Higher Education Information 2016 Miss L Rogers Director of Sixth Form Mr I Britten Assistant Director of Sixth Form
Higher education courses Making choices The UCAS form and Apply online The system Information and advice available Finance
Higher education - the basics Each student applies through UCAS via the electronic system (available at home) Choose up to five different courses These are usually similar subjects at 5 different universities All students should have started their application before the summer and have already started visiting university open days
Higher Education Courses Over 900 different subjects and 60,000 different degrees, diploma or HE and HND courses available. Single Subject Combination NO-ONE CAN DECIDE FOR YOU!!! Equally Business and French Subsidiary Business with French
Higher Education Courses There are lots of different types of courses available, so think what would suit you best: Sandwich Courses Year in industry or abroad Often in Languages, Engineering, Business Course Duration Most degree courses are three years Sandwich courses are four years Medicine is five years, six with a foundation year Art usually requires a foundation year first HNDs are two years
Higher Education Courses The Institutions Old Universities Oxbridge Russell Group Campus universities Specialist Colleges New Universities Former Polytechnics
Timeline 1st September Applications can be submitted to UCAS Friday September 30 th School Deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry applications. 15 th October 2016 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Veterinary, Medicine and Dentistry Applications. 15th January 2017 UCAS deadline, includes most Art courses but check individual establishments. Late February 2017 Applications for student finance go live online. March 2017 Those who do not hold offers can apply through EXTRA 23rd March 2017 UCAS Deadline for Art and Design Applications not using the 15th January deadline. 17th August 2017 A2 and AS results. Clearing vacancies published Late September last date for clearing applications.
The Russell Group University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Cambridge Cardiff University Durham University University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow Imperial College London King's College London University of Leeds University of Liverpool London School of Economics University of Manchester Newcastle University University of Nottingham University of Oxford Queen Mary University of London Queen's University Belfast University of Sheffield University of Southampton University College London University of Warwick University of York Typically ask for higher grades/points
Making Choices Think why you want to go to university : To study a favourite subject(s) University sounds interesting You want a career that requires a degree You hope to earn more money in the future To gain life experiences Cannot decide what job to do at the moment
Making Choices What do you want to study? Single Subject Combined Subjects Variety of Course Titles
Making Choices Where would you like to be for the next 3+ years? Far from home (avoid parents) Near to home (get washing and ironing done by mum/dad) Campus or town or city? Accommodation? Quality of Course? Reputation? Likely wages after qualification. Student Life?
Making Choices How about taking a gap year? After Year 13 Apply for deferred entry Or wait until 2018/2019? Voluntary Work Go Abroad Gain life experience Earn money to finance studies
University Rankings There are lots of different ways of comparing universities. All of these comparisons are on the internet. Here are a few you might (and might not!) consider:
University Rankings Top Ten 2017 Cambridge Oxford London School of Economics Imperial College London St Andrews Durham Loughborough Warwick Lancaster University College London Bath Exeter Bristol Top Five in South West Bournemouth Falmouth (www.thecompleteuniversityg uide.co.uk)
University Rankings Best Universities for subjects 2017 Drama English Food Science Marketing Maths Nursing Social work Birmingham Durham Surrey Bath Cambridge Glasgow Stirling
University Rankings Top 5 universities for student satisfaction 2017 1. University of Buckingham 2. University of Surrey 3. Keele 4. Coventry 5. Liverpool Hope
Competitiveness: number of applicants per place Law Nottingham 25 Warwick 20 Durham 20 Bristol 19 Manchester 17 Leeds 17 Birmingham 15 Newcastle 13 Brunel 12 Southampton 6 Medicine Imperial 21 Sheffield 15 Southampton 15 Nottingham 15 Bristol 15 Leeds 15 Leicester 14 Birmingham 11 Newcastle 10 Liverpool 9
Apply The UCAS online application system and form completion.
It s a big decision we aim to make sure they make the right choice!
Process Student makes choices - informs tutor. Completes form with help from tutor, Sixth form Team. Final version is checked by Director of Sixth Form. School adds reference written by tutor and Director of Sixth Form. Input from subject teachers. Predicted Grades and AS results included. Student pays by credit/debit card.
