1. THE UCAS APPLICATION PROCESS June 2015 For entry in 2016/17

2. WHY GO TO UNI? You would like to access jobs with a higher earnings potential You enjoy studying - although the nature of the tuition and the style of learning varies widely You are able to study independently and enjoy this challenge

3. CHANGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION… The number of places available has increased as a result of government increases in quotas Number of applications is still going up So still lots of competition for places. Some suitably qualified applicants (15-20%) are unplaced. Even with the rise in tuition fees, the demand for places will still exceed the number of places available

4. Plus ……. The offer tariffs for courses are going up Last year the entry requirements were sometimes higher than it says on prospectus – check institutions websites !

5. TARIFFS LOOK AT THE TARIFF TABLES ON THE UCAS WEBSITE A* at A2 is 140 points Btec single D* A at A2 is 120 Btec single D B at A2 is 100 C at A2 is 80 Btec single M E at A2 is 40 Btec single P AS points are half the A2 tariff Other qualifications carry UCAS points Eg, music grade 8, distinction = 75 points Dance grade 8, distinction = 65 points

6. CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Check entry requirements carefully – may include GCSE, eg B in GCSE science for psychology, geography or nursing Email the University if you need help YOU NEED TO BE REALISTIC – generally, your A level grade will be the same as the AS unless you re-take.

8. 200820092010201120122013 Applicants 588,689639,860697,351700,161653,637677,375 Accepted applicants 456,627481,854487,329492,030464,910495,595

9. Instituti on Code Institution Name 2013 cycle Applications (Choices) Share of all applications Accepted Applicants Share of all acceptances A20 The University of Aberdeen 20,7200.8%1,7600.4% A40Aberystwyth University9,7950.4%2,5100.5% B16University of Bath22,6550.8%3,0800.6% B20Bath Spa University 12,315 0.5% 1,945 0.4% B50 Bournemouth University 21,7550.8%4,2700.9% C15Cardiff University 34,170 1.3% 6,075 1.2% C20 Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) 9,1850.3%2,8750.6% E84University of Exeter33,8151.2%5,5051.1% M20 The University of Manchester 55,8452.1%8,6051.7% P60Plymouth University 23,705 0.9% 5,360 1.1% S27 University of Southampton 36,690 1.4% 5,480 1.1%

10. So ………Why bother ? Clarendon students are successful : In 2014 : 70% of the 6 th Form applied to University Only 4 students either failed to achieve grades or declined places. They have retaken exams and reapplied. Ex-students have taken degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Cardiff, Swansea, St Andrews, Reading, Warwick, Exeter etc One ex Clarendon student achieved a double first in Modern Languages at Oxford in 2010 and another a 2:1 in English Literature at Cambridge

11. APPLYING – The Process  CHOOSING COURSES – June to Oct  APPLYING – Register in June  Personal Statement completed by Oct/Nov  Complete application from September to November  Applications sent to UCAS from Oct to Dec  OFFERS from end of October  Choose FIRM and INSURANCE offer by May 2016  RESULTS – August 2016  STARTING UNIVERSITY

12. TIMING Process is one of selection rather than recruitment Earlier applications are more likely to be successful

13. Step 1 : CHOOSING COURSES – covered at the Next Step Conference Vocational/non-vocational degree Type of career Subjects you know and love or new ones Joint degrees, Foundation degrees etc Deferred entry The Stamford Test – UCAS free Centigrade Online – small fee Browse course search on UCAS Sacu selection tool sacu-student.com Take advice

14. From the sacu site

15. CHOOSING UNIVERSITIES Campus – location, facilities, number of sites Accommodation – cost, facilities, proximity, Hall of Residence guaranteed? Work experience opportunities – work placements, exchange programmes, students’ union and extra curricular activity

16. FINANCE AND TUITION FEES You need to think about several things, in addition to fees … Living costs - Maintenance loans and grants Local work available + university jobs Bursaries and scholarships, etc The place to look is http://studentfinance.direct.gov.uk http://studentfinance.direct.gov.uk

17. CHOOSING COURSES –RESEARCH! The Big Map Institution websites UCAS site –look at Entry requirements -look at course content Unistats website – allows comparisons The Student Room The Complete University Guide Times / Telegraph Online (subscription) Visits and Open days * UCAS will email list of open days All information in AG careers area

18. On-line Resources to help with University Choices www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk http://coursefinder.telegraph.co.uk/ www.thestudentroom.co.uk http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ http://icould.com/ (new site) sacu-student.com

19. Choosing Universities and OFFERS There must be “clear blue water” between your firm choice and your insurance choice. The Insurance choice should be based on achievable grades, not “hope” Choose your insurance offer carefully, if you accept you are committed to going there if you do not get your FIRM choice Although you could decline, you may have to pay a deposit for accommodation upfront and may lose this.

20. Other priorities this term Personal statement References

21. Personal Statement Start by using the pages in the Student guide to list achievements. Match against requirements of the course We will give you examples to discuss in tutor periods – more dedicated workshops Show drafts to relevant subject teachers Ask friends and family to read it out aloud. How does it sound ? BIGGEST PROBLEMS :  poor grammar  being over sentimental eg, “ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of ”  Too much irrelevant extra-curricular content (swimming badges in Yr 6!)  Repetition and not enough about the subject / degree choice

22. References These will be written by your ACME tutor based on references from subject staff. Current tutors will also pass information to your new ACME tutors You need to request a reference by emailing an electronic form to staff. On the school VLE – instructions in the student guide Most requests for references are made in September, apart from those needed from staff who are leaving : CONFIDENTIAL VCN, SXB, CAH, GJB, MAM, FXH …….

23. Entry : 2016 or Deferred The Clarendon Academy University and College Admission Reference PART A- To be completed by the student [save, complete and email directly to each subject teacher] Name of Student____________________Tutor Group : ________ ACME Tutor Subject_______________________AS / A2 / Btec / CACHE Subject teacher Intended Degree Course / General Type of Course _______________________________________________________________

24. CLARENDON DATES Fri 26 th June : e-mail a reference request to any member of staff who is leaving July 10 th July – register and complete personal details (Buzzword = aglecture) End of Term : draft of personal statement By late October – complete personal statement and pass to tutor (following 4/5 drafts) Fri 4 th December – final deadline for sending application to school Oxford and Cambridge and Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary science have much earlier deadlines, 15 th October 2014 Please let me or Mr Witham know if this is you.

25. FINAL THOUGHTS QUESTIONS ? WORK HARD – GRADES MATTER REMEMBER WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS KEEP TALKING TO US (particularly if things are not going to plan) AIM TO COMPLETE THINGS WELL AHEAD OF THE DEADLINES You can make DUAL APPLICATIONS, eg, University and Apprenticeships