1. Navigating the qualifications maze: supporting informed choices Laura Lane UK Qualifications Officer Admissions Service

2. The impossible maze? 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield Student University

3. The challenge… 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield For students, advisers, teachers…For universities… Which qualifications/subjects will offer me the best preparation for university? Which qualifications/subjects best prepare students for HE? Which qualifications /subjects will enable me to study my chosen course? Which qualifications /subjects will best prepare students for our courses? How do I find out about which qualifications /subjects I need? How/when do we communicate our requirements? Choices at age 14 and 16

4. The qualifications market…. A levels 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield BTEC Advanced Diploma Scottish Highers Welsh Baccalaureate Cambridge Pre-U IB Advanced Highers Extended Project Progression Diