1. QEGS UCAS 2009-10 Phil Larter (Assistant Headteacher)
Crispin Chandler (Assistant Head of Sixth Form)
Helen Slane (Sixth Form Support)
Malcolm Scott (Connexions)

2. Materials and Resources
Slide Show notes
UCAS Parent Guide 2010
“Life after A Levels at QEGS ”
The Parent Test
UCAS Calendar
QEGS VLE (Moodle)
Feedback form

4. Applicant figures for 2007 entry (% change)
Total applicants 534,495 (5.6)
Total accepted applicants 413,430 (5.8)
Degree 386,789 (5.4)
Foundation 18,194 (23.8)
HND 8,447 (-8.5)
Source: Final figures for 2007 entry (UCAS media release, 17 January 2008)
Total Applicants 2008 = 575,000
Applicants accepted 2008 = 450,000

5. 2007 acceptances by degree subject (% change)
Law 16,013 (7.1)
Design Studies 15,109 (8.7)
Psychology 13,698 (4.7)
Management Studies 11,911 (3.2)
Business Studies 10,632 (-0.6)
Computer Science 9,956 (-0.3)
English Studies 9,202 (3.9)
Sports Science 8,565 (10.4)
Social Work 8,446 (8.7)
Combined Business & Admin 8,167 (22.2)
Source: Final figures for 2007 entry (UCAS media release, 17 January 2008)

6. The competitive advantage
Gaining a place at university or college has two stages:
Research
Self presentation (i.e. the UCAS application)

7. What Do Graduates Do? Excellent Publication What do employers want?
Available on the Web
Hard Copies of “What do graduates do” available from for £14.95

8. What do graduates do? Law:22.4% working in Law sector
Business & Management 23% working in the public sector
Physics 15.2 % clerical and admin
Modern Languages 21.7% clerical & admin
Essential Employer Skills (Sheet in Pack)

9. Benefits of HE Independence Meet people
Experience a different part of the country (or world)
Explore a personal interest in a subject
Gain a qualification towards career progression
Gain transferable skills

10. Why Choose Higher Education?
To get a degree
To achieve further in a subject
To follow a vocational pathway
Increase career prospects
To earn more in the future?
Because my friends are!
To escape from home!
To have fun

11. Where?
Choose a subject
Choose a course
Choose a University

12. Spoilt for choice
How many courses can you choose from in the UK?

13. Spoilt for choice How many courses can you choose from in the UK?
Over 50,000

14. Exploring what is right for you
The 4 C’s
Course
City
Campus (Accommodation)
Career

15. Choosing a Subject Over 500 different subjects
More than 300 Universities
Future career? (vocational degree)
A natural step up from ‘A’ level
Employment is increasingly about the quality of the degree and applicant.

16. The shortlist How many choices are you allowed on your UCAS form?
Just 5!
But it is never too late to change your mind – UCAS Extra, Clearing etc

17. Choosing your course Things to consider: Single/Joint Honours
Length of course
Practical/theory balance
Teaching/assessment styles
Career destinations
Entry requirements
Professional accreditations
Work placements.

18. Entry Requirements “UCAS Tariff”
AS Level
A2 Level
No A* at AS
A* = 140 (90%)
A = 60
A = 120
B = 50
B = 100
C = 40
C = 80
D = 30
D = 60
E= 20
E = 40

19. Choosing a course 50,000 courses to choose from Research is vital
UCAS course search
Stamford test
Parent involvement
Make the right decision
All is not lost!
Type of qualification

20. Choosing a University More than 300 Universities Visit
Academic prestige
Facilities
Campus or colleges
Living accommodation
Its what feels right for you

21. Location, location, location
Things to consider:
Distance from home
Transport links
Number of sites
Rural or urban campus
Cost of living
Style of facilities
City attractions
Safety
Cultural and faith support.

22. Accommodation Things to consider: Guaranteed for first years?
Catered/self - catered halls
Internet access
Private rented
Facilities
Distance from campus
Value for money.

25. Career Information that may help your choices:
Important to select a course that supports your career aspirations
Take the Stamford test to find out which careers/ courses may suit you best (
Browse potential jobs (
This will give an indication of courses relevant to a career, salaries and personal qualities required
Speak to your careers advisers in school.

26. The UCAS Personal Statement

27. Making the right impression
“I’m like strawberries and cream…I’m like a throbbing headache…”
“I hope to take a holiday experience in Oklahoma and chase tornados.”
“I am fascinated by the thought of extraterrestrial life, I spend a lot of time in my room trying to contact alien civilizations.”

28. How to make an impact ‘I have always had a keen interest in
studying history….’ OR
‘Ever since the Famous Five first
called out “Who’s for ginger beer?”
I’ve been somewhat obsessive about
my reading.’

29. What you need to tell universities
Why you want to study the subject
How it relates to your current study
and experiences
What you have found stimulating/interesting/challenging
in A level studies
Other ways in which you have developed an interest in the subject
Any career goals/aspirations

30. What you need to tell universities
The skills you have developed
any prizes or awards?
Positions of responsibility in or out of school
Achievements you are proud of
Social or sporting interests
Reasons for taking a year out
Non-accredited qualifications

31. keep record of any relevant work experience
keep record of any relevant work experience. Work-related learning is the key to achieving economic well-being.
students should try to get experience in relevant field
Graduate work shadow scheme, V-inspired assists a number of relevant areas.

32. Do’s and Don’ts The personal statement is important and it
is read. So it…
Needs to be carefully presented
No spelling or grammatical mistakes
Beware of spell chequers.
With paragraphs?
Must read as if written by a 17/18 year
old!
Must be your own work
Should be current information
600 Words = Average word count
UCAS do verification checks
Don’t lie about anything!

33. How much do you pay to apply
The UCAS application fee has been increased to £9 for a single choice and £19 for choices.
This is the second of a phased increase in the application fee to bring the application fee in line with inflation. For 2011 entry the application fee will increase once again to £11 for a single choice and £21 for choices.

34. Student Finance

35. The Process at QEGS
PSHE 2009 Developing Students as independent learners (study Skills)
Summer School and Headstart Programmes advertised in Student Bulletins
Oxbridge Day February
July Focus Days
Student references

36. July Focus Days Why go to University? Former Students
The Application Process (UEA)
Personal Statements (UEA)
Gap Years (Project Trust)
Register and begin application in School
Produce a draft personal statement

37. Student References
Subject Staff write subject references which go to the form tutor
Predicted grades are based on performance at AS level and A2 potential
Tutor meets with students to discuss progress/advise/guide/check
Tutor writes a reference personalised to the candidate
Senior Leadership Group check and approve References
Sixth Form Team does a final check and sends to UCAS

38. Top Tips Do your research
Apply early (universities now have the option of closing down applications to courses which are full after 15th Jan)
Get advice
Go and visit
Don’t waste your 5 choices
Be realistic about possible results
Work hard

39. UCAS Extra 5 rejections Student declines all offers
1 additional choice available in March/April
Clearing but with some choice

40. When to apply Sept/Oct: make final course choices.
Sept/Oct: complete UCAS Form
Earliest application date is 1st Sept 2009
Oxbridge/Medicine/Vet Med deadline 15th October
Nov: school internal UCAS deadline
Nov: receive offers/interviews
Dec: More offers/interviews
January 15th: Final date for sending forms to UCAS except for Art courses with a March 24th
March/April: Accept First choice and insurance offer
August: Get results and notification of acceptance

41. Useful Websites www.coa.co.uk
links interests to degree courses
straight talking, honest advice from students
UCAS Student Forum + opportunity to contact admission tutors direct and ask questions.

42. Parent Test

43. THE TEN QUIZ QUESTIONS
1 In 2008 were there (a) 302,624 (b) 575,000 (c) 522,155 applicants to H.E?
2 How many course choices are you allowed to list on your form?
3 What is the earliest date you are able to submit a UCAS form?
4 What is the closing date for UCAS applications for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Oxbridge?
5 What is the closing date for all other applications?
6 How much does UCAS charge for processing applications?
7 How many ways are there to apply?
8 What is the Personal Statement?
9 Is it better to apply earlier rather than later through UCAS for admission to H.E?
10 What is the change for Art courses this year?

44. Question 1 In 2008 were there (a) 302,624 (b) 575,000 (c) 522,155
applications to higher education?
575,000 applications were made q

45. Question 2 How many courses are you allowed to list on your form?
You are able to list a maximum of Five courses on the application form.

46. Question 3
When is the earliest date you are able to submit a UCAS form?
UCAS will accept applications from 1 September.

47. Question 4
What is the closing date for UCAS applications for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Oxbridge?
The closing date for the courses listed above is October 15th.

48. Question 5 What is the closing date for all other applications?
The closing date for all other courses is January 15th
Some Art courses may have a March 24th deadline

49. Question 6 How much does UCAS charge for processing applications?
The fee for applicants in 2010 is £19. If you only apply for
one course you have to pay £9
The fee will increase again in 2011

50. Question 7 How many ways are there to apply?
There is now only one method of application. ‘Apply’, the online application service operated by UCAS

51. Question 8 What is the Personal Statement?
This is the part of the form that gives the applicant the opportunity to convince an Admissions Tutor that they are a student worth having! It includes details of why you have chosen your particular courses and some persuasive details about you.

52. Question 9
Is it better to apply earlier rather than later through UCAS for admissions to H.E?
It is sensible to apply as early as possible. Admissions Tutors do run out of time and will probably consider early applications, because they are fewer in volume, in less of a rush than those arriving later.
There is a possibility of higher grades being required later in the year, if earlier applications and offers have been in large numbers and Admissions Tutors fear they have offered too many places!

53. Question 10 What is different about Art and Design applications?
The route A and Route B system has been abolished. All applicants apply at the same time but some courses may have a March 24th deadline.

54. Any Questions?
If you feel that everyone would benefit from your question, then please do ask it now
Otherwise come and see one of us at the end and we will do our best to answer the question
Please hand in the evaluation forms in the boxes at the back of the Hall
This presentation + Finance presentation can be found on the school VLE “Moodle”
Thank you for coming.

55. QEGS UCAS
Please hand in your feedback forms at the back of the Hall
Thank you for coming