The King's School Higher Education Presentation

Tuesday 30th April 2013http://vimeo.com/58839986

Issues to be addressed

• Mrs Dawn Wood Independent Careers Advice& Morrisby Coursefinder• Why go to University?• Which Course?• Which University? • Student Finance/Sponsorship/Scholarships- Mr Whales• The Application process • (Studying abroad)• (GAP Year)• (School Leaver Programmes/Apprenticeships)• Q & A?

1. Tutor sessions on aspects of the process including familiarisation with materials on the student r-drive and APPLY “Pure Potential”; Registration for UCAS card etc

2. HE presentation to students and parents (April)3. Talk on HE process by external speaker (Compacts)4. Birmingham University Open Day (Friday 21st June)5. UCAS apply day Wed 10th July (Durham Uni Outreach & “Push” Talk)6. Lincs. HE Convention (Individual students/parents)7. University Open Days/Virtual tours8. University Summer schools; lectures etc9. Coursefinder 2000 questionnaire (Mrs Wood)

Year 12 Higher Education Programme 2013

Genuine desire for HE?

• Drifting?• Response to parents, teachers, friends?• Worried about costs?• Does an HE course interest him deeply?• NB Career intentions are useful but not vital • You tend to (over?)press!!!

What are the advantages of HE?

1. Personal & intellectual fulfilment2. Vocational Knowledge & understanding3. Confidence4. Contacts5. Social/Sporting/Cultural6. ‘Transferable Skills’: Competencies *Technical Capability *Brainpower *Achievement *Leadership *Communication *Numeracy *Adaptability *Computer Literacy *Economic Awareness *Teamworking BUT Degrees are NOT an ‘Open Sesame’ to a good job and…there is now a greater need than ever to consider cost v benefit too!

http://www.whats4.me.uk/

Does he enjoy studying?Do you think he can apply himself without being closely monitored by teachers and/or you?Do his teachers think he has the ability to profit from and succeed in HE?Does he “want it” enough?!How able must he be? ‘Old’ Univ degree courses 320-360+ points ‘New’ Univ degree courses 300-340+ points ‘New’ Univ HND and foundation courses 120-260+ points A* grade = 140 points; A grade =120; B =100; C = 80; D = 60 ; E = 40 (Halve the points for A/S values but NB no A* available at A/S-The A* is only available at A2 and is achieved by a student scoring a minimum of 80% on all combined units across both years and 90% on Year 13 modules)Scores tabulated in “Degree Course Offers” by Brian Heap

Is he suitable material?

The process of choosing

Only Three Decisions to make…and in this order:

1. Subject area2. Course style/content3. Institution

Need to gather information from: •Reference books (Library & SFSC)•Visits/Open Days •UCAS statistics ( http://www.ucas.ac.uk)•Computer database (school intranet)•Websites•Staff/Parents/Friends•Dawn Wood our independent careers adviser (‘Coursefinder 2000’ & Other Morrisby resources)http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/choosingcourses/choosingcourse/stamfordtest

Choice of subject area• There are very many subject areas, some of which will be closed to candidates who do

not study particular ‘A’ levels eg:

• Electrical / Electronic/ Computing / Engineering courses at ‘Russell Group’ ‘ALL’ require Maths and Physics

• Medicine / Agriculture / Food Science at similar high ranking universities ‘ALL’ require Chemistry

• Most degree courses will specify one or two subjects only (either 3 or 3.5)

• Many degree areas require NO specific ‘A’ Levels eg Law /Accountancy / Architecture / Media Studies

• NB Must consider supply and demand which forces grades higher in certain subjects (statistics available)

• http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/search/search/search.hjx;start=search.HsKeywordSearch.run

• http://www.whats4.me.uk/

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Which course?• The course must be special for him….but he (parents too!) must be pragmatic and consider:-

• Organisation of teaching? (Lectures; Seminars; Practical/lab work; Contact time; Tutorials)• Assessment? (Exam and/or Modular/Continuous- Sandwich; Semesters)• Size of Department?

• Course content?

• Ability to change course?

• Quality of faculty

• Record of past students’ degrees and employment

• Entry requirements

• Evidence of subsequent career path

• Failure rate!• http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/search/search/search.hjx;start=search.HsKeywordSearch.run

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Which institution?

Points to consider:-

•Quality - (Difficult to assess)

•Popularity - (Not always a reflection of quality)

•Accommodation -Type / Cost

•City site / Campus / Collegiate

•Distance from Grantham!!!http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2012/may/21/university-league-table-2013

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2012-13/world-ranking/region/europe

http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/

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Admissions’ procedure via UCASapply (UCAS electronic application form)

5 choices of University

£24.00 fee payable by credit/debit card

NB Oct 15th Deadline for Oxbridge ; Medics; Vets

Dec 15th Deadline for King’s (NOT Jan 15th)

Nov Half Term is what all should be aiming for!

OxbridgeMust have very high academic potential 360pts+

Planning starts Easter of lower sixth

Many resources available via Cambridge/Oxford websites & school intranet

Most importantly…evidence your wider reading & interest

Both require an October 15th Deadline as per Medics/vets

AS Unit Score across three best/most relevant subjects

Number of candidates Number of offers% success

rate

95-100% 106 70 66%90-94% 165 31 19%86-89% 133 5 4%85% and below 71 1 1%

Ucas personal statementThis represents the deal breaker and requires time. Essentially candidates must convince the admissions staff that:-

They are fully interested in and committed to their chosen course

Have acquired the necessary academic skills and are developing them

Evidence supplied via wider reading & engagement (courses; lectures; Open Days; projects….

“Passion”!

Examples of effective personal statements employing all the guidelines offered in the HE Booklet available via the school network and online.

Subject/course specific examples available on R:\6th Form\UCAS

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Personal_Statement_Library

Beware plagiarism

Headmaster’s reportUCAS instructions to referees ask them :

1 To give an opinion on his suitability for the course/s he has chosen2 To indicate his intellectual qualities: his development to date, including exam performances and any factors that might have adversely affected them3 To outline present performance4 To assess his potential, including predicted grades at ‘A’ Level5 To describe his personality and broader attributes6 To state his career aspirations, if any7 To give details of health and other circumstances that might affect his application8 To outline his social, cultural and sporting interests & accomplishments

(achievement and accomplishment record needs updating)

Response from universities

Rejection

Interview

Conditional offer

(Unconditional offer)

Eventually…by 15th May:

2 offers to be held one CF (Firm) and one CI

(Insurance) Subsequently ‘clearing house’ if rejected or ‘A’ Levels disappoint

Making the most of University

• begin thinking about future career options as soon as you start your degree

• get involved in plenty of extra-curricular activities

• try and organise work experience with different employers during uni

• develop as many business skills as you can

• research and start preparing your applications to employers early

Don’t Despair!

Of last year’s cohort the vast majority entered University on a wide variety of courses. Of 127 students:-•93% went to university and of these:-•91% accessed their first choice establishment and course•7% accessed their second choice establishment and course•2% accessed places through clearing.

And of the remainder:-•5 students have re-applied for higher education (via year 14)•2 have deferred entry (Gap Year)•6 have entered employment or employment/college

•He must:-

•Know why he’s going on to university•Know the alternatives•Have a ‘Plan B’ (and ‘’C’!?)•Research the subjects/courses/institutions•Have an honest and accurate self assessment•Be aware of any ‘gaps’ in his CV & be prepared to fill them•Follow the information given by the school/UCAS particularly…..•Sensible “Insurance”•Set his own EARLY deadline for completion (Holiday task?!)•Be aware of the financial implications (see R-drive & website)•Have a plan for meeting his goals…….•Understand that ‘getting the grades’ is part of it•Execute the plan!

Summary

Gap YearA Gap year should not simply be about slaking a

personal thirst for travel or desire to leave Grantham!

Who might it suit best?

A student who seriously needs a break from hard academic study (has become stale)?A student who has a very high offer to meet and is anxious about making the grades?A student who needs to build up a financial buffer for university?A student who is young and/or inexperienced?A student who is very unsure about continuing to university?A student who can strengthen his application by improving grades and/or acquiring additional relevant/vocational skills and completing voluntary work?

But beware………..it might be more difficult picking up the academic baton afterwards!There is a Gap Year folder in the sixth form office and NCB/NOW/DL announce opportunities in sixth form assembly & post in the Sixth Form Centre. The website www.Gapyear.com is a useful starting place.(see examples on next page!)

Gap YearSmall scale projects can still be found, with bragging rights AND genuine cultural immersion-guaranteed. From a 10-day marine conservation trip in Thailand to an eight-month teaching placement in Tanzania, here are 10 outstanding adventures!!!

Football coaching in Ghana etc www.gapsports.comTeaching in Tanzania www.kiliproject.orgConservation in S. Africa www.conservationafrica.netMarine conservation, Thailand www.earthwatch.orgVet’s assistant, Mongolia www.teaching-abroad.co.ukJournalism in Honduras www.i-to-i.comHIV work in Nepal www.spw.orgYouth work in Bolivia www.projecttrust.org.ukConservation in Argentina www.gvi.co.ukMedical Training in India www.globalvolunteerprojects.orgEvansville Scholarship via Harlaxton College