KLB Higher Education Evening 2016 1
Reasons for dropping out 2
Reasons to apply to university….. • About 30% of 18 year olds were accepted into Higher Education • Head start/investment for the future in that it improves your chances of getting a well-paid job • Starting salaries and salary progression benefits • 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) • 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 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 3
3 considerations… 1. Is university right for me? 2. Which course and where? 3. How do I make a successful application? Aims of the evening….. • Timeline • Key points about the applications process • How to choose courses and institutions • Advice, recommended research and support 4
HE Timeline Y12 Term 3/4/5 Research, preparation and application planning UCAS Convention Y12 Term 6 Other options Open days, research and application process Personal statement session – Bristol University advice Gap year talk Introduction to the application form HE evening Campus open day (Birmingham) Summer Produce a long-list August AS results (review as necessary) Y13 Term 1 Shortlist Personal statement work On line application References written Early applicants completed (October 15 th ) Y13 Term 2 Finance presentation Interview practice School deadline Y13 Term 4 Deadlines for decisions from universities Y13 May Deadline for students’ decisions The application process • www.ucas.com • All online through school • UCAS Track • Costs £14 • 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 5
HE provision in the UK 325 Universities / Colleges 40 000+ courses Things to consider when making your choices • Which course? • Where? 6
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 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 ) 7
Offers • Unconditional – For post-A level candidates – Occasionally, for candidates who have taken a separate entrance test – Occasionally, for outstanding candidates • Conditional – A-level grades • Sometimes, grades in particular subjects • May include general studies or may not – Total points scores for A level The UCAS tariff – has changed! • Previously: o A=120, B=100, C=80, D=60 o AS are awarded 50% of the A level grades (A=60) • Now: o Range has been reduced o A level grades have the same relative values o AS grades are now awarded 40% of the A level grade (UCAS only!) 8
Tariff offers • 1/3 of courses have tariff offers • Count the highest level of a qualification - can’t combine AS and A level grades for one subject • Check the detail: – Can you include AS points (if dropped it)? – 120 points? BBB? ABC? 9
Which institution? 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 10
Now for the research…. 11
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Judging the courses and institutions KIS data 15
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And last but not least… • The Heaps Guide 18
Highly recommended…. • Prospectuses (on line and in study library) • 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/ • http://www.theguardian.com/education/ng- interactive/2016/may/23/university-league-tables-2017 • 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/ Open days • First hand experience • Talk to staff and students • Ask the right questions • Do students get judged when they attend? • Limit to 3 in term time • Complete a form – teacher/parent signatures • www.opendays.com • Check if you need to book a place 19
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 A2 grades and AS results – Sometimes AS unit scores • Subject combinations • GCSE grades • Well-written personal statement • School reference • Entrance test results if taken • lnterview 20
Opportunities that have been available to you since you started in the Sixth Form! • • Access to Bristol/Pathways to Law Community Sports Leaders’ Award • • Primary school work Sports • • Pre-school work Outdoor club • • Care home work Drive IQ • • Charity shop World Challenge • • Miss John training Helping at info/open evenings • • School Council Ambassadors showing visitors round • school 6 th Form committee • Film club • Rotary interview • Drama • Y8 literacy help • Music • Lesson help • EPQ • Y7 tutor group help • • Summer schools (Headstart, Medsim) Quiz team • STEM activities • Charity events • Rotary Young Leaders Scheme • Prefect • Sixth Form debates • First Aid • Department trips and visits • Stroud Council and local youth forum • • Work experience University subject days eg maths, law, • medicine, masterclass days Future Learn courses • TIC 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 21
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 cliches – 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 22
The reference • Comments on performance in academic subjects • Particular emphasis on chosen subject • Predicted grades: – Based on AS results – One grade higher if special circumstances • 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 6 th form; deputy head of 6 th form; 6 th form tutors • Higher education consultant – Personal statements – References – Practice interviews – Based in 6 th form office – Full-time until UCAS deadline, 15 January 23
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