Transferring Skills to University: What Should You Know?
Starting an undergraduate course is an exciting yet challenging transition. Whether coming from A-levels, college, or a gap year, you already possess valuable skills that can help you navigate university life successfully. These general skills not only enhance your academic performance but also lay a strong foundation for your future career. It’s important to identify and develop these skills throughout your time at university, including while living in student accommodation.
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can transfer valuable skills effectively, develop them further, and how to make the most of your university experience.
What are transferable skills (and why should you care)?
Transferable skills are abilities that can be adapted to various roles. Be it academic, extracurricular, or personal, these skills can be applied across multiple contexts. Unlike specialised knowledge, these skills are not confined to a specific field and are highly valued by employers for their adaptability.
Importance of transferable skills
1. Employability: Employers seek candidates who seamlessly adapt to diverse roles and challenges. Transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are often prioritised over technical expertise.
2. Academic Success: Skills like time management and critical thinking enhance your ability to navigate university coursework effectively.
3. Personal Development: Developing these skills can help boost self-confidence and resilience, essential traits for personal growth.
Whether it’s teamwork from a group project, organisational skills from juggling A-levels, or resilience from a summer job – these skills follow you wherever you go next.
How to identify transferable skills during university
Before you can fully use your skills, it helps to be aware of them. That means taking a bit of time to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve shaped you. A lot of students may not realise just how much they’ve already learned outside of formal education.
From A-levels, college, or apprenticeships
During your time at school, you’ve had to manage your time, prioritise tasks and stay focused under pressure – especially in the lead-up to exams. Juggling coursework for multiple subjects allows you to develop organisation and handle competing deadlines.
From part-time jobs
Many late teens will have part-time jobs during the run-up to university, with some managing a job throughout their undergraduate course for a little more money. This experience will likely have taught you how to handle pressure, problem solving, communicate clearly with customers and colleagues, and show up on time.
From life outside the classroom
And don’t forget everything else that happens outside of work and school. Did you help take care of younger siblings or elderly relatives? That builds responsibility, empathy, and maturity. Were you involved in any sports teams, clubs, or community volunteering? Then, you’ve probably developed leadership skills, resilience, and the ability to collaborate.
Consider practising writing a CV or cover letter listing what you’ve done over the years, including the lead-up to your degree. Even tasks that seem small, such as babysitting or leading a group project, may have helped shape you as a person.
How does student accommodation help contribute to your development?
It might not seem obvious initially, but your living space plays a big role in how you develop at university. Student accommodation isn’t just a place to crash after lectures – it’s where you’ll learn to live independently, build relationships, and create routines that work for you. It’s often the first time many young people will live away from home and family, creating building blocks to prepare themselves for adulthood.
The right property type can help you:
· Build independence: From cooking to cleaning to budgeting, you’ll learn fast when you’re in your own space.
· Stay focused: Quiet, study-friendly spaces are key when deadlines hit.
· Grow socially: Living with others helps you develop communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills (especially when living with new people).
· Manage your lifestyle: Good accommodation means better sleep, less stress, and healthier routines.
Although you may be concerned about the cost and want to look for the cheapest place, think about the kind of environment that will help you thrive and develop these skills.
Private accommodation often has more modern features, including quiet study areas and vibrant communal spaces – perfect for both independent living and opportunities to build valuable connections.
At Mansion Student, we provide purpose-built student accommodation in some of the UK’s most popular student cities, including Leeds, Nottingham, and Manchester.
Woodhouse Flats – a short walk from The University of Leeds.
Our student properties include a range of fully furnished room sizes (from ensuites to one-bedroom apartments) and luxurious communal areas where you can socialise with your course and flatmates.
Arrange a viewing at one of our student accommodations today!
Transferring skills to university from A-levels or college
One of the biggest shifts students face when they get to university is the amount of freedom and independence they suddenly have. No one’s chasing you for missing homework. Your days aren’t scheduled out in neat little chunks.
You’re the one managing your time now – which makes time management one of your most important transferable skills.
Previous skills can be transferred to this new environment and help foster a new adaptable schedule:
| College/A-Level Skill | How it Helps at Uni |
|---|---|
| Creating revision plans | Great for managing multiple deadlines |
| Writing essays under pressure | Helps with research skills and university work |
| Collaborating on group work | Directly applies to seminars and projects |
| Asking teachers for support | Builds confidence in seeking help from tutors |
| Presenting in class | Sets you up for workshops and presentations |
It’s easy to underestimate yourself when everything around you feels unfamiliar, particularly when moving to a new city. But the truth is, you already have many of the tools you need to succeed at university—even if you don’t realise it yet.
Choosing the right student accommodation – Mansion Student
Choosing the right place to live as a student can help you develop some of the most important life skills. For example, living with flatmates teaches you about compromise, communication, and respect for different lifestyles. Sharing a kitchen is a crash course in patience and negotiation. Managing your own food shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry helps build self-discipline and independence.
Singer Hall – our Coventry student accommodation
Mansion Student provides all-inclusive accommodation conveniently located to local amenities, nightlife, and university campuses. Our locations include:
· Coventry student accommodation
· Dundee student accommodation
· Durham student accommodation
· Nottingham student accommodation
If you are struggling during your tenancy, we have on-site hospitality teams available (all mental health first aid trained) to support you. Whether this is regarding your stay or struggling with homesickness, asking for help can get you back on track.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don’t feel like I have many transferable skills?
Even if you think you have no skills coming into university, you’re more likely to have more than you realise. Transferable skills come from life experience as well as education. Those experiences helped you build useful skills like time management, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Here’s a helpful guide from UCAS to identify these transferable skills—particularly useful when writing a cover letter, reference letter for a university course, or undergraduate personal statement.
Does student accommodation really make a difference to my success at university?
100%. Where you live greatly impacts your academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. A good student housing setup offers a comfortable, secure space where you can focus, rest, and socialise when needed. It can also introduce you to friends, access on-site support, and help you feel part of a wider student community.
Visit our accommodation pages at Mansion Student to find your perfect room.
Related content
Top Tips for Adjusting to University as a First-Year Student
