Spot the deliberate mistake

Date: 18 December 2010 19:15:23

Now, I know I have only just submitted my thesis, but as my thoughts are already turning to the next chapter in life, how could I possibly manage without a course of some description? So a couple of months ago I tried to apply to a local university (not the one I'm currently at, but in the same city) to do the graduate certificate in sexual health nursing, with a view to working in sexual health and family planning (at least part-time - I reckon if I can keep a few OU courses going and then do a few shifts at a clinic each week, that will suit me just fine, and there might be some research openings there too). The initial application process was not the easiest - the administrator sent me a form, entitled "Supplementary Form 4", which just asked me which modules I wanted to do and then told me to write the appropriate module code "on page 1 of the application form". Which rather implied that there was another form. As did the fact that Supplementary Form 4 had no space for my address, qualifications, employment or supporting statement. However when I pointed this out to the administrator (along with the fact that Supplementary Form 4 itself talked about another form) she emailed back to say "I don't understand what you're asking, I have sent you the form, here it is again in case you didn't get it" along with another attachment of Supplementary Form 4. I felt really bad that I had to be blunt, but I had to email her back to point out that in every other application form I've ever completed I've had to include my address, qualifications, employment and supporting statement. She then did immediately send me the application form as required, and was very apologetic, but I must say it didn't fill me with the most overwhelming sense of confidence.

On Monday I got a phone call from someone at the university. Unfortunately I was in the most heightened state of last-minute-thesis-itis (I was still hoping to submit later that day) so I had to interrupt the guy and tell him it was the worst possible time to speak to me. He sounded a bit affronted, and I suddenly had a horrible thought that maybe this was my preliminary interview! Whoops! I did explain that I was submitting my thesis that day and he did obviously smile and say he understood totally and he would email me, and he duly did to say that I had been accepted onto the course. Hooray.

I then got a letter from the university in question this morning. See if you can spot the deliberate mistake in the first sentence:

'Dear ...........
The university is pleased to make you an unconditional offer of a place for session 2010/11 for the programme leading to the: GRADUATE DIPLOMA BUSINESS WITH ENGINEERING (PT) entering at year 1.'

Ahem. I fear a phone call may be in order on Monday.