Thinking about University

Prof. Stephen Faulkner

Stephen.Faulkner@chem.ox.ac.uk

Why go?

• Education– Learning about the world and/or yourself– Learning to “think”

• Skills• Training – Learning how to do something specific

• Opportunities

Money• Student fees

– look likely to be £9000 per year for most courses– All students eligible to apply for a loan to defer payment of student

fees with nothing to pay up front– Repayment begins only when graduate salary exceeds a threshold

figure (£21,000 p.a.)• Above this repay 9% of income• Any remaining loan is written off after 30 years

• Some companies are starting to offer to pay fees for people who agree to work for them after graduation

• Many universities offer – Bursaries to offset some of the fee for students from low income

families– Scholarships, Prizes and Awards, and also offer subsidised food prices

in cafeterias.

Choosing a course

• Subjects taught in schools (e.g. French, Chemistry)– Why do you enjoy the subject?– What does the university course involve: will it be the

same as the subject you are studying now?

• Subjects not taught in schools (e.g. Medicine)– What is it about the subject that appeals to you?– What does the university course involve: will the same

subjects you are studying now help you?

Choosing a course 2

• For vocational courses (e.g. Engineering)– Is the course accredited with a professional body?– Does the course give you the experience you will need?– Remember that not all University courses are the same.

• For ANY course, consider– How it is viewed by potential employers.– What job opportunities can graduates expect?

Choosing a University

• Consider which Universities offer the degree you would like to study– Use prospectuses, newspapers, league tables and

the internet to find information.– Visit if at all possible.– Don’t be afraid to contact admissions staff.

• Decide where you would be happiest– Remember that you are going to have to spend

several years in the same place.

Applying to University

• Apply through UCAS

Choose course and University

UCAS application

Submit Application

Result of application

Choose ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ choices

Exam results/ confirmation

Written work / tests

Start university

Interview

The UCAS form

• Contact details• Course choices– Universities aren’t told about your other choices

• Exam results and subjects currently studied• Personal Statement• Reference

The Personal Statement

Will be seen by all UCAS choices

2/3 should bedevoted to the subject

Specific examples, not general statements

What have you particularly enjoyed studying? Why?

What have you read outside school? What did you think of it?

Should bepersonal but not “quirky”

Extra-curricular should focus ontransferable skills

Candidates must be ready toback up their statement

Open Days and Interviews

• Some universities make offers without a formal interview, but most will offer an opportunity to visit.– Take this opportunity if at all possible.– If cost is an issue, contact the University to enquire about

financial contributions towards travel costs.• If there is an interview– Who is the salesperson … you or the interviewer?– Consider what you want to find out about the course and

university.– Consider what they want to find out about you.

More about interviews• Applicants are usually asked about:– Academic work completed in the last year or two.– Relevant wider reading or work experience.– Subject-related issues that are very readily visible in the

wider world.– Responding to unseen/unknown material.

• New approaches to existing knowledge. • Problem-solving questions• Questions to interviewers

A strong applicant• chooses the right subject/course• has very good public examination grades• has done some reading and other wider exploration• is well-organised• is well-prepared for interview and knows lots about– The Course– Their recent school/college work– Their UCAS personal statement– Any submitted work

• practises discussing academic work and ideas