Jianwei comes from China and studied for his Master's in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at the University of Essex.
Yousef comes from Iran, and is studying for a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
Wendy Adams teaches biology, chemistry and physics to S1 and S2 (aged 11-13) and chemistry to S3 to S6 (aged 13-17). She is in her second year of teaching at a state comprehensive school in East Lothian.
Sandrine Tonini teaches French to S1-S4 (aged 11-15) in a comprehensive school in Orkney. She is a newly qualified teacher (NQT) in her induction year.
Patrick Gilbert's essay 'Talking Mathematics and Chasing Tornadoes' was a runner up in the 2013 UCAS/Times writing competition.
Patricia is from Egypt and the USA, and studied for her PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Meleri Beynon is a nursery leader in a large primary school in central Cardiff. She is a qualified primary teacher in her second year of teaching.
Maupe is from Nigeria and studied for her Masters in International Relations and Development Studies at the University of East Anglia.
Laura comes from Finland and is in her first year studying Economics at the University of Aberdeen.
Joseph Larner from Hertfordshire is just finishing his first year at Nottingham Trent University, studying international relations. He applied directly through Clearing after making the decision he wanted to go to university following the death of his father earlier in the year.
I applied for an apprenticeship because I was really keen to earn my own money and become more independent. However, I still wanted to gain a qualification. I thought an apprenticeship with a reputable company would be perfect for me.
Ghai Siung comes from Malaysia, and is studying for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield.
George Pearson's runner up essay from the 2013 UCAS/Times writing competition, about studying Classics at Durham University.
Elena Chabo's winning essay, on her passion for studying archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, from the 2013 UCAS/Times writing competition.
Chloe comes from the USA and is in her first year studying Oceanography at the University of Southampton.
Audrey is from Lancashire and is studying Health and Social Care as a mature student.
Ashley Jones is a newly qualified teacher in his induction year. He teaches science to Year 7-9 (aged 11-14) and chemistry to Year 10-11 (aged 14-16) in a comprehensive school in Bury, Manchester.
Antoine is French and is in his third year studying Computer Systems and Networks at Edinburgh Napier University.
'This world, that world' – Adam Dark's runner up essay from the 2013 UCAS/Times writing competition.