Higher Education Preparation: Assessing Skills, Exploring Careers, and Financial Feasibility

1. After AccessHC8/3/WR/001 Timing: 11 hours LEVEL: Three CREDIT VALUE: 3 • Assessment • Five tasks completed mostly during teaching sessions • Tutor observes, feeds back and scores during sessions • Scored on your ability to show initiative and for independent working and following instructions • You will be working both independently and in groups • You should probably spend an additional six hours to complete the unit outside the teaching sessions

2. Task 1: Learning Skills EvaluationsRecognise own strengths and weaknesses and respond accordingly Timing: 2 hours • Introduction - generic & specific learning skills – preparing for University • On-lineresources: • Evaluation forms for your current generic and specific learning skills • Summary guidance to complete each evaluation • Working independently - scored within assignment • Assessment completed and submitted in the current session • Write in detail and justify and explain your responses Assessment Criteria: Complete a realistic self-evaluation of existing academic skills, interests, strengths and weaknesses.

3. Task 2: Explore a Career PathIdentify and evaluate potential next steps in education Timing: 2 hours • Introduction - Learning about your career – preparing for interviews • On-line resources: • Start task • Career research using the internet • Evaluation • Working independently and with peers of same interest • Assessment completed and submitted in the current session • Write in detail and justify and explain your responses Assessment Criteria: Select possible areas of interest in Higher Education; Identify realistic options and assess the pros and cons of each option for progression to HE.

4. Task 3: University Options and PrioritiesEvaluate your social and personal circumstances, interest and aspirations Timing: 2 hours • Introduction - Learning about Universities and courses • On-line resources: • Research universities links • Form detailing priorities • Working independently and with peers of same interest • Assessment completed and submitted in the current session • Write in detail and justify and explain your responses Assessment Criteria: Produce a list of criteria related to own personal/social circumstances and interests/aspirations and realistically prioritise this list; Realistically match the characteristics of HE institutions to the criteria on the list

5. Task 4: Financial Consideration and FeasibilityCarry out a feasibility study of student finance Timing: 2 hours • Introduction – Finances at University – overview of the (hidden) costs • On-line resources: • Student finance links • Templates estimating your money needs at University • Working independently and with peers of same interest • Assessment completed and submitted in the current session • You will be reading and studying independently mostly during the lesson Assessment Criteria: Carry out a feasibility study of student finance and support, and relate this to own personal goals

6. Task 5: UCASSelect and apply for potential course(s) Timing: 3 hours • Introduction – UCAS procedures and the personal statement • Working independently complete your personal statement • Edit and read through several times • Complete UCAS application – you will need details of qualifications, courses and credits Assessment Criteria: Select courses which realistically meet identified criteria or other appropriate action taken for next step; Complete a personal statement for application to HE; Correctly complete an application form for HE