some key facts concerning graduates it doesn’t really matter what you study unless you have a...

Some Key Facts Some Key Facts Concerning Concerning GraduatesGraduates

It doesn’t really matter what you It doesn’t really matter what you study unless you have a specific study unless you have a specific vocation in mind! – 60% of job vocation in mind! – 60% of job

vacancies for Graduates are non-vacancies for Graduates are non-specific!specific!

Some Numbers For 2010, Some Numbers For 2010, 2011 and 2012…2011 and 2012…

10, 000 fewer places for 2010 entry. Less 10, 000 fewer places for 2010 entry. Less this year for 2011this year for 2011

20% increase in applicants for 2010 20% increase in applicants for 2010 entry…..BUTentry…..BUT

-6.6% decrease in applicants for 2012 entry -6.6% decrease in applicants for 2012 entry –700,100 to 653,600 FIRST REAL –700,100 to 653,600 FIRST REAL SIGNIFICANT DECLINE? Perhaps not…?SIGNIFICANT DECLINE? Perhaps not…?

The result of all this…………….IS?The result of all this…………….IS?

Our Aim Higher partner ARU had a 53% rise in applicants in 2010. How have they been affected this year?

£3,700 fine for each student a University admits above their allocated number for each individual course

2012 – 10.5% drop in applicants from the East Midlands!!

18 year old applicants only by UK country

By Uk Country

2011 2012 Diff(+/-) Diff (%)

England 203,485 195,105 -8,380 -4.1%

Northern Ireland

8,770 8,625 -145 -1.7%

Scotland 15,096 15,154 58 0.3%

Wales 10,454 10,315 -139 -1.3%

Total 237,805 229,199 -8,606 -3.6%

Let’s look at the Let’s look at the subjects!subjects!

Subject Group

2011 2012 Diff (+/-) Diff (%)

Subjects allied to Medicine

344,958 349,376 4,418 1.3%

Social Studies

229,173 202,115 -27,058 -11.8%

Business and Admin Studies

297,020 280,271 -16,749 -5.6%

Creative Arts and Design

287,100 240,600 -46,500 -16.2%

Conclusions?

Case Study: My Case Study: My Daughter!Daughter!

Falls into the creative arts and design Falls into the creative arts and design category of applicantcategory of applicant

Only put two choices on her UCAS Only put two choices on her UCAS application!application!

Leeds and ManchesterLeeds and Manchester AAB offersAAB offers Not prepared to go to a university which Not prepared to go to a university which

is not at the top endis not at the top end Conclusion: Top end more competitive!Conclusion: Top end more competitive!

Does it matter when I Does it matter when I apply…?apply…?

The number of applications submitted before the end The number of applications submitted before the end of Sep 2010 had increased by 21.7%!of Sep 2010 had increased by 21.7%!

This trend was not continued for Sep 2011 or Sep This trend was not continued for Sep 2011 or Sep 2012. With the increased fees applicants have taken 2012. With the increased fees applicants have taken more time and consideration. Crucial to get it right!more time and consideration. Crucial to get it right!

This suggests candidates over the first two cohorts of This suggests candidates over the first two cohorts of higher fees have been far more conscious of the level higher fees have been far more conscious of the level of potential financial investment they may be of potential financial investment they may be committing to. BUT REMEMBER IT IS STILL THE committing to. BUT REMEMBER IT IS STILL THE CASE THAT THE EARLIER YOU APPLY THE CASE THAT THE EARLIER YOU APPLY THE LIKELIER YOU ARE TO GET A SLIGHTLY REDUCED LIKELIER YOU ARE TO GET A SLIGHTLY REDUCED OFFER!OFFER!

Lesson………?Lesson………?

DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DO YOUR RESEARCH AND CHOOSING AS EARLY AS CHOOSING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Cautionary Tale: Back to my A Cautionary Tale: Back to my daughter!daughter!

FALSE START!!!! How much has it FALSE START!!!! How much has it cost?cost?

Dropped out after two Dropped out after two terms…..terms…..

Maintenance loanMaintenance loan Fees

£7000

Tougher Offers!!!Tougher Offers!!!

Alan Cain – Director of Marketing at ARUAlan Cain – Director of Marketing at ARU

"the market may have to realise that you "the market may have to realise that you have to apply early and you have to accept have to apply early and you have to accept quickly." quickly."

"Before, if we needed to control intake, we "Before, if we needed to control intake, we could do it at the end through clearing," could do it at the end through clearing," Cain says. "Now, we need to micromanage Cain says. "Now, we need to micromanage at course level to ensure that we're not at course level to ensure that we're not fined." fined."

