A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education

Nicola WilberforceDirector of Progression Guidance

Tuesday 16 March 2021

Tonight’s programme

• ‘The Internship 2021’ – David Harkin from 8billionideas

• Applying to university from Esher Sixth Form College• HE in the UK 2021-22• How to apply to university• Support we provide for students

• How to choose a university and course – Stephanie Gordon and Chloe Robinson from the University of Leeds

• Q & A and closing remarks

The current HE climate

The number of 18 years olds in the UK is at an all-time low.

• From 2023 numbers of 18 year olds will increase again• Buyer’s market for next few year or so • Competition for places at top universities remains as hard as ever

• Jan 2021 UCAS applications data: • 616,360 applications in total, increase of 8.5% in total from 2020• Just under half were UK 18 year olds (306,200)• This was 11% higher than 2020 and represents 42.6% of UK 18 year olds• EU applicant numbers decreased to 26,010 (-40%)• Non EU applications increased, although total of China, India and USA is only ~ 38,000

The current HE climate

It is still a very good time to apply to university!

Why Go To Uni?• Desire to continue and enjoyment of studying

• Better career prospects

• Increase potential earnings in some cases – not all!

• Benefit to the wider community

• Social and cultural reasons

• More independence, self-confidence and responsibility

• Personal challenge

• Broadens interests and knowledge

• It can be immense fun!

The application process

• Apply online through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

• UCAS account is linked to Esher Sixth Form College with a buzzword

• Students choose up to 5 courses, usually at 5 different universities

• No preferences expressed – choices are listed alphabetically

• Invisibility of choice – other universities can’t see where else you have applied

• UCAS form submitted in the Autumn term to our part of the UCAS server

The application process

• Form is then downloaded by Esher College from UCAS server

• We check GCSE grades, add the reference and UCAS predicted grades

• We submit the form to UCAS who send it on to each university

• Universities make an offer or reject – ongoing until May

• ‘First come, first served’ at some universities

• Can apply for deferred entry if you intend to have Gap year

The application process

• University stipulates grades or number of UCAS tariff points that should be achieved - a conditional offer

• Student accepts a Conditional Firm offer and usually a lower Conditional Insurance offer and rejects the others, by May

• Unconditional offers - you can have a place whatever your grades. Students must not stop working, as they still have to list their grades!

The application process

• Results issued in mid August when offers are confirmed

• If student meets CF they go to their firm choice university

• If student misses CF but meets CI they go to their insurance choice university

• Student can enter clearing by releasing them self from their CF or CI

• Students do not need to have an insurance choice, but probably should

The application process

• If a student receives 5 rejections they can apply through UCAS Extra until they are successful

• If they miss both offers they can apply for a place through Clearing if places available

• Students can apply ‘Direct to clearing’ on results day, if places available

• Students can also withdraw and re-apply the following year for other courses or places

• If students do much better than expected they can ‘apply up’ after results day through Adjustment

Step 1 – Choosing your course and university

• Unifrog is our main research tool • Unifrog was launched to students before Christmas• Unifrog parent form code: esherparents (only valid for 30 days from 16/3/2021)

Other sources of information include

• The UCAS hub

• The Uni guide (was Which?university)

• Whatuni

• Unistats (uses data from National Student Survey)

• The Complete University Guide

Unifrog combines information from many sources to compile its databank.

UCAS

• An invaluable source of information, as well as the method by which applications are made

Step 2 - Making the Application: July 2021 onwards

• Apply is the UCAS online application system

• Started on After Esher Day (Tuesday 6 July) – please wait!

• Linked to Esher College using a unique ‘buzzword’

• Every applicant has multiple sections to complete, including:• Personal details• Student finance (UK and EU only)• Choices• Education• Employment• Personal statement

Choices• 5 choices – except for medicine and vets (4 +1)

• Cannot change your mind once form is submitted

• Advice: 2 aspirational, 2 solid and 1 safe

• If you are very aspirational you might be disappointed

• Subjects and institutions vary – research is essential

• Mistakes delay the form – please follow instructions exactly

• A rushed form full of mistakes takes longer to process than a correct form

• Parental checking can be useful!

Supported by ..........

