1. Is there life after Herschel?

2. University Gap Year Apprenticeship Employment Options beyond the Sixth Form

3. THE BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION Enjoyment Skills Personal Development EMPLOYABILITY Why university?

4. 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

5. 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

6. Applications to University

7. Research Stage 1: Research • What should I study? • Where should I study? • Should I take a gap year?

8. First choose your subject Then choose your course Then look at the universities that offer it Higher Education – Where to Start ?!

9. 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?

10. TASK 2:Ranking How would you rank these factors in importance when deciding on a course? • Interests you • Suits you • Career implications

11. 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

12. Research – most useful of all??? School careers website UCAS search tool

13. 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?

14. 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?

15. 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?

16. Choosing a course 2mins UCAS TV Summary

17. 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?

18. Not going to university … ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY • APPRENTICESHIPS • STUDY ABROAD • EMPLOYMENT

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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

23. 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

24. First thing to do is REGISTER Remember to apply for 2015entry! Click on register Application – Registering

28. 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

29. 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.