An Introduction An Introduction to Higher to Higher EducationEducation

PLANNING AHEAD?PLANNING AHEAD?DECISIONS?DECISIONS?

Year 12Year 12

EmploymentEmployment

Training/ApprenticeshipsTraining/Apprenticeships

CollegeCollege

VolunteeringVolunteering

Year 13 A2Year 13 A2

Year 13Year 13UniversityUniversity

Sponsored / Work Based Sponsored / Work Based DegreeDegree

College/Foundation College/Foundation Degree/Technical & Degree/Technical & Vocational LearningVocational Learning

EmploymentEmployment

Employment with trainingEmployment with training

ApprenticeshipApprenticeship

Gap year/VolunteeringGap year/Volunteering

Current Year 13 Current Year 13 Year group = 217 studentsYear group = 217 students

HE September ‘11 = 190HE September ‘11 = 190HE September ‘12= 3HE September ‘12= 3Art Diploma= 6Art Diploma= 6Cadetship = 1Cadetship = 1College=5College=5Apprenticeship = 2Apprenticeship = 2EmploymentEmployment =3=3Uncertain = 7Uncertain = 7

GOOD ADVICE GOOD ADVICE GOOD GOOD DECISIONSDECISIONS

Guidance sessionsGuidance sessionsSixth Form MentorSixth Form MentorConnexionsConnexionsTutors/Heads of Year Tutors/Heads of Year Personal interviewsPersonal interviewsCareers libraryCareers libraryWeb sitesWeb sitesParentsParents

A2 choicesA2 choices

Check subject suitability for future Check subject suitability for future intentionsintentions

Match courses / career requirementsMatch courses / career requirements

(e.g Need A2 Chemistry for Medicine)(e.g Need A2 Chemistry for Medicine)

GOOD ADVICE GOOD ADVICE GOOD GOOD DECISIONSDECISIONS

HIGHER EDUCATIONHIGHER EDUCATIONReasons to apply to Reasons to apply to

university?university? Increase qualification levelsIncrease qualification levels Future earningsFuture earnings Sports facilitiesSports facilities Active social lifeActive social life New friendsNew friends New interests/skillsNew interests/skills Live in another part of the countryLive in another part of the country Be more independentBe more independent

CostCost Lose friendsLose friends A job without a degreeA job without a degree Reliance on familyReliance on family No job guaranteesNo job guarantees Won’t get the gradesWon’t get the grades Not readyNot ready Need a break from studyingNeed a break from studying

HIGHER EDUCATIONHIGHER EDUCATIONReasons NOT to apply to Reasons NOT to apply to

university?university?

The UCAS SystemThe UCAS System

No direct application to universitiesNo direct application to universities55,000 undergraduate courses55,000 undergraduate courses324 institutions recruit through UCAS 324 institutions recruit through UCAS Electronic Application System – Web Electronic Application System – Web based ‘APPLY’based ‘APPLY’5 choices5 choices4 choices for Vets, Medics, Dentists, 4 choices for Vets, Medics, Dentists, plus 1plus 1

What is UCAS?What is UCAS?

Oversee applications to Higher Education institutions.Oversee applications to Higher Education institutions.Regulates the procedure of filling the places Regulates the procedure of filling the places available.available.Gives replies to students of the offers they have/have Gives replies to students of the offers they have/have not received.not received.Tries to ensure that all applications are treated Tries to ensure that all applications are treated equally.equally.UCAS works to deadlines and so does school.UCAS works to deadlines and so does school.

School DeadlinesSchool Deadlines

Medics, Vets, Oxbridge Medics, Vets, Oxbridge

By or before Friday 4th October to meet By or before Friday 4th October to meet 1515thth October UCAS deadline October UCAS deadline

All other UCAS applicants by or before All other UCAS applicants by or before

Friday 11Friday 11thth November. November.

Early Application is beneficial to student and Early Application is beneficial to student and school.school.

Things To RememberThings To RememberEach course at every institution will apply its Each course at every institution will apply its own criteria for entry.own criteria for entry.Specific course entry requirement will depend Specific course entry requirement will depend on the demand for the course, and may change on the demand for the course, and may change from year to year.from year to year.Courses with the same title are not necessarily Courses with the same title are not necessarily the same.the same.Application can be made for different types of Application can be made for different types of courses (but care needs to be taken).courses (but care needs to be taken).It is wise to consider one or two courses that are It is wise to consider one or two courses that are below predicted grade level.below predicted grade level.

