PLEASE BEGIN THE PSHCE SURVEY AS YOU ARRIVE … PLEASE BEGIN THE PSHCE SURVEY Place a tick in one of the “BEFORE” columns for each statement

Is there life after Herschel?

Options beyond the Sixth Form University Gap Year Apprenticeship Employment

The provision of higher education in the UK Number of HE institutions Number of courses Applicants in Apply 2016 Number placed in higher education (Apply 2016) 160+ 45,000+ 718,350 535,175 4

TASK 1 PAIR DISCUSS Advantages of higher education? What is your motivation? If not, why not? Reservations?

THE BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION Enjoyment Why university? THE BENEFITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION Enjoyment Skills Personal Development EMPLOYABILITY

Mr Bourne, Mrs Penhale-Jones & Mrs Gumbs Drafting Personal Statements Support and Advice Sixth Form Tutors Mr Bourne, Mrs Penhale-Jones & Mrs Gumbs University Open Days & Summer Schools Subject Staff Parents Careers Interviews Support & Advice Relevant websites Careers Library Mock Interviews PSHCE Drafting Personal Statements General Advice Student Finance

Applications to University

Stage 1: Research What should I study? Where should I study? Should I take a gap year?

Higher Education – Where to Start ?! First choose your subject Then choose your course Then look at the universities that offer it

Choose a subject which INTERESTS you! HOW DO I CHOOSE? Choose a subject which INTERESTS you! Choose a course that SUITS you. 3. Consider career implications – Try the UCAS Buzz Quiz www.ucas.com/buzz-quiz www.prospects.ac.uk Make an informed decision

Interests you Suits you Career implications TASK 2:Ranking How would you rank these factors in importance when deciding on a course? Interests you Suits you Career implications

Research – where can you look for useful information? UCAS website - UCAS Search Tool and Entry Profiles Careers websites Publications – study room HE Conventions/ Open Days Taster Courses/ Subject specific events Careers fairs Get work experience 14

Research – most useful of all??? School careers website UCAS search tool 15

B) Where should I study? Location - campus university or city-based? - big university or small university? - near home or far away? - living at home - sports facilities? nightlife? male/female ratio? - accommodation provided? - cost of living? - bursaries available? - reputation/popularity? applications per place?

How do I decide? Making key decisions List your priorities Visit! - Open Days – talk to students Ask for advice Look at prospectuses/ alternative prospectuses/ books/ university websites Unistats; www.push.co.uk Facebook/ Twitter Herschel website - careers League tables – Guardian/ Times Interested in Oxbridge?

TASK 3 Factors to think about when choosing a course – at least 4? Factors to think about when choosing a university – at least 10? Sources of information – at least 7?

UCAS TV Summary Choosing a course 3 mins

C) Should I take a Gap Year? Don’t rule this out! C) Should I take a Gap Year? Don’t rule it out Universities and employers will be impressed if you do something worthwhile A valuable way to gain confidence and independence before going to university Travel? Work Experience? Voluntary Work? Comment on your plans in your personal statement

Not going to university … ALTERNATIVES TO STUDY AT A UK UNIVERSITY APPRENTICESHIPS STUDY ABROAD EMPLOYMENT

Stage 2:Completing your UCAS Form The UCAS Form Stage 2:Completing your UCAS Form This application is one of the most important you will ever make. Apply early All applications are made through UCAS on-line. The key website is: www.ucas.com

Transparent selection process 1. Qualifications Past, present and future Predicted grades for ‘pending’ qualifications 2. Personal statement 3. Reference Also - Interview/ Piece of written work/ Portfolio/ Audition/ Admissions tests

Key features of the UCAS application process Maximum of 5 choices Some choice restrictions: Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4 choices Oxford or Cambridge ‘Invisibility’ You have to pay £24 to apply – payment is made on-line. You can only send in one UCAS application in each year’s cycle.

Making a UCAS application Every applicant has five sections to complete: Personal details Choices Education Employment Personal statement Forward to MBO: Reference  UCAS  Universities / colleges

Decision making by institutions An admissions tutor may initially make one of three decisions: Unconditional offer Conditional offer Unsuccessful Or recommend: A place on an alternative course

Decision making by institutions Conditional offer Grades or UCAS points? The new tariff The New Tariff - 2 min clip

Application – Registering First thing to do is REGISTER Remember to apply for 2018 entry! Click on register [top secret buzzword is “MRSGUMBS1”]

June onwards THIS TERM … Carefully consider your options for next year Research choice of degree course and university if appropriate Register on the UCAS website and begin to fill in your own application Begin to draft your Personal Statement and get it checked. Give yourself the best chance by applying as early as possible – by 30/9 for Medics/Dentists/ Vets/Oxbridge and 16/10 for everyone else.

Questions Any questions?

SAMPLE APPLICATION Nick's application