Choosing a course,Choosing a university

Who we are

• 8th in the UK, top 20 in Europe and top 100 in world (THES)

• Over 12,000 students and staff from over 120 countries

• Winner of ‘The Place to Be’ for international students 3 years in a row

• Leading research university (90% staff research at national/international reputation)

• Selective university: applications up 60% in two years

• 3,000 new students each year

• Nobel Prizes and Fellowships

Course confusion

• Over 43,000 courses!

• Continue with current subject/s

• Broaden or narrow subjects

• Start a new subject

• Joint honours, major and minor

• Field trips and a year abroad

At university you study in a variety of different ways - lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent reading and self study, practical

classes and group-work

Why university?Reasons to study

Study a subject that you enjoy to get the most out of it!

A degree shows employers you’re committed; helps you get good job with good salary!

Qualifications open doors to many different & interesting careers; do something you love!

Time & experience to decide what you want to do as a career.

Freedom to be in charge of your own life; discover what you want and make it happen!

Available to everyone; different scholarships and bursaries available.

We want to help you realise your potential!

Getting it rightThe simple guide

• Research: What, when, how

• The application form

• How you choose a course

• How you choose a university

• The big picture

What, Why, When, HowThe application process

• What: UCAS - handles apps for all full-time first degree HE courses

(million and a half apps for 60,000 courses at 325 institutions)

• Why: Saves time for colleges AND you; aids good practice

• When: Yr 12, March to August – research, call, visit, practice

• When: Yr 13, September – apply (deadlines: Mid Oct; Mid Jan; End

Jun)

• How: Single application form giving five choices; done online

Research The university and course

What

Make decisions on courses and universities

When

Start right now

Deadlines

UCAS accept apps from Sept Yr 13. Follow your schools

instructions. Official dates: Mid Oct, Mid Jan, End Jun

How

Read prospectus, look at website, call, visit

Things to considerWhen choosing the university/course

Rankings – ALL types!

Reputation and specialist research areas

Entry tests (LNAT, BMAT, UKCAT, HAT, Oxbridge specific)

Interviews

Emphasis put on PS and references

Points, grades, flexibility, A*, GCSEs

Extra curricular availability

Location/campus/size

Cont...

Things to considerWhen choosing the university/course

Bursaries and scholarships

Links with industry/work placements

Employability

Resits

‘Soft’ subjects

Accreditation

Course structure and learning

Optional extras (majors/minors, field trips)

The timing of your application

How you choose a course

• Enjoyment

• Interest

• Intrigue

• Talent

How you choose a course

Entrance requirements

Qualifications, work experience, personal qualities

Extras Year abroad, year in industry, accreditation, combinations

Bursaries and admissions schemesFinancial, academic, local, specific

How you choose a course

• Practical or theory

• Staff reputation

• Academic or vocational

• High or low contact hours

• Cost

What type of university do I want to go to?

How you choose a university

How you choose a university

• Do they offer the type of

course you want?

• Reputation/league tables

• Recommendations

• Distance from home

How you choose a university

• Halls of residence

• Off-campus housing

• Cost

• Travel to uni

How you choose a university

• Entertainment

• Sports

• Pubs/clubs/theatres

• Gigs and festivals

• Societies and specialist

interests

How you choose a university

What is your ideal location?

Big city? Country?

By the sea?

How you choose a university

Campus tourMeet current students, walk around campus, gain insight

Open day Meet academics, research new subjects, ask questions

Admissions dayMeet department, see accommodation, attend subject talks

Contact

www.sussex.ac.uk

Student Recruitment Services,

Sussex House, University of Sussex,

Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH

T 01273 876787

E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Keep in touch

Join us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/uniofsussex

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http://twitter.com/SussexUni