So farSo far

Assembly guidance programmeAssembly guidance programmeGroup and one to one advice sessionsGroup and one to one advice sessionsHE ConventionHE ConventionUniversity visits: Lancaster, York, Cambridge, Durham, Newcastle, University visits: Lancaster, York, Cambridge, Durham, Newcastle, NorthumbriaNorthumbriaSchool university visits: Newcastle, Northumbria, Glasgow, Oxford, School university visits: Newcastle, Northumbria, Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge.Cambridge.Oxbridge conference.Oxbridge conference.Law visitsLaw visitsStudent shadowingStudent shadowingOpen Day visitsOpen Day visits

RESEARCH!RESEARCH!

WebsitesWebsitesProspectusProspectusOpen daysOpen daysStudent shadowingStudent shadowingTaster coursesTaster coursesHeads of Year/TutorsHeads of Year/TutorsParentsParentsHigher Education ConferencesHigher Education Conferences

COURSESCOURSES

www.ucas.comwww.ucas.comDegree 3 to 4 YearsDegree 3 to 4 YearsFoundation Degree 2 yearsFoundation Degree 2 yearsHND 2 yearsHND 2 yearsDiploma or Certificate of Higher Education Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education 1 to 2 Years1 to 2 Years

(Remember Scottish Universities may be (Remember Scottish Universities may be slightly different.)slightly different.)

Key VariablesKey Variables

Course subject options, combinations and Course subject options, combinations and flexibilityflexibilityAssessment by examination, dissertation, Assessment by examination, dissertation, project, practical work experience, on project, practical work experience, on line……line……Leading to first degree qualification, Leading to first degree qualification, professional qualification or requiring professional qualification or requiring further qualification.further qualification.

What Are Universities Looking What Are Universities Looking For?For?

Interest/commitment (“passion”)Interest/commitment (“passion”)

QualificationsQualifications– GCSE –actualGCSE –actual– AS – actualAS – actual– A2 –predictionsA2 –predictions

Personal statementPersonal statement

ReferenceReference

Increasing ChancesIncreasing ChancesExtra-curricular and enrichment activities.Extra-curricular and enrichment activities.Involvement in school and out-of-school life.Involvement in school and out-of-school life.Relevant work experience; work shadowing.Relevant work experience; work shadowing.Part-time employment.Part-time employment.University visits, open-days, summer schools, University visits, open-days, summer schools, student shadowing.student shadowing.Awards, rewards, certificates, commendations.Awards, rewards, certificates, commendations.Evidence of key skills.Evidence of key skills.Personal experiences, qualities and attributes. Personal experiences, qualities and attributes.

Most Competitive UniversitiesMost Competitive Universities

CambridgeCambridge

Oxford Oxford

Imperial College Imperial College

London School of London School of Economics Economics

WarwickWarwick

Durham Durham

University College University College London London

St AndrewsSt Andrews

BathBath

EdinburghEdinburgh

UNIVERSITY RANKING UNIVERSITY RANKING (www.completeuniversityguide.co.uk)(www.completeuniversityguide.co.uk)

Rank Institution Average UCAS Tariff score of Students under 21

1 Oxford 532

2 Cambridge 547

3 Imperial College 504

4 Durham 468

5 London School of Economics 494

6 St Andrews 455

7 Warwick 464

8 Lancaster 393

9 UCL 458

10 York 423

11 Edinburgh 439

12 Bath 451

13 King’s College London 471

14 Southampton 407

15 Bristol 408

Most popular universities applied to by KEVI Most popular universities applied to by KEVI students 2011/12students 2011/12

University No of applicants

2011Northumbria 82Newcastle 56Leeds Met 42Leeds 37Sheffield Hallam 35Sunderland 33York 33Sheffield 29Manchester Met 27Edinburgh Napier 26Edinburgh 24Manchester 23Aberdeen 20Teesside 19Nottingham 19Liverpool 17York St John 15Nottingham Trent 15Cumbria 12Durham 12Lancaster 12

Hull 11Birmingham 10Cambridge 9Stirling 8Glasgow 8Keele 8Oxford 8Loughborough 7Bradford 7Warwick 7Bristol 7UCL 7Derby 7Exeter 7Lincoln 7Royal Holloway 7Staffordshire 6Central Lancashire 6Aston 5

Last Year’s destinationsLast Year’s destinationsUniversityUniversity number of students number of students

NorthumbriaNorthumbria 4343Newcastle Newcastle 1515DurhamDurham 77SunderlandSunderland 66LeedsLeeds MetMet 66Harper AdamsHarper Adams 66SheffieldSheffield 55LeedsLeeds 44TeessideTeesside 44YorkYork 44Newcastle CollegeNewcastle College 44CambridgeCambridge 44AberdeenAberdeen 33CumbriaCumbria 33HullHull 33Nottingham TrentNottingham Trent 33ManchesterManchester 33LancasterLancaster 33

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Edinburgh NapierEdinburgh Napier 22GlasgowGlasgow 22

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Various OthersVarious Others 4646

Most Popular University Courses Most Popular University Courses Chosen by KEVI Students 2011Chosen by KEVI Students 2011

Business/EconomicsBusiness/Economics 2727SciencesSciences 1818Psychology/CriminologyPsychology/Criminology 1313Nursing & Midwifery Nursing & Midwifery 1313Journalism & MediaJournalism & Media 88LawLaw 77Engineering Engineering 77Education Education 77EnglishEnglish 77SportsSports 66MedicineMedicine 66Geography Geography 66Graphic DesignGraphic Design 66HistoryHistory 55MathsMaths 55

Most Competitive SubjectsMost Competitive Subjects

Vet ScienceVet ScienceMedicineMedicineDentistryDentistryPhysiotherapyPhysiotherapyMidwiferyMidwiferyPsychologyPsychologyLawLawEnglish LiteratureEnglish LiteratureHistoryHistoryAeronautical EngineeringAeronautical EngineeringArchitectureArchitecture

Example: PsychologyExample: Psychology

AnimalAnimalAppliedAppliedApplied SocialApplied SocialBehavioural ScienceBehavioural ScienceBusinessBusinessClinicalClinicalCognitiveCognitiveCognitive ScienceCognitive ScienceCommunicationsCommunicationsComputingComputingCounsellingCounselling

DevelopmentalDevelopmentalEducationEducationEuropean SocialEuropean SocialExperimentalExperimentalForensicForensicHealthHealthHumanHumanOccupationalOccupationalSocialSocialSport Sport

Example: Human Psychology Example: Human Psychology (Aston University)(Aston University)

Human Psychology ( 3 year full time)Human Psychology ( 3 year full time)Human Psychology (4 year sandwich)Human Psychology (4 year sandwich)Psychology and Public Policy and Management Psychology and Public Policy and Management Psychology and ……Psychology and ……

BiologyBiologyBusinessBusinessChemistry Chemistry Computer ScienceComputer ScienceFrench French GermanGermanSociologySociology

UCAS DatesUCAS Dates

Registration onto the apply system – July – Sept Registration onto the apply system – July – Sept 20112011Applications –Sept 1Applications –Sept 1stst – Jan 15 – Jan 15thth Oxbridge Vets & Medics – must be in by October 15Oxbridge Vets & Medics – must be in by October 15th th

School submission dates have to be earlier.School submission dates have to be earlier.

UKCAT, BMAT & LNAT examinations October / UKCAT, BMAT & LNAT examinations October / November.November.University specific tests usually October/NovemberUniversity specific tests usually October/November

Grade/Point offersGrade/Point offers

Institutions can offer places by required Institutions can offer places by required grades (B-B-C)grades (B-B-C)

OrOr

by required points (260 points)by required points (260 points)

OFFERSOFFERS

A2 LEVELA2 LEVELGrade ‘A*’=140 points Grade ‘A*’=140 points

Grade ‘A’ = 120 pointsGrade ‘A’ = 120 points

Grade ‘B’ = 100 pointsGrade ‘B’ = 100 points

Grade ‘C’ = 80 pointsGrade ‘C’ = 80 points

Grade ‘D’ = 60 pointsGrade ‘D’ = 60 points

Grade ‘E’ = 40 pointsGrade ‘E’ = 40 points

AS LEVELAS LEVELGrade ‘A’ = 60 pointsGrade ‘A’ = 60 points

Grade ‘B’ = 50 pointsGrade ‘B’ = 50 points

Grade ‘C’ = 40 pointsGrade ‘C’ = 40 points

Grade ‘D’ = 30 pointsGrade ‘D’ = 30 points

Grade ‘E’ = 20 pointsGrade ‘E’ = 20 points

No double counting Points or Grades offer.

