1. Welcome and Introductions UCAS & Careers 2014 - 15

2. UCAS & Careers 2014-2015 UCAS & Careers 2014-2015 The UCAS ‘Process’ at QE (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) Sue Ashwin Vice Principal

3. Reflection of 2013 Reflection of 2013 Over 85% of cohort applied for H.E. or F.E. 847 apps (18 deferred) – 819 went – HE/FE (Foundation etc) Some students took a gap year A growing number students commenced employment Nearly 1000 applications processed!

4. The HE Process The HE Process HE Fair –March 2014 – Nottingham Arrival of prospectuses – March to June Gap Year Fairs – Now! w/c June 9 th - Information on QE online and ‘Apply 2015’ opened for business KickStart – tomorrow! Tutorials June/July – focus on HE & progression preparation In – house support for entrance tests

5. Planning ahead Planning ahead Careers interviews (Connexions); use of Study Centre Resources; QE online www.unistats.com www.ucas.com Admissions test information Open days - UCAS strongly advise - directory of dates on www.ucas.com. Lots of posters around University Web sites – check ‘course profiles’ 2013 QE students’ top choices: DMU, Leicester, Nottingham Trent, Aston, Nottingham Most popular Degrees: Business Studies/Management, Accountancy/Finance, Pharmacy/Biomedical Science, Law, Economics, Engineering

6. Internal Procedures Internal Procedures Update of predicted grades and comments from subject staff Max. 5 choices; 4 for Oxbridge/Medicine/Vet Science Complete UCAS ‘Apply 2015’ on-line inc. Personal Statement (help on intranet, workshops & drop in surgeries); do NOT plagiarise; discuss with tutor Complete by ‘Sending to Referee’ + £23 (£12 single app) Personal Tutor compiles reference and approves hard copy - further checks - processed by administrative staff College internal deadline – Friday 28 th November

7. UCAS Process UCAS Process Invitation for interviews? Conditional/Unconditional offers? Rejection? Medical & Oxbridge mock interviews at College System continues until all offers completed – April/May 2015 Art Foundation get the same support – details published UCAS pod casts & UCAS TV http://ucas.com/students/apply

8. Taking a Year out - How do I apply? Taking a Year out - How do I apply? There are different ways of accessing & using the system. There is no ‘preferred’ way of doing this. It purely depends on the needs & plans of each individual. Deferred entry – Apply using Apply 2015 but in point of entry indicate 2016 entry Applying post results – Apply 2016 after results in August 2015 or at any time in that academic year

9. Pros and Cons Deferred The positives: Place secured before Gap Year started Plans in place Easier to access support through College Cost is at 2015 Apply rate The negatives: Once committed place is for 2016 entry only Year out and/or results may change things – means possibly reapplying anyway Apply 2016 The positives: Grades known so can be matched to profile A year longer to make the right decision The negatives: Could be away and not able to attend Open Day/interview Remote access needed for decision making Only chance of 2015 entry is through late Clearing Passport – limited options

10. Contacts Sue – sue.ashwin@wqeic.ac.uk Wendy – wendy.fleming@wqeic.ac.uk Kate - kate.O’Farrell@wqeic.ac.uk Joy – joy.beresford-bown@wqeic.ac.uk Helen – helen.exon@wqeic.ac.uk