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IntroductionThe purpose of this booklet is to help prepare you for your next steps after your A levels, be it university, training or employment. Every year around 90% of Woodhouse students apply to higher education. The college aims to fully support you in making the right choices, in terms of which subject to study and which university to apply to, as well as supporting you with the actual application process. There is also lots of advice and guidance available if you’ve decided not to go to university.
Contents
1. THINKING OF UNIVERSITY..................................................................................1
1.1 Activity: Student Finance – Facts & Myths.............................................................................1
2 CHOOSING MY COURSE & UNIVERSITY.........................................................1
2.1 Choosing my course...............................................................................................................1
2.2 Choosing my university..........................................................................................................1
2.3 Deciding on my short list........................................................................................................1
3 GAP YEARS.................................................................................................................1
4 PERSONAL STATEMENTS.....................................................................................1
5 THE UCAS PROCESS: OVERVIEW......................................................................1
6 MY UCAS PLANNING SHEET................................................................................1
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1. Thinking of UniversityIs University right for me?
For a lucky few, your chosen career path is very clear; you know exactly what you want to do and you just need to go to university and study your degree for your chosen career; simple! But for the majority of the rest of you it’s not so clear and you are left wondering what to do or study and where. You may even be thinking whether 3 or 4 years at university will pay dividends or not and you are likely to weigh up the pros and cons of going to University in 2015 with your family etc before finalising your decision.
Activity:Workings in pairs or small groups discuss the advantages and disadvantages of going to university.
Advantages of going to university
Disadvantages of going to university
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1.1 Activity: Student Finance – Facts & Myths
Activity: There are many misconceptions about student finance. Look at the statements below. Discuss with your tutor/peers and decide if they are facts or myths.
University is just so expensive now; I simply can’t afford to go!Please circle
Fact / Myth
I will have to pay my tuition fees to the university myself. Fact / Myth
The maintenance loan will not cover all my living costs. Fact / Myth
If I cannot get a job when I graduate I will not be able to pay off the loan and it will become a huge burden. Fact / Myth
Even if I do get a good job, I’ll be in debt for the rest of my life. Fact / Myth
I don’t pay interest on my student loan. Fact / Myth
The Government can change the repayment terms of my loan. Fact / Myth
Borrowing all this money will affect my credit rating and stop me, for example, getting a mortgage in the future. Fact / Myth
Moving abroad to work exempts me from repaying the loan. Fact / Myth
My parents/family do not have to pay it back if I don’t. Fact / Myth
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Student Finance – Fact & Myths ANSWERS
Activity: There are many misconceptions about student finance. Look at the statements below. Discuss with your tutor/peers to decide if they are facts or myths.
University is just so expensive now; I simply cannot afford to go.You don’t pay any tuition fees up front. All eligible students, no matter what your parents earn, are entitled to apply for a tuition fee loan which covers the full cost of your university tuition fees and a maintenance loan which pays towards your living costs. There are also maintenance grants available for student with parents on lower income. (The higher your household income the less you get-see Student Finance 2014 document in this booklet.) and this money doesn’t have to be paid back.
Myth
I have to pay my tuition fees to the university myself.No, your tuition fees loan gets paid direct to the university by Student Finance UK. Myth
The maintenance loan will not cover all my living costs.You’re right! For the majority of students the maintenance loan on its own is not enough to cover costs such as rent, other bills, food, academic materials and of course socialising/entertainment! You will need to supplement your maintenance loan through other sources e.g. parental/family support, grants, bursaries, part-time jobs etc.
Fact
If I cannot get a job when I graduate I will not be able to pay off the loan and it will become a huge burden.You only start to pay back once you are earning over £21K per year from April in the year after you graduate. Once you enter repayments the amount you pay is based on your income, not what you borrowed. You will repay 9% of your income over the £21K threshold.
YOUR INCOMESo for example if you earn 25K that’s £4,000 over the payment threshold (21K).You pay 9% of £4,000 = £30 per month.The amount you repay will only increase when your earnings do and like a tax, repayments are collected along with your other regular taxes. You only pay it if you’re working.
Activity: Fill in the blanks below.
Income per year
Amount of salary fromwhich 9% will be deducted
Monthly repayments
£25,000 £4, 000 £30.00£30, 000 ? ?£35, 000 £14, 000 £105. 00£40, 000 £19, 000 £142. 50£45, 000 ? ?£50, 000 £29, 000 £217. 50£55, 000 ? ?£60, 000 £39, 000 £292. 50
Myth
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Even if I do get a good job, I’ll be in debt for the rest of my life.No – there is a cut off point of 30 years from the day you graduate. No matter how much you’ve repaid be it £1,000 or £30,000 the remaining balance will be wiped out once the 30 years is up.
Myth
I don’t pay interest on my student loan.You are charged interest on your loan from the time you get your first payment in university until you pay your loan back in full. The amount of interest you’re charged varies (see below). The actual interest depends on the rate of inflation.
Your Income per year Interest on your loanwhile you’re studying rate of inflation plus 3 per cent£21,000 or less rate of inflation£21,000 - £41,000 varies between the rate of inflation and the rate of
inflation plus 3 per cent depending on your income£41,000 or more rate of inflation plus 3 percent
Myth
The Government can change the repayment terms of my loan.They could but it’s unlikely as no government would want a whole generation of disgruntled graduates knocking on its door!
.
Fact
Borrowing all this money will affect my credit rating and stop me, for example, getting a mortgage in the future.Taking out a student loan does not affect your credit rating and will not show up on any report. It is unlikely, applying for credit in the future, your student loan repayments will be taken into consideration. And if they do, it will most likely work in your favour as it will be used to better calculate your net earnings.
Myth
Moving abroad to work doesn’t exempt me from repaying the loan.Correct, moving abroad doesn’t invalidate your agreement and if you don’t inform the student loans company of your plans/contact details you will be found and charged for the costs of tracing you!
Fact
My parents/family doesn’t have to pay it back if I don’t.No, the responsibility is a personal debt that you alone are responsible for and will never be transferred to your parents or anyone else.
See “You can afford to go to university” Martin Lewis. http://images2.moneysavingexpert.com/attachment/FT_Guide_14.pdf and also the video clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vq7RsIzaxKIhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/qualificationsSee also Student Finance https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview
Fact
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2 Choosing my Course & UniversityDeciding what to study and where to study it can be a life changing decision so the key is to do as much research as possible so you choose the right course and the right place to study it for the right reasons.
Activity: Watch the 2 short video clips to introduce this section: UCAS How to guide – Choosing Courses http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-
options/how-choose-course and Which? Univeristy – Choosing a university http://university.which.co.uk/advice/choosing-a-
university-course-applicants-video Make a few notes below on the key points raised to discuss with your group afterwards.
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2.1 Choosing my courseThere are thousands of courses to choose from in over 300 universities in the UK. With so much choice it is not surprising to hear students saying that it is hard to know where to start! If you know exactly what career aim you want to do e.g. become a doctor then choosing the subject is relatively easy. However, if like the majority of students, you have no idea of your future career aim is, there are a number of factors to consider when researching your course.
A good starting point would be to spend a few minutes asking yourself the following questions.
What subject(s) interest me? Start with what interests you and what you can see yourself doing.
What do I enjoy most at college? At university you will be studying a subject in depth for up to 4 years so therefore you need to choose a subject that will interest you for the duration of the course. If you do not really enjoy it, there is a good chance you will drop out!
What about my career aim? A lot of students are concerned that by choosing a subject they enjoy, it may affect their future career. Remember, choosing a subject does not mean choosing a career. Over 40% of graduate jobs do not require a specific subject as employers consider the skills you develop whilst studying for a degree as important as the actual subject content.
Activity: With a peer list what careers you might get, for example:
with an English degree?
with a Maths degree?
With a Biology degree?
(Think outside the box!)
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But I don’t want to continue with any of my A level subjects to higher level?Don’t worry as there are lots of subjects you can study at university without having studied them before e.g. Law, Psychology, Sports Science etc.
Do I have to narrow my studies to only one subject?You may be sure of your subject and want to study it and nothing else so you opt to do a SINGLE degree or you may be less clear and would like to specialise in more than one and you opt to do a JOINT, also known as a COMBINED DEGREE. However, Joint/Combined does not mean double the work! Joint degrees allow you to tailor your study to your interests. You can study subjects that are similar or completely different; the choice is yours. You can do 50/50 or major in one, minor in the other; all depends on the course and university so check the small print carefully! Studying across subjects can open up a wide range of career opportunities. They are highly competitive though and the proportion of applications ratio is often low.
What types of degrees are there?You can do a bachelor’s degree which is a course of academic study leading to a:
BA Bachelor ArtsBSc Bachelor of ScienceBASc Bachelor of Arts & ScienceBM Bachelor of MedicineBEng Bachelor of Engineering & many others; for
example there are many 4 year degrees which lead to a masters degree such as MA, MSC, etc.
Art or Humanities subjects include non-science subjects and include all languages, Art, English, History etc. They also include newer work-based subjects such as Business Studies.Science subjects include all pure sciences and courses that have a large amount of technical content such as Chemistry, Pure Maths. This group also includes courses such as “Economic Science” or “Information Science”. Bachelor degrees give students a thorough understanding of a subject and usually take 3 to 4 years to complete (some take longer e.g. Medicine or if it is a sandwich course or if you do a Masters (MA)).
What is a sandwich degree?A sandwich course is traditionally one year longer. It is where you sandwich in a year in industry or a placement abroad between your studies. It is generally paid for and ideally makes you more employable.
My cousin said s/he got a 2:2 degree; what does this mean?Degrees are generally classified as Ordinary or Honours but this varies between universities. A First Class Honours is the highest honours that can be achieved. About 10% achieve a “first” nationally. Most university graduates are awarded a second class honours degree often abbreviated as:
2:1 upper second class or2:2 lower second classThere is a third and pass classification also.Ordinary is a degree without an honours classification.
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…and s/he majored in his/her subject. What does that mean?Major is when you focus your concentration in a particular area/subject and minor is less intensive focus which is secondary to the major, and complements it.
…and vocational degrees?Any qualification that uses an “applied” or work based approach and prepares students for a specific career e.g. medicine, architecture as opposed to non-vocational courses which do not prepare you for any particular career e.g. Geography, History. For vocational courses it’s also a good idea to look at the websites of the professional bodies to examine what makes a good member of that profession.…and foundation degrees?These are higher level qualifications that blend academic study with workplace learning. They are designed and delivered in partnership with employers in a range of work related subjects to meet a skill shortage. Foundation degrees are broadly equivalent to the first 2 years of a Bachelor’s degree; they provide the opportunity to progress to a degree after 12-15 months full time study.
I’ve heard people talk of a law conversion course; what is that?A conversion course is a vocational (postgraduate) qualification taken by graduates wanting to change subject area after their first degree and better prepare themselves for the job market.
How do I research a subject/course?
Visit the UCAS website www.ucas.com to search for any course in the country which has a hyperlink to university websites and their entry requirements.
Activity: Your tutor will now demonstrate how to use this COURSE SEARCH FACILITY for a selection of course subjects the tutor group are interested in.
Remember a subject choice is not necessarily a course choice so for example if you search for Biology you will see you can do Zoology, Botany or Molecular Engineering. Also note that many courses with the same title are actually very different in terms of course structure (modular/linear), syllabus content (don’t just look at Term 1’s content!), study methods (number of contact hours etc) and assessment (exams/coursework). You may also have to sit an entrance exam or attend an interview).Other useful websites: http://university.which.co.uk/search/coursewww.bestcourse4me.org.ukhttp://coursefinder.telegraph.co.uk/
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2.2 Choosing my university
There are many different types of universities so choosing which one to go to takes careful research and should not be rushed. With the publication of league tables, many students (and parents) concerned themselves with the status of a university. There are several websites that rank universities and individual courses in these league tables and generally speaking the traditional universities come out near the top in all the tables. However there are several differences evident and certain biases exist so they should be used with caution . They may not rate universities on everything that is important so it is wise to carry out your own detailed research based on your own personal list.
The Russell Group is an association of major research – intensive universities in the UK. These universities have excellent reputations and are very competitive to get into. There are 24 of them.
Activity: How many of the Russell Group universities have you heard of? List the ones you know of below. Your tutor will help you fill in the blanks.
You can find out more about them at http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk
There are of course lots of other very, very good universities which are not in the Russell Group for example Lancaster University is regularly in the top six UK universities but is not a RG university because it’s so small. Therefore it is important to remember that every university has its own strengths and which is the best one for you depends on your course and what you are looking for.
Activity: So what are you looking for in a university? It will help if you consider the following factors carefully. Discuss them with your group and tutor.
Location You may decide that you wish to live at home and commute. This may make good financial
sense but it might also restrict your choices and independence! On the other hand St. Andrew’s may sound attractive but remember you need to get home at the end of each term at least so how much will it cost you and how long will it take and what are the transport links like? Would you prefer an urban or rural location? If you are country soul at heart there is no point heading to the hustle and bustle of a city university e.g. Manchester, London or Liverpool etc.
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Activity: You will need to have an idea of your geographical preferences so it is often a good idea to know the location of a university first by looking at a map!
Looking at the map of the UK below, how many of the universities can you name?
Aberdeen Cambridge Kings College London Norwich University of the ArtsQueens - Belfast Cardiff Leeds NottinghamBirmingham Edinburgh Liverpool OxfordBrighton and Hove Exeter Manchester SouthamptonBristol Hull Newcastle Warwick
Search on http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo for an interactive university map of the UK.
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Kings College London
What type of university will I like?There are two main types. Some are campus institutions e.g. Warwick whilst others are city universities e.g. Bristol. A campus university has halls of residence and the university facilities are all in one place e.g. lecture halls, laboratories, sports facilities etc. City universities have all the facilities but in buildings that are interspersed with shops and housing etc. Also there are many variations to the size of universities. They can range from 4,000 to 40,000 full-time students!
If is difficult for you to know which kind of university you will like if you have never been to one. It is very important to take the time to visit the universities to get a feel of what it is like before finalising your application. It will help you make a more informed choice but may also strengthen your application. Open Days are great opportunities to find out about the course and university. Open days run in June/July so you will have missed some already but most have open days in September/October also, so book as soon as possible.
There is no substitute for going and seeing the universities that most appeal to you on paper and on-line. For a full list of open days see www.opendays.com.
Activity: Complete the University Open Day Preparation sheet (copy in back of this booklet) before your visit.
What about accommodation?It is a good idea to check what a typical room in the halls will be like and how much it cost. Rents range from £50 to £150 depending on location. Check if accommodation is guaranteed for all first years and how far the halls from your lectures etc.
and the facilities?Check out the study facilities: libraries/IT and open access facilities, lecture/seminar rooms/ and the social facilities, bars, clubs/ societies.
and what about the teaching methods?This varies from course to course/ institution to institution. Is teaching via lecturers, seminars or tutorials? What are the contact hours? What is the tutorial system like? Is the course assessed by end of year exams or through continuous assessment?
Student SupportWhat support is provided for students with a disability/ specific needs e.g. dyslexia, medical and financial needs. Do they offer bursaries/ scholarships?
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Admission TestsSome universities and colleges require students to pass an admission test as well as standard qualifications if they are applying for courses in certain subjects. Do you know what admission tests these abbreviations stand for?
BMAT: MAT:
ELAT: MML:
GAMSAT: STEP:
HAT: TSA Cambridge:
LNAT: UKCAT:
Entry requirementsEntrance requirements vary considerably; make sure you apply for a range of universities. For example if you are hoping for an A* AA in your A levels next year then apply to a least one university with lower requirements, which will be your insurance choice e.g. AAB. Be realistic; look at appropriate courses based on your estimated grades. (Your subject teachers will go through these with you).
Apply for roughly the same course in all your five choices. You only get one personal statement and you have to show a deep abiding interest in that course!
Does the university interview for your course?Some universities will invite you to an interview (or an audition). This varies across subjects and universities. (There will be lots of help available to prepare you for interviews during the year).
Going to university abroadYou should arrange a careers appointment to really discuss and compare options and implications. Useful websites include:
Woodle/ Careers/ Progression to further study/ and click on link to “EXODUS” online database. www.astarfuture.org.uk or www.degreesahead.org.uk USA – www.fulbright.org.uk or www.collegeboard.com Australia/ New Zealand www.studyoptions.org.uk Europe: www.studyportals.eu
Private universitiesTo check if a private university or college is on the “Approved” list just 11 providers i.e is fully inspected for quality go to www.qaa.ac.uk/institutionreports/pages/institutions-A-Z
Other Useful website links for this section: www.unistats.direct.gov.uk is a website which enables potential students to compare subjects at
universities. It includes information on student data, destinations and the National Student Survey. www.guardian.co.uk/education/table - league tables. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/ http://university.which.co.uk/advice/top-things-to-look-for-when-comparing-uni-courses www.push.co.uk/uni-chooser/s/htm www.applytouni.com/articles/choosing-your-uni-for-2014
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2.3 Deciding on my short list
Entrance requirementsOnce you have identified the course and university you are interested in you must find out about the entry requirements. Some universities require only a particular point score but most require specific grades in specific subjects. The UCAS website has a Tariff calculator which helps universities when deciding on course entry requirements and making conditional offers.
How do my grades equate with UCAS points?Activity: complete these examples:a) A level Law and predicated grade = A - 120 points
A level History and predicted grade = B - 100 pointsA level English and predicted grade = B - ?AS Art and achieved grade = B - ?
Total =b) A level Chemistry and predicted
grade= B - ?
A level Biology and predicted grade = C - ?A level Maths and predicted grade = C - ?
Total =AS Physics achieved grade = B - ?
c) A level Psychology and predicted grade
= A - ?
A level Sociology and predicted grade = B - ?A level Business and predicted grade = C - ?AS Geography achieved = C - ?Extended Project = B - ?
Total =
A Levels(pts = points)
AS Levels(pts = points)
ExtendedProject(pts = points)
A* 140 pts A* 70 ptsA 120 pts A 60 pts A 60 ptsB 100 pts B 50 pts B 50 ptsC 80 pts C 40 pts C 40 ptsD 60 pts D 30 pts D 30 ptsE 40 pts E 20 pts E 20 pts
Do your own subject combination as an example now:(The College policy is to predict your AS grade plus half a grade. For example, if you get a high C at AS then you will be predicted a B at A level but if you get a low C, you will be predicted a C.)
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Look at the UCAS website – UCAS Tariff tables http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tablesfor the minimum and maximum entry level points for universities.
Remember to look at universities that have entrance requirements that fit your academic abilities/predicted grades for A Levels. Remember also course requirements vary so check the individual course at the university you are interested in.
Narrow it down to a handful of specific courses at individual universities. You need 5 for your application. The final 5 will depend on the university and your visits too (see next section) so it is highly likely you will have about 15 or so at this stage!
Oxford/Cambridge universities have slightly different application processes from other universities from other universities. If you are interested in an application to either, you need to contact Mrs. Grice or Mr. Patel and they will give you further information.
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3 Gap YearsFact: Gap years participation has increased year on year since the early 1990s amongst those taking undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Activity: As a group discuss (a) Why students consider a year off? (b) What students can do on their Gap Year? Your tutor will play a short clip of an ex-student’s GAP adventures.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qjQkMswj3M&feature=youtu.be (Woodhouse student's experiences of volunteering with ICS VSO)
How do I manage my Gap Year in terms of UCAS?1) Apply at the same time as everyone else but for a deferred entry. This is the most sensible
option for most. If your results are good, you will have your university place before your gap year starts. If your results are disappointing, you can always withdraw and start a new application.
2) Apply in the Autumn term after you receive your A Level results. If you do this, you should apply via the college – you will need to contact us/come in during September/October.
Why do students consider taking a Gap Year? It is fun to spend a year getting up to the kind of things you may never get a chance to do again. You want to ‘pause’ to consider what you want to do in the future. You might gain experience and skills that will bolster your application or future job prospects. You can earn some money.
What can I do in my Gap Year?Gap years cover a wide range of activities: Travelling. Work – paid or voluntary. Community or charity work – work with the elderly, children, sick; work with people that inspire
and develop you. Au pairing. Teaching English as a foreign language abroad. Retaking your exams. Reapplying to find a better course or university. Learning a language. Starting a business. Writing a novel. Or ??? anything that appeals to you but don’t waste your time!
Useful website links for this section: www.gapyear.com (general advice and other links) www.projecttrust.org.uk (a long-established project abroad gap organisation) www.yini.org.uk The Year in Industry- Paid work placements before University (can include time
abroad) www.wwv.org.uk Worldwide volunteering (1.6 million vacancies worldwide) www.csv.org.uk Community Service Volunteers (paid community placements-The UK’s largest
volunteering and training organisation) www.campamerica.co.uk Paid work in summer camps of all kinds in the USA www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/opportunities/vso-ics-for-18-25yearolds (VSO ICS programme)
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4 Personal StatementsRemember don’t start drafting your personal statement until you have decided what you want to do. Your Personal statement explains why you want to study this degree or course, and explains and illustrates why an Admissions Tutor should accept you. Remember the same personal statement goes to all your universities. You only have 47 lines/ 4000 characters, this includes spaces, so you need to get across as much relevant information in a clear and concise way. A personal statement will take several drafts and rewrites.
Two thirds of the statement should be about your interest in the course. You can draw on your A-levels and any extra reading, but make it relevant. You are trying to convince them you would be a good, successful student on that course.
Don’t list lots of books, articles you’ve read and experiences you’ve had. It’s not the quantity that matters but the quality. Better to discuss one book in depth, talking about your insight and understanding, than list ten. It’s not what you do but what you get out of it that matters/learnt from it.
If you are doing an EPQ in a relevant area, you should devote a lot of time to discussing this – you may have to leave this paragraph to write in September.
Do not tell them you have wanted to study this course since you were five years old. So what?
You are applying for an academic course, not a job. Most universities do not care what you might do after you graduate: they want to know what you are like as a student not an employee in some future career.
Top universities are not overly interested in extra-curricular activities, unless they demonstrate leadership & other skills e.g. independence, team work or your capacity for doing a lot without a drop in standards. However details of relevant work experience, particularly if it’s a vocational course if vocational e.g. medicine or education is appropriate.
Try to keep your sentences simple – ask yourself what is this sentence trying to say? Avoid long sentences that go on and on. If you use a thesaurus, make sure the word really fits.
Avoid pompous, pretentious language or waffle. 150 well chosen words is better than 400 of irrelevant information! You are a 17 year-old, and you should sound like a 17-year old. Sound like yourself - do not try to sound like someone you’re not! Don’t make assertions about your personal qualities without evidence to support them.
