POST 18 CHOICES Year 14 Induction/Headstart Day August 2014 Mrs S Coetzee Head of Careers

TO DATE: TODAY: Registered for UCAS Completed Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 of UCAS application RESOURCES: Post 18 Options Information Booklet 2015 Cycle Applying through UCAS Year 14 CEAIG 2013 - 4 TO COMPLETE: Course Choices (Section 4) Personal Statement IN YEAR 13: CEIAG Programme One-to-one Guidance Interview First draft of Personal Statement Interview Notes Second draft of Personal Statement (over summer) Continued research (over summer)

IMMEDIATE ACTION IN THE NEXT WEEK... Complete/check Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 (all except Choices and Personal Statement) Continued research - Course Choices Review Personal Statement for first meeting with Post 18 Adviser Consider Open Days (QUB, UU)

SCHEDULE

OPEN DAYS SEE LETTER Queens University School trip Friday 12 September Family Open Day Saturday 13 September University of Ulster Jordanstown Tuesday 9 September 9.30 am - 2 pm Wednesday 10 September 9.30 am - 2 pm; 6 pm 8 pm Thursday 11 September 9.30 am - 3 pm University of Ulster Coleraine Saturday 6 September9.30am - 2 pm University of Ulster Magee Saturday 20 September 9.30 am - 3 pm St Marys University College Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September

OUTLINE Post 18 Options Choosing a course UCAS - Applying for University Personal Statements Aptitude Tests Applying through CAO and Abroad Deferred Entry/Gap Year Opportunities Finance

POST 18 OPTIONS Higher Education University Degrees (a minimum of 3 years) College of Further and Higher Education Foundation Degrees a minimum HNDs of 2 years Degrees Employment (consider part-time study options) Higher Apprenticeships/Apprenticeships NI

WHY CHOOSE HIGHER EDUCATION? Develop subject knowledge and transferable skills for enhanced employability Improve career prospects for long-term financial success Graduate hungry economy: 2005 23% of all jobs demanded degree Currently 32% 2020 43% Essential for some career areas (Medicine, Teaching, Chartered Engineering, Law etc) Achieve full academic and personal potential

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE LEVEL AT WHICH YOU WILL APPLY TO STUDY. GIVE YOURSELF GOOD BACK-UP OPTIONS. Masters Level (eg MEng, MSc, MMath) Level 7. Bachelors Level (eg BA, BSc, BEng, BMus, BEd) Level 6. Foundation degree/HND Level 5. After completion, this could lead to the second year of a degree course, and sometimes the final year.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES REQUIRED IN 2015 TO STUDY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY (QUB)? a. A*AA c. AAB b. AAA d. BBB Source: UCAS/University websites The correct answer is either c) or d) It depends on the level at which you wish to study. MEng is AAB. BEng is BBB. (Maths and one other Science required). The lowest entrance requirement for any degree at QUB is BBB. The Actuarial Science and Risk Management degree at QUB requires A*AA.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES REQUIRED IN 2015 TO STUDY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AT UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER? a. ABB c. BCC b. BBB d. CDD Source: UCAS/University websites The correct answer is b) However, the requirement was 300 tariff points with grades BB at A level. At least one hard science and one other science-related subject required. Most degrees at University of Ulster require in the region of BBB-BCC grades. Although the lowest entrance requirement is CCC, some degrees will require AAA.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES REQUIRED IN 2014 TO STUDY FOR A FOUNDATION DEGREE IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AT BELFAST METROPOLITAN COLLEGE? a. BB/CCC c. CC b. BC/DDD d. DE Source: BMC 2014 prospectus The correct answer is a) Many Foundation degrees at the local Technical College are as competitive as full University degree courses. In Software Engineering, the minimum tariff has been 200 points. In Mechanical Engineering, a Foundation degree requires Maths and another Science/Technology with a minimum BC grades.

SCOTLAND Be aware of the Scottish MA Opportunity to study two or three subjects Scottish degree courses tend to be a year longer MA 4 years BSc/BEng 4 years MEng 5 years Can sometimes apply for second year as point of entry if the subject has been studied at A level Did you know... It is not true that you do not have to pay fees in Scotland if you have an Irish passport.

FOUNDATION DEGREES/RESITTING A LEVELS Foundation degrees can be extremely competitive to get into. Apply in February. Go to an Open Day. Remember that students who have Foundation degrees/HNDs still move forward to undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees and even PhDs. Many pupils favour resitting A levels at Tech as a back-up plan instead of a Foundation degree/HND. Why? You are aiming for a competitive institution that cannot be accessed through a Foundation degree. They do not offer a suitable Foundation degree in your subject (History, Spanish). Why not? It is a step back. Colleges do not offer all the same subjects as CCB. Colleges do not offer the same exam board as CCB in all subjects.

COLLEGES OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION Foundation Degrees, HNDs and some degrees: Apply directly to College but sometimes through UCAS (check carefully) Courses available in Northern Ireland in the following sectors: Business Computing Social Studies Creative Studies Hospitality Leisure and Tourism Science and Agri-Foods Technology

CURRENT PATTERNS IN NI FOR GRADUATES Medical and related Education General Business/ Administration Medical Business and Admin Mass Communication Physical Sciences Mathematics Computer Sciences Engineering Technology Creative Arts and Design Agriculture Manufacturing Construction Retail Hotels Restaurants Lower than average concentrations of graduates in: Increasing demand for graduates in: Decline in demand for graduates in: Above average concentrations of graduates in:

CHOOSING A COURSE What subject(s) to study? Continue with familiar subject of interest e.g History; Physics; Mathematics Take up new subject e.g. Archaeology; Economics; Psychology Study subject with direct career links e.g. Accountancy; Engineering; Law Pursue vocational course e.g. Architecture; Medicine; Physiotherapy; BEd Teaching

CHOOSING A COURSE Where and what kind of institution? Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland or England/Wales Campus/City Costs/Financial implications Reputation Accommodation Non - academic facilities (sporting/social) Travel and accessibility

CHOOSING A COURSE What type of course? Single Honours emphasis on one subject (module options) Joint Honours 2 subjects (not necessarily related) Combined Honours combination of 2 or 3 subjects (eg Liberal Arts) Major/Minor e.g. Business Studies with French Sandwich alternating periods of study and work- related experience

CHOOSING A COURSE Think about: Entry requirements Course content and duration Proportion applications/offers Interview/non-interview entry Methods of teaching and assessment Course structure, options and flexibility Academic facilities Professional accreditation

WHERE TO STUDY? Russell Group Use The Times and The Guardian league tables as well as www.unistats.com Review by institution and subject Read through course literature carefully Visit University

WHAT IS UCAS? Universities and Colleges Admissions Service www.ucas.com Five Course Choices Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science/Medicine four choices only in any of these plus one other Oxford University or University of Cambridge only one choice for that University. Not possible to apply for both Cost 23

UCAS PROCEDURES Applications made online using APPLY system Online TRACK system allows pupils to monitor progress of applications Offers made, often relating to UCAS tariff Applicants can accept two offers (usually May 2015) CF (Conditional Firm) CI (Conditional Insurance) or UF (Unconditional Firm) Results August 2015 - pupils take up places Autumn 2015 AS level grade Tariff points A level grade Tariff points BTEC Subsidiary Diploma A*140 Distinction A60A120 B50B100 C40C80 Merit D30D60 E20E40 Pass

UCAS PROCEDURES UCAS EXTRA UCAS CLEARING CUKAS (Music courses at Conservatoires )

UCAS REFERENCES AND PREDICTED GRADES Reference written by Post 18 Adviser based on: Subject references Pastoral references Predicted grades based upon AS level results

PERSONAL STATEMENT Crucial to any application make right impression Effective Personal Statement can mean difference between offer or rejection .

PERSONAL STATEMENT Must be well-written, grammatically accurate with no spelling errors 4000 characters, including spaces Read by all Admissions Tutors 80 : 20 ratio 80% academic 20% extra-curricular/other Relevant Work Experience essential for some courses show insight through Personal Statement

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT SHOULD SHOW.. you know what you want to study and why your academic strengths and interests match your subject choices you are able to reflect on things you learn and experiences you have you are curious about and have motivation towards your chosen subject your subject interests go beyond the classroom you are a well rounded and organised person, with a range of skills, developed both inside and outside the classroom

APTITUDE TESTS Some vocational degrees demand aptitude tests as requirement: BMAT Medicine/Veterinary UKCAT Medicine/Dentistry HPAT Physiotherapy, Radiography etc at Ulster LNAT Law at some Universities Oxbridge - require aptitude tests for some courses at certain Colleges TSA Thinking Skills Assessment Subject Specific HAT, PAT, MAT, Law Test

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES IN REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Central Applications Office (CAO) www.cao.ie Course choices are made in order of preference Choice of up to 10 courses For most courses, places are awarded strictly on academic merit Changes to entrance requirements at Trinity College Dublin will no longer be necessary to have four full A levels to meet entrance requirements

UNIVERSITIES ABROAD Programmes in Europe delivered in the English language www.eunicas.co.uk USA SAT test www.fulbright.org.uk www.collegeboard.org Hong Kong and China

DEFERRED ENTRY/ GAP YEAR Possible to apply to UCAS in the 2015 cycle for entry Autumn 2016 Make plans, and make them relevant e.g.: Learning a language properly Learning new skill Voluntary Work Job Discuss plans and intended outcomes on Personal Statement

Domicile Institution location NIEnglandScotlandWales NI 3,575Up to 9K England Up to 9K Scotland Up to 9K 1,820 2,895 Up to 9K Wales Up to 9K (additional grant up to 5,425) EU 3,575Up to 9K 1,820 2,895 Up to 9K (additional grant up to 5,425) Other Variable FEES

MAINTENANCE LOANS Maximum available 75% entitlement Means tested Parental home 3,7502,812Up to 938 Living away from home (not London) 4,8403,630Up to 1,210 Living away from home (London) 6,7805,085Up to 1,695 Studying overseas 5,7704,327Up to 1,443

MONEY MATTERS Repayments begin to pay back loans once earning 16,910 per annum or over. Pay back 9% of any earnings over this amount. Debt written off after 30 years. Grants means tested Maintenance Grants of up to 3,475 for students from household with annual income less than 19,204. Partial grant for students from households with income less than 41,065. For every 1 that is received as a Maintenance Grant, available Maintenance Loan reduced by 50 pence.

MONEY MATTERS Special Support grant same as Maintenance Grant but doesnt affect Maintenance Loan. CAFRE fees capped at 1,465 for NI/EU students. Republic of Ireland fees paid by Irish Government. Registration fees of 2,750. Also eligible for Maintenance Loan (maximum 4,840) and a Maintenance/Special Support Grant as applicable. Look for special scholarships and bursaries at all Universities

MONEY MATTERS Students on health professional courses at UU are usually not liable for fees Dietetics, Occupation Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Podiatry, Speech and Language Therapy. May also be able to apply for income-assessed bursary (offset against maximum Maintenance Loan available). Arrangements are similar in rest of UK, but not all courses have bursaries. Bursaries are available for NI students in Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work courses.

QUESTIONS?

Documents

POST 18 CHOICES Year 14 Induction/Headstart Day August 2014 Mrs S Coetzee Head of Careers