1. Applying for University 2016

2. Thoroughly Consider and Research Your Option(s) =>5 Begin Moodle Registration Get the “BUZZWORD” Navigate the UCAS Online Form Access Help and Support offered by Learning Advisory Team Aims and Objectives: know how to

3. Do your Research! Which Course? Research – Entry Requirements University Information Day – 6 October Talk to Student Services Staff at University stands Go to Open Days – www.opendays.comwww.opendays.com Does your course have an articulation agreement? Make Informed Decisions!!!

4. Your Options HNC Highers or NC Route HND Year 2 of a degree Year 3 of a degree Year 4 of a degree Year 1 of a degree Articulation Routes require you to meet specific entry requirements.

5. The Open University Many courses or qualifications have NO entry requirements, you don’t need previous qualifications to study with us. Or College Students can credit transfer to benefit from your successful study so far – either towards our Open degree or towards a more specialised subject degree. Go to: http://www8.open.ac.uk/choose/collegero utes/building-your-hn http://www8.open.ac.uk/choose/collegero utes/building-your-hn

6. More OU Info 1.chose your course module http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/index.htm or call Student registration & Enquiry on 0845 300 6090 http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/index.htm 2. reserve a place, by phoning or online. a pack will be posted to you. 3. pay and register http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/ways-to- pay/scotland.htm http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/ways-to- pay/scotland.htm

7. ELRAH Route Finder http://www.elrah.ac.uk/coursechoices.htm

8. GCU Connect Route Finder www.gcu.ac.uk/study/collegeconnect/

9. UCAS – Search Tool http://search.ucas.com/

10. College Route http://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/communication_and_media/

11. SWAP Route Finder http://www.scottishwideraccess.org/west http://swapsurvey.org/progression/east

12. Action & Result Universities will think you are applying for year 1 entry, by default you will be offered a I st year place. If you are offered year one and have an HND you will probably have to pay your own fees or use your +1.

13. Entry Year Indicated

14. Education Section If we pick it up, we will contact you to add all your Unit Codes to your Unit Titles. If we miss it the university will reject your application as they have no information to base an offer on.

15. Education Section It is vital that both the Unit Codes and Titles are included in this section

16. Student Support Info Student AA Scotland As Scottish students you may be eligible for Tuition fee support – indicate this on your UCAS application.

17. Unconditional Offer This application has received a combination of replies, two unconditionals, an unsuccessful and two withdrawals. An offer has been Firmly Accepted and the other offer has been declined, however although this is an unconditional offer, it is provisional – a PVG check is done annually for some courses.

18. Conditional Offer Remember to read through all your Conditional offers and comply with their specific requests.

19. NO OFFER The first application choice have been unsuccessful as there was an issue with the Personal statement, the other options have stated specifically that it was not strong enough academically. This would indicate that, entry criteria was not researched adequately! Result £23 down, do not proceed to Uni…

20. Accepting your Offers Make your Insurance Offer the lower entry choice. Firmly accepted conditional offer requires BB or AC entry qualifications.

21. Accepting your Offers Firmly accepted – A? Insurance - A?

22. How you Register on MOODLE Click on Student Services Click on UCAS

23. Click Register Now Click Enrol Me

24. Click: UCAS Applying for University Click: Answer the Questions

25. Answer the Questions, then Click Submit A Box will then appear with the Forth Valley College UCAS Buzzword required to complete your UCAS Application

26. The Process UCAS Guide Closing Dates Lecturer Reference College Buzzword UCAS Registration

27. Quiz

28. Questions

29. Personal Statements

30. UCAS Personal Statement Aims and Objectives: To help you organise yourself. So, you know what to include and how to: –begin drafting and writing –apply the technical detail –sell yourself Also how to: Avoid similarity alerts - plagiarism!

31. Personal Statement Preparation rememberchecklisthowwhystartincludesellwhat

32. Remember - you can write only one personal statement, so don’t mention a university specifically – this will bias your application and your other university choices may reject your application. Check - University and College websites to ensure you know what entry requirements, skills and qualities they would like you to have List- the elements and aspects of you that you want to include to demonstrate your suitability for the course Start - drafting your statement early Why - you are interested and enthusiastic about the subject/degree course How - your previous studies relate to the degree course Include - relevant aspects of jobs, placements, work experience or volunteering Sell yourself - as a great potential candidate, highlighting the skills and qualities you have What - activities or hobbies that show your interest in the subject, include training and achievements that show off your suitability as a candidate

33. Admissions Tutors, what are they looking for? Evidence of… communicate self directedgenuineenthusiasmdiligenthardworking ability to adjust

34. Degree Research It is easier to write you personal statement if you link this to your degree choice, use the Prospectus Specifications.

35. How to start writing it… Intro - start with an opening sentence that encourages the reader to read on… then 2 or 3 Paragraphs – include in a logical order, relevant to what the Universities are looking for. Conclusion - reinforce your commitment, enthusiasm and skills suited to Undergraduate life, your future education and career ambitions Check - Double check your grammar, spelling and punctuation – (review tab) Leave - time to get feedback and redraft… if required

36. Technical Details use MS Word – (UK version) 47 lines 4000 characters – Review Tab = 500 – 550 words NO formatting apart from capitals plagiarism software if applying for more than one subject – make sure you have a common thread Structure, content, layout is very important* Important you have paragraphs covering specific points**

37. Think like a…. Critique the personal statements  

38. Handouts

39. Avoid Plagiarism Anonymised info DO NOT REMOVE https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/fraud-and-similarity-applicant-guide.pdf All your university choices will see this alert…. UCAS are not part of the decision making process this is down to the individual institutions you have applied too.

40. Avoiding Plagiarism CopyCatch will: screen all personal statements assess the results of the screening and flag those above a certain level of similarity automatically generate a colour-coded transcript if the level of similarity is above 10% automatically send emails (with links to the transcripts) to flagged applicants and their choices

41. Student Services Support UCAS application session Personal Statement Workshop Regular Drop-in Sessions Advisory team - Check all FVC UCAS Applications Provide “IAG” on YOUR personal statement Financial Advice – repeat years! Monitor and track FVC UCAS Applications

42. Questions to ask yourself, when structuring your statement. Why am I interested in this subject and course? What have I done related to the course? Are my skills and personal attributes evidenced? What are my personal experiences in my life and what have I learnt from them? What I hope to get out of university – what are my career aspirations? 4-5 paragraphs

43. Further IAG For further information, advice & guidance please speak to one of the Learner Advisory team, or your College to University Adviser. UCAS support 2 November – 15 January 2016 on each campus Monday to Friday Falkirk 9am – 11am & 3pm – 4pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday Stirling 9am – 11am & 3pm – 4pm Tuesday & Thursday Alloa 9am – 11am & 3pm – 4pm 01324 403001 funding@forthvalley.ac.uk

44. Questions