making the right university application

Making the right university application…

Aims of the session

• Context: the current HE landscape

• Share some ideas

• Explore new research sources

• Look at common application mistakes

• Identify how the University can help

27/06/2012 © The University of Sheffield

Making the right application

What does it mean?

• Making an informed decision

• Choosing the right university

• Choosing the right course

• Going for all the right reasons

• Preparation and research are key


The current HE landscape


Applications by volume

2011 2012 Difference

Applications 583,546 540,073 -7.4%

Choices 2,547,983 2,368,535 -7.0%


• Drop not as severe as originally expected

• Third highest year for applications

• Students making more use of their five choices

Applications by gender


Female 331,801 309,731 -6.7%

Male 251,745 230,342 -8.5%


• Gap widening between the genders?

• 22,070 fewer females applying

• 21,403 fewer males

Applications by age


<20 458,596 428,842 -6.5%

21 – 24 62,615 55,671 -11.1%

25 – 39 50,725 45,173 -11.0%

40+ 11,610 10,387 -10.5%


• Slight decline in 18 year old demographic

• Bigger percentage drop in mature students

Degrees – top 10 most popular

Nursing – 174,594

Law – 86,412

Psychology – 83,848

Medicine – 81,839

Design Studies – 78,741

Business and Admin Studies – 61,153

Management Studies – 57,827

English – 49,969

Teacher Training – 49,864

Computer Science – 49,462


Top 10 winners

Nursing: +28.3%

Anthropology: +23.9%

Biotechnology: +20.4%

Chemical Engineering: +12.4%

Molecular Biology, Biochem, Biophysics: +12.2%

Astronomy: +10.1%

Genetics: +9.7%

Geology: +9.3%

Physics: +8.3%

Medical Technology: +7.6%


Top 10 losers

American Studies: -24%

German Studies: -23%

Information Systems: -21%

Arts & Humanities combined: -20.9%

Science/Engineering with A&H: -20.8%

Fine Art: -19.9%

Social Work: -19.5%

Journalism: -19.4%

Dance: -19.3%

Philosophy: -17%


Research: Sources of information


Research

• So much information being pumped out

• Not matched in guidance provision

• What is a “credible” source?

• Where do students get their information?


Discuss…

Where do you direct your students to gather

information on higher education?


UCAS Course Finder

www.ucas.com/coursefinderpilot


KIS • Key Information Sets

• From September 2012

• Info includes:

• Student Satisfaction

• Course information

• Employment prospects

• Salary data

• Accommodation costs

• Tuition fees


Which?

• No longer just for cars or kitchen appliances


• Free • Not-for-profit • Not a league table • Independent and fair

Launching in Autumn 2012

Application mistakes


Pre-application

• Research

• Details of the course – modules etc…

• Open Days

• Unrealistic regarding grades

• Just looking at one course / university

• High risk

• Look at universities they are never going to go to


One of the biggest mistakes…

Students tend not to believe you!


Personal Statements

• No one size fits all

• Some courses will use the statement more than others

• We are looking out for RELEVANT information and details

• We want to see students demonstrating their interest / passion / enthusiasm



• No reflection

• I have read a book…

• I have seen a film…

• I subscribe to this magazine…

• I have done the Duke of Edinburgh Award…

• I have done some work experience…

• I do this and I do that…



• A lack of research and knowledge

• Not knowing what the course is all about

• Topics / modules covered

• Talking about things that are not studied

• Not looking beyond the prospectus

• Not knowing what the subject is

• Especially if they are picking up a new subject



• Clarity

• We cannot read a student’s mind

• Does the statement say what it should / needs to?

“I have always been fascinated by evolution and this especially appeals to me in an aquatic environment, which I believe I will be very suited to after my studies in Australia have taken place.”



• Intellectual language

• Not all students are like those on University Challenge!

• We don’t need to see words lifted from a Thesaurus

“My reasons for this year out were to give me a little more

time to choose the correct university course for me and to

consider the ramifications…”



• Telling us things we don’t need to know

• Not relating prior achievements to the course, department or university

• Socialising

• We know young people go out!

• We want to know that students will turn up for lectures


Some key messages for students


Some key messages

• It’s competitive out there

• Do the research

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions

• Don’t rush or be pressured into anything

• Visit universities to get a feel for the place


We are here to help you…

www.sheffield.ac.uk/schools

0114 222 9872

[email protected]


To Discover And Understand.

making the right university application

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