Year 12 Parent information eveningOctober 2013

•Why are you here?•To support your child•To find out:-

•what they are doing•what they should be doing•what they will be doing

•What are they doing?Academically•Most 4 AS Levels•Some 3 AS Levels•Some a mixture of BTEC and AS Levels

Enrichment• Pastoral sessions

• Enrichment sessions• Leadership roles

•Regular extra-curricular opportunities

•What should they be doing?• Attending every day, all day• Attending all timetabled lessons• Attending support sessions if requested• Completing and submitting all home learning on time

• Approx. 3 hours HL per subject per week• Can vary according to weighting and type of subject

• Getting involved• Keeping us informed of any issues

•What will they be doing?• Getting ready to go out into the world

• University?• Apprenticeship?• Other training?• Job?

• Exams – starting in May

• Work experience – June 2014 after study leave• be pro-active in finding their placements• Placement request forms no later than 31 March 2014

Higher Education

Continue with all subjects?

•Academic matters• Which subject to continue to A2?• Decision made after AS Summer results• Various options• Any U grades will not be continued

Drop one, but which one?

•Choosing a university• Range of sources of information

e.g. League Tables• Russell Group universities• Be realistic about required grades• Predicted grades• unistats.direct.gov.uk • unionview.com

Birmingham Bristol

Cambridge Cardiff

Edinburgh Glasgow

Imperial College King's College

Leeds Liverpool

LSE Manchester

Newcastle Nottingham

Oxford Queen's, Belfast

Sheffield Southampton

University College Warwick

•Choosing a university• Geographic area• Campus or city• Big or small• Old or new• Non-Academic factors• Accommodation• Financial considerations – cost of living• Visiting universities is one of the best ways to make a

decision! Utilise holidays for this, too – ring in advance

•Choosing courses• Four / five choices on UCAS form• Follow interests and instincts• Check subject requirements• Course type e.g. Sandwich• Research content• Choose a spread of entry criteria

N.B. Required grades often reflect the popularity of the course

•UCAS points tariff• Some universities offer based on grades

(e.g. BBB)• Other universities offer based on points

(e.g. 300)• UCAS grades attract different points

(e.g. A* grade = 140, A grade = 120)• Points awarded for other qualifications

(e.g. Music Grade 6 distinction = 75)

•Completing UCAS forms• All done on-line • Can be completed in stages and saved• Tutorials will be given on how to complete the form

• Personal statement – key section, so start early collating evidence to be included

• Reference – completed last • Finally submitted by Mrs Feather Levey & Mr Stephens

“We look to see that the personal statement has evidence of high levels of interest in, and commitment to, the study of history, and check that your interest in history extends beyond the syllabus (if you are currently studying history), and that you have read widely within the subject of history and that you have critically engaged

with that reading. We are also interested to hear about any relevant experience of the practise of history, e.g., museum work,

or an independent research project. We want to see that your personal statement demonstrates coherent, analytical and critical

thinking. Credit is given for well-constructed and accurately expressed argument. We may also take into account

competence in a foreign language or an understanding of how other relevant disciplines can inform the study of History.

(University of Bristol, History Entry Profile)

•Interviews and admissions tests• Interviews for medics, lawyers, teachers, dentists, vets, physiotherapists & some nurses

• Oxbridge interviews – mock interviews

• Admission tests needed for some courses e.g. Medicine, Veterinary Science, Law

& Oxbridge• Non-traditional interviews

•Gap years

• MUST be well organised and funded• Attitude to Gap Years will vary from institution to institution and from subject to subject

• Deferred entry vs. post results entry

•Oxbridge• Strong GCSE profile – all A*s and As (5A* minimum recommended)

• Strong AS profile – approx 90% in each subject• Passionate commitment to the subject• Average offer in 2012-2013 Cambridge cycle to student with 7A*s and 97% at AS Level

•Foreign universities• Advantages – different culture, broader education, costs in Europe (varies, but generally cheaper)

• Disadvantages – costs in US (approx $30000 fees, $10000 accommodation and $1500 books and insurance and living expenses and flights)

• Admissions tests and sometimes fees• Further information at: www.fulbright.co.uk

ec.europa.eu

•Finance• Tuition Fees up to £9,000• Living Costs (£6,500 - £8,000)• Student Loans Company• Student Finance England

•Finance• No-one pays upfront• Tuition fee goes straight to university• Maintenance loan available up to £7675, depending on income / location

• Grants available up to £3354 – these are not paid back!

• Other grants available, such as disability• Check course details for scholarships and bursaries

•Repaying• No debt collectors will ever come calling. If you are

earning it is collected automatically, like tax.• You only pay back 9% of what you earn over

£21,000 (E.g. if earning £22,000, monthly payments are £7.50)

• You pay back less per month than the old system and only fully repay it if your starting salary is around £45,000

• Any debt left to pay after 30 years is cancelled

•What happens now?

• Higher Education Convention June/July 2014

• Course research • Personal statement writing• Parent Guides and dedicated parent section on UCAS website

•Year 13• Oxbridge, Medicine & Vet applications to be submitted by end September 2014

• All applications to be submitted no later October half term

• Offers made between October and March• Reply when all responses received• One firm, one insurance (lower than firm)• ‘UCAS Extra’

•Results day• Getting results• Confirming place• Missing a grade – worth ringing• ‘Clearing’ – bring lists, mobile phone and UCAS number. Be prepared to travel!

Any questions?