1. An introduction to Unit 3 Exploring your future 2017-18

2. Unit 3 CATs 3a: Complete table 3a in order of your top 5 UCAS choices
Write an assignment to justify your top 2 choices (750 words) OR
3b: Complete table 3b listing 2 career choices and 2 HE options
Write an assignment to compare and contrast one of your career choices and one HE option.

3. Purpose of Unit 3
Start to put your Career Action Plan into practice
HE and career research and decision making - choosing the right path for you
Enable you to be realistic and set achievable targets based on entry
Develop your research and assignment writing skills

4. Purpose of session Enable students to undertake HE research
How? Step by step – primary and secondary research using web, print, events
Why? Research is vital to inform YOUR decision making

5. HE stats 37,000+ 370+ 718,350 535,175 Number of courses
Number of HE providers
718,350
Number of applicants (2016)
535,175
Number who got places (2016)

6. Why Higher Education? Subject interest Have the time of your life
Improve earnings
Career prospects
Transferable skills
A male graduate will earn 28% more (£168,000) over their working lifetime than a male non-graduate
A female graduate will earn 52% more (£252,000) over their working lifetime than a female non-graduate
Source: BIS Report, August 2013

7. If you have a career in mind If you don’t have a career in mind
How to choose a course
If you have a career in mind
If you don’t have a career in mind
Does it require a vocational or non-vocational qualification?
Does it require postgraduate study?
Does it require professional accreditation?
Does it require additional/work experience?
What’s the competition like?
What subjects do you enjoy?
Opt for a generic/traditional subject
What are you good at?
What are your skills, strengths, interests?

8. Choosing the right course
Familiar or new subject?
Entry requirements
Career prospects
Vocational or academic?
Type and level of qualification
Teaching and assessment methods
Entry requirements – A-Level choices!

9. Use UCAS.com to research which courses are available at which universities

10. Use Unistats.com to compare courses at different universities

11. UCAS Tariff Use the UCAS tariff calculator as UCAS.com
Understand and use
the tariff
The UCAS tariff has changed for 2017 entry
Factsheet, video and calculator
Example
New system for 2017 entry
Previous Tariff Points
A level A*
56 pts
140 pts
Use the UCAS tariff calculator as UCAS.com
AS worth 40%

12. How to choose a university
Home or away
City centre or
out of town
Campus or
non-campus
Accommodation
Academic and leisure facilities
Social opportunities
Open days are really important!

13. Your Choices Be sure of what you want to study
Be realistic with entry requirements
Remember 5 courses, not 5 HEIs
Use the UCAS Website –

14. Useful research tips
Consider a range of factors: graduate employment, student satisfaction, course reputation
Study prospectuses (paper copy and online)
Primary research – open days, HE and careers fairs, UCAS exhibitions
Talk to tutors, friends, family and current student
Use the Progression Module webpage as a resource

15. Use the PM web page as a research tool

16. Points to remember
Refer to table 3a/b in your assignment
Don’t copy and paste info from the web – plagiarism
Use relevant primary and secondary sources (web and print) to inform your assignment
Write at least 750 words and add a bibliography (min 3 sources) and word count at end
Use the writing frame in Unit 3 booklet, and assignment template

17. Primary research: careers events
Events or fair
Dates and venues
Website
National Apprenticeship Show
The National Apprenticeship Show exists only to promote apprenticeships.
16th and 17th October 2017
Manchester Central
Skills
The events offer careers, skills advice and Apprenticeships, education and training opportunities.
18th and 19th October
Leeds
The Skills Show
The nation’s largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event.
16th-18th November 2017
Birmingham NEC
What Career Live?
What University Live?
Options for school leavers - including university, apprenticeships, sponsorship and on-the-job training.
2nd and 3rd March 2018 Birmingham NEC
23rd and 24th March, Liverpool
Venue TBC

18. Open Days Wednesday 21 June Thursday 22 June Saturday 16 September Saturday 21 October Wednesday 8 November Friday 1 December 9.30am – 3.00pm