended up watching sooo many clips on YouTube over and over for the rest of my time at that course, and eventually the whole 2005 proshot with English subs.

Something about it spoke to me in a way no other musical had before - I mean, I had liked POTO for years, that summer I also started listening to Hamilton, but neither of those rattled in my head to the same obsessive degree as TdV did <3

It came into my life at a special time, has come and gone since, and whenever I get back to it, it still hits the hardest out of any show I've ever watched. Whether it be the epic orchestral rock score (I'm not like an über Steinman fan but I like his stuff), the level of emotion (some would say melodrama <3) and the way the show itself has come to symbolise a lot of things to me over the years (freedom to leave an environment you're not happy in and remaking your life elsewhere; freedom to be yourself and go after what you want even if it goes against what's conventional or societally acceptable; the world belonging "to the shameless and the wicked" and the rest of us just having to roll with it). So yeah >:)

I've now seen TdV live three times: once in Stuttgart in autumn 2021, and twice in Hamburg this summer (2024). It wasn't perfect but it meant a lot :') I've also met Aris Sas and he liked my headcanons and hot takes, and wished me the best in my life and my studies 😭🙏

29. What's a musical that you used to really like but don't anymore? What made you fall out of love with it?

I think I'm falling out of love with Wicked!! It was one of the first shows I saw live (back in Finland) and that production left a lasting impression on me, but after seeing it in London twice (heheh) I think I'm satiated :') I will still want to see the movie though! I probably just won't have the energy to engage that much with the hot takes it will probably spawn kslsls. Plus I hate the discourse that the movie is stirring up about how the book is better and that should've been a movie instead dkkdldls. I think the book is kind of terrible and takes itself too seriously. Plus the sex scenes are bad bad bad bad....

Anyway - still like the musical, I think I have just overlistened to it and I don't usually find too much to "chew on" in the fandom space :D Especially since I don't know/care about Wizard of Oz lore 😭

30. What's a musical that's grown on you since you first saw it or listened to it? What made you appreciate it more?

Rudolf: Affaire Mayerling.......... I still think it's terrible but I keep making friends with people who know that it's inaccurate (and don't really care about defending its honor skkskd) and still love it for being camp 😭 I used to have a very negative view of it but now I can just listen to Du bleibst bei mir on repeat, enjoy wholeheartedly and pretend it's the whole show 😌 obligatory mention that I met and took a pic with Wietske at the Les Mis München stagedoor this year 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏

[saintsenara]

you're like the only person i've seen on here from northern ireland who actually loves northern ireland - what do you think makes it so great? (really sorry if this seems rude, i'm just interested in how the opinions can be so wildly different)

thank you very much for the ask, anon!

my online presence as a northern ireland stan account is mainly caused by holding the following opinion:

it is an unfortunate truth that the moment you are clocked in most other places in the anglophone world as being northern irish [usually after having been compelled to say the word "how"], people like to offer you their views on the place.

these views aren't always negative, but they always - especially if they come from people who consider themselves part of the irish diaspora [and my st patrick's day sermon to you all is "irish-americans, learn to stay in your lane"] - relate to a northern ireland which doesn't actually exist. people might cast us as uncivilised fools living in a 1970s time-capsule of unrelenting violence, they might cast us as a great bunch of lads bouncing around feeling the derry girls fantasy, but they never care very much about the actual experience of living here in 2024.

and - indeed - the experience of choosing to live here. i like ni because i was born here, and so all of the formative experiences of my early life took place while drinking a tin in some field or other, but it's also somewhere i have returned to, after having gone to university and begun my medical training in england.

and this is an aspect of irish life which doesn't have a huge presence in the way we think and talk about irishness. so much irish history is bound up in migration - in leaving the motherland and longing for it from afar - and in the diaspora experience that we rarely think about the fact that people have always and will always come to ireland. people - whether returning here or coming to study or coming to live forever or coming to live until they too can return home - choose every day to put down roots in northern ireland, despite all its faults and its flaws.

and it bothers me that this is constantly forgotten in all the giving out we all do about the place.

because - yes - this is a country which is fucked up in a huge number of ways. our politics is corrupt and nonsensical even when up against the bin fire which is the rest of the united kingdom. our people are beset by poverty and deprivation [and i will of course acknowledge that i am someone who lives here with a well-paid, stable job]. our sectarian wound is still bleeding, heavily. we have not seen justice for the atrocities perpetuated against us by the british state during the troubles, nor for the atrocities we perpetuated against our own at the same time. we have not learned from our own experiences of discrimination when it comes to discriminating against people who live here who are not white, who are not christian, or who are immigrants. it rains for a good three quarters of the year.

but as i grow older, i find i have less and less time both for pure and grinding cynicism in the face of this situation and for the conviction that the grass might be greener somewhere else. i think this latter is a particular issue in the irish national character - a sort of "ah well, things are shite and they'd only be better if x happened". in the north, i think we're especially beset by this - "the country can't improve until there's a united ireland" [or, if you're on the other side, "the country can't improve until the fenians stop complaining"].

but we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to be hopeful for as we keep going.

because northern ireland is also a place whose history is about peace as much as it is about war. it's the birthplace of the best member of girls aloud. it's somewhere people have mobilised only recently for pay and working conditions on a par with the rest of the uk, and will keep mobilising until we win. it's introduced the world to the fact that protestants keep toasters in cupboards. it's a place whose own fight for reproductive justice has rather flown under the radar in comparison to that of the republic of ireland, but which is no less active. it's a place where it's perfectly acceptable to be served apple and mars bar sandwiches at a funeral [provided the deceased was presbyterian]. it's a place where you never have to become invested in the nation's performance in international sporting competitions and can get blind drunk as god intended. it's a place with great patter.

it's a place which has perfected street art... in a sense. it's a place where you can get unusual soft drinks delivered to your door by a sinister figure called the minerals man. it's a place which recognises that balaclavas are chic. it's the only place on earth you can buy fifteens and a cowboy supper, whether or not you actually should do the latter. it's a place where you can turn bomb scares to your advantage by using them as an excuse to swerve parties you didn't want to attend. it's a place whose people have not given up their fight for justice, who still grieve and remember the dead and the disappeared. it's a place people travel across the world to make their home and enrich with their presence. it's a place where the quality of life is genuinely improving, and which we can continue to improve if we don't give into the idea that nothing can ever change. it's a cold and rainy little country, filled with nondescript grey housing estates and burned out cars, which also looks like this:

happy st patrick's day.

[ctrl-alt-vibeshift]

Owen and Jonah's favorite music released in 2024

Excited and honored to bring on my bestie/DJ partner/roommate/fellow music industry colleague Jonah to help compile a list of our favorite music releases from 2024. Everything is subjective or whatever, so we didn’t rate or rank them, they’re presented in chronological order. Individual contributions are signed with our names, but because our divine taste overlaps a lot, there’s a few where we each had something to say. Enjoy reading and listening!

Allina - Smerz - February 1

Extremely fab, in the truest sense. Smerz wastes no time crafting the glam persona, Allina, an embodied rise of the 2000s sultry diva lifestyle. This album is minimal electro pop at its best, but cut with something more self-aware–a satirical edge. - Jonah

Thief - Threshold - February 8

Thief is on the brink of something catastrophic, but it never quite gets there. The overwhelming sense of loss and confusion that carries this release, is built with lucid piano melodies and droning static synths. It provides a haunting voice to all the places, people, and feelings you never realized you’d left behind. - Jonah

“Coma” - Caroline Polachek - February 14

While Caroline Polachek’s crown may have slipped a bit when Charli xcx dethroned her from the top of my most played artists this year, she cemented her status as one of my favorite artists of all time with “Coma” from the “Everasking Edition” of Desire, I Want To Turn Into You, her sophomore album released last year. The track starts rather meekly with a heart rate monitor beep over some gentle piano progressions before a pang (no pun intended) resuscitates the song to life with some bongos backing up a skittering symphony of Danny L Harle’s genius at work. “Coma” has everything I love about Caroline Polachek: songwriting that takes you on a journey; ethereal, synthy vocal sections bookended by strong, rich instrumentals; lyricism that rivals the greatest of poets; extended moments of pure vocalizing to show off her effortless voice contortion; and of course a life-monitoring electronic beep sample. “If this is a dream, I don’t wanna wake up / It feels so good to me, like I can’t get enough” are my thoughts exactly on this song. - Owen

“D.Y.D (Miru Shinoda, Kento Yamada Remix)” - ExWHYZ - March 20

I love when new music comes to me in the most unexpected places. I discovered this J-pop girl group while riding the train during my 4 months of study abroad in Tokyo last year. Some 30-something otaku guy sitting across from me was clutching one of their albums and the graphic design caught my eye, so I immediately searched their name on Apple Music and uncovered a hidden gem of a discography that seamlessly blends impressive electronic dance production with the typical girly-pop vocals of the J-pop world. This track, from their “variety album” Dress to Kill (essentially a collection of remixes of their discography so far repackaged with a few new singles), strips back “D.Y.D,” from their debut 2022 album xYZ, into a wistful electronic ballad with yearning vocals over a soothing jungle beat complete with vocal chops and a killer acid DNB breakdown during the last 41 seconds that make me want to listen to it on loop. - Owen

“Sugar Bomb” - ME:I - April 17

“Sugar Bomb” is the B-side of the 2-track debut EP “MIRAI” from J-pop girl group “ME:I,” which was formed via the Japanese edition of notorious K-pop survival show “Produce 101.” The track continues the UK dance music resurgence in Asian pop brought about by Pinkpantheress and popularized by NewJeans with a sugary 2-step garage beat (I think? don’t clock me for using the wrong genre nomenclature this shit confusing) mixed with what has to have been rejected MarioKart soundtrack loops because the similarity is uncanny, albeit a large part of the reason why this song gives me such a serotonin rush. The bass also reminds me of “Cool With You” by NewJeans, but I’m not even going to try to place whatever genre it pulls from. Great use of “Slay, it so lit” in the lyrics which for some reason transcribe “lit” as “L.I.T.”? This song is so “Bomb” that it was my 2nd most played of the year, behind only “Rewind” by Kelela. - Owen

Your Day Will Come - Chanel Beads - April 19

A huge win for nostalgia and the hypnagogic pop revival. Shane Lavers’ voice is somehow reminiscent of my middle school inner monologue, but more confident and vengeful with curiosity. It’s dramatic and innocent and entirely strange. - Jonah

This album is what traipsing through a mid-forest meadow with a thunderstorm on the horizon feels like. You can see it coming and know you should head back soon but something you can’t quite put your finger on is pulling you along and at least you’re dry for now. The plucky, mournful “Urn” is my fav, the kind of song you play to drown out your tears while laying flowers on a friend’s grave. - Owen

Basspunk - Bassvictim - April 22

What an incredible debut. No other album this year has felt so alive and viscerally playful (headbangers to the front). EDM is back, baby and I can’t help but want to jump around. This album drives full speed through some of the most mind boggling drops of all time and it does so with such ease. Basspunk’s melodies are indescribable–I’m still trying to parse through all of the complexities, but who cares anyway? Bassvictim doesn’t give a fuck and neither should you. - Jonah

I was a victim of the bass. 2 and a half times this year to be exact - twice live and once via a DJ set. This album is what we need in electronic music right now. Finally something that isn’t trying to recreate but is reusing and remixing and smashing everything together and just having fucking fun! “As Long As” is def my fav, the cunty Polish lyrics over this fatttt beat make me wanna blast it while riding dirty with the windows down. “I Like It” perfectly sonifies what it feels like being pulled and pushed along with the ebb and flow of a mosh pit. Other standouts are the catchy “L-On-D-On,” an ode to the city the duo is based, and the honky-tonk “Canary Wharf drift” remix. - Owen

Kill Everyone Now - Pharmacist - April 26

This is definitely a deeper cut, but if you are at all a fan of witch house you need to pay attention. The sophomore album of Chicago-based artist, Pharmacist (not to be confused with the drift phonk king), was released by the experimental label Yearning. In line with the short tradition of witch house, Kill Everyone Now finds its voice through the distortion of pop culture reference—in this case, the project seeds from John Water’s iconic film, Pink Flamingo, starring the legendary Divine. This album is full of all your classic elements: rotting synths, glitchy drums, chopped up vocals, and the occasional shriek, but Kill Everyone Now is more thoughtful than its predecessors. It takes on a new life in spite of its desolation–bringing out a softer side to filth. - Jonah

40 - Jawnino - May 3

Who is Jawnino? The faceless, UK rapper holds us close to him while he sheds light on love and pain in his debut release, 40. This album has such an interesting range: airy piano ballads, true grime, shimmering melodies, all strung together by fat ass basslines. I highly recommend listening to this through your headphones, preferably near the water, on a long walk away from all your haters. - Jonah

“Lucifer” - A.G. Cook - May 10

A.G. Cook. Charli xcx. Addison Rae. Need I say more? The Holy Trinity of the new electronic pop avant garde. I could write essays about each of them–Charli I already have–but wow do I need an entire album from the three of them. This is magic. So chill, so self-assured, so understated, so effervescent. “All these people think they know the things they don’t” oh Charli don’t end us like that… Neeeed to eat ice cream and watch TV with Addison, she’s already living in my head rent free. Dare I say this is the best song Charli & Addison touched this year. - Owen

“How Sweet” - NewJeans - May 24

No one has had more of an insane year than NewJeans has. I won’t even get into it now–I’ll probably write a blog post about both their and LOONA’s respective legal battles and how it speaks to the tension between creatives and business executives within the music industry at some point–but for now #FREENEWJEANS!!! Anyway, NewJeans continue to raise the bar for us all with “How Sweet,” the title track from their double Korean single, 1 of only 4 songs they put out this year :( This song kinda sounds like if “Ditto” and “Super Shy” had a baby. It’s been described as “Miami bass electroclash,” and in my words it’s one of their best songs to date. Like ouuuu I wish I had an ex that I could sing “Wow, don’t you know how sweet it tastes / Now that I’m without you” to with this much nonchalant swagger. Also “Done scrolling thousand times” is a strong contender for my favorite lyric of the year. NewJeans, I don’t know what you’ll be called next year, but please keep feeding us these bops. - Owen

Rockstars - Spresso - May 27

I usually get overwhelmingly bored by repetitive guitar loops, but for some reason Mica Levi and Alpha Maid have me hypnotized. This EP is really quite short, but what it lacks in time, it makes up for with an immense amount of coolness. I honestly have no idea what this EP is trying to say, but I’m begging for more. - Jonah

This but More  - Priori - May 30

I unfortunately didn’t discover this one until a few weeks ago, but it was so good that I was googling if I could buy a vinyl of it before I was even done with my first listen. This atmospheric album is a rich collection of ambient and electronic sounds constructed into surprising arrangements, at times evoking an epic sci-fi movie soundtrack, lost transmissions from another dimension, and what you’d wanna hear dancing deep within the forest fog as the sun rises. I want to dissolve completely into it, becoming one with the sounds as I hear them, abandoning any boundaries between my body and their vibrations. My fav tracks are “Thick Air,” which sounds like techno but acoustic, and “Wake (feat. James K),” which is the most (relatively) “normal” song but is elevated by the breathtaking vocals of James K, another standout new artist I found this year, whose voice fades in and out of the ambient, blanketing DNB instrumental. But honestly, this is one of those albums where you need to listen to it in full from front to back in order to best experience it. - Owen

Rocky Top Ballads - Fine - June 7

OK this is my actual favorite album of the year. Fine came swinging out of nowhere with drums like molasses and dreamy acoustic guitar riffs. Rocky Top Ballads feels like the older sister to a long lost Mazzy Star album: delicately vague, ghostly, and so deeply romantic. She has the voice of an angel and she knows it, carrying us through her narrative veil of winding love. Fine’s lyrics are brimming with a cool tone of infatuation, insecurity, and hesitation, all bound in personal mythology. It’s at times folky, grungy, cinematically rich, and still somehow stripped back. Although technically Danish, Fine dishes out an instant American classic. - Jonah

Boy - 2hollis - June 7

Now THIS is an ALBUM!!! I loveee cohesive bodies of work with structure and flow and seamless track transitions that are still diverse in sound and style. This is giving me hope for the next generation of musicians, maybe the art of the album is not all lost. 2hollis is the best figure to emerge from the ashes of the slow, drawn-out and heavily debated death of whatever the fuck “hyperpop” rap was. This is like if Drain Gang were to make an “indie sleaze” album. But also it’s not like that because it is so refreshing and original and meandering that it’s hard for me to place it within a genre and those are always my favorite bodies of work. 2hollis cooked up a tracklist full of insane electronic bangers, that seamlessly blend elements of EDM, garage, hyperpop, dubstep, rage rap, and more. My favs are the ecstatic “light,” which for some reason reminds me of how i’m feeling now era Charli xcx; the bouncy, 8-bit bop “two bad”; the chompy trap-donk of “lie”; and the purely instrumental “3,” which goes bat shit crazy and deserves to be blasted on blown out speakers in a Chinatown basement. - Owen

Furever - fakemink - June 10

SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG SWAG. fakemink is my favorite British rapper and he should be yours too. Furever is an EP full of soothing drum loops and dreamy synths, over which fakemink bares his simple truths. He's above it all. He’s smoking real gas (that he paid for) and he’s weeding through the bullshit. It’s the spontaneity of his lyricism I think I find most attractive, but also I’m just madly in love with him. - Jonah

Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not - Charli xcx - June 10

I’m not even gonna hype up the cultural impact of this album because that’s been talked about enough. While this isn’t my fav or her best album (Pop 2 still going strong), the deluxe version of Brat is the best of its 3 versions, mainly due to “Spring Breakers” which has the best piano section and sample in any song I’ve heard this year. “Guess” without Billie Eilish in your ear is actually good! And justice for “Hello Goodbye,” Charli is so damn good at making unrequited love sad bops for those of us who are too shy to make the first move #representation… Oh and of course, my OG Brat tracklist favs are the orchestrally bombastic “Everything is romantic,” the irresistibly swathy “B2b” (I really don’t get the hate train around this one), the Imogen Heap-esque “I think about it all the time” and the balls to the wall banger “365.” - Owen

“CRAZY” - LE SSERAFIM - August 30

Oh LE SSERAFIM. Thank you, thank you, thank you for finally finding a group identity, getting better creative direction, and latching onto the success of last year’s Jersey Club anthem “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s wife” that outsold the title track from that era. “CRAZY,” the title track from their EP of the same name, is honestly my favorite K-pop song released this year. It’s a crazy blend of drift phonk and cunty gay club/ballroom music that even the girls themselves vogue the boots house down to or whatever. Sakura duck walking while proclaiming “I’m an otaku bestie”... GAG! All the girls were truly girling this year. - Owen

Toxe2 - Toxe - August 30

What a truly unique release from the label gods over at Year0001. This album is so jubilant and bursting with lush pop melodies. It really is buzzing and fluttering and all the words you might use to describe a small swarm of flying insects. Epic drums echo under the crispiest vocal mantras (I don’t speak Swedish so the lyrical themes could be way off, but I sort of like my lack of understanding). I don’t know if I should be welcoming Toxe with open arms or running in the opposite direction. Either way, this album was really surprising and I’ve found myself returning again and again for sonic inspiration. - Jonah

“EQetamine” - EQ, Estratosfera, Qiri, MAJA & OKTE - September 11

(CTFU I did not realize they released this on 9/11. This is my 9/11, in the sense that releases this year will now be measured in BEQ and AEQ.) EQ, a new Buenos Aires based super duo comprised of artists Estratosfera and Qiri, caught my eye when their Koss-Porta-Pro-ified stock image photoshoot for debut single “Boytoy” went viral earlier this year, and they proved they could keep the hype going with this banger of a track. While this song relies heavily on the much played out “indie sleaze” electroclash frayed synths–which I like to call “electric arc” but more on that soon maybe–EQ somehow manages to make them sound as fresh and as hard as ever, mashing it up with some wubbing bassline and IDGAF lyric delivery. No literally, one of the lyrics is “I-D-G-A-F, I don’t give a fuck,” like yes please more songs using internet acronyms, come on Bella Thorne “TTYLXOX”! On the edge of my seat for a full length project from these two, gonna be my ones to watch for 2025. - Owen

“Eusexua” - FKA twigs - September 13

This one holds a special place in my heart (IYKYK) but all bias aside, this is genuinely one of the best songs I have ever heard. Such a beautiful, emotional, atmospheric, ethereal, awe-inspiring epic journey of a song. I can’t even begin to describe how this makes me feel, but maybe I don’t have to because twigs already put the perfect word to it: Eusexua! “Do you feel alone? / You’re not alone” and “People always told me that I take my love too far / Then refuse to help me” bring a tear to my eye every time. Eartheater’s backing vocals send a chill down my spine. The buildup makes me feel like I’m ascending to an alternate dimension. This is the perfect song for crying in the club. Also, the MV for this track is def my fav of the year, and includes another album track “Drums of Death,” which I went back and forth on whether I should highlight that one or “Eusexua” in this list about a million times because that’s how good they each are in their own right. I already have a strong feeling EUSEXUA the album will be at the top of my list of fav albums next year ;) - Owen

my anti-aircraft friend - julie - September 13

Another one close to my heart, the three-piece band julie serves up a beautifully raw collection of rock tracks as explosive as the guitar drawing on the cover. This sound isn’t my forte, so I won’t even try to describe it, and I know they hate genre labels anyway. But what I can describe is the strange comfort I find in letting the loud walls of sound they build up and break down at the flip of a coin wash over me while listening to this masterpiece. My favs are the disinterested “catalogue,” that makes not feeling sexy into the sexiest song ever; the not at all muted, calm, or malaise “very little effort”; the at first stripped back “knob” which hits you full force with a flooring beat drop (can you say that in rock?); the clangy, defiling “feminine adornments”; and “stuck in a car with angels” which became one of my favs after experiencing it live, as this whole album should be! - Owen

Café Life - Starcleaner Reunion - September 20

So yes this does sound extremely similar to Stereolab, but is anyone actually complaining? Starcleaner Reunion’s Café Life is bouncy and hopeful underneath all its blasé attitude. It’s a light dip into a glowing green pool–a perfect thing to enjoy with breakfast. - Jonah

Pretty Little Problem - iKeda - October 16

I almost missed this one, but thank fuck I didn’t cause WOW. Who knew bassline could be so fun and girly! But seriously I wanna dance with iKeda. She looks amazing and this production is diabolical (Tailtiu is an actual genius). - Jonah

Now thisss is actually Y2K. Not that I would know since I was -1 when that era began, but nothing is so trash luxe as this is. “Rapunzel” lowkey outdid Pinkpantheress at her own game. The glittery club jam “Luv drunk” is my fav, the kind of song you want to jump around the dance floor to like no one else is watching. Thank god SoundCloud legend Tailtiu got in the studio and was given a proper release, she carries this production. And maybe Babymorocco should take the back seat more often, because this songwriting kinda tops anything he’s put out on his own. - Owen

Perfectly Blue - RIP Swirl - October 17

This one is for the moody music listeners. Berlin based artist, RIP Swirl, gives us a hazier, more shoegaze / trip hop / downtempo inclined project than his first album, Blurry. Perfectly Blue is full of atmosphere and haunting choruses, not to mention some of the best vocal features this year. It’s altogether gloomy and mellow, while still maintaining an easy-going, poppy, electronic flow. - Jonah

“Aquamarine” - Addison Rae - October 25

Try Not To Say Mother Challenge (IMPOSSIBLE EDITION). Addison, I knew from the second that you liked my tweet about your music taste while I was standing in my hometown Target with the bestie that you were destined for artistic greatness. From the moment she dropped that mysterious teaser of this track’s instrumental over a video of her walking effortlessly underwater, I knew it was going to be a hit. Honorable mention for “Diet Pepsi” which she released first after that teaser, but certainly kept us well fed during the wait. This is like Azealia Banks meets Madonna meets A.G. Cook. Give me moooorrreeooooreeeooooreeeooooreeeoorrrreee ASAP pleek! - Owen

Going Nowhere - Quiet Light - October 25

I have a real soft spot for this one. Quiet Light is the project of Riya Mahesh, a Texas-born, Boston-based, medical student, who is a self-described “normal girl.” Her newest album is centered around young love, loneliness, and vulnerability. It’s full of intimate ambient moments, orchestrated into grandiosity. Soulfully layered vocals and operatic string synths take turns, effortlessly flowing in and out of the spotlight. Going Nowhere is tender and brutally honest, and Riya’s songwriting harkens back to my earliest feelings of budding crushes and the unfortunate shattering of expectation. She sings from her heart, reaching deep into my own and tugging so calmly, like a small child–tiny, mighty, and tear-jerking. - Jonah

LL - The Hellp - October 25

Another really great cohesive body of work that proves The Hellp transcend the “indie sleaze” label they’re always boxed in to and will be here long after it dies (if it hasn’t already). I think this has my fav opening song of the year, “U,” boy am I a sucker for piano used in electronic songs. This album is more hyperpoppy (not to use another tired label) than their previous grungier releases, but this is a shift I’m fully here for. The new sound is best embodied by the immaculate track “Stunn,” which I would’ve listed on here solo as one of my fav songs if the whole album wasn’t also as good. It starts with a wash of sugary synths cut up by a pitched up sample before a SOPHIE-esque metallic clang joins the mix overtop of Noah Dillon’s eager vocals. All that before completely switching gears halfway through and beautifully dissolving into a soft, swirling ambient fade out with more piano (!!!). My other fav is “Halo,” another track that expertly builds up and evolves throughout, accentuated by an ingenious sample of a default iPhone ringtone. P.S. they should’ve named “9_21” 9_20 because that’s my birthday… - Owen

Big Smile, Black Mire - urika’s bedroom - November 1

Yearning is the best way to describe Tchad Cousins’ absolutely majestic voice. Big Smile, Black Mire is his breakout project (aside from producing all the incredible untitled(halo) songs we all know and love). The release rests on a bed of glitching melodies, crunchy sparks, and eerie samples that give apocalypse aura. I can’t help but think of Panchiko’s D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L everytime I turn this on, but thankfully urika’s bedroom is free from all the insufferable incel co-opting (I’m looking at all you Rate Your Music users). Big Smile, Black Mire feels uncanny and dystopian, but still largely familiar. It’s grunge rock through a broken channel, the residue from a rusty copper wire. - Jonah

“Viola” - Yves - November 14

In case you live under a rock and somehow still haven’t heard the phrase “stan LOONA,” Yves is one of 12 original LOONA members that all dissolved and regrouped into 2 groups of 5 and 2 soloists (the other being legend CHUU) after a historic, successful legal battle to end their contracts with BlockBerry Creative, their notorious K-pop company. And thank GOD she is free, because wow this is some of the best music coming out of Korea right now. I don’t even wanna call it K-pop because this is so much more than that. I didn’t think she could top “LOOP,” her debut solo title track released in May, but she proved me wrong with “Viola,” a punchy electronic song with some insane layering going on in the production, I don’t even know how to describe these sounds but I love them so much. They sound like what I think taking a blowtorch to your computer screen and melting pixels would sound like if that was possible (?). Also shoutout to the MV, which is my fav Korean MV this year, soooo Polachekian. And Yves, if you’re reading this, I know you “just need some space” but PLEASE come to Bushwick we neeeed to ki down mama. You would love it here… - Owen

°°••...••°°°°••... 0:00 ────────|─ 20:24 °°••....••°°••...

Listen to everything here:

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Jesse Singal

Published: Mar 22, 2024

Yesterday CNN published an article by senior writer Tara John about the UK National Health Service’s newly skeptical stance toward youth gender medicine. The main takeaway, which is big news to observers of this debate, is that the NHS will no longer provide puberty blockers to young people, other than in research contexts. (As for cross-sex hormones, a relatively strict-seeming regime is set to be implemented, and they will be offered to youth only “from around their 16th birthday.”)

As myself and a number of others pointed out, the article contains a sentence that is, in context, rather wild: John writes that “Gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based care that uses a multidisciplinary approach to help a person transition from their assigned gender — the one the person was designated at birth — to their affirmed gender — the gender by which one wants to be known.” But of course, whether youth gender medicine is medically necessary and evidence-based is exactly the thing being debated, and anyone who has been following this debate closely knows that every national health system that has examined this question closely, including the NHS, has come to the same conclusion: the evidence is paltry. That’s why so many countries, including Sweden, Finland, the UK, and Norway have significantly scaled back access to these treatments for youth.1 So it’s very strange to see this sentence, which reads as though it comes from an activist press release, published in a news article in CNN, an outlet that generally adheres to the old-school divide between news and opinion.

There’s a strong case to be made that CNN’s sentence, as written, is false. Gender medicine is at best unproven, when it comes to the standards society (and regulatory bodies) expects medical researchers to adhere to. The situation with youth gender medicine is particularly dicey, given that this is a newer area of medicine suffering from an even severer paucity of quality studies.

It would be bad enough for this sentence to have appeared in one article on one of the most important news websites in the world. But here’s the thing: this wasn’t the first time. Rather, this exact sentence, and close variants of it, has been copied and pasted into dozens of CNN.com stories over the last few years, as a Google search quickly reveals. 

This sentence, and its close variants, appear over and over and over. I asked my researcher to create a list of all the instances he could find. Here’s what he sent back, in reverse chronological order.

1. England’s health service to stop prescribing puberty blockers to transgender kids by Tara John (March 15, 2024)

2. First on CNN: Major medical society re-examines clinical guidelines for gender-affirming care by Jen Christensen (February 26, 2024)

3. Record number of anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in 2023 by Annette Choi (January 22, 2024)

4. Gender-affirming surgeries in US nearly tripled from 2016 to 2019, study finds by Jen Christensen (August 23, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

5. Trump-appointed judge blocks parts of Indiana ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth by Sydney Kashiwagi (June 17, 2023)

6. The debate on the American right isn’t about classified documents. It’s about fear of transgender rights by Zachary B. Wolf (June 15, 2023)

7. 19 states have laws restricting gender-affirming care, some with the possibility of a felony charge by Annette Choi and Will Mullery (June 6, 2023)

8. Alabama governor signs bill placing limits on transgender athletes in college sports by Rebekah Riess and Dakin Andone (May 31, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

9. Missouri attorney general drops controversial emergency rule that would have banned gender-affirming care for children and many adults by Andy Rose and Nouran Salahieh (May 17, 2023)

10. Maryland governor signs bills protecting abortion rights and gender-affirming care by Liam Reilly and Kaanita Iyer (May 3, 2023)

11. Oklahoma governor signs legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors by Jack Forrest and Joe Sutton (May 2, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

12. Missouri judge pauses enforcement of limits on gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults for 15 days by Devan Cole (May 1, 2023)

13. Transgender health care restrictions hit roadblocks in 3 states as gender-affirming care becomes marquee issue for state GOP leaders by Dakin Andone (April 27, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

14. The clock is ticking in Missouri as health care providers race to establish care regimens for trans patients by Alisha Ebrahimji, Kyung Lah, and Anna-Maja Rappard (April 26, 2023)

15. Missouri judge temporarily blocks limits on gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults from going into effect by Devan Cole (April 26, 2023)

16. Gender-affirming care, a ‘crucial’ process for thousands of young people in America by Jen Christensen (April 25, 2023)

17. Advocacy groups sue to block an emergency rule limiting gender-affirming care that’s expected to go into effect this week in Missouri by Michelle Watson, Claudia Dominguez, Taylor Romine, and Kyung Lah (April 25, 2023)

18. Utah state senator’s home vandalized in possible retaliation for transgender bill, police say by Rebekah Riess and Sara Smart (April 22, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

19. North Dakota governor signs gender-affirming care ban for most minors by Michelle Watson and Jack Forrest (April 20, 2023)

20. Indiana and Idaho enact bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth by Sydney Kashiwagi (April 6, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

21. Kentucky GOP overrides governor’s veto of youth gender-affirming care ban by Jack Forrest (March 29, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

22. Kentucky governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for youth by Kaanita Iyer and Paradise Afshar (March 24, 2023)

23. Georgia’s governor signs ban on certain gender-affirming care for minors by Maxime Tamsett, Pamela Kirkland, and Jack Forrest (March 23, 2023) — start slightly modified to fit sentence structure, otherwise identical.

24. Florida sued over bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth by Devan Cole (March 23, 2023) — has a slightly more measured framing, opening with “LGBTQ advocates and many physicians regard. . . ”

25. Missouri AG seeks to restrict gender-affirming care for minors by Raja Razek and Shawna Mizelle (March 21, 2023) — has a slightly more measured framing, opening with “LGBTQ advocates and many physicians, however, regard the treatment as. . . ”

26. New Mexico governor signs bill protecting access to reproductive and gender-affirming care into law by Paradise Afshar and Kaanita Iyer (March 18, 2023)

27. Minnesota governor signs order protecting access to gender-affirming health care by Chris Boyette and Jack Forrest (March 8, 2023)

28. Tennessee governor signs ban on gender-affirming care for minors by Shawna Mizelle (March 3, 2023) — has a slightly more measured framing, opening with “LGBTQ advocates and many physicians regard the treatment as. . . ”

29. Democratic AGs condemn DeSantis administration for asking Florida colleges for information on students receiving gender-affirming care by Devan Cole (March 3, 2023)

30. Mississippi enacts ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors by Devan Cole (February 28, 2023)

31. GOP lawmakers escalate fight against gender-affirming care with bills seeking to expand the scope of bans by Devan Cole (February 13, 2023)

32. South Dakota governor signs bill prohibiting gender-affirming treatment for transgender minors by Sydney Kashiwagi (February 13, 2023)

33. Woman faces federal charge for calling in a false bomb threat to a Boston hospital providing gender-affirming care by Sonia Moghe (September 16, 2022)

34. Boston Children’s Hospital says it’s gotten violent threats over care for transgender children by Jen Christensen (August 17, 2022)

35. Texas can continue investigating families seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender children, state Supreme Court says by Alisha Ebrahimji, Ashley Killough, and Raja Razek (May 13, 2022)

I haven’t triple-checked every single one of these, but it’s undeniable that effectively the same words have appeared in about three dozen CNN articles since May of 2022, which was already years after the present wave of European nations rethinking these treatments had begun. 

When I asked CNN about this, I heard back from someone there who explained on background that it’s standard for outlets to provide reporters with guidance about accurate and appropriate language. While that’s true, it doesn’t really answer my question. Sure, it’s not unusual for an outlet to have a house style, sometimes enshrined in a stylebook, that provides rules about how to refer to, for example, individuals in the United States who lack legal status. They used to be called “illegal immigrants,” and now they’re often called “undocumented immigrants,” or language to that effect. This is a fairly normal process by which language changes and, sometimes as a result of a push-pull between outlets and advocacy groups, outlets decide which changes to make and when. So you may or may not agree with the fact that many outlets have switched from “biological sex” to “sex assigned at birth” when discussing trans issues, but the underlying process of switching from one phrase to another is standard and occurs in many areas. 

This is quite different. You do not generally see the same complex sentence pasted over and over and over into news stories written by different authors and published in different sections. I asked CNN if it could provide me any other examples of CNN.com publishing the same sentence in multiple stories by different authors, and posed the same question in an email to Virginia Moseley, the CNN executive editor who, according to the website, “oversee[s] international and domestic news operations across platforms.” I didn’t hear back about this.

This copy-paste job is journalistically problematic for a number of reasons. For one thing, it suggests that CNN has decided, at the editorial level, that its institutional stance is that youth gender medicine is “medically necessary” and “evidence-based.” While they’re being used somewhat colloquially in these articles, these terms have fairly specific definitions in certain medical and legal contexts, and treatments only qualify for such designations if they have exceeded a certain evidentiary benchmark based on solid published research. That is not the case here — far from it, actually. As written, this is a deeply misleading sentence.

The language also puts CNN writers in an awkward position. Does each and every bylined author of these stories believe that youth gender medicine is “medically necessary” and “evidence-based”? Maybe they do (which would be disturbing), but the fact is that they didn’t write these sentences — they, or one of their editors, grabbed that language from somewhere else and pasted it in. They are effectively outsourcing their own judgment on a hotly contested controversy to their employer. This is not what journalists are supposed to do, and, at the risk of repeating myself, it’s significantly different from a reporter rolling their eyes when using language like “undocumented immigrant” or “sex assigned at birth,” rather than their own preferred verbiage. Those are rather small-stakes linguistic quibbles, different not only in degree but in kind from the question of whether or not youth gender medicine is medically necessary and evidence-based. And it goes without saying that a CNN reporter who does develop doubts about youth gender medicine is likely to be deterred from investigating further by the fact that their bosses have already decided that this is the way they’re going to cover this subject — say the line, Bart. Why bother?

It’s a pattern, unfortunately. Many outlets dug themselves into a deep hole on this issue by simply acting as stenographers and megaphones for activist groups rather than doing their jobs. And now that there is ever-mounting evidence undercutting the loudest activist claims, climbing out of this hole is going to be awkward. But there’s no other option, really. Because right now there’s absolutely no reason to take CNN.com seriously on this issue — the site has proven, demonstrably, that it doesn’t take itself seriously on this issue. 

--

1 The sentence doesn’t specifically mention youth gender medicine, but that’s clearly the context in which it was presented. The sentence wouldn’t be accurate as applied to adult care either, anyway — an independent systematic review commissioned by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health came back with rather dismaying results about the quality of research there as well, more info on which here.

==

It's nothing but a religious recitation.

[mariacallous]

The afternoon Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, eight days after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and well into a year of axis-tilting events, @DifficultPatty posted a question on X, thirsty for an answer: “Which wine pairs best with unprecedented times?”

“All of them,” replied one user.

“Apocalypse IPA,” said another. “It’s a real thing.”

Also real are the times we continually find ourselves. All devastation and disquiet. That’s the vibe of late, anyway. New historical benchmarks sprout with wild surprise on what feels like a weekly basis, and a collective mood has developed across social media that we live in a constant state of “unprecedented times.”

The phrase, now a fixture of the zeitgeist, initially shot into pop discourse around 2015 during Trump’s first presidential campaign, a campaign, you’ll remember, that fed on a specific American lust for political agitprop. Not long after, as the spread of Covid-19 reengineered work and home life, the phrase further lodged itself into our shared vocabulary, recast as a convenient descriptor for an increasingly inconvenient future. It has since become shorthand for the continuous spiral of everyday reality.

A study conducted in 2020 by The New York Times and research firm Sentieo found that the phrase saw a 70,830 percent increase in usage in corporate presentations from the previous year (outpacing du jour expressions like “new normal” and “you’re on mute”). In an article published by MIT, titled “Surviving and thriving in unprecedented times,” Christa Babcock, a CEO and alum on the business school, advised entrepreneurs to embrace the difficulty in front of them: “Expect that things will not return to the way they were and be thrilled about it.”

Only, for the rest of us, the constant, uncomfortable change was the problem.

The phrase was gaining traction offline and on. “Only difference between millennials and gen z is how many ‘unprecedented times’ u live thru before climate change swallows ur house,” @bocxtop tweeted in February 2022 when X was still called Twitter. That same year, 19 students were gunned down at an elementary school in rural Texas and California was hit with record unemployment. In grocery stores across the country, food prices steadily climbed as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Today, the phrase has magnified beyond actual meaning, a cheap emblem of our erratic cultural mood. It is uniformly used to describe just about every fresh hell that emerges, from the US election and the conflict in Gaza to the escalating dangers of climate catastrophe. Living through “unprecedented times” is the new normal on social media.

Congestion pricing in New York City? “More unprecedented times is all,” Jared of @TransitTalks said on TikTok. Also unprecedented: giant spiders, a canceled Tenacious D tour, relationship break-ups, and the unraveling social unrest in the UK.

This era of apparent precedent-setting is not only defined by bad news, of course. The phrase has no particular allegiance to disaster or personal woe. It applies wholesale. Lil Jon’s performance at the Democratic National Convention? Simone Biles winning the most Olympic gymnastic gold medals? Green energy growth in Kansas? Astounding and uncommon occurrences but also, that’s right, unprecedented ones.

“I’m ready to go a month without something unprecedented,” @midwestsidegunn said recently on TikTok. “Bring back boring. I’m ready to be bored.”

That’s unlikely, given the domino effect caused by Biden’s departure from the race in July, portrayed just as you might expect. It only spawned more unprecedentedness: the genuine possibility of a Black and South Asian woman president, and a reenergized Democratic Party that just weeks ago was on life support. A callback to a politics of hope from the Obama era, Kamalamania has again ignited the promise of what for so long felt like an impossibility.

“You know, the story of my life and the history of our country is that progress is possible, but not guaranteed,” former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said at the DNC this week. Along with Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Warren, women who were also well acquainted with overcoming the impossible, Clinton spoke to the urgency of now, and the weight of the moment before America. Democracy is under an extraordinary threat, she said, portions of the country already warped by the unreality of Trumpian politics, but it can be defended, reborn even.

By Thursday night, Harris had solidified the nomination. Millions of people watched from their homes, TV screens aglow with a message of hope, believing that this next turn into unprecedented times, far from their last, would bring a steadiness long dissolved by a power-indulgent MAGA movement.

The future, a friend recently reminded me, is a litany of unprecedented moments: ache and anguish persist, but so do awe and amazement. Rather than bemoan the fact that “the cold reality of the status quo has set in,” as one X user colored the Harris-Walz ticket, Andrew Drummer celebrated. This time, there was reason to rejoice.

“Fucking great! Things as usual would be a welcomed reprieve for a little bit,” Drummer replied. “I’m done with living at the end of times in unprecedented situations. We welcome precedented times!”

[edulink012]

Best Universities in Malaysia for International Students (2024 Update)

Malaysia has become one of the top destinations for international students seeking high-quality education at an affordable cost. With globally recognized universities, diverse cultures, and a thriving economy, Malaysia provides an excellent environment for learning and personal growth. If you’re considering studying in Malaysia, this guide will introduce you to some of the best universities in the country for international students in 2024.

Study in Malaysia

Why Study in Malaysia?

Malaysia offers a unique blend of world-class education, cultural diversity, and affordability. Here are some key reasons why international students choose Malaysia:

High-Quality Education: Many universities in Malaysia are ranked among the top institutions globally.

Affordable Tuition Fees: Compared to Western countries, Malaysia offers quality education at a fraction of the cost.

Diverse Courses: Students can choose from a wide range of programs, including engineering, medicine, business, and information technology.

Safe and Vibrant Environment: Malaysia is known for its welcoming hospitality and safe living conditions.

Pathway to Global Opportunities: Several Malaysian universities have partnerships with institutions worldwide, offering exchange programs and international exposure.

Top Universities in Malaysia for International Students

1. University of Malaya (UM)

Ranking: Ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2024).

Popular Programs: Medicine, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences.

Why Choose UM?

Malaysia’s oldest and most prestigious university.

Excellent research facilities and academic staff.

Strong global collaborations with top institutions.

2. University Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Ranking: Among the top 150 globally, known for research excellence.

Popular Programs: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Engineering, Computer Science.

Why Choose UPM?

Renowned for scientific research and innovation.

Provides scholarships and financial aid for international students.

Strong industry connections, leading to job opportunities.

3. University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Ranking: Top 150 globally, known for sustainable development research.

Popular Programs: Medicine, Law, Business, Environmental Sciences.

Why Choose UKM?

Focus on sustainability and green technology.

Offers various international exchange programs.

A vibrant campus with cultural diversity.

4. University Saints Malaysia (USM)

Ranking: Top 200 in the world, a leading research-intensive university.

Popular Programs: Health Sciences, Engineering, Arts & Humanities.

Why Choose USM?

Strong emphasis on innovation and research.

Offers scholarships to outstanding international students.

Provides hands-on learning experiences through industry partnerships.

5. Taylor’s University

Ranking: Leading private university in Malaysia, ranked in the top 300 globally.

Popular Programs: Hospitality, Business, Engineering, Design.

Why Choose Taylor’s University?

Recognized for its industry-relevant curriculum.

Excellent student support services and career guidance.

One of the top universities for hospitality and tourism studies worldwide.

Study in Malaysia

6. Monash University Malaysia

Ranking: Branch campus of Monash University, Australia, ranked in the global top 50.

Popular Programs: Medicine, Business, Engineering, IT.

Why Choose Monash Malaysia?

Offers the same high-quality education as Monash Australia at a lower cost.

Provides globally recognized degrees.

Strong career development and placement services.

7. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Ranking: Recognized as a top British university with a strong presence in Malaysia.

Popular Programs: Business, Engineering, Data Science, Construction Management.

Why Choose Heriot-Watt Malaysia?

Internationally accredited degrees with UK-based education standards.

Excellent research opportunities in science and engineering fields.

Modern campus with cutting-edge facilities.

8. Sunway University

Ranking: One of the leading private universities in Malaysia.

Popular Programs: Business, IT, Performing Arts, Culinary Arts.

Why Choose Sunway University?

Strong links with Lancaster University and Le Cordon Bleu.

Provides internship opportunities with top multinational companies.

Offers high-quality campus facilities, including research labs and recreational spaces.

9. UCSI University

Ranking: Top private university in Malaysia, with a strong emphasis on research.

Popular Programs: Medicine, Pharmacy, Music, Engineering.

Why Choose UCSI University?

Highly ranked for employability and industry connections.

Offers work-based learning opportunities.

Affordable tuition fees compared to other private institutions.

10. HELP University

Ranking: Recognized for psychology, business, and IT programs.

Popular Programs: Psychology, Law, Business, IT.

Why Choose HELP University?

Offers scholarships and financial aid to international students.

Strong industry connections with global corporations.

Focus on professional and personal development.

Final Thoughts

Malaysia is a fantastic study destination for international students, offering top-tier education, a multicultural environment, and affordable tuition fees. Whether you're looking for a public research university or a private institution with international ties, Malaysia has a diverse range of universities to meet your needs.

Choosing the right university depends on your academic interests, career goals, and budget. Be sure to explore scholarships, admission requirements, and available student support services before making your decision.

Study in Malaysia

Are You Ready to Study in Malaysia?

If you're planning to study in Malaysia in 2024, start researching universities, preparing your application, and exploring scholarship options. Malaysia’s universities offer world-class education with excellent career prospects, making it an ideal destination for international students!

[infosconnect]

Fall Intake 2025: Your Path to Global Education with Foreign Education Consultants in Kerala

As we look ahead to Fall Intake 2025, international education is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Indian students seeking to enhance their academic qualifications and career prospects. Whether you're aiming for a Master's degree in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, or the UK, preparing early is key to securing a spot at your dream university. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth application process is by partnering with foreign education consultants in Kerala.

In this blog, we'll walk you through the essential steps to take advantage of Fall Intake 2025, and how foreign education consultants in Kerala can guide you every step of the way.

Why Choose Fall Intake 2025?

The Fall Intake (starting in August/September 2025) is the most popular intake for international students. Here’s why:

Wide Selection of Programs: Fall offers a broader range of programs across top universities worldwide. From engineering to business, health sciences, data science, and more, you’ll have access to a variety of courses that match your aspirations.

Sufficient Time for Preparation: The application deadlines for Fall intake typically fall between December 2024 and April 2025. This gives you ample time to research, prepare, and submit your applications.

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities: Many universities offer scholarships for international students starting in the Fall, making it a great time to apply for financial assistance.

How Foreign Education Consultants in Kerala Can Help You Succeed

The process of applying to study abroad can be overwhelming—especially when dealing with documentation, deadlines, visas, and scholarships. Foreign education consultants in Kerala can make the process much easier and stress-free. Here’s how they can help:

1. Expert Guidance on University and Program Selection

Personalized Recommendations: Foreign education consultants assess your academic qualifications, career goals, and financial capacity to recommend universities that suit your profile.

Course Selection: They help you choose programs that align with your interests and long-term goals, whether it’s in business management, engineering, medicine, or any other field.

2. Application Assistance

Document Preparation: From writing a compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP) to arranging Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and preparing your CV, consultants ensure all your documents are perfect.

University Shortlisting: Based on your academic background and preferences, consultants assist in selecting the best-fit universities and guide you through the application process, including writing error-free applications and following up on deadlines.

3. Scholarships and Financial Aid

Finding Scholarships: Foreign education consultants in Kerala can help you find scholarships that you are eligible for, whether they are merit-based or need-based.

Application Support for Scholarships: They also provide guidance on how to apply for these scholarships and maximize your chances of receiving funding.

4. Visa Assistance

Visa Guidance: After securing your admission, consultants guide you through the visa application process, ensuring that all documentation (like proof of funds, accommodation, health insurance, etc.) is in order.

Mock Visa Interviews: Many consultants offer mock visa interview sessions to prepare you for the real thing, ensuring you’re confident and ready.

5. Post-Arrival Support

Accommodation Assistance: Finding a place to live abroad can be challenging, but consultants help you find suitable student housing or guide you through renting an apartment.

Settling In: Once you arrive, consultants offer support in adapting to life abroad, including understanding local customs, navigating public transport, and connecting with fellow students.

Top Destinations for Fall Intake 2025

As a student planning to study abroad in Fall Intake 2025, choosing the right country and university is crucial. Here are some of the best destinations:

1. USA

The USA remains a top choice for Indian students, with renowned universities like Harvard University, Stanford University, and MIT. With a wide variety of courses and cutting-edge research opportunities, the USA continues to attract students from all over the world.

2. Canada

Known for its welcoming environment, high-quality education, and strong post-graduation work opportunities, Canada is a top destination. Universities like University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia offer world-class programs.

3. Germany

Germany is a favorite for students pursuing engineering, technology, and natural sciences. With low or no tuition fees in many public universities, it is an affordable destination. Popular institutions include Technische Universität München and University of Heidelberg.

4. Australia

Known for its diverse cultural landscape and excellent educational institutions like Australian National University (ANU) and University of Melbourne, Australia also offers great post-study work opportunities for international students.

5. UK

The UK is home to prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London. The UK's diverse culture, rich history, and excellent academic standards make it an ideal destination for international students.

Why Choose Foreign Education Consultants in Kerala?

Working with foreign education consultants in Kerala has multiple benefits:

Tailored Services: Consultants offer personalized advice based on your unique profile and requirements.

Stress-Free Application Process: They handle every aspect of your application, from university selection to document submission, ensuring that everything is in order.

Increased Chances of Admission: Their experience with university application procedures helps you present your application in the best possible light, increasing your chances of acceptance.

Expert Knowledge: With in-depth knowledge of global universities, visa policies, and scholarships, consultants help you make informed decisions that align with your goals.

Post-Arrival Support: Consultants assist with your transition to life abroad, providing guidance on housing, health insurance, and settling into a new culture.

Conclusion

As you prepare for Fall Intake 2025, partnering with overseas education consultants in Kerala can make your journey to studying abroad smooth and successful. They provide expert advice, assist with applications, help you secure scholarships, and guide you through the visa process, ensuring that you are fully prepared for this exciting new chapter of your life.

Start your journey today by connecting with a trusted consultant and turning your dream of studying abroad into reality!

[nasrinibrahim]

Top Countries for Studying Abroad in 2024

Studying abroad is a transformative experience that opens up a world of opportunities for students. Choosing the right country is critical, as it determines the quality of education, career prospects, and overall experience. In 2024, several destinations continue to dominate the list for international students due to their excellent academic programs, cultural richness, and welcoming environments. Here’s a look at the top countries for studying abroad in 2024 and what makes them stand out.

1. United States

The United States remains a top choice for international students, offering a diverse range of programs and institutions, including Ivy League schools and leading public universities. The country is renowned for its cutting-edge research facilities, cultural diversity, and numerous post-study work opportunities.

Why Choose the USA?

Home to over 5,000 universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

Opportunities for internships through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Diverse and inclusive campus cultures.

2. United Kingdom

The UK boasts some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge. With shorter course durations (typically one year for a Master’s program), it’s an attractive destination for students seeking value for their investment.

Why Choose the UK?

World-class institutions known for academic rigor.

Post-study work visa allows graduates to stay for two years.

Strong focus on research and innovation.

3. Canada

Known for its high standard of living and friendly immigration policies, Canada has become a favorite among international students. The country is particularly appealing for those pursuing programs in engineering, technology, and healthcare.

Why Choose Canada?

Affordable tuition fees compared to other top destinations.

Work opportunities during and after studies through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP).

Safe and multicultural society.

4. Australia

Australia offers world-renowned universities, a vibrant student life, and stunning landscapes. Fields such as environmental sciences, business, and engineering are particularly strong in Australian universities.

Why Choose Australia?

Quality education with a focus on practical skills.

Work rights for students and post-graduation visa options.

Proximity to Asia for students from the region.

5. Germany

For students seeking affordable yet high-quality education, Germany is a top contender. Many public universities offer tuition-free programs, particularly in STEM fields, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious students.

Why Choose Germany?

Tuition-free education at most public universities.

Strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Growing demand for skilled workers in engineering and IT.

6. New Zealand

New Zealand combines excellent academic programs with breathtaking natural beauty. The country’s universities are gaining global recognition, particularly for their programs in environmental science, business, and agriculture.

Why Choose New Zealand?

High-quality education with a focus on research.

Opportunities for post-study work and permanent residency.

A welcoming and safe environment for international students.

7. Netherlands

The Netherlands is a hub for international students, offering a wide range of English-taught programs. Known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, it is an ideal destination for students interested in business, design, and engineering.

Why Choose the Netherlands?

Affordable tuition fees and living costs.

Excellent career opportunities, especially in tech and design industries.

Central location in Europe for easy travel.

How to Choose the Best Country for Your Studies

The decision to study abroad depends on several factors, including academic goals, budget, and career aspirations. It’s essential to research thoroughly and seek expert guidance to make the right choice. If you’re planning to study abroad, consult experienced professionals who can streamline the process for you.

Our Study Abroad Consultants in Kerala are here to guide you through every step, from selecting the best universities to handling visa applications and accommodation arrangements. With their expertise, you can confidently embark on your study abroad journey and make your dream a reality.

Conclusion

Each country offers unique advantages, and the right choice depends on your personal and professional goals. Whether you’re drawn to the academic prestige of the USA, the affordability of Germany, or the multicultural vibe of Canada, 2024 is an excellent year to start your study abroad adventure. Seek professional guidance to make your transition seamless and rewarding.

Ready to take the first step? Contact trusted Study Abroad Consultants in Kerala today to explore your options and turn your dream of studying abroad into a reality!

[studyabroadconsultancy-2]

Which Course to Choose? Top 10 Study Abroad Programs for 2024

Studying abroad presents an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in new cultures, gain access to world-class education, and significantly boost your career prospects. Choosing the right course is a critical part of your journey, as it not only shapes your academic experience but also influences your future career. Here are the top 10 courses you should consider for studying abroad, each offering excellent career opportunities and personal growth.

1. Computer Science and IT

Why Study It? With technology rapidly advancing, Computer Science and IT offer a wealth of opportunities in fields like software development, data science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. This course equips you with the skills needed for some of the most sought-after jobs worldwide.

Best Countries to Study: USA, Canada, UK These countries are home to top tech companies and research institutions, making them ideal for gaining hands-on experience and building a global network in the tech industry.

2. Business Administration (MBA)

Why Study It? An MBA is one of the most valuable degrees in the business world. It helps develop leadership, management, and entrepreneurial skills that are highly prized by employers globally. It also opens doors to a wide range of sectors including finance, marketing, consulting, and management.

Best Countries to Study: USA, UK, Canada The USA and UK offer some of the world’s best business schools, such as Harvard, Oxford, and London Business School, with access to a global alumni network and top companies.

3. Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical)

Why Study It? Engineering is one of the most diverse and high-demand fields, offering numerous career paths. Whether you specialize in Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering, you’ll gain problem-solving skills that can be applied across industries, from construction to aerospace.

Best Countries to Study: Germany, USA, Canada Germany is known for its strong engineering programs and industry ties, while the USA and Canada offer world-class universities and research facilities.

4. Medicine and Healthcare

Why Study It? Medicine is a rewarding field that offers lifelong job security and the chance to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Studying Medicine abroad allows you to train at top medical institutions and gain exposure to diverse healthcare systems.

Best Countries to Study: USA, UK, Australia The USA, UK, and Australia offer prestigious medical schools that provide comprehensive training and access to excellent hospitals and healthcare networks.

5. Finance and Accounting

Why Study It? A degree in Finance or Accounting can lead to a career in banking, investment, financial analysis, and corporate finance. As the world becomes more financially interconnected, professionals in this field are in high demand globally.

Best Countries to Study: USA, UK, Singapore The USA and UK are financial hubs with a wealth of job opportunities in the finance sector, while Singapore is emerging as a key player in global finance.

6. Law

Why Study It? Law is a versatile field with numerous specializations such as corporate law, criminal law, international law, and human rights. Studying law abroad exposes you to different legal systems and global practices, which can be invaluable for international legal careers.

Best Countries to Study: USA, UK, Australia The USA, UK, and Australia are home to some of the most prestigious law schools and offer diverse legal programs with opportunities for internships and practical experience.

7. Hospitality and Tourism

Why Study It? If you love travel, customer service, and management, Hospitality and Tourism is a fantastic field to pursue. This course prepares you for roles in hotels, resorts, event management, and travel agencies.

Best Countries to Study: Switzerland, USA, Australia Switzerland, known for its luxurious hospitality industry, and countries like the USA and Australia, with thriving tourism sectors, are ideal for students interested in this field.

8. Environmental Science

Why Study It? As environmental issues like climate change, sustainability, and conservation become more urgent, Environmental Science is gaining popularity. Students in this field contribute to innovative solutions that promote sustainability and environmental protection.

Best Countries to Study: Canada, UK, Netherlands Countries like Canada and the UK are leaders in environmental research, and the Netherlands is at the forefront of sustainable development and green technology.

9. Psychology

Why Study It? Psychology is a rapidly growing field that focuses on understanding human behavior and mental health. Graduates can pursue careers in counseling, therapy, human resources, or research, with a growing demand for qualified professionals in many sectors.

Best Countries to Study: USA, Canada, UK The USA, Canada, and UK offer comprehensive psychology programs with opportunities for internships, research, and clinical experience in leading mental health institutions.

10. Design and Arts

Why Study It? If you have a passion for creativity, pursuing a degree in Design or Arts can open the door to exciting careers in fashion, graphic design, fine arts, and media. This field allows you to express yourself while building a professional career.

Best Countries to Study: Italy, USA, France Italy, famous for its design and art heritage, along with the USA and France, offer world-renowned programs in these creative fields, providing opportunities to work with top designers and artists. Choosing the right course to study abroad is an important step toward building your future career. These 10 courses not only offer excellent job prospects but also give you the chance to experience new cultures, expand your global network, and study in some of the world’s most prestigious educational systems.

[studentabode]

Student City Guide: Nottingham 2024

Nottingham, also nicknamed "The Queen of the Midlands," a city full of energy and history in England, has, therefore, become quite popular among students worldwide. As such, the town exhibits not only high-standard universities that are world-class, favourable living conditions, and a highly culturally diverse population but also the best student life environment and place to get a good education. Here is a comprehensive guide for those intending to study in Nottingham to help you smoothly move around the city, find comfortable accommodation, and make the best of your experience.

Top Universities in Nottingham

Nottingham provides academic flexibility to students as well as imaginative environments and facilities for the educational process:

1. University of Nottingham

Consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the UK, the University of Nottingham's Teaching Excellence Framework Gold rating is exemplary. Aimed at worldwide acknowledgement HP's courses such as Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Education, Veterinary Science, and English Literature enable it to draw students from all over the world.

2. Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

NTU has been noted for its eco-friendly initiatives and is one of the greenest universities in the UK, finishing among the top three in the People and Planet University Ranking. Due to the quality of education and the diversity of fields, the students from Nottingham Trent University mostly graduate with the necessary skills and insights that modern businesses and organizations need.

3. Nottingham College

Programs at Nottingham College range from admission to certificate levels but degrees are also among the offerings. It is known for its students' approach, which is the best option for those students who want to skill and enter the workforce or the university afterwards.

4. Nottingham Business School

As a division of NTU, Nottingham Business School has both EQUIS and AACSB accreditations. This is proof of their capability to provide top-notch business education across different areas. Undergraduate, master's, and MBA programs here are specifically made to match the industry demands to not only teach the students what is necessary but also help them to become highly employable graduates.

Cost of Living in Nottingham

One of the great things about Nottingham is its lower cost of living compared to other major UK cities—like London and Manchester. Students' expenses may vary depending on the area and type of accommodation they choose, but on average they may expect £660 for rent per month. For instance:

An 85 m² furnished apartment in a premium area will cost you approximately $1,242 per month.

The same apartment located in the usual area of the city costs on average $724 per month.

Student-exclusive accommodations like en-suite rooms or shared apartments are available at an affordable price range, making the student's life cheaper. Platforms, via the studenttenant.com site, allow students to choose from a wide variety of confirmed student accommodations starting from 516 GPB, which is perfect for different budgets and preferences.

Tuition Fees

Nottingham is a cheap city for university purposes. In Nottingham, the tuition fees for international students are £14,570 per year on average, and it depends on the program and institution. The provision of scholarships and grants also gives ample relief to students in terms of cost diplomacy.

Finding Accommodation in Nottingham

To get insured, comfortable accommodation is the first thing that students want. Nottingham gives them multiple alternatives for accommodation.:

Types of Student Housing

Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA): These possessions are student-specific and incorporate the most recent amenities, such as private bathrooms, study spaces, and communal lounges.

Private Rented Accommodation: It is a perfect option for students who want to explore other choices of residences, such as apartments, shared houses, or single-room options.

University-Managed Housing: On-campus residences give faster access to the academic buildings and you will find a community already there.

How Student Tenant Simplifies Accommodation

Student Tenant is a reliable place for students to look for accommodations in Nottingham. They offer:

Verified Listings: The procedure of checking the properties for safety and quality is done by every property.

Affordable Options: Many properties are available, that the students can afford.

Convenience: Their listings are a short walk from universities, public transport, and amenities.

Support Services: Besides tenancy agreements, they also help with rent payments and maintenance issues.

Through Student Tenant, all students can easily choose the housing that they want while they are staying safe and comfortable.

Student Life in Nottingham

Vibrant Social Scene

Nottingham is a great city for social activities, especially with its versatility providing something for everyone. The city is popular for its different music venues, theatres, and clubs. Places, such as Rock City and Nottingham Playhouse are the major attractions for students to relax in.

Cultural and Historical Attractions

Students can delve into cultural and historical landmarks:

Nottingham Castle: The castle is deeply rooted in history and myth, and also it offers the most beautiful view of the legend of Robin Hood.

City of Caves: A net of sandstone caves laid underground shows the industrial past of Nottingham.

National Justice Museum: This museum is truly a treasure for the history geeks as it displays the legal history of the UK through interactive exhibits.

Green Spaces

Nottingham is a city of incredible parks and other outdoor spaces, for example, Wollaton Park, where students can have a rest or play recreational games. Moreover, no one can fail to notice an opulent Elizabethan mansion aside from the setback of the park, which was the set of Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan's Batman films.

Cost-Saving Tips for Students

Living in Nottingham is not an expensive activity well demonstrates this. Below are some tips that can help save your money as a student:

Take public transport which includes buses and trams that are discount-friendly for students.

Prepare meals at home or dig out student-catering outlets that provide their food at lower prices.

Utilize student discounts on your entertainment, shopping, and travel through your student ID or TOTUM card.

Why Choose Nottingham for Your Studies?

Dubai is one of the best places that is rich in academic information and at the same time spicing up the lives of people in cities. The low cost of living and the presence of good universities and colleges, as well as a wealth of ideas makes it the best place to study. Thus, for those concerned with student housing, there are various types of city’s affordable accommodations available for students and each type responds to the student’s condition and pocket. In addition, a system such as ‘Student Tenant’ enables the search of student rooms, and therefore; the process of finding a room is not a challenging task. This relieves the students of more learning and time maximization without housing worries.

If you are a newcomer to Nottingham and your study destination is the University of Nottingham, NTU, or Nottingham College, this liveliest city is quite ready to meet you. Delight in the histories of the areas, thrill your moments with the vibrant social life, and just make Nottingham your second home!

[olekskaftan]

Animation Skills "Audio Project" Part 3

This week I finished drawing the storyboard and threw out the first character design sketch for this project. I had to change the idea with the ghost a bit since I won't have time to realize it, so maybe it will be a hint. I'm trying my best to make it a psychological horror, so I plan to make thumbnails where you can see what the color palette will be for this project, of course I will continue to figure out how to do everything in the highest class even if the deadline is very short.

Next week I'm going to do some animations to see how far the project will go and try out sounds to them to see if they work or if I need to make more of them. And I should always make a full character design to know how they should look.

Research Element 08

Timing

Timing refers to the number of frames or amount of time that elapses between two key poses or actions in an animated sequence. It determines the speed and fluidity of the motion. 

Correct timing may seem invisible, but it's absolutely essential to making an animation look right. If it's off, the movements and actions may appear mechanical, rushed, sluggish, floaty, or simply unrealistic. The emotional expressiveness and individuality of the characters will also be lost.

Timing has a huge role to play in how your animation will look like.  Important aspects such as weight, physics, mood, emotion, and reaction. This ensures that movements have the right impact. For example, an action that happens too quickly can lose the sense of weight and gravity. An action that happens too slowly feels tedious. Timed movements will have an attractive flow and fluidity that will capture the viewer's attention.

Reference List:

Aminian, Parsa . “Timing: The Magical Art of Controlling Speed and Impact.” Pixune, 25 Oct. 2023, pixune.com/blog/timing-in-animation/.

“Timing and Its Important Role in the World of Animation.” Darvideo Animated Explainer Video Production Company | Animation Studio, 6 June 2021, darvideo.tv/dictionary/timing/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

John Halas (1912-1995)and Joy Batchelor (1914-1991)

They were a British couple of producers known for their influential animated films.

Galas was educated in Hungary and Paris, and studied with George Pal in 1936, when he moved to England as an animator. After art school, Batchelor became a commercial artist and met Halas in 1936 while working on the film The Music Man (1938). They later married and in 1940 founded Halas and Batchelor Animation, which became the largest animated film studio in the UK.

The collaborators directed and coproduced their greatest work in 1955, an animated version of the George Orwell novel Animal Farm, England’s first full-length colour feature cartoon.

By 1950 the studio had made over 100 films, two of which were features. Their unique ability to produce longer works, for an adult audience, created not only a new genre of animation, but gave them the necessary experience for making Animal Farm, their best-known work. Adapted from George Orwell's classic book, Animal Farm was released in 1954, and won critical acclaim worldwide.

Throughout their lives, they have received more than 200 awards for all their works.

After the death of Joy Batchelor in 1991, John Halas continued to produce films until his death in 1995. His last ever production was a projected series of 12 films about the European Union of which one stands out, Know Your Europeans UK 1995 which was made by Bob Godfrey.

Reference List:

Britannica, Encyclopaedia . “John Halas and Joy Batchelor | British Directors | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/John-Halas-and-Joy-Batchelor. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Halas, Vivien . “Timeline of Studio.” Halas & Batchelor, 2024, www.halasandbatchelor.co.uk/timeline-of-studio. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

[uniathena7]

How to learn AI in 2024 for free

Searching for an AI course online can be overwhelming — hundreds of options pop up, and many of them might not be relevant to what you want. So, how do you filter through these choices to find the best course for learning AI? Here are three essential factors to consider:

You want a free AI learning option.

You’re looking to learn in a short time.

You’d prefer a program from a reputable institution.

With these factors in mind, we’ve curated a list of the best online courses that meet these criteria, so you can focus on learning AI effectively and at no cost.

Best Free AI Courses Online

Even if you’re starting from scratch, it’s essential to understand that AI encompasses various aspects, each focusing on different areas. Choosing the right course depends on what you’re interested in. Below is a carefully selected list to help you get started with AI:

1. Diploma in Artificial Intelligence

This course is ideal for beginners, covering foundational concepts in AI. It offers a comprehensive overview, while still being short enough to complete in about two weeks. Despite the quick timeframe, it covers advanced AI applications, making it a great entry-level course that gives you skills applicable across different fields.

If you’re interested in a broad introduction to AI basics, the Diploma in Artificial Intelligence is an excellent choice to get started.

2. Basics of Artificial Intelligence: Learning Models

Created by Cambridge International Qualifications, UK, this course delves into the various learning models in AI. Topics include Deep Learning, Probabilistic Models, and Fuzzy Logic. It’s designed for researchers, developers, and those working with large data sets — even if AI isn’t directly part of your job.

If your focus is on understanding different AI learning models, this course can add a lot of value.

3. Basics of Artificial Intelligence

Also offered by Cambridge International Qualifications, UK, this course takes you through the evolution of AI and explores future possibilities of the technology. It’s a quick course, with all materials available for completion within six hours, making it ideal for those looking for a quick, foundational overview of AI.

The Basics of Artificial Intelligence course is one of the best options for beginners looking to understand AI’s core concepts.

4. Basics of Agents & Environments in AI

If you’re looking for a course that covers AI fundamentals with a focus on intelligent agents, this one’s for you. It introduces various environments where AI is applied and includes a study of the famous Turing Test, used to evaluate an agent’s intelligence.

The Basics of Agents & Environments in AI is ideal for those interested in understanding AI agents and environments in a short timeframe.

5. Essentials of Problem Solving & Knowledge Representation in AI

This accredited course from Acacia University emphasizes the problem-solving side of AI. It covers critical problem-solving techniques and knowledge representation, providing a thorough beginner-friendly introduction.

The Essentials of Problem Solving & Knowledge Representation in AI is a great course for anyone looking to start with a strong focus on AI’s problem-solving aspects.

6. Essentials of AI Learning Frameworks & Advanced Models

This advanced course by Cambridge International Qualifications, UK builds upon foundational AI knowledge, diving deeper into AI frameworks and models. It’s ideal if you want to develop skills that allow you to apply AI in various industries.

Like the others on this list, the Essentials of AI Learning Frameworks & Advanced Models can be taken from scratch and provide an excellent foundation for future study or work in AI.

Conclusion

If you’re a beginner, these free online AI courses hosted by UniAthena offer a solid starting point. Each course includes a certificate, which not only helps you build your resume but also prepares you for real-world applications of AI.

By choosing a course tailored to your interests and goals, you’ll gain specialized knowledge and experience, making the learning process more enjoyable and efficient. Once you’ve completed a course, consider applying what you’ve learned to a practical project. Hands-on experience solidifies concepts and gives you insights into how AI functions in real-world scenarios. Lastly, having a basic understanding of math, programming, and statistics will make learning AI smoother and more intuitive.

For learners in the Philippines, these accessible, no-cost programs offer a great opportunity to build valuable skills and knowledge, contributing to a thriving AI skillset that’s in demand across various industries.

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The Cost of Study in Germany: Breaking Down the Expenses for Your Academic Journey

Germany has become one of the most sought-after destinations for international students. With its top-ranking universities, vibrant culture, and unparalleled academic opportunities, the allure is undeniable. But before you pack your bags and book a one-way ticket, let’s address the elephant in the room: the cost of study in Germany.

While Germany is often considered a budget-friendly destination for higher education, it’s essential to dive deep into the actual costs you may incur. This blog will break down everything you need to know to prepare financially and make your dream of studying in Germany a reality.

Why Study in Germany?

Before we delve into the numbers, let’s quickly talk about why studying in Germany is such a popular choice.

Tuition-Free Education: Public universities in Germany generally charge no tuition fees for undergraduate programs, even for international students.

World-Class Universities: Think of institutions like the Technical University of Munich (TUM) or Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), which rank among the best globally.

Diverse Study Programs: Germany offers an array of courses, from engineering to arts, in English and German.

Affordable Cost of Living: Compared to countries like the USA or the UK, Germany’s living expenses are relatively lower.

Vibrant International Community: With students from across the globe, studying here is truly a multicultural experience.

Breaking Down the Cost of Study in Germany

Although tuition is free in public universities, there are still some costs to consider. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Semester Contribution Fees

While most public universities do not charge tuition fees, you will need to pay a semester contribution. This fee, ranging between €150–€300 per semester, covers administrative expenses, public transportation, and student benefits like cafeteria access.

For example, if you enroll at Humboldt University in Berlin, your semester contribution might be around €250.

2. Living Expenses

The cost of living in Germany varies depending on the city you choose. Here’s an approximate monthly breakdown:

Accommodation: €300–€700 (cheaper in smaller cities)

Food and Groceries: €150–€250

Health Insurance: Around €110

Transportation: €80–€100 (covered in some semester fees)

Miscellaneous (entertainment, phone bills, etc.): €100–€200

On average, you might need about €850–€1,200 per month to cover living expenses. Pro tip: Sharing an apartment or opting for university dorms can help reduce accommodation costs.

3. Visa and Residence Permit

To study in Germany, you’ll need a student visa, which costs approximately €75. Additionally, Germany requires international students to open a blocked account with at least €11,208 (as of 2024). This ensures you have enough funds to support yourself during your first year.

4. Course Materials and Miscellaneous Expenses

Books, supplies, and occasional study trips might cost around €50–€100 per month. However, many universities provide free access to digital resources, saving you money.

How to Budget Effectively?

Studying abroad is a major financial commitment. Here are some tips to manage your expenses efficiently:

Opt for Scholarships: Many universities and organizations offer scholarships for international students. DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is a great place to start your search.

Work Part-Time: As an international student, you’re allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. This can help cover your living expenses.

Leverage Discounts: Use your student ID for discounts on transportation, museums, and even some restaurants.

Consult an Expert: If you feel overwhelmed, reaching out to an overseas education consultant can help you plan your finances better.

Why Work with an Overseas Education Consultant?

Navigating through application processes, visa requirements, and financial planning can be daunting. An overseas education consultant simplifies this journey by providing tailored guidance.

Expert Advice: Consultants help you choose the right universities based on your budget and goals.

Application Assistance: They ensure your documents are flawless, increasing your chances of acceptance.

Visa Support: From form-filling to interview prep, they make the visa process stress-free.

Post-Arrival Guidance: Some consultants even help you settle in Germany, offering tips on accommodation and local culture.

If you’re planning to study in Germany but aren’t sure where to begin, seeking professional guidance can save you time and effort.

Is Studying in Germany Really Worth It?

Absolutely! When you compare the cost of study in Germany to other popular destinations, the value is undeniable. You’re investing in top-notch education while minimizing your financial burden. And let’s not forget the perks of being in Europe—traveling to neighboring countries during holidays is a dream come true.

Moreover, Germany’s focus on practical learning and research opens doors to incredible career opportunities, especially if you wish to work in engineering, IT, or sciences. The country also offers an 18-month post-study work visa, giving you ample time to explore job prospects.

Final Thoughts

The cost of study in Germany might not burn a hole in your pocket, but proper planning is key to making the most of your experience. From understanding semester contributions to managing monthly expenses, every detail matters.

If you’re ready to take the leap, don’t hesitate to consult with an overseas education consultant. They’ll be your guiding light, ensuring your journey is smooth and successful. So, what are you waiting for? Your dream to study in Germany is just a plan away!

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments. We’re here to help!