A real live job A real live job opportunity!!opportunity!!

Store Manager Designate - Cardiff AreaStore Manager Designate - Cardiff Area UK-Cardiff We have an exciting opportunity in WHSmith for people with a proven track UK-Cardiff We have an exciting opportunity in WHSmith for people with a proven track

record of delivering results through creating a truly customer focused environment. We record of delivering results through creating a truly customer focused environment. We are looking for people who are seeking a challenge and want to progress their career.are looking for people who are seeking a challenge and want to progress their career.

As a Store Manager Designate you will receive an induction working alongside our top As a Store Manager Designate you will receive an induction working alongside our top managers in our top travel stores. Following this induction period you will be appointed managers in our top travel stores. Following this induction period you will be appointed into a Store Management position.into a Store Management position.

The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader who will match the following criteria:The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader who will match the following criteria: · Have at least 2 years management experience gained in a customer-facing · Have at least 2 years management experience gained in a customer-facing

environment, preferably retail.environment, preferably retail. · The ability to demonstrate a passion and understanding of the retail · The ability to demonstrate a passion and understanding of the retail

environment. environment. · The ability to lead, motivate and inspire a team.· The ability to lead, motivate and inspire a team. · Passion for delivering great service to customers.· Passion for delivering great service to customers. · Proven ability to deliver results.· Proven ability to deliver results. · Commercial awareness.· Commercial awareness. · Have a clear track record of success in their current role.· Have a clear track record of success in their current role. · Be willing to travel to a number of stores within the selected location.· Be willing to travel to a number of stores within the selected location. If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you!If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you! ““WHSmith values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the WHSmith values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the

community”community”

More FactsMore Facts On average a graduate will earn £150K On average a graduate will earn £150K

more in their working lifetime than a non-more in their working lifetime than a non-graduategraduate

Average starting salary for a graduate is Average starting salary for a graduate is £22K£22K

Graduate starting salaries rise faster than Graduate starting salaries rise faster than the national averagethe national average

Graduate unemployment is half that of Graduate unemployment is half that of non-graduatesnon-graduates

Over a quarter of a million people Over a quarter of a million people graduated last yeargraduated last year

Is it important to be a Is it important to be a graduate?graduate?

Yes!!!! Why??Yes!!!! Why?? The vast majority of career The vast majority of career

opportunities that have potential opportunities that have potential development and growth increasingly development and growth increasingly require baseline graduate status.require baseline graduate status.

The fact that 1 in 3 of the population The fact that 1 in 3 of the population are now graduates illustrates how are now graduates illustrates how competitive the job market has becomecompetitive the job market has become

You don’t just learn facts You don’t just learn facts and stuff…and stuff…

The modern employer has a skillset of The modern employer has a skillset of transferable skills they have in mind that transferable skills they have in mind that successful graduate applicants will have.successful graduate applicants will have.

Universities work closely with employers Universities work closely with employers and know what those employers want!! and know what those employers want!!

This knowledge is crucial in the dog eat This knowledge is crucial in the dog eat dog world in which we now live, where dog world in which we now live, where employees are expected to be effective employees are expected to be effective from day one!!from day one!!

What are those What are those transferable skills?transferable skills?

Imagination and enthusiasmImagination and enthusiasm

Customer focusCustomer focus

'Can do' attitude'Can do' attitude

Ability to work in teamsAbility to work in teams

Ability to adaptAbility to adapt

Ability to use ITAbility to use IT

Willingness to learnWillingness to learn

Higher level problem solving skillsHigher level problem solving skills

CreativityCreativity

Commercial awarenessCommercial awareness

Why are those skills so Why are those skills so important?important?

Companies frequently downsizeCompanies frequently downsize No such thing as a job for lifeNo such thing as a job for life Need to manage one’s own career Need to manage one’s own career

and need to retrain if necessaryand need to retrain if necessary You need to take skills with you You need to take skills with you

when you move as well as when you move as well as experience!experience!

Higher Education Information Evening

• 6.30 pm “Why should I go to University?” The changing job market in 2013. Why it pays to have graduate status! Followed by Application Case Studies, emphasising the need for good research- Shaun Fricker

• 6.55 The Role of The Library. Resources Available – Catherine Keating

• 7.20 pm Financial Implications for Parents and Students –Laura Cook, Education Liaison Officer, ARU

• 7.50 pm Evening Closes

Higher Education Information Evening

• What happens to your application once the Universities receive it?