• A personal statement

• Only 1 personal statement no matter how many different courses you apply for

• You cannot change it later!

• Statement is 3800 characters maximum, including spaces (approx. 47 lines)

• Student must ‘sell’ themselves – what skills make them better than the next person who has the same excellent qualifications?

Personal statements

• Have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?

• Do they know what studying the subject actually involves?

• Do they have real academic or vocational interest in the subject – evidence?

• Are they motivated and committed and can they study independently?

• Do they possess good numeracy and literacy skills?

• Do they possess good ‘soft skills’ – team work, leadership, resilience, problem solving etc? (The internship will provide excellent evidence for these.)

Personal statements• Use personal statement tool on Unifrog

• Every draft saved so every teacher and tutor can see it to give feedback

• 75-80% of statement needs to be focused on academic and other skills, with evidence

• Super-curricular activities are only valuable if they provide evidence of skills

• Use all the advice and support available online

• Every university has help and guidance on its website

• Personal statement planner - £2 from the Progression Guidance office

But beware

Do not be tempted to ‘buy’ a personal statement

Plagiarism software will check for ‘template’ answers.

Esher College Dates and Deadlines

• All deadlines are in the parents’ information sheet

• They may seem early but…

• Lots of checking of the form necessary

• Over 850 forms sent in this cycle

• Most universities will accept late forms but are not obliged to consider them

Step 3 - How do the universities choose?

Universities and colleges will review everything:

Personal statement

Reference and extenuating circumstances

Qualifications and context

Admissions test results

Interviews

Portfolios

Auditions

Accepting offers (UCAS track)

• Compare progress and predicted grades with the course requirements

• Wait until all universities have responded, unless you are certain

• Never choose somewhere you haven’t visited (and hopefully open days will happen in July 2021 onwards)

• Be sure you want to go there, especially the insurance university

• You do not have to have an insurance offer

• Final decisions must be made by May – it’s a contract

Help is available!

• U• The Parents’ Information Sheet –uploaded to parents > events area of College

website so weblinks are active• Personal Statement Booklet• ‘Higher Education’ and ‘After Esher’ Days• Tutors and extensive PDP programme• Progression Guidance Staff

Oxbridge applications

• Shaista Moghul - Oxbridge coordinator

• Presentation on applying to Oxbridge at Higher Education Day next week

• Encouragement of potential students already taking place

• Online conference (in ‘normal’ times this is at Epsom Racecourse)

• Open Days in July

• Early deadline, tests, interviews etc

• Typical GCSE profile 8 x grades 8-9s

• Typical A level offer A*AA, typical achievement A*A*A

Art / Art Foundation Applications

• James Leonard - Art Foundation Coordinator

• Individual applications to each art college separately

• Foundation course - a one year diagnostic pre-degree course

• Separate system to UCAS and students may apply to both

• No tuition fees for students under 19 at start of course

• Portfolio progression pathway or creative EPQ

Higher Education Day 2021 is all online; students should stay at home all dayPeriods 1 & 2 will be taught remotely

Period 3 onwards – Higher Education Day activities

Period 3 – 60+ Subject Seminars: students attend 2; all are recorded

Optional talks: degree apprenticeships; student finance; students with disabilities; having a Gap year

What is student life really like?

Afternoon - 4 sessions

Why go to university?

How to choose a university and course

Evening: 6.00 - 8.15 pm Further talks for parents and students

After Esher DayTuesday 6 July 2021

Register with UCAS Master Class on Personal Statement

CragRats company mock assessment centre

Psychometric testing and competency questions

Interview and presentation techniques

Motivational talks and careers advice from Esher College alumni

Using Unifrog to research options

Apprenticeship and Employment option

University option

And finally………….

• Thursday 18 August 2022 – Results Day

• Please don’t be away on holiday!

• College staff available on the Thursday and Friday for assistance with Clearing

How to choose a university and a course

Stephanie Gordon from the University of Leeds

Questions?

Thank you!

This presentation and the information sheet will be uploaded to the College website: Parents> Events > Higher Education Evening.

Please log in again next Tuesday 23 March, 6-8.15pm online for further HE talks

Employment and Apprenticeships evening: Wednesday 21 April, 6.00 pm

progression@esher.ac.uk