Many universities sift through a pile of applications looking to decide which ones to reject. So standing out is not always a good idea. It is sufficient to be solid and strong and without obvious weaknesses.
Avoid humour. And avoid quotations as dramatic rhetorical flourishes. If it’s embarrassing to read out loud, cut it out.
Do not go over the top so don’t lie, exaggerate, embellish or lie. If interviewed you may need to talk about it!
Do not plagiarise – universities have anti-plagiarism software!
Proofread – ask other people; read it aloud; read it sentence by sentence, but from the end to the beginning. Look out for typos, grammar, spellings (there/their/they’re; affect/effect, etc, etc), repetition of words.
Ask a relevant subject teacher to look at it – they will have more time this term than in September.
For subjects that you have not studied before (e.g. Law, Medicine, Architecture, etc), the personal statement is really important – it is your chance to show that you know what this course is all about and that you are well suited for it. For other courses e.g. Maths or Engineering, the personal statement does not matter as much.
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There are lots of useful websites and video clips with valuable information and advice about writing your personal statement. (Note: there are some that are less useful also so tread carefully!).
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-application/your-personal- statement
http://university.which.co.uk/advice/ucas-personal-statement-dos-and-donts http//university.which.co.uk/advice/personal-statement-subject-guides-admission-tutor-tips http//university.which.co.uk/advice/personal-statements-the-student-guide-to-selling-yourself
Activity: Look at the Personal Statements attached. Taking the above points into consideration, with your tutor say what’s good about the statements and what could be improved. Your tutor will provide you with additional examples of good and bad personal statements covering a greater variety of subject areas in tutorials this term.
EXAMPLE: Personal Statement A = MathsWhat’s good / what needs improving?
EXAMPLE: Personal Statement B = GeographyWhat’s good / what needs improving?
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EXAMPLE: Personal Statement A - Maths
‘’It is the true nature of mankind to learn from his mistakes, not from example.’’ This quote, by Fred Hoyle, depicts why mathematics is something I wish to study at a higher level. Mathematics is the one subject where I can clearly see my mistakes and know exactly what I must do to fix it. It is an intriguing subject to which no ambiguity is attached and provides a clear proof to situations. Mathematics also gives me the ability to apply knowledge by approaching things logically. The more I learn new aspects of mathematics the more fascinated I become, as there is always so much more to every single aspect of mathematics – allowing scope for further research and new mathematical ideas to be derived. I am amazed by how mathematics plays a fundamental role in my everyday life and in the basis of almost every subject (chemistry, physics, biology, economics and many others), consequently giving me a very strong foundation for a wide range of careers. Pure mathematics is my personal favourite, especially calculus, because it teaches many valuable and useful problem solving techniques. I look forward to studying about more calculus at a high level and how it can be applied into physics – as I have never studied that before.Last year, I had to cover the entire mathematics syllabus without help from my school because I was taking additional mathematics exams. Not only was the content I had to cover not being covered at my school when I had to take the exam but I was also faced with a 70 day time limit to complete all my revision (including the entire 1 and ½ year syllabus), study and work for this exam – as the exams were very soon. Having no lessons on the content from my school meant that I had the chance to develop an independent, self-reliant approach to mathematics, which in my eyes is invaluable and this was an opportunity to improve my ability to cope under pressure. This experience increased my interest in mathematics as I was working with numbers and many different concepts for several hours during the day. This was hard to balance with all my other subjects but through careful planning I was able to keep a balance between mathematics and other subjects I was doing which improved my time management and organisational skills. Studying biology at an AS level has allowed me to develop research and analysis skills which were further developed by studying psychology – as psychology involved me having to scrutinise each key 15 studies I studied. Along with that, I was able to improve my essay writing skills under a strict time condition, by studying economics as I had to write out several essays throughout the year about evaluating the use of policies. I have developed an objective perspective as my subjects demand me to look at both sides of the argument. This skills is not only useful in studying my AS subjects but in group discussions I am more able to consider all thoughts of others and present my argument and opinions in a vigorous way. I have loved studying mathematics as it presents a challenge and allows me to broaden my techniques of tackling a problem. I am going to be studying AS further mathematics next year which I believe will make me more in-depth with working with numbers also allowing me to develop my skills to tackle problems and thinking logically. To improve my researching skills I done an EPQ which was has provided me with invaluable independent learning skills as I had to learn game theory and what it is all about independently, I have also learnt ways to evaluate my work as my research involved me having to search about both sides of the argument. I have worked voluntarily for over 4 years for my borough through participation in the two youth boards. Over the years, even now, it has been an on-going learning process, although not being particularly high on mathematical content but it has improved my personal interaction skills. I ran for the UK Youth parliament, last year, and it required me to speak publically to an audience who I have never met before and engaging with people of different ages in attempt for them to vote for me; this gave me a lot of confidence in public speaking. I have had to learn to be more independent through my participation is the Bronze and Silver Level Duke of Edinburgh, and to enhance my abilities I am currently doing the Gold level. This brought to me many challenges like working with people who were totally opposite to me. Doing the Duke of Edinburgh I have not only improved my navigational skills but also learnt about the true spirit of team work. Being on the College Council – where decisions are made on things which affect the students- this has improved my confidence and communication skills, as I am able to put across my own and my fellow students’ perspectives. I would love to pursue a career in mathematics and I believe that my capabilities and the institution will match my ability to become a successful mathematician.
