
University Gap Year Apprenticeship Employment Options beyond the Sixth Form
THE BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION Enjoyment Skills Personal Development EMPLOYABILITY Why university?
The provision of higher education in the UK • Number of institutions • Number of courses • Applicants in Apply 2013 • Number placed in higher education (Apply 2013) 304 39,000+ 677,400 495,600
Support and Advice Sixth Form Tutors Mr Bourne, Mrs Penhale-Jones & Mrs Gumbs University Open Days & Summer Schools Subject Staff Parents Careers Interviews Relevant websites Support & Advice Careers Library Mock Interviews PSHCE Drafting Personal Statements General Advice Student Finance
Research Stage 1: Research • What should I study? • Where should I study? • Should I take a gap year?
First choose your subject Then choose your course Then look at the universities that offer it Higher Education – Where to Start ?!
Choose a subject which INTERESTS you! Choose a course that SUITS you. Consider career implications – www.prospects.ac.uk Make an informed decision HOW DO I CHOOSE?
TASK 2:Ranking How would you rank these factors in importance when deciding on a course? • Interests you • Suits you • Career implications
Research – where can you look for useful information? UCAS website - UCAS Search Tool and Entry Profiles Careers websites Publications – study room HE Conventions/ Open Days Taster Courses/ Subject specific events Careers fairs Get work experience
Research – most useful of all??? School careers website UCAS search tool
Location B) Where should I study? • - campus university or city-based? • - big university or small university? • - near home or far away? • - living at home • - sports facilities? nightlife? male/female ratio? • - accommodation provided? • - cost of living? • - bursaries available? • - reputation/popularity? applications per place?
Making key decisions How do I decide? • List your priorities • Visit! - Open Days – talk to students • Ask for advice • Look at prospectuses/ alternative prospectuses/ books/ university websites • Unistats; www.push.co.uk • Facebook/ Twitter • Herschel website - careers • League tables – Guardian/ Times • Interested in Oxbridge?
TASK 4 List your preferences • - campus university or city-based? • - big university or small university? • - near home or far away? • - living at home • - sports facilities? nightlife? male/female ratio? • - accommodation provided? • - cost of living? • - bursaries available? • - reputation/popularity? applications per place?
Choosing a course 2mins UCAS TV Summary
Don’t rule it out Universities and employers will be impressed if you do something worthwhile A valuable way to gain confidence and independence before going to university Travel? Work Experience? Voluntary Work? Comment on your plans in your personal statement Don’t rule this out! C) Should I take a Gap Year?
Not going to university … ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY • APPRENTICESHIPS • STUDY ABROAD • EMPLOYMENT
This application is one of the most important you will ever make. Apply early All applications are made through UCAS on-line. The key website is: www.ucas.com The UCAS Form Stage 2:Completing your UCAS Form
Transparent selection process 1. Qualifications Past, present and future Predicted grades for ‘pending’ qualifications 2. Personal statement 3. Reference Also - Interview/ Piece of written work/ Portfolio/ Audition/ Admissions tests
Key features of the UCAS application process Maximum of 5 choices Some choice restrictions: Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4 choices Oxford or Cambridge ‘Invisibility’ You have to pay £23 to apply – payment is made on-line. You can only send in one UCAS application in each year’s cycle.
Making a UCAS application Every applicant has five sections to complete: Personal details Choices Education Employment Personal statement Forward to MBO: Reference UCAS Universities / colleges
Decision making by institutions An admissions tutor may initially make one of three decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Unsuccessful Or recommend: A place on an alternative course
First thing to do is REGISTER Remember to apply for 2015entry! Click on register Application – Registering
The key website is: www.ucas.com HANDOUT – page 3-4 UCAS TV – how to apply Registration Filling in your details: About You Courses Education Employment Statement Stage 2:Completing your UCAS Form
June onwards THIS TERM … • Carefully consider your options for next year • Research choice of Degree Course and University if appropriate • Register on the UCAS website and begin to fill in your own application • Begin to draft your Personal Statement and get it checked. • Give yourself the best chance by applying as early as possible – by 30/9 for Medics/Dentists/ Vets/Oxbridge and 17/10for everyone else.