Student Progression Information Evening Alexis Smith: Student Services Manager

1. Student Progression Information Evening Alexis Smith: Student Services Manager Stella Hammond & John Rainford:Careers Advisors Rebecca Courtaux: Personal tutor (Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator)

2. AIMS OF THE SESSION • What are the requirements for progression • What are the options after RuTC • What support is in place

3. PROGRESSION FROM YEAR 1 TO YEAR 2 AS, IB, vocational level 3: • Progression to year 2 is not automatic • Good attendance • Good progress • Good attitude to study and College • Successful completion of assessments • Will already know if there are concerns

4. VOCATIONAL LEVEL 3 PROGRAMMES • 90 credit, Subsidiary, Extended Diploma • Progression to Extended Diploma • Expected to achieve all assessments and successfully complete year 1 qualification • Will know targets for year 2 • Classes continue until 27 June

5. AS PROGRAMMES • Students currently studying 4 AS subjects (some exceptions) • External exams in period 12 May - 6 June (orals and practicals earlier) • No study leave – classes continue • A2 preparation begins 9 June – students should attend all classes • Classes continue until 27 June

6. AS to A2 • Must achieve at least 3 subjects at grade E to continue (Maths has specific requirements) • Most students take 3 subjects at A2 • Realistic choices for HE applications • Only exceptional restart/repeat year

7. IB PROGRAMME • Two-year programmes • End of year assessments/internal exams • Help predict final grades • Classes continue until 27 June

8. KEY DATES • AS results Thursday 14 August – sent by e-mail to students • Enrolment for year 2 – Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th August • Students will be invited in by letter • Some students may be advised they will not be progressing to year 2

9. OPTIONS ON LEAVING COLLEGE • University • Employment • Apprenticeship • Internship • Volunteering • Gap Year

10. WHY CONTINUE STUDYING? Reasons for progressing to Higher Education include: • A real interest in the chosen subject • In order to attain qualifications needed for a particular profession or career • To gain more earning potential with a degree • The opportunity to include a work placement, or a period of study abroad • Personal satisfaction • Making new friends, exploring new ideas and places

11. HIGHER EDUCATION There are 130 universities in the UK offering over 1000 degree and diploma courses A degree adds employment value and is a required qualification for some professions It is possible to take a year abroad or in industry during your studies, or study part-time

12. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT UNIVERSITY?

13. Choosing a Course and a University Location and Environment: Do you want to live at home, away from home, in a city, town or out of town campus? Reputation: What are the academic facilities like? What is their student satisfaction rate? Entertainment: What clubs and societies can you join? Where will you be successful ? Check entry requirements very carefully

14. RESEARCH: UCAS Website (www.ucas.com)

15. UCAS TARIFF POINTS A Level BTEC National Extended Diploma • International Baccalaureate • The pass range for the IB is 24 – 45 • Although the IB carries UCAS points, universities normally ask for the IB total mark with specific grades in the Higher Level subjects

16. University Entry Requirements

17. University Entry Requirements

18. UNIVERSITY TERMS • Bachelor of Arts – BA • Bachelor of Science – BSc • MA or MSc refer to postgraduate Masters Some professions have specific qualifications: • Engineering – Beng • Law - LLB(Latin) • Medicine MBChB (Latin) • Ordinary degree or Honours degree

19. THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION Financial assistance is available to help you meet the study and living costs • Tuition Fee Loans • Maintenance (Living Costs) Loans • Maintenance Grant • University bursaries and scholarships

20. UCAS Dates and Deadlines October 15 2014: UCAS Deadline for Oxbridge and Medicine January 15 2015: UCAS - Main Application Deadline Applications after this date are classed as ‘late’ and will only be considered where universities still have places available Feb-late June: UCAS Extra (Early Clearing process) May- June: Students accept offers August 13 (TBC): A2 Results Day: Offers Confirmed and Clearing starts

21. COLLEGE DATES AND DEADLINES Thursday August 14: AS Results Day Friday September 19: College deadline for Medicine College deadline for Oxbridge Friday October 17: College deadline for UCAS applications Monday December 1: College deadline for Vocational Art students

22. Alternatives to H.E. Provide excellent opportunities for students of all levels All training is Government and/or employer funded - NO FEES! Provide alternatives for students who may not be progressing to A2 Available at intermediate, advanced and higher level

23. Alternatives to H.E. Apprenticeships are JOBS, not placements or experience Available in traditional trades such as plumbing and hairdressing Apprenticeships in most of the professions such as accountancy, engineering and Law (legal executive) Not a poor alternative - highly sought after and competitive Need to register on the Apprenticeship Website www.apprenticehips.org.uk tosearch for vacancies The big organisations start to advertise around Christmas taking applications for the following Autumn

24. Management Apprenticeship

25. AccountancyApprenticeship

26. Case studies from RUTC Amber Amber is currently studying 4 A levels in physics, Spanish, maths, and music and planned to study an audio engineering degree at Surrey University with the aim of a career as a music engineer. Having spotted a vacancy with the BBC on their Technology Apprenticeship scheme, Amber successfully applied for a place. They had over 1000 applicants for 20 places. As part of the three year Higher Apprenticeship programme, Amberwillcomplete work placements with the BBC and other media companies, while studying towards a degree in Broadcast Engineering whilst being paid £11,500 annual salary.

27. Case studies from RUTC Oddie Oddie successfully applied for one of only 200 places on the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme and now works at the Cabinet Office as Executive Assistant to the an HR Director. There were in excess of 3000 applicants for this apprenticeship Oddie said “After leaving College, I decided that I wanted to gain more qualifications in a real-life working environment, rather than attend university.” On the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme Oddie will study for a Higher Apprenticeship qualification in Business Administration. On completion, after two years, he will be able to apply for graduate career opportunities within the Civil Service.

28. School Leaver Schemes On the increase Tend to be in the Professions - eg Accountancy with KPMG Very high entry level - often AAB at A level Normally a sponsored degree A retail scheme recently offered with Harrods Useful website - Not Going to Uni

29. Where to find further information The Careers Centre has information about Apprenticeships and School leaver programmes and Careers Advisors are available to assist students with their applications Help and advice is also available for students wanting to take a gap year, to volunteer or to work abroad For students who want to go straight into employment and don't want to undertake further study at the moment, again Careers Advisors can help and advise about how to apply for a job

30. SUPPORT IN COLLEGE • Personal Tutor’s guide students through the process • We have specialist advisors for potential Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry and Russell Group applicants • Sessions have been held for overseas applicants • Outside speakers are invited in to talk about careers and applying to universities • Dedicated Careers team • Job fair (March) HE Fair (29th April) • Information on Moodle

31. RESOURCES Information on a range of career options is available in the Careers Centre and you can make individual careers guidance appointments there Try to go to at least 2 University Open Days Apply for university taster days/courses A sheet of useful websites can be obtained from tutors and more information will be given in tutorial sessions

32. Conclusion Students need to attend to achieve There is support for the students whichever path they take Please do contact the personal tutors or careers team if you have any questions All this information will be on the website