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EXAMPLE: Personal Statement A - Geography
My road trip to Croatia from London sparked my initial interest in Geography. I was captivated by the different cultures, economies and environments and recognised the spatial distributions at an international scale, helping me gain a better understanding of the complex connectivity of people and places. This experience raised many questions which lead to my visit to India where I experienced the inequality in numerous parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa, which has recently been classed with the least percentage of people living below poverty line at 5.09%, in the whole of India. Having spent time with the wealthiest and the poorest, undergoing everyday life as they do, I was stunned by the vast amount of contrast which stood only miles apart. However I came to a conclusion that they all had to some degree something which made them similar, which in this case was culture and religion, which I believe that globalisation has enabled to occur. The fact that a British person eating an Indian curry has something in common with a five year old child living in the slums, fascinates me. Geography has the ability to answer my immeasurable amount of queries which arise daily, which is one of the main reasons as to why I want to study the subject at Degree level. A-level Maths has helped me approach problems in an analytical way, formulating theories and applying them to solve problems; I believe it is a transferrable skill to my daily life, reducing the probability of me making errors whilst attempting tasks for the first time. Having studied statistics, my skills to infer graphs and spot correlations have developed. Economics is helpful as it has played a part in me being able to spot various oppurtunity costs of an action. Chemistry is rewarding as it has contributed to developing my problem solving skills.Many of the topics within Geography provide a stimuls for debate, I have involved myself in debating by being an active participant in the Model United Nations conferences throughout secondary school. This has allowed me to develop my abilities of understanding both sides of an argument, as well as being able to cooperate with various types of people and ensuring that a solution is decided on within a certain amount of time. I’ve also had the oppurtunity to have undergone Work Experience at Royal Bank of Scotland in the Risk field which was a Global team, I was exposed as to how risks were identified and how third parties were informed of them. I also reviewed SIA’s independently and assisted in re-formatting an assurance assessment tool on Excel as well as revising policy documents. I consider these skills to be transferrable when it comes to studying Geography as many of the topics require you to understand the risks associated with certain fundamentals. Having completed my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, I believe it reflects my comittment to complete something I have started, as it is something which requires endurance. I have also had the oppurtunity to have been accepted onto the Barclays Beyond Programme where I took part in various workshops which built on my interview, confidence and networking skills. I have now found that I’m better at communicating, which also shows that I’m fast at adapting and picking up new skills.I am multilingual as I speak English, Gujarati and Hindi fluently as well as basic Spanish. I see my linguistic skills as an asset that will be an advantage in terms of liaising with businesses and clients internationally, which I hope to do so in the future. I also weekly read ‘The Economist’ which is rewarding as it overlaps between current affairs and the Geograhy syllabus, granting me a new perspective on issues.I am confdent that my experiences will enable me to adapt quickly to the pressures of a degree, and make the most of the opportunities that the university life offers. I am looking forward to work with people who share my the same enthuiasm and passion for the subject and spread the positivity by taking an active role in the Geography department.
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Guidance for Writing Your Personal Statement
Note key points to develop into paragraph(s) of writing:Why?
Why have you chosen to do this course? Admission tutors want to see
enthusiasm for their subjects and a love of learning.
What demonstrates your interest in this subject?
Academic: How do your AS / A2 or other academic
subjects relate to the course? Show how the subject relates to your
degree course but not tortuously so; show relevant content and skills acquired.
What aspects of your subject have you particularly enjoyed e.g. AS module in?
Mention new subject(s) taken in Upper Sixth if it adds value.
What have you been successful at in the course e.g. coursework, presentations, wider reading?
EPQ if related to the course. Title, main conclusions/ most important
books/ journal(s) used?or if not related
What have you learnt from the process/ content?
Other course- related additional activity/activities?
Activities/Interests Participation in/out of college. Mention
paid or voluntary work, field trips, travel, music, sport, charity work, cultural visits if relevant but do not over emphasise.
What have you learnt from your activities that are related to the course or university life or relevant about yourself eg leadership?
Conclusion Reinforce the decision to study your
subject. What personal experiences or ambitions
can you link to your chosen course to give the statement a sense of completion?
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5 The UCAS Process: OverviewSee http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate
UCAS is the university application system. You can apply to up to five different universities. Your form gets sent to each of the five, but they don’t know who else you have applied to, and there is no order of preference. You make a personal statement as part of your UCAS application form, where you write about yourself and why you want to do the course.
Each university will consider your application, along with your GCSE and AS grades, and the College reference. They may offer you a conditional place (you would have to get certain specified grades), they may reject you, or they might invite you for interview or extra tests.
Once all your universities have made a decision to offer you a place or reject you, then you have to decide which one of the offers to firmly accept. That means that you are committed to going there if you get the grades. This is called your Firm offer. You can also choose an insurance offer – this will have lower grades, so that if you miss your firm offer you might still get into your insurance. You have to discard any other offers apart from these two. The date at which you need to accept or reject depends on your application on your choices so may be different to your peers etc.
You can check on the status of your application using UCAS on-line tracking system. If you get five rejections, then you can make another application (it’s called UCAS extra).
The university gets your results before you do, and then on A-level results day, hopefully your results will good enough and either your firm or insurance university will confirm your place. If not, you have to go into the clearing process – see http://www.applytouni.com/clearing-2013.aspx
If your results are better than expected, there is also an option to try for a place at a more prestigious university – this is called UCAS adjustment.
Your tutor will give you the college pack on UCAS titled “UCAS APPLICATION 2015”. This outlines all the steps you need to take to complete your application. There will be further tutorials next year on all of the above and staff will be available to help you through all these options and choices during the year on results day.
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6 My UCAS Planning SheetName: Tutor:
My career aim(s) are:
My predicted grades are: AS? AS? AS? AS?
My short list of subject(s) / course(s) that I would like to apply for include:Course/ University? Course/ University? Course/ University?
Please tick
I have researched the courses and universities (prospectus, websites, visits).
Brief notes on key information from my research to help me shortlist further.
Course & Code University Grades NeededI have made my 5 choices and have checked the UCAS entry profile to find the grades needed.
1
2
3
4
5
Please tick
I have drafted my Personal Statement I have found out about Gap Years. I have found about tuition fees and financial support for students including finance for grants, bursaries, scholarships and special support/students with a disability.
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Activity: Thinking of University-INFORMATION
Sources: Martin Lewis Student Finance & Teachers Guides -
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guidehttp://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/teachers-guide
Barclays “weighing up the pros & cons of entering higher education in 2013 http://universitybusiness.co.uk/Featured-Content/attending_university_in_2013pros_cons
Tutorhub - is university right for me - http://blog.tutorhub.com/2014/02/28/is-university-right-for-me-weigh-up-the-advantages-and-disadvantages/
Advantages
Is still essential for many careers: For many careers a degree is still an essential qualification. If you want to become a doctor or lawyer you will obviously need a degree. Even for less clear career paths such as journalism, TV production and accountancy, although a degree isn’t the only way to access opportunities, it is often what you learn at university and the contacts you make that get your career off the ground. If you know what you want to do and a degree is still highly valued in that field, then going to university is probably a wise choice.
The chance to specialise: If you have a real love for a particular subject e.g. History, English, learning is awesome! If you are enthusiastic about your course and you love to learn, university is likely to be an extremely worthwhile experience. University is an ideal place to encounter great thinkers and if you are lucky enough to encounter lecturers and tutors who are as passionate about your field as you are, it can be intensely rewarding. Most graduates look back on their University days as the most mentally stimulating of their life.
University is a good investment (see also factsheet on Student Finance)Despite the high fees many Universities in the UK can charge (currently £9,000), a university education continues to pay dividends. The Office for National Statistics indicates that graduates are more likely to be employed than those with a lower-standard education. Indeed, non-graduates aged 21 to 30 have consistently higher unemployment rates.
There are loans and bursaries that can help cover these costs, and your student loans won’t be paid back until you pass the earning threshold of £25,000 per year. If you need to continue in higher education past undergraduate level you can also apply for a loan specifically for career development to help you meet your career potential, so there is support available every step of the way.
Many employees target graduates in their recruitment campaigns. They often have the lion’s share of skilled jobs and the choice of University is relevant as well: graduates from top Universities earn higher salaries than those from other institutions. You should be aware that the rewards for study are likely to come later: on average, graduates aged 21 earn a lower gross annual wage than students who opt for an apprenticeship. This is owing to the fact that new University graduates will have just entered the labour market or may take time to find a job in their chosen field.
It all levels out in time, though: those with apprenticeships earn less than graduates from age 25 onwards. According to Labour Force Survey figures, over a 40-year working lifetime, a graduate will earn £415,320 more than those who have not studied for a degree. Net lifecycle earnings are increased by 28 per cent for male graduates and by 53 per cent for female graduates. A recent Barclay’s survey (“After graduating how long did it take you to find full-time employment?” Dec 2013) of 500 graduates found that around 60% of graduates were able to find full-time work within three months of graduating.
The value of independence : University can boost your confidence in your own abilities, especially if you opt for an institution which is far from your home area. Tasks that may seem arduous (doing your own cooking, ironing, and shopping) are actually great teachers of skills like time management and budgeting. You will get a great sense of achievement and maturity! Being independent likewise encourages you to be responsible with your freedom and establish your own limits.
Meet new people : University offers the chance to encounter people of all ages and from different backgrounds, which can broaden your horizons. It offers you the unique opportunity to move in different social circles; you get to strengthen your understanding of different cultures and beliefs. You will grow in confidence and gain friends and experiences that you will never forget!
Finding new interests : University offers such a wide range of activities, opportunities and incentives that you will be hard pressed to keep your choice of extra-curricular activities to a minimum. University is as much about discovering yourself and others, as it is about obtaining a degree; make the most of this unique opportunity and aim to have fun while you learn.
A positive outlook : It seems that opting for a University education has positive effects on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. A study commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) (The wider benefits of higher education. Report by the Institute of Education, University of London, sponsored by the HEFCE and the Smith Institutehttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202100434/http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2001/01_46.htm#sum) has found that graduates are less likely to suffer from depression, obesity or an addiction to smoking. They are also more likely to vote, help their children in the pursuit of an education and enjoy a higher sense of wellbeing.
University can teach you about entrepreneurship : Higher education develops important transferrable skills which can give you the edge in the fast-changing world of employment. The QAA report, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education: Guidance for UK Higher Education Providers highlights the important role good Universities can play, not just in creating experts in specialist fields, but also in instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in students. After all, if you have invested a great deal of time and money in your education, you should develop the skills you need to make the most of your degree, by being aware of your capacity to manage and exploit your intellectual assets, or even consider self-employment or the establishment of a start-up business!
Disadvantages
The Expense : With the top universities charging £9,000 per year and living costs adding even more expense, now is the most financially challenging time in history to go to university. Many people who don’t see a degree as essential for their career path are therefore considering whether they need to spend all this money. The thought of graduating with a student debt of £27,000 can discourage many students from pursuing a university education. Indeed, BBC news recently reported that the rise in fees had led to a 17 per cent drop in UK undergraduates. Many people who don’t see a degree as essential for their career path are considering whether they need to spend all this money.
Irrelevance to your future career : If your chosen job does not require University training, then a three or four year stint in University may seem a waste of time.
Graduates are much less differentiated these days: Not so awfully long ago, being a graduate was enough to guarantee you a job. These days graduates have to work much harder to stand out from the crowd. Top employers have stressed the importance of work experience for differentiating the best candidates, so if you go to university now it may not pay off unless you put a lot of energy into gaining experience beyond your studies. In a difficult job market you’ll need to differentiate yourself somehow whether you go to university or not, so you’ve got to decide which path will allow you to shine the most.
University studies/learning is not something everyone will enjoy: Some may prefer to study at college or not study at all but instead do an apprenticeship or work based learning, or work.
Student Finance 2014Tuition Fees and LoansUniversities and colleges can charge tuition fees up to £9,000 a year for full-time students (£6,750 for part-time students). A Tuition Fee Loan is available to cover the cost of tuition, which does not have to be paid back until you start earning over £21,000 a year. The Tuition Fee Loan is not dependent on household income and is paid directly to university or college. (Figures are based on students entering HE in 2014).
Student Finance CalculatorThe calculator gives an indication of what might be available for student loans and grants, as well as scholarships and bursaries from your place of study. The estimate is based on the information you give so the more detail you can provide the more accurate the estimate will be.https://www.gove.uk/student-finance-calculator
Living Costs
Maintenance Loans (repayable) Available to help with living costs such as food, accommodation and travel. A loan of up to £5,5000 will be available if you live away from home and study outside London. A larger loan of up to £7,675 will be available if you live away from home and study in London. A loan of up to £4,375 will be available if you live with your parents. Dependent on household income. Paid to student in termly instalments.
Maintenance Grant (non-repayable) Available to help with living costs such as food, accommodation and travel. Available to students whose household income is less than £42,600. The maximum Maintenance Grant is £3,250 a year if your household income is under £25,000. If you get a Maintenance Grant your Maintenance Loan will be reduced. Dependent on household income.
Special Support GrantIf you get or qualify for income Support or Housing Benefit, you may get the Special Support Grant instead of the Maintenance Grant. The amount available is the same as through the Maintenance Grant, but it won’t reduce how much you get for the Maintenance Loan.
Students with a disabilityDisabled Students Allowance (DSA) provide extra help to students who have an impairment, health condition or specific learning disability. There is a range of help available including paying for specialist equipment or a non-medical helper such as a note taker. The financial assistance in non-repayable and not affected by household income. More detailed information is available from https://www.gov.uk or by calling 0800 882 200.
Bursaries and ScholarshipsMost universities and colleges offer students direct financial help in addition to any student loans and grants through bursaries and scholarships. These are paid each year and you don’t have to pay them back.
Activity: You will need to have an idea of your geographical preferences so it is often a good idea to know the location of a university first by looking at a map!
University Open Day Preparation Sheet
Book your place. You will need to book your place and try and make sure that the Open Day you are attending is relevant to the course of your choice. Give yourself plenty of time too as you don’t want to end up on the wrong campus and you may want to have a good walk/drive around the area.
I will attend the following open days:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do some research.Any open day is a great opportunity to ask any questions about the specifics of a course or university. Do as much research as possible in advance from prospectuses or on-line or by phoning the universities.
Prepare some questions:During an Open Day you will have the chance to mix with existing students and staff; it is a perfect chance to find out what it might really be like to study and live there.
Questions I will ask:
See http://university.which.co.uk/advice/top-questions-to-ask-at-a-university-open-day
Admission Tests
Some universities and colleges require you to pass an admission test as well as standard qualifications if you are applying for courses in certain subjects. The details for some of these tests are provided below.
BioMedical Admission Test (BMAT) For entry to medicine, veterinary medicine and biomedical science courses.
English Literature Admission Test (ELAT) For entry to English courses at the University of Oxford.
Graduate Medical School Admission Test (GAMAST)
For graduate entry into medicine and dentistry courses.
History Aptitude Test (HAT) For entry to all degrees involving history at the University of Oxford.
The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) For entry to law.
Mathematics Aptitude Test (MAT)For entry to mathematics or computer science, or a joint honours degree involving mathematics at the University of Oxford.
Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML)
For entry to modern and medieval languages at the University of Cambridge.
Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) For entry to mathematics at the University of Cambridge and University of Warwick.
Thinking Skills Assessment(TSA Cambridge)
For entry to computer science, natural sciences, engineering, economics, land economy and politics, psychology and sociology (PPS) at a number of University of Cambridge colleges.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) For entry to medical and dental schools.
For dates of these and details of other admission tests look at the following website:www.ucas.ac.uk/students/choosingcourses/admission/
NOT GOING TO UNIVERSITY & THINKING OF OTHER OPTIONS?
There will be aDiscovery Session: What else can I do after Woodhouse?
on June 9th 11.30 – 12.30pm in Careers.This will be an informal session to find out more about your options such as traineeships,
apprenticeships and/or work. Just come along and ask questions and pick up relevant and up to date leaflets/publications.
Progression Month : Summer 2014
There will be a range of upcoming events to help you make informed choices about next steps after Woodhouse during June/July!
University Talks on Choosing a University, Writing Personal Statements, A Gap Year Talk A Talk on Apprenticeships A Teaching Assistant recruitment event A Volunteering awareness event Talk by Ex-Woody on their “The Year In Industry“ paid gap year
Plus loads more to be announced so look out for the posters!
Resources at Woodhouse The Careers/ Progression to Further Study pages on Woodle offer lots of valuable, impartial information
and advice with links to many of the useful websites.Careers – Home Page - http://vle.woodhouse.ac.uk/default.aspx?m=15&mi=235Progression to Further Study - http://vle.woodhouse.ac.uk/default.aspx?m=15&mi=237
The Careers Library holds prospectuses for each UK university plus course leaflets. Prospectuses are helpful as they provide more detail about course content and the facilities on offer but of course remember they are marketing tools for that university also. University Comparison books e.g. HEAP’s “Degree Course Offers”, “The Guardian University Guide” are useful and copies are available from careers to use. There are also other general “career choices” books available by career areas and sectors.
Woodhouse has its own Careers advisor, Joanna Greatwich and you can book 1:1 appointments with her. You should also speak to your subject teachers.
Any Questions?Please make an appointment to see Joanna Greatwich in Careers.
(This has now moved to Room 30)
