Welcome to the Higher Education Welcome to the Higher Education Evening 2011Evening 2011

Careers Events – Term 6Careers Events – Term 6

Friday 1st July – Enrichment Day Tuesday 5th July – HE convention day 1

Wednesday 6th July – HE convention day 2

Wednesday 6th July – Year 12 Higher Education Evening

Higher EducationHigher Education

Why consider University?

What sort of course?

What sort of place?

ForFor

University or college lets you experience a rich cultural and social scene, meeting a variety of people while studying something you love.

Alternatively an opportunity to learn new things and getting to where you want to be

A degree could help you take charge of your future by building skills and confidence.

A degree can lead to increased earning potential, a wider range of opportunities and a more rewarding career.

And on average, graduates tend to earn substantially more than people with A levels. Projected over a working lifetime, the difference is something like £100,000 before tax at today’s valuation. (Directgov, 2010)

New experiences New opportunities A transition between school and work

For

AgainstAgainst

Delays earning money

Financial concerns Pressure on

parents’ finances

You may have had enough of academic study

You may want time off before you decide - consider a Gap Year.

What does the research show? What does the research show?

Researchers at the LSE and London Institute of Education studied two groups of students through school and university and beyond.

The graduates had higher employment rates

They were healthier, happier, less likely to experience depression

They were more likely to be politically active and less likely to be sexist or racist

Graduates live in more expensive homesGraduates own more expensive cars Graduates children do better in schoolGraduates are more likely to have a sense

of well being and positive feelings about themselves

Entry RequirementsEntry RequirementsCheck the grades/UCAS points you

will need to get accepted. Be realistic about what you can achieve

Check that there are no GCSE subjects or other qualifications required

Check on matriculation, ie that you have the basic qualifications needed to apply to the university

Things To RememberThings To Remember

Choose something you will enjoy studying for at least three years

Check the content of the course carefully in the prospectus or on the university web-site

Look at what will be covered after the first year eg option courses

Type of assessment

How will the course affect your career plans?

Be careful: courses with same title may cover different things

Sources Of InformationSources Of Information

Prospectuses Web-sites for the

HEI and the department you want to apply to

UCAS ‘Big Guide’

UCAS web-site: www.ucas.com

Teaching and pastoral staff

Careers adviser Careers library University Guides The Times & The

Guardian Guides

Type of InstitutionType of Institution How competitive

will it be? How traditional or

innovative will it be in its teaching and assessment methods?

Is it college based eg Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, York?

Campus university in the country eg Lancaster or town/city based eg Manchester

Study, library, computer facilities?

Sport and recreation facilities?

Different Types of UniversityDifferent Types of University

CollegiateRedbrick

New UniversitiesAgricultural CollegeSpecialist College

CampusUrban

AccommodationAccommodation How much does it

cost? Can all first years

be accommodated?

How far is accommodation from place of study?

Self-catering or meals provided?

Ease of travel from accommodation to place of study eg public transport

What accommodation is available for second and third years?

LocationLocation Choosing the right

course is by far the most important consideration when applying to HE

BUT you will be living in your chosen town or city for at least three years

Is it a pleasant environment to live in?

Does it give me the opportunity to develop my interest/ hobbies outside the course?

How far is it from home?

The UCAS The UCAS Application Application

ProcessProcess

Key PointsKey Points Most universities, apart

from Oxbridge, Teaching and Medicine courses, will not interview you so the UCAS form is all they will see of you

Choose five institutions, BUT four for Medicine, Vet Science/Medicine and Dentistry

Take particular care with the Personal Statement demonstrate an interest in the degree.

Check for additional exams such as LNAT and BMAT.

Complete your application as soon as possible.

What happens next?What happens next? Those applying pre-

A Level should receive offers from Higher Education Institutions

These may be in the form of A Level grades or points

Some may be called for interview

By the start of May (in most cases) you must inform UCAS which offer you wish to accept as a FIRM and which as an INSURANCE offer. The Insurance Offer should be the lower of the two

If you fail to reach your offers you can go through ‘extra’ and then ‘clearing’.

Key DatesKey Dates

15 October 2011: Deadline for Oxbridge, Vet Med/Sci, Med, Dent applications

15 January 2012: Final UCAS deadline

Borden Applications should be completed by Autumn Half Term

Personal StatementPersonal StatementThe most important section of the formMain emphasis should be academicApplicants should demonstrate

enthusiasm, aptitude and suitability for chosen course

Relevant work experience should be included

This is an opportunity for applicants to ‘sell themselves’

Staff will give guidance

Role of ParentsRole of ParentsPlease:EncourageBe patientAct as a sounding boardDiscuss prospective visits, finances,

etcContact us if you have any concernsReinforce deadlines

New for 2011 & 2012New for 2011 & 2012Some Universities will require an A* as

part of their entry requirements.

The way in which the A* grade is to be awarded will mean that it is achieved by learners who have consistently performed very well throughout their A level units and outstandingly on the A2 units, which incorporate the most challenging questions.