1. Choosing a course, Choosing a university

2. Who we are 8 th in the UK, top 20 in Europe and top 100 in world (THES) Over 12,000 students and staff from over 120 countries Winner of ‘The Place to Be’ for international students 3 years in a row Leading research university (90% staff research at national/international reputation) Selective university: applications up 60% in two years 3,000 new students each year Nobel Prizes and Fellowships

3. Course confusion Over 43,000 courses! Continue with current subject/s Broaden or narrow subjects Start a new subject Joint honours, major and minor Field trips and a year abroad At university you study in a variety of different ways - lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent reading and self study, practical classes and group-work

4. Why university? Reasons to study Study a subject that you enjoy to get the most out of it! A degree shows employers you’re committed; helps you get good job with good salary! Qualifications open doors to many different & interesting careers; do something you love! Time & experience to decide what you want to do as a career. Freedom to be in charge of your own life; discover what you want and make it happen! Available to everyone; different scholarships and bursaries available. We want to help you realise your potential!

5. Getting it right The simple guide Research: What, when, how The application form How you choose a course How you choose a university The big picture

6. What, Why, When, How The application process What: UCAS - handles apps for all full-time first degree HE courses (million and a half apps for 60,000 courses at 325 institutions) Why: Saves time for colleges AND you; aids good practice When: Yr 12, March to August – research, call, visit, practice When: Yr 13, September – apply (deadlines: Mid Oct; Mid Jan; End Jun) How: Single application form giving five choices; done online

7. Research The university and course What Make decisions on courses and universities When Start right now Deadlines UCAS accept apps from Sept Yr 13. Follow your schools instructions. Official dates: Mid Oct, Mid Jan, End Jun How Read prospectus, look at website, call, visit

8. Things to consider When choosing the university/course Rankings – ALL types! Reputation and specialist research areas Entry tests (LNAT, BMAT, UKCAT, HAT, Oxbridge specific) Interviews Emphasis put on PS and references Points, grades, flexibility, A*, GCSEs Extra curricular availability Location/campus/size Cont...

9. Things to consider When choosing the university/course Bursaries and scholarships Links with industry/work placements Employability Resits ‘Soft’ subjects Accreditation Course structure and learning Optional extras (majors/minors, field trips) The timing of your application

10. How you choose a course Enjoyment Interest Intrigue Talent

11. How you choose a course Entrance requirements Qualifications, work experience, personal qualities Extras Year abroad, year in industry, accreditation, combinations Bursaries and admissions schemes Financial, academic, local, specific

12. How you choose a course Practical or theory Staff reputation Academic or vocational High or low contact hours Cost

13. What type of university do I want to go to? How you choose a university

14. Do they offer the type of course you want? Reputation/league tables Recommendations Distance from home

15. How you choose a university Halls of residence Off-campus housing Cost Travel to uni

16. How you choose a university Entertainment Sports Pubs/clubs/theatres Gigs and festivals Societies and specialist interests

17. How you choose a university What is your ideal location? Big city?Country? By the sea?

18. How you choose a university Campus tour Meet current students, walk around campus, gain insight Open day Meet academics, research new subjects, ask questions Admissions day Meet department, see accommodation, attend subject talks

19. The tariffs Universities may use grades or points systems They also like to see GCSE results – ideally 5 A*-C Could ask for specific subjects eg English to grade A @ A-level or Biology and at least one other science to total 180 points May not ask for any specific subjects – just points/grades GradeASFull A-level A*140 A60120 B50100 C4080 D3060 E2040 GCE and VCE A-level points GradePoints DiplomaCertificateAward DDD360 DDM320 DMM280 MMMDD240 MMPDM200 MPPMM160 PPPMPD120 PPM80 P40 BTEC Nationals points

20. Making the most of an HE fair Your chance to ask your prospective universities questions Not just “what entry grades do you have for…?”  What makes their university good at that subject?  What facilities (sports, rec, bars etc) do they have?  Is there opportunity to work as a student?  What are employment rates like after graduation?  How many people go there? Why should you go there? Don’t just take a prospectus, see what their knowledge is like Get contact details in case you have further questions Find out when open days are Do they offer any bursaries and scholarships? Only pick up prospectuses for the ones you are considering – can be heavy!

21. Contact www.sussex.ac.uk Student Recruitment Services, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH T 01273 876787 E ug.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

22. Keep in touch Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/uniofsussex Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SussexUni