The Application Form Every applicant has five sections to complete: Personal details Choices Education Employment Personal Statement A member of staff at school, usually their tutor, will then complete a reference. Fees 23.00 for up to 5 applications, 12.00 for an application to a single institute http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your-application
Admissions Tutors look for:- GCSE results Other academic and vocational attainment Predicted grades Personal statement Reference Admissions tests Piece of written work Portfolio Interview Audition * Admission tutors do not know which other universities an applicant has applied to.
Personal Statement The Personal Statement is a students chance to sell and differentiate themselves to influence the Admission Tutors and explain their motivations Personal statements are like a paper based Interview The same principles apply First impressions count! Appearance & presentation is important Keep to the point Impress the interviewer
The UCAS System
The Exciting Bit Some courses will interview Oxbridge, medicine, education, law, London universities, popular courses, teaching, veterinary, dentistry, physiotherapy. Many will not. Offers and Rejections will be sent Informally from the University Via Track online
The Exciting Bit Most offers will be conditional, very occasionally they will be unconditional. If you get two or more offers : you can keep only two - one firm and one insurance If you get five rejections : You can then apply to UCAS Extra Extra one application at a time through UCAS until end of July.
The Offer Conditions UCAS tariff points: A level A* = 56 points A=48 B=40 C=32 D=24 E=16 UCAS tariff points AS level A = 20 B=16 C=12 D=10 E=6 Many universities still using grades e.g. A B B There may be an additional requirement in addition to the points e.g. To include a B grade in mathematics
Conditions The Offer e.g. Points are better! University 1 offers 120 points. University 2 offers ABC. (apparently the same?!) BBB would be good enough for the first university, but not the second.
Conditions Typical Offers HEALTH WARNING! Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Physiotherapy Traditional Universities, Popular Courses A*A*A - AAB AAB - BCC Popular Courses at newer universities or less popular courses at traditional universities BCC - CCD Less Popular Courses EE and above Grades are not necessarily a measure of quality
Conditions The Offer The insurance offer should be 2 grades below the firm offer e.g. Firm: BBC Insurance: BCD It must be equal or lower than AS grades. Parents otherwise you are the ones who will have to pick up the pieces on results day!
Admissions Tests Students applying for some courses are required to sit an admissions test as part of the application process. BMAT (Biomedical Admissions test) for entry to Medical and Veterinary Schools (www.bmat.org.uk) UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) for medical and dental degree courses (www.ukcat.ac.uk) HAT (History Aptitude Test) Oxford University LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law) (www.lnat.ac.uk) ELAT (English Literature Admissions Test) Oxford University IOT (Institutions own tests)
What s next?
What next? An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions: Unconditional offer (U) Conditional offer (C) Unsuccessful (R) or A place on a different course Deferred entry A maximum of two offers may be held after final decision has been received Choice of three reply options: Firm acceptance - Insurance acceptance Decline
UCAS Extra Second bite of the Cherry Extra operates from late Feb, to early July. Courses which have vacancies in Extra are listed during this period at www.ucas.com Eligible Applicants: No offers made All offers declined Student Driven: Available courses listed Self-referral Application sent to relevant University
Results Day 17 th August 2017 Things go well Absolute commitment Universities must confirm offers Students can change their mind but will then have to go through clearing and start the process again in terms of applying for accommodation etc. Things don t go so well Firm choice may still confirm the offer Insurance offer Clearing
The Adjustment Process If results are better than the conditions of their firm choice Register details for adjustment online 5 Day Adjustment Period Look at available courses on UCAS and contact University Receive new offer or stick with firm choice
Clearing Matches available applicants to vacancies Students will need to find a course & University using the UCAS website and /or The Independent Contact the University University makes the offer All the above are completed via the UCAS website.
Advice Tutors Subject Teachers Mrs Lawrance Miss Rogers & Mr Britten
The UCAS System Any questions on the UCAS System?
Finance Katie Blake