1. St Wilfrid’s Sixth Form
Higher Education Evening
Parent Information

2. Tonight An overview of the UCAS process
Introduction and outline
Useful sources of information
Deciding what to study
Deciding where to study
Financial issues
The application process
Questions and refreshments

3. Important Dates Summer 2016 – Research, Open Day Visits
Oxbridge, Medicine/Vets/Dentists – 15th October 2016
St Wilfrid’s UCAS deadline – 7th December 2016
August 2017 – Results
September 2017 – Off they go!

4. Higher Education – An Introduction
With over 50,000 courses to choose from there are many important considerations. These include:
What course should I do?
Where should I go?
Where should I live?
How much will it cost?
Can I afford to go? Can I afford not to go?
Whether you are the first in your family to go or the next in a long line of university students, without support the process would be daunting.
That’s why we are here.

5. Benefits of Higher Education ….
Career options will be enhanced by having a degree.
On the whole graduates earn more than non graduates.
Unemployment is lower among graduates.
The range of jobs available at 18 has reduced
You may have a more fulfilling job with a degree.
Higher education is a requirement for many jobs.
Enormous academic and social opportunities are available.
However …
Success in your studies is not guaranteed.
A ‘graduate job’ is not guaranteed.
Loans will have to be repaid.
It is expensive and it will be some time before you earn a regular wage.

6. Research - The Important Questions
Students and their families need to ask themselves some serious
questions as they begin their Higher Education research ……
Why am I interested in Higher Education?
What subject areas interest me?
Do I want a course that will lead to a specific career?
What qualifications will I gain?
Do I want to take a year out and defer my entry?
Do I have strong preferences about where I study?
Location? Distance from home? Campus? City based?
What financial help may I be eligible for?
‘The key to success is careful research’

7. Useful Sources of Information The UCAS Site – Vital!

8. The UCAS Site - What is it?
This is the single most important source of information in the process. Everything you
need is found on or links to the UCAS website.
1. Outlines the whole process
2. UCAS Tariffs
3. Useful Publications
4. Course search
This lets students look at subjects, specific universities
and entry requirements. It also links to each university for information about things like accommodation and course fees.
5. Making the actual application

9. Apply as early as you can
‘The benefits of an early application are substantial, many courses are oversubscribed and fill up quickly’

10. Deciding what to study Which type of degree?
Full Time (Academic or Vocational)
Sandwich (A year in Industry)
Joint/Combined (Two subjects)
Distance Learning (The Open University)
Deferred Entry (Apply for the year after)
Study Abroad (A year in America or Europe)
Which subject do you want to study?

11. Deciding where to study
Entry requirements?
Use the UCAS site.
Don't apply for a course where the grades are too high
Decide what is important to you
Reputation?
Accommodation?
Location?
Large city or small campus university?
Home or away?
Look for universities that match your criteria and go
and have a look …

12. Open Days www.opendays.com
Useful website that sets out all UK university open days in calendar format.

13. And most importantly…
Talk to students and lecturers during the open day. Ask questions and make yourself known to faculty staff if possible.

14. Areas for Investigation …
The course
How is it taught and assessed? (Lectures, tutorials,placements, exams or
coursework)
Accommodation
Is the university or college based on one site?
What is the accommodation like? What is the cost of the accommodation?
How far away is the accommodation from lecture halls, sports facilities,
shops etc?
Can all first year students be accommodated?
Facilities 
What are the lecture halls and libraries like?
What are the computing and sporting facilities like?
What social facilities are available? What is the student nightlife like?
Personal
How many students are there? What support services are there?
How safe is the town/city I’ve decided to apply to?

15. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Offers from universities are made in 3 ways…
In terms of grades e.g. B,B,B
In terms of UCAS points e.g. 120 points
A combination of grades and points e.g. 128 points with an A in a specified subject

16. UCAS Tariff

17. How much will it cost? UCAS application fee is £24
Your two main expenses will be:
1. Tuition fees (Up to £9250 per year)
2. Living costs (food, accommodation, going out)
How much you pay will depend on which university you
attend and what course you choose to study.

18. Student Finance Explained

19. Additional Funding Bursaries
Extra funding awarded by universities to individual students. Eligibility is linked to a variety of criteria, depending on the university, the course studied etc
Sponsorship
Army/RAF/Navy and some businesses offer sponsorships to support students through university

20. Applying Online – The UCAS Website
1. Research (Now)
2. Choices, Personal Statement
and References (Sept-Dec)
3. Offers (Nov-May)
4. UCAS Extra
5. Results Day
6. Clearing/Adjustment
7. Off to University

21. Your Choices You have a maximum of FIVE choices.
For applications to Oxford or Cambridge as well as Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science the deadline is 15th October.
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge you must also fill in the their own application form. There is also a small additional application fee. You may also need to complete a pre-entry test.
All other applications will need to be sent by the middle of December.
When making your choices it is important to select one or two courses with lower entry requirements and keep one of these as your insurance offer.

22. Pre-Entry Tests - Explained
1. Applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science
UKCAT – UK Clinical Aptitude Test is required at certain Universities
BMAT – Biomedical Admissions Test is required for a small number of
Universities
2. Applying for Law
Some institutions require a pre entry test before considerations.
LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law
Oxford and Cambridge and some Russell Group universities have pre
entry tests for other subjects.

23. Examples of things to include:
Personal Statement
 Examples of things to include:
Why that course/university? It is vital you convey your interest in the subject.
Skills developed in post 16 studies
Jobs or work experience you have had, (vital in areas like medicine and teaching)
Out of school activities and voluntary work
Your social, sports or leisure interests
Don’t just list what you have done but explain what skills you have developed and what you have learned from your experiences.
‘Take your time to complete your personal statement, it
is absolutely vital to your application and will take
many drafts to get right’

24. Offers and Interviews
Institutions can choose to invite you for interview/audition,
offer you a place or reject you.
You will be able to accept a maximum of two offers.
Decide which is your first choice and keep it as your firm acceptance.
Decide which is your second choice and this will be your insurance offer. (Remember the earlier advice on lower grades).
Choose carefully! 

25. Tracking The Process
UCAS Extra - Further choices you can make if you are
rejected by all five institutions.
Results Day - Majority of students will receive good news
(sometimes even earlier than receiving their grades in school!)
But others may need assistance to obtain a place through
clearing.
Clearing – If you don’t get the grades you need you may be
able to find another university through clearing.
Adjustment – If you achieve better than expected grades you
may be able to apply to a different university through
adjustment.

26. What we will be doing to help
UCAS Evening
Higher Education Fair
Cambridge Trip
PSE sessions
Advertising open days
Mock University Interviews where required
Support throughout the whole process from all members of the 6th form team, including your form tutor, who will write your UCAS reference.
Every application checked by Head of Year before it is sent off.

27. Parents -What you can do
Take an interest, encourage your children
Go to open days with them, be involved
Be aware of deadlines, give them a push when needed…
Drive them to university on their first day!