BHASVIC HE & Progression Evening 2014 Higher Education & Progression Evening

Choosing a Course Choosing a University How universities choose What happens after the application is sent in How BHASVIC helps Common mistakes Recent changes BHASVIC Students Higher Education

Current Issues Although numbers have dropped in recent years (2012 being the biggest fall) they are on the rise again. 35% of 18 year olds make a UCAS application. The number of BHASVIC applications roughly mirrors this but we didnt drop so far and have recovered more quickly. Big gender gap – over more women than men have applied (out of applications)

Current issues The abolition of the student cap v demographics – a changing market Unconditional offers – helpful or bribery? The Russell Group effect

Choosing a course Where do you get information from… Lots of websites but some key ones are: Complete University Guide (general information about universities): www. thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ Unistats (comparing Universities): UCAS (excellent information about the application process itself): Which? University

Complete University guide

Which? University

Course Interest and enjoyment Professional; academic Employment Single or joint Content and Structure Assessment

Entrance Requirements Required subjects Grades in specific subjects or overall points score Entrance test Non academic requirements, e.g. work experience

Acceptable A Levels Generally speaking all A levels are acceptable for University entry but it can depend on the course or individual university. A spread of courses is fine e.g. Biology, Maths, Drama would be fine as 2 courses are regarded as being strong academically. But Drama, Music and Film Studies would be excellent for any performance related degree Also a pass in Drama will be worth more than a fail in Maths!

Acceptable A Levels There is much talk of so-called facilitating subjects and it is true that some, high tariff universities prefer candidates to have at least two of these. The key thing to ask is do your A levels demonstrate the skills you will need at degree level in a subject?

Points or Grades? Some universities ask for grades, including * e.g. Chemistry (as part of Natural Sciences) at Cambridge requires A*A*A Most do not ask for A* grades e.g. Brighton requires BBC Some ask for points e.g. Chemistry at Nottingham Trent requires 260 points Points are calculated using the UCAS Tariff The UCAS Tariff also gives details of the points allocated to L3 BTEC qualifications.

Grade A2 (A Level) A/S Level A*140- A12060 B10050 C8040 D6030 E4020

BTEC Qualifications BTEC qualifications have their own UCAS points attached to them. For example, the Sports Science course at BHASVIC is a double course and so a double Distinction would be 240 points (2 A equivalent), a double Merit would be 160 points (2 C equivalent).

Choosing a university The right course, quality of facilities, provision Type and size, quality of accommodation Distance from home

Reputationleague tables, employer links, word of mouth Scholarships and bursaries Learning Support Student mixstate school/private/mature students/ international students/diversity

Studying abroad Some degrees at UK universities will offer a year abroad, typically languages or American (or other cultural) Studies. A student could think about studying their entire degree abroad and this now has greater relevance given the recent rise in tuition fees. This year BHASVIC students have applied to U.S, Holland and Australia and we are building up a comprehensive guide for students thinking of this route, as well as offering direct support.

Using UCAS Apply Once student has decided on potential courses and universities, they apply to them using ucas.apply UCAS: universities central admissions system, not a decision making body. Handles applications for all full time first degree higher education courses.

After Application Sep – Dec 2014: nearly all applications will be in (final deadline Jan 15 th ) Oct 2014 – March 31 st 2015: Students get Offers February to May – students make their choice of two offers to be their firm and insurance choice Results –August Clearing

How BHASVIC can help March Tutors begin discussing next years options with their Tutor Groups. March 20th Parents Information Evening and 25th April 24 th -25thUCAS Convention, Sussex June 9thProgression Event Writing Personal Statements Personal Finance Using ucas apply

June onwards: BHASVIC gives students support in using ucas apply and writing personal statements Students can apply for five courses (unless applying for medicine/veterinary science) Applications begin in September Deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry - 15 OCTOBER Students who have not made 5 choices can, if they wish, add a further choice before the January 15 th deadline. Deadline for all other students - 15 JANUARY Internal deadlines are earlier

How do universities choose 1.A student will have to have the grades – AS Grades are crucial as these will be what an Admissions officer will regard as an accurate prediction of A level grades or BTEC levels of achievement. 2.The students personal statement Students enthusiasm and motivation for course. Why they want to do it? Students understanding of the course What students have gained from their current courses (specific interests, skills)? Additional reading Evidence of special commitment, work experience, attendance at lectures, organising clubs

3. Reference – written in collaboration between all teachers and Tutor 4. Tests (BMAT, LNAT, HAT) where appropriate 5. Interview (where invited) 6. Widening Participation and the Office for Fair Access

Common mistakes Lack of research - Applying for courses without the right qualifications/subjects Applying to courses whose entry requirements are higher than AS grades Applying for extremely diverse courses Leaving writing a Personal Statement/applying until the last minute Applying to universities or courses they do not want to go to Not having a proper insurance offer

Where do BHASVIC students go? Top ten universities BHASVIC students end up at (2013): University of Sussex University of Brighton University of Bristol University of Southampton University of Surrey University of Portsmouth The University of Nottingham University of Bath The University of Kent Kingston University University of Leeds The University of Manchester

What do they study? Top ten individual subjects studied by BHASVIC students (2013): Psychology Law Mathematics Politics History Humanities/Social Studies Economics English Biology Computer Science

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