‘’‘’Why higher education Why higher education - making the right - making the right

choice’choice’

Wednesday 27 June 2012Wednesday 27 June 2012

HE v post 16HE v post 16

How is HE different to post 16 studies?

HE is:HE is:– A choice of 150+ different institutionsA choice of 150+ different institutions– A different way of learning & working to schoolA different way of learning & working to school– Over 50,000 coursesOver 50,000 courses– Degree (BA, BSC, LLB, BEng, Bed, MSc, MA)Degree (BA, BSC, LLB, BEng, Bed, MSc, MA)– HNDHND– Foundation degreeFoundation degree

What can university do for What can university do for youyou??

Is it right for your child? ( (You don’t have to go to university to be You don’t have to go to university to be successful)successful)

……better jobs, better prospects & more choicebetter jobs, better prospects & more choice ……many jobs require a relevant/professional degree (architecture, law, many jobs require a relevant/professional degree (architecture, law,

accountancy, nursing)accountancy, nursing) ……earn 50% moreearn 50% more ……develop valuable skillsdevelop valuable skills ……work placementswork placements ……study abroadstudy abroad ……do what you love doingdo what you love doing ……a good time!a good time! ……everything on your doorstepeverything on your doorstep ……plenty of supportplenty of support ……new interests and experiencesnew interests and experiences

The average starting salary of a graduate is between £18k & £25k. The national average is £26k

The subject itselfThe subject itself

What do they enjoy studying?– Don’t pick a subject they’re really good at over one Don’t pick a subject they’re really good at over one

they lovethey love

Subjects taken at A levelSubjects taken at A level– They know what they’re gettingThey know what they’re getting– Build on existing knowledge & skillsBuild on existing knowledge & skills

Subjects not taken at A levelSubjects not taken at A level– Research what they’re getting themselves intoResearch what they’re getting themselves into

Vocational coursesVocational courses– Are they sure what they want from a future careerAre they sure what they want from a future career

“I picked a course which really reflected what I enjoyed & loved – having the passion

definitely made the late nights spent working on coursework and revising for exams that

little bit easier.”

Decision time…Decision time…

Know the subject…pick a course– Narrow it down – a particular specialismNarrow it down – a particular specialism– Are they studying the right A levels?Are they studying the right A levels?

Some psychology courses require maths at A levelSome psychology courses require maths at A level Some uni’s count geography as a science, some don’tSome uni’s count geography as a science, some don’t Unsure – contact the university and ask!Unsure – contact the university and ask!

Eligible…consider the structure– Course with the same name does not mean the same

content is taught Studying French could mean reading lots of French

literature or be more focused on language & sociology

– Compare the focus of the course with their own interest

Decision time…Decision time…

Entry requirements– Set by the university– Grades or tariff

points e.g. AAB or 280 UCAS points

– Most offers based on 3 A levels but some consider dropped AS

– Be realistic!

A2 levelA2 level AS levelAS level

A*A* 140140 AA**

70 70 (EPQ (EPQ only)only)

AA 120120 AA 6060

BB 100100 BB 5050

CC 8080 CC 4040

DD 6060 DD 3030

EE 4040 EE 2020BTEC certificateBTEC certificate BTEC BTEC

certificatecertificate

D*D*D*D* 280280 DD 120120

DDDD 240240 MM 8080

DMDM 200200 PP 4040

MMMM 160160

MPMP 120120

PPPP 8080

Other things to consider…Other things to consider…

- Single/Joint Honours

- Length of course

- Practical/theory balance

- Teaching/assessment styles

- Career destinations

- Professional accreditations

- Work placements.

Joint Honours

- The 2 subjects are studied equally – 50:50

- Examples include:

- History / English literature

- Psychology / Philosophy

- French / Spanish

- Economics / Geography

Practical factors…Practical factors…

Reputation Distance from home Transport links Number of sites Rural or urban campus Accommodation Cost of living Style of facilities City attractions Safety Cultural and faith support Employment statistics

Although practical considerations can make a big difference to your university years, you’re going away to study, and ultimately the content of the

course should be your guiding principle, no matter how long the bar at Manchester is!