UCAS Offers UCAS Offers

A maximum of 2 offers may be held after final A maximum of 2 offers may be held after final decision has been received.decision has been received.

There are 3 replies that can be made.There are 3 replies that can be made.

1.1. F = Firm AcceptanceF = Firm Acceptance

2.2. I = Insurance AcceptanceI = Insurance Acceptance

3.3. D = DeclineD = Decline

If an unconditional offer is firmly accepted no If an unconditional offer is firmly accepted no other offers may be held.other offers may be held.

Aspiration v RealismAspiration v Realism

It is essential to apply for courses that are It is essential to apply for courses that are in line with predicted gradesin line with predicted grades

Predicted grades cannot be negotiablePredicted grades cannot be negotiable

Make one or two choices below predicted Make one or two choices below predicted gradesgrades

Always remember “insurance” choiceAlways remember “insurance” choice

Gap yearGap year

Year in IndustryYear in Industry

EmploymentEmployment

Defer EntryDefer Entry

No OffersNo Offers

Ucas EXTRAUcas EXTRA

ClearingClearing

Don’t get GradesDon’t get Grades

ClearingClearing

Tuition Fees for 2011Tuition Fees for 2011

Up to £9000 per year (full-time Up to £9000 per year (full-time undergraduate courses) – decisions from undergraduate courses) – decisions from universities are awaiteduniversities are awaited

To cover: cost of University courseTo cover: cost of University course

It has to be repaidIt has to be repaid

Help towards tuition feesHelp towards tuition fees

Household incomeHousehold income

Less than £25,000Less than £25,000

Between £25,001 and Between £25,001 and £50,020£50,020

£50,020 or more£50,020 or more

Help available:Help available:

All tuition fees paidAll tuition fees paid

Some help towards Some help towards feesfees

Students asked to Students asked to pay full contribution pay full contribution

University BursariesUniversity Bursaries

These differ from university to university. They These differ from university to university. They enable universities to target appropriate financial enable universities to target appropriate financial help. Sometimes they are used as help. Sometimes they are used as encouragement to apply to a particular encouragement to apply to a particular university.university.

It is the students responsibility to find out about It is the students responsibility to find out about and apply for a bursary.and apply for a bursary.

Bursaries can offer between £500 - £5000.Bursaries can offer between £500 - £5000.

Living Costs: estimated and Living Costs: estimated and variablevariable

Up to £7000 per year for a student living away from Up to £7000 per year for a student living away from home. To cover such things as:home. To cover such things as:Rent or hall feesRent or hall feesHousehold and general billsHousehold and general billsFood and drinkFood and drinkTravel Travel EntertainmentEntertainmentBooks, stationery and other course needsBooks, stationery and other course needsClothesClothesContingency fund (Parents!)Contingency fund (Parents!)

COMING UP……..COMING UP……..

Careers HE Guidance Careers HE Guidance UCAS Registration – July – SeptUCAS Registration – July – SeptVisits from other universities to be confirmed ( Nottingham, Visits from other universities to be confirmed ( Nottingham, Swansea, Edinburgh Napier)Swansea, Edinburgh Napier)Summer SchoolsSummer SchoolsPersonal InterviewsPersonal InterviewsOpen DaysOpen DaysTaster CoursesTaster CoursesPure PotentialPure PotentialSee adverts in the SFCSee adverts in the SFC

Some useful websitesSome useful websiteswww.studentworld.co.uk and www.hero.ac.uk which shows location of all www.studentworld.co.uk and www.hero.ac.uk which shows location of all UK Higher education institutions.UK Higher education institutions.www.univseritiesuk.ac.uk for university research quality ratings.www.univseritiesuk.ac.uk for university research quality ratings.www.aimhigher.ac.uk provides a complete guide to higher education in www.aimhigher.ac.uk provides a complete guide to higher education in England England www.studyinscotland.org for Scottish University information www.studyinscotland.org for Scottish University information www.wales.ac.uk for the University of Waleswww.wales.ac.uk for the University of Waleswww.thetimesonline.co.uk and www.thetimesonline.co.uk and www.education.guardian.co.uk/universityguidewww.education.guardian.co.uk/universityguidefor examples of league tablesfor examples of league tableswww.uni4me.com which gives a view of what it’s like to be a studentwww.uni4me.com which gives a view of what it’s like to be a studentwww.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk will give ranking and bursary www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk will give ranking and bursary information.information.