2. Student Support and Guidance What lies ahead… What am I passionate about ‘HEAP’ guide Metro arena UCAS tour April 30 th UCAS week Sunderland and Newcastle UCAS TV Track, Extra, Adjustment, Clearing Finance & bursaries PARTNERS assembly Summer Schools, EPQ, wider reading Early entries

3. Support for Parents What is Higher Education? Programme of study at a higher level than A Level 3 year eg. BA, BSc, Bed also 2 year Foundation Degrees 4 year Masters courses and others You can study at University, Colleges of Higher Education or Further Education Colleges.

4. Choosing the Right Course 300 Universities / Higher Education Institutions Over 50,000 courses available in Higher Education Do you choose to study… A course which you are studying at AS/A2? Eg Economics A specialised version of a current course? eg Microbiology A completely new course? eg Law

5. English Literature Physics Midwifery Mathematics Computer Science Engineering Law Drama Chemistry Psychology Medicine Accountancy Soil Science Wine Studies Internet Security

6. Most Competitive Subjects Vet Science Medicine Dentistry Physiotherapy Midwifery Psychology Law English Literature History Aeronautical Engineering Architecture

7. But a degree does not have to be in one subject… Single Honours Joint Honours Sandwich Course But consider Professional Accreditation…

8. Location, Location, Location

9. Location, Location, Location Accommodation Catered / Self catering halls? Private accommodation? Cost? Distance from University? Distance from Home Social Life - it’s not all work!!! The feel of a place

10. Most Popular Destinations Listed here are the most popular university Listed here are the most popular university destinations for PCHS Year 13 students in 2013:- Northumbria University Northumbria University Newcastle University Newcastle University Newcastle College Newcastle College Sunderland University Sunderland University Leeds University Leeds University Leeds Metropolitan University Leeds Metropolitan University Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester Metropolitan University Durham University Durham University Sheffield University Sheffield University Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam University Teesside University Teesside University Glasgow University Glasgow University York University York University Edinburgh University Edinburgh University

11. Most Competitive Universities (www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk).www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk Cambridge Oxford London School of Economics Imperial College London Durham St Andrews University College London Warwick Bath Exeter Bristol Edinburgh Glasgow

12. Other considerations – Types of University  Campus University  City Centre University  Collegiate University  Traditional or Progressive?  Large or Small?

13. Courses are applied for ONLINE via the UCAS website. We control when it is sent. Students choose up to 5 courses on the form and start receiving offers from October to March Then, students choose two courses to hold One FIRM Choice One INSURANCE Choice

14. Institutions can offer places by required grades (B-B-C) Or by required points (260 points)

15. A2 LEVEL Grade ‘A*’=140 points Grade ‘A’ = 120 points Grade ‘B’ = 100 points Grade ‘C’ = 80 points Grade ‘D’ = 60 points Grade ‘E’ = 40 points AS LEVEL Grade ‘A’ = 60 points Grade ‘B’ = 50 points Grade ‘C’ = 40 points Grade ‘D’ = 30 points Grade ‘E’ = 20 points No double counting Points or Grades offer.

16. www.ucas.com www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk www.bestcourse4me.com/ www.push.co.uk/ www.thebigchoice.com www.connexions-direct.com www.careersoft.co.uk www.prospects.ac.uk www.hotcourses.com

17. University websites, videos, CD-ROMS Visit Days / Open Days / Taster Sessions Parents / Friends / Teachers

18. Making the application Apply is the UCAS online application system. Every applicant has six sections to complete: Personal details Student finance (UK and EU only) Choices Education Employment Personal statement. Once a student submits their application, the reference is added and it is sent to UCAS who passes it on to the university

19. Personal statements are so important, make sure your son or daughter includes: academic achievements, past and present interests (passion) in the chosen subject area – work experience knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus what they enjoy about studying details of their independent study skills extra-curricular. Personal statement – start early Personal statements should stand out – tutors receive 200 per week!

20. What do you think are common problems with students’ applications to University? Number Common Problem 1 2 3

21. What do you think are common problems with students’ applications to University? Number Common Problem 1 Getting offers only from Universities that students do not want to go to or do not know enough about 2 Getting offers that lead to a firm choice being a lower offer than the insurance choice 3 Students being rejected by all of their choices after inadequate research or substandard application

22. Avoiding the Problems Research! Check UCAS website and University Prospectuses. Draw up a shortlist of Universities. Contact Universities. Visit Universities. Look at Independent Guides e.g. Times Guide, Hotcourses & Heap’s Guide. Be realistic!

23. Methods of Selection UCAS form only (this includes a personal statement and a reference) or UCAS form and… Interviews Group Discussions Examples of Work Additional Testing LNAT, UKCAT Points or Grades

24. Support and Guidance The following sessions are yet to come … 1)Year 12 UCAS Week – Monday 14 th –Friday 18 th July. Sunderland University on site to deliver guidance on finance, choosing a University, Personal Statement writing etc. Northumbria Higher Education Roadshow CV, Application Letters, Cooking on a budget, Apprenticeships. 2) Firm and Insurance assembly (Feb Y13) 3) Introduction to Finance (Y13)

25. KEY DATES Summer 2015 Personal Statement drafting. Open days and visits to shortlisted Universities September 2015 UCAS start to accept University Applications 15 th October 2015 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science 15 th January 2016 UCAS Deadline for all other applications Mid March 2016 Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start from October or earlier) Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)

26. From nowResearch, research, research Beginnings of Personal Statement June – July 2015 Monday 13t h July Students attend University Open Days – in chosen establishments only! Personal statements drafted, drafted, drafted… Careers day Monday 13t h JulyUCAS Week in School Students produce first draft of Personal Statement September-October 2015 UCAS form completed and checked by tutor. Interview to be arranged and completed with a Sixth Form Tutor or Leadership team member in order for reference to be written. Interview to be arranged and completed with a Sixth Form Tutor or Leadership team member in order for reference to be written. Preferred Internal Deadline = By the October half term holidays. October 15 th – Early Application Deadline (Oxbridge, Veterinary Science/Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry) September 2015Introduction to Higher Education Evening (2) - Finance December 8 th 2015Final interviews arranged before Christmas to guarantee applications will be sent. January 15 th 2016Deadline for all applications to UCAS. Students can still apply after this date and it is up to Universities if they look at their forms. February 2016Firm and Insurance Assembly March 201Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start from October or earlier) Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)

27. If you have a question… Please jot down your question below and an email address we can contact you on. We will endeavor to answer all queries by the end of term. Name of Student: Name of Parent: Question: Email address:

28. If you have a question… Please jot down your question below and an email address we can contact you on. We will endeavor to answer all queries by the end of term. Name of Student: Name of Parent: Question: Email address: