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‘’Why higher education - making the right
choice’
Wednesday 26 June 2013
University
Is it right for my child?
How do they choose a course?• Enjoyment• Career
aspiration• Current A levels• Vocational
courses
Decision time!• Have they got
the right A levels?
• Course structure• Focus of the
course and their own interests
Other considerations• Single/joint
honours• Length of course• Practical vrs theory• Teaching/
assessment methods
• Career destinations• Professional
accreditation• Work placements• Opportunity to
study abroad
Which university?• Reputation• Size• Campus • City• Facilities• Proximity to
home• Transport links• Accommodation
Entry requirements…• Set by the
university• Grades or tariff
points e.g. BBB or 300 UCAS points
• Most offers based on 3 A levels but some consider dropped AS
• Be realistic!
Application process
begins
Decision time…
Entry requirements– Set by the university– Grades or tariff
points e.g. BBB or 300 UCAS points
– Most offers based on 3 A levels but some consider dropped AS
– Be realistic!
A2 level AS level
A* 140 A*
70 (EPQ only)
A 120 A 60B 100 B 50C 80 C 40D 60 D 30E 40 E 20
BTEC Diploma BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
D*D* 280 D 120
DD 240 M 80
DM 200 P 40
MM 160
MP 120
PP 80
How can you support the research process?
Sign up to the monthly UCAS parents newsletter
Download the 2014 UCAS Parent Guide from the UCAS website.
Offer to attend open days with them, you may have a different perspective
Financial assistance – with railway tickets.
Try to remain impartial. Guardian HE guide
www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/parents-and-guardians
Universities make a choice
based on• GCSE grades• AS grades• Personal
Statement• Centre reference• Predicted
Grades
Predicted grades
• Based on AS grades
• Students need to be realistic
References
• Written by subject teachers
• Collated by tutor• Tutor writes
introductory and final paragraph
• All references checked by P16 LT
Personal statement
UCAS
Potential pit falls…
Unrealistic choices or too wide a range of courses
Not choosing a sensible insurance place Starting research too late Plagiarising the personal statement Apply for a course they will not enjoy Student room
Key features of the UCAS scheme
APPLY: UCAS online application form 2014 applicant fee:
– £12 for one choice– £23 for up to five choices
Deferred entry (2015) 1 personal statement ‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see
where else students have applied.
In 2012 UCAS received
653,637 applications
464,910 were accepted
Key dates and deadlines
Mid-June Applicants can register and start to complete their
application.
Mid-
September
Schools can start to submit completed applications to
UCAS.
15 October Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and Oxford or
Cambridge.
15 January Application deadline for most courses.
24 March Many art & design courses (check each course for
deadline).
30 June Applications after this date held for Clearing.
School deadlines
Mid-
September
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science/med and
Oxford or Cambridge.
By October
half term
Recommend all students to submit applications by this
date. Earlier for competitive courses/universities!
2 December Guarantees we (school) will meet 15 January deadline
Personal statements – start early
Personal statements are so important, make sure your son or daughter includes:
• academic achievements, past and present
• interests in the chosen subject area
• knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus
• what they enjoy about studying
• details of their independent study skills.
The questions universities and colleges will ask:
• have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?
• do they have a range of interests?
• does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject?
• have they studied independently?
• are they motivated and committed?
• do they possess good numeracy and literacy skills?
Personal statements should stand out – tutors receive 200 per week!
Support
UCAS convention Open days Futures 18 Personal statement sessions Tutor and subject teacher support Post 16 leadership support Careers adviser Extra curricular activities Literature (guidance booklets)
Futures 18 conference
• Managing money• Student finance (HE)• Interview techniques• CV / applications forms• Gap years• University – how to make the right choice• Apprenticeships: a real alternative• School leavers schemes• Networking skills• Foundation degrees / Art foundation year• Networking – how to make friends and influence people• Student life – the reality• The Open University – an affordable degree?• Benefits of studying at a local university• School leavers schemes
Futures 18 week...
• Volunteering opportunities• Extra curricular activities• UCAS work shops• Mock interviews• Careers adviser appointments• Post 16 team appointments/drop in• Independent research time• Year 13 enrolment• Cardiff university open day
Useful web sites
www.ucas.com Detailed advice & guidance about every step of the applicant journey
www.ucasconnect.com Latest advice posted on twitter & facebook by UCAs
www.ucas.tv Guides & video advice from students already at uni
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
Advice about HE & independent league table
www.unistats.com Compare & review universities/subjects
www.nus.org.uk National Union of Students
www.prospects.ac.uk/ UK’s official graduate careers web site
www.yougo.co.uk Student only networking site
www.careerpilot.org.uk Post 18 options (future study, employment…)
www.apprenticeships.org.uk One stop site for all apprenticeship information
Important dates
Register on UCAS Now! Drafting personal statements Start now! Applications sent to UCAS From September
onwards Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets completed applications Mid
September (internal) Admissions tests entry deadline September Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets UCAS deadline **15
October** Students submit completed application By October half
term Admissions tests November Application guarantee by 15 Jan 2 December UCAS deadline 15 January 2014 Student finance opens January UCAS Extra opens February Students respond to offers May Student finance deadline End May Late UCAS applications accepted End June Results August Clearing August - September
Results day Thursday August 15th from 1pm GOO1 in Charnwood Post-16 Atrium at Redland Green
School Post 16 team will be around to provide
support Passes in 3 AS/BTEC subjects a
condition for returning to A2/BTEC courses (attendance + conduct)
Appointment sessions available for post examination advice
Post results support Friday 15 August
– UCAS support ‘drop in’– 9.00am – 3.00pm
Wednesday 28 August– Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’
Thursday 29 August– Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’
Important: Demand for support is high on these days and waiting times could be lengthy!
Start of term
Friday 6 September–Year 13 welcome assembly
Monday 9 September–All lessons start