Unistats.com

Choosing your courses

UCAS application basicsUCAS application basics

Online application form Up to 5 choices 1 personal statement £12 for 1 choice / £23 for more

than 1 Reference & predicted grades –

school

Study abroadStudy abroad

Europe USA Australia Work shop coming soon

SupportSupport

UCAS convention Open days Futures 18 day (post 18 options) Personal statement sessions Tutor and subject teacher support Post 16 leadership support Extra curricular activities Literature (guidance booklets)

Important datesImportant dates Register on UCASRegister on UCAS Now!Now! Drafting personal statementsDrafting personal statements Start now!Start now! Applications sent to UCASApplications sent to UCAS From September onwardsFrom September onwards Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets completed applicationscompleted applicationsMid September (internal)Mid September (internal) Admissions tests entry deadlineAdmissions tests entry deadline SeptemberSeptember Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets Oxbridge/medics/dentists/vets UCAS deadlineUCAS deadline **15 October****15 October** Students submit completed applicationStudents submit completed application By October half termBy October half term Admissions testsAdmissions tests NovemberNovember Application guarantee by 15 JanApplication guarantee by 15 Jan 3 December3 December UCAS deadlineUCAS deadline 15 January 201315 January 2013 Student finance opensStudent finance opens JanuaryJanuary UCAS Extra opensUCAS Extra opens FebruaryFebruary Students respond to offersStudents respond to offers MayMay Student finance deadlineStudent finance deadline End MayEnd May Late UCAS applications acceptedLate UCAS applications accepted End JuneEnd June ResultsResults AugustAugust Clearing Clearing August - SeptemberAugust - September

Writing winning personal statementsWriting winning personal statements Cardiff Uni Cardiff Uni The realities of student lifeThe realities of student life Jack Banks, Leeds UniJack Banks, Leeds Uni Why Apprenticeships?Why Apprenticeships? ZenosZenos Employability: what are employers looking for?Employability: what are employers looking for? RBSRBS Year in industry (YINI)Year in industry (YINI) YINIYINI Gap year fair (4 – 7pm)Gap year fair (4 – 7pm) Hosted by BGSHosted by BGS PSIG (Evening)PSIG (Evening)

Student financeStudent finance January 2012January 2012

Useful web sitesUseful web sites

www.ucas.comwww.ucas.com Detailed advice & guidance about Detailed advice & guidance about every step of the applicant journeyevery step of the applicant journey

www.ucasconnect.comwww.ucasconnect.com Latest advice posted on twitter & Latest advice posted on twitter & facebook by UCAsfacebook by UCAs

www.ucas.tvwww.ucas.tv Guides & video advice from Guides & video advice from students already at unistudents already at uni

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.cwww.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uko.uk

Advice about HE & independent Advice about HE & independent league tableleague table

www.unistats.com www.unistats.com Compare & review Compare & review universities/subjectsuniversities/subjects

www.nus.org.ukwww.nus.org.uk National Union of StudentsNational Union of Students

www.prospects.ac.uk/ www.prospects.ac.uk/ UK’s official graduate careers web UK’s official graduate careers web sitesite

www.yougo.co.ukwww.yougo.co.uk Student only networking siteStudent only networking site

www.careerpilot.org.ukwww.careerpilot.org.uk Post 18 options (future study, Post 18 options (future study, employment…)employment…)

www.apprenticeships.org.ukwww.apprenticeships.org.uk One stop site for all apprenticeship One stop site for all apprenticeship informationinformation

Y13 enrolmentY13 enrolment

Subject choice confirmation Form to be completed by Monday

9 July

Results dayResults day Thursday August 16Thursday August 16thth from 1pm from 1pm GOO1 in CharnwoodGOO1 in Charnwood Post-16 Atrium at Redland Green SchoolPost-16 Atrium at Redland Green School Post 16 team will be around to provide Post 16 team will be around to provide

supportsupport Passes in 3 AS/BTEC subjects a Passes in 3 AS/BTEC subjects a

condition for returning to A2/BTEC condition for returning to A2/BTEC coursescourses

Appointment sessions available for post Appointment sessions available for post examination adviceexamination advice

Post results supportPost results support Friday 17 AugustFriday 17 August

– UCAS support ‘drop in’UCAS support ‘drop in’– 9.00am – 3.00pm9.00am – 3.00pm

Wednesday 29 AugustWednesday 29 August– Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’– 1.30pm – 3.00pm1.30pm – 3.00pm

Thursday 30 AugustThursday 30 August– Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’Post 16 clinic ‘drop in’– 1.30pm – 3.00pm1.30pm – 3.00pm

Important: Demand for support is high on these days and waiting times could Important: Demand for support is high on these days and waiting times could be lengthy!be lengthy!

Start of termStart of term

Wednesday 5 SeptemberWednesday 5 September– Year 13 welcome assemblyYear 13 welcome assembly– Collect timetablesCollect timetables– 1.30pm1.30pm

Thursday 6 SeptemberThursday 6 September– All lessons startAll lessons start