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KLB Higher Education Evening 2018

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Reasons to apply to university…..

• Could be essential for chosen profession• Pursue a subject to your full academic potential and for the love of the

subject• For the life experience• Provides qualifications and transferable skills sought by many employers

(independence/social skills/self confidence/prioritise/meet deadlines/team building skills/form lifelong friendships/awareness of others)

• Head start/investment for the future in that it improves your chances of getting a well-paid job

• Starting salaries and salary progression benefits

Don’t apply if…..

• Really no idea of course (career?)

• Everyone else is applying

• Financial – is this a valid reason?

• Not utilising your strengths

• Aspirations lie elsewhere

• I just always thought I would

• My friends are going and my brothers and sisters went to university

• I want to get away from home

• Don’t know what else can I do??

• Explore all options

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Reasons for dropping out

3 considerations…

1. Is university right for me?

2. Which course and where?

3. How do I make a successful application?

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Aims of the evening…..

• Timeline

• Key points about the applications process

• How to choose courses and institutions

• Advice, recommended research and support

HE TimelineY12 Term 3/4/5 Research, preparation and application planning

UCAS Convention

Y12 Term 6 Exam WeekOther optionsOpen days, research and application processPersonal statement session – Bristol University adviceGap year talkIntroduction to the application formHE EveningCampus open day (Birmingham)

Summer Strengthen application

Y13 Term 1 ShortlistPersonal statement workOn line applicationReferences writtenEarly applicants completed (October 15th)

Y13 Term 2 Finance presentationInterview practiceSchool deadline

Y13 Term 4 Deadlines for decisions from universities

Y13 May Deadline for students’ decisions

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The application process

• www.ucas.com

• All online through school

• UCAS Track

• Costs about £23

• Make up to 5 selections (exceptions) eventually

• Invisibility of choices – no preference expressed during the application

• One personal statement

• Conditional Firm and Conditional Insurance

• Gap year or Art Foundation

HE provision in the UK

325 Universities / Colleges

40 000+ courses

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Things to consider when making your choices

• Which course?

• Where?

Choosing a course?

• Type of course

– First degree Single Honours (e.g. BA, BSc)

– First degree Joint Honours

– First degree Combined Honours

– Sponsored degree (http://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/blog/sponsored-degrees-uk)

– Higher apprenticeship and degree apprenticeships

– Masters degree (e.g. MEng, MA)

– Foundation degree (Fdg)

– First degree sandwich

– First degree modular

– B.Ed

– Art degree

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Choosing a course?

• Type of course

• Content (what interests you now? Don’t just check Year 1. Same name different course)

• Assessments (exams vs. continual assessment)

• Teaching styles (contact hours, tutorials, lectures)

• Research/opportunity to specialise

• Opportunity to go abroad

• Aspects covered – BA or BSc

• Fees, finance, bursaries and scholarships

• Future prospects and demand for graduates in your chosen field

• Realistic entry requirements (decode the offer, cover a range of offers)

Predicted grades

• Look at Year 12 results – “overall subject grade”

• We want to be realistic and positive

• If B, predicted grade likely to be B; could be an A

• If D, predicted grade likely to be D; could be a C

• For 1+ grade higher, we need to be convinced…

• “Over-predicting grades can be counter-productive because many universities and colleges are likely to monitor the accuracy of schools’ and colleges’ predictions” (UCAS)

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Offers

• Conditional – A level grades

• Sometimes, grades in particular subjects– Total points scores for A level (new tariff 2016)

• Unconditional– For post-A level candidates– Occasionally, for candidates who have taken a separate

entrance test – Occasionally, for outstanding candidates

Where to go?

• City/rural/campus?

• Near to home?

• Halls of residence for first year students

• Accommodation – cost and proximity to lecture

• Transport needed

• Other facilities

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Recommended research….

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Judging the courses and institutions

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And last but not least…

• The Heaps Guide

Highly recommended….• Prospectuses on line

• Books in study library – Heaps is a must!

• www.prospects.ac.uk - where your subjects may take you

• http://university.which.co.uk/

• www.opendays.com

• http://www.whatuni.com/• http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our-universities.aspx• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/

• The Guardian also does subject tables

• http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our-universities.aspx

• www.prospects.ac.uk

• http://www.highfliers.co.uk/ Look for the graduate market document at the bottom of the home page

• http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/careers/

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What are admissions tutors looking for?

• Academic potential– Predicted grades match course requirements– Supported by well-argued personal statement– Supported by school reference

• Commitment to the subject– Evident in personal statement– Supported by relevant experience and additional activities

• Right attitude to be successful– Hard-working and conscientious – Good school record

• Well-rounded with evidence of extra-curricular and outside interests

Elements in the selection process

• Predicted A level grades

• Subject choices

• GCSE grades

• Well-written personal statement

• School reference

• Entrance test results if taken

• lnterview

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Opportunities that have been available to you since you started in the Sixth Form!

• Access to Bristol/Pathways to Law• Primary school work• Pre-school work• Care home work• Charity shop• Sign Language• School Council• 6th Form committee• Rotary interview• Lesson help• Book group• Newsletter • Quiz team• Charity events• Prefect • First Aid • Stroud Council• Local youth forum• University subject days eg maths, law,

medicine, masterclass days

• Community Sports Leaders’ Award• Sports • Duke of Edinburgh Award• Drive IQ• World Challenge• Helping at info/open evenings • Ambassadors showing visitors round

school• Film club• Drama • Music • EPQ• Summer schools (Headstart, Medsim)• STEM activities• Rotary Young Leaders Scheme • Department trips and visits• Work experience• Future Learn courses• TIC• TEFL

A good personal statement

• “With so many applicants with top grades, the personal statement is critical in the selection process.” Adele Ruston, Bristol University Admissions

• Strongly argues understanding of and interest in chosen subject

– About two-thirds of statement, particularly for most competitive courses

– Goes beyond mere content of A level courses

• Gives strong sense of interesting and well-rounded person

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A good personal statement

• Is written in the right style– Persuasive writing: points made and supported by

examples– Not a curriculum vitae or mere list of achievements

• Is technically well written– Points arranged and developed through helpful

paragraphing– Sentences accurately demarcated and under control

• Is original – content and expression are fresh and engaging• Sounds sincere and genuine, not contrived

– Avoid clichés– Avoid hyperbole

• Presents applicant in best possible light

Help with personal statement

• June: introduction to writing a good personal statement from Bristol University tutor

• July: personal statement seminar for early applicants

• September: presentation to whole year group on personal statements

• September: personal statement seminars for all

• September: further session for parents

• One-to-one guidance

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The reference

• Comments on performance in academic subjects

• Particular emphasis on chosen subject

• Predicted grades

• Contributions to wider life of the school

• Qualities of character and personality

• Only comments on what reflects well on applicant

Sources of help

• Head of 6th form; deputy head of 6th form; 6th form tutors

• Higher Education Consultant

– Personal statements

– References

– Practice interviews

– Based in 6th form office

– Full-time until UCAS deadline, 15 January

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Next steps……

• Students must do their own research • “Are you who they want?”

• Personal statement• More detail about predicted grades• Finance • Shortlist• Online application• Chat about options

Thank you!