Choosing HE courses

Exploring the employability benefits.

Presentation by

Kate Colechin

Pre HE Careers

April 2019

Outline

1.Benefits of undertaking a degree

2.Factors to consider when choosing

HE courses & universities

What does university mean to you?

Social life NewExperiences

Staying in Bristol Achievingambitions

Moving away from Bristol

Golden ticket to great job

Learning from experts

Discounts in shops

Reasons for going to university

International Student Survey, 2017 www.timeshighereducation.com/student/news/why-do-students-go-university-and-how-do-they-choose-which-one

Benefits of HE

Higher earning potential

Access to certain career

areas

More likely to be employed

Opportunity to study a subject

Time to choose a career

Opportunities to develop skills

Concern: will I get a job?

• 5.1% of graduates are unemployed, 6 months after they finish their course. (DLHE, 2018)

• 74% are in a professional or managerial level job. (DLHE, 2018)

• 87.5% of graduates aged 16-64 are employed compared to 71.1% of non-graduates (BIS, 2018)

Higher Education

Specialising in a subject

Analysis

Critical thinking

Research

Professional training

Industry focused

Study the subject you love!

Types of Subject

• Building Surveying

• Physiotherapy

• Accounting & FinanceVocational

• Business

• Psychology

• Law

Semi-Vocational

• Sociology

• Maths

• History

Non-Vocational

Types of CoursesType Description

Single Subject Just one subject e.g. BA (Hons)Geography

Joint Honours Two subjects, 50% of each e.g. BA (Hons) Business and Marketing

Major/Minor 75% of one, 25% other subject e.g.BSc (Hons) Physics with Space Science

Sandwich A year on a placement

Integrated Foundation Year

An additional year pre-degree

HNC/HND/FoundationDegree

Equivalent to first two years of degreeVocational subjects FdSc Vet Nursing

Choosing a course

Exams?More

courseworkLinks with employers

Career requirement

Graduate destinations

Support services

Standard of teaching

(NSS)

Placement options

Course content

Opportunities to travel

How you can progress.

Higher National Certificate/Diploma

Foundation Degree

Degree

Masters

Doctorate

HNC/HND

FdSc, FdA

BSc, BA, Beng, LLB

MSc, MA

PhD

PROGRESSION

Start Here –1-2 years

Start Here –2 years

Start Here –3-4 years

Choosing a University

LocationCampus vs. City Centre

Sports Facilities

Living Costs

Clubs/ Societies

IT ServicesStudents

UnionBursaries

Student Support

Careers Support

Employability success

What do graduates do?

Degree Subject Employment

Business Graduate Buyer for Tesco

Law Enforcement Officer HM Court and Tribunal Services

Geography Mapping/GIS Analyst UK Hydrographic Office

Economics Risk AnalystMorgan Stanley

Analytical Science Drug Analyst

Fashion Print Designer –Top Shop

Non-graduate but on track…

• Fashion: Fashion Design Internship –Vivienne Westwood

• Film: Runner – production house

• Psychology: Mental Health Support Worker - NHS

• Politics: Teaching Assistant – Primary School

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

University attended

Exam Results

Degree Subject

Relevant work experience

Attitudes and Aptitudes for work

Most important factors considered when recruiting graduates (%)

Video: What Employers Want (skills)

The degree is just part of the jigsaw

Degree

Skills

Work

Experience

‘University

experience’

Further Resouces