• “Who gets in and who gets binned?”

• The selection process: Case Study, Newcastle University, Dept. of Dentistry

How do They Choose?

• There are 650 applications for 75 places

• How do they decide who to choose?

• Dentistry Schools usually require AAB or AAA at A2 level.

• But that is not the whole story…

Case Study: Dentistry

• First scan of the UCAS form, looking at academic ability – Must be predicted AAB with two of the subjects being Biology and Chemistry.

• At Least Five GCSEs at least at Grade B

• Candidates who have had to retake modules are automatically binned


• This first read through removes a significant number

• Those that have survived are examined for non-academic factors

• MUST HAVE minimum of 10 working days in a General Dental Practice

• Evidence of a commitment to caring for others


• Team Working with Leadership Skills• Understanding of the working of the NHS

and insight into a career in dentistry• Empathy with reflection• THIS SHOULD ALL BE EVIDENCED IN

THE PERSONAL STATEMENT AND MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE REFERENCE


• Second Scan of UCAS form will remove more!!

• Applicants placed into three categories:A) Interview (Outstanding Applicant)B) Possible Interview (Strong Applicant but

will only be interviewed if there are not enough in category A)

C) Unsuccessful


The Interview!!!!

Two selectors and a scoring form, looking for:

• Aptitude

• Motivation

• Personal qualities

The Interview

• It’s not as easy as you think. They are looking at absolutely everything and the interview itself is scored by the admissions tutors

• So what are they looking for?

The Interview

• Subject Knowledge

• Breadth of Subject Knowledge

• Ability to form and discuss opinions

• Sense of humour

• Tolerant caring nature

• Sensitivity

• Academic ability

The Interview

• Ability to work within a team

• Non verbal communication and body language

• Handshakes

• Taking off one’s coat!

• Commitment to the institution


• Candidates are graded and that is the basis for the offers:

• AAB

• A in Chemistry

• All applicants must have taken the UKCAT

• Late applications not considered


• Inevitably luck plays a part: some applications are binned arbitrarily. Some interviewees are binned arbitrarily

• Therefore perfectly good candidates WILL miss out at some institutions

UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY CHALLENGECHALLENGE

oror

Where is my child going?Where is my child going?

Four questionsFour questions

• What are they going to study?

• Where are they going to study?

• How much is it going to cost?

• Is it worth doing?

Type of Degree Type of Degree

• Academic subjects

• Vocational subjects– Sandwich degrees

• Foundation degrees

• Part time

• Distance learning (OU)

HEAP: DEGREE COURSE HEAP: DEGREE COURSE OFFERSOFFERS

– Organised by subject– Gives details of degree courses– Points required– Preferred subjects– Number of applicants per place– Further sources of information

GuidesGuides

• The Times Good University Guide

• The Guardian University Guide

– Give basic overviews of the subject– Some information about career prospects– Form of grading best courses

• Latter varies between guides

Virgin Guide to British UniversitiesVirgin Guide to British Universities

• ‘The only guide by Students for Students’

– Social information– Student ratings– Campus– Area

ProspectusProspectus

• Issued by most institutions

– Give more in depth details of courses– Methods of assessment– Requirements – Facilities

• Remember these are also advertising documents

Application ProcessApplication Process

• Various titles to help

– UCAS Guide to getting into University and College

– Getting into the UK’s Best Universities and Courses

– Insider’s Guide to Applying to University– How to complete your UCAS Application

WebsitesWebsites

• League tables– http://education.guardian.co.uk– www.timesonline.co.uk– www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

• Individual University sites

UCAS websiteUCAS website

• www.ucas.com

• Gives advice and has a parent’s page

• Covers recent developments

• You can check up to date details

Alternative Course FinderAlternative Course Finder

• http://www.push.co.uk/

– Search on predicted grades– Particular subjects– Where available

• Short list

Other WebsitesOther Websites

• http://university.which.co.uk

• www.opendays.com

• http://unistats.direct.gov.uk

• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

Additional InformationAdditional Information

• Specific books relating to law and medicine

• Student life and finance

• Gap Year information

• Alternative - apprenticeships

And After Uni?And After Uni?

• General Careers information

– Job File– Careers

• Annual publications

• Research now – Post graduate requirements and finance

The EndThe Endof of

The BeginningThe Beginning

• I’ll be willing to try and answer any questions at the end of the evening.

some key facts concerning graduates it doesn’t really matter what you study unless you have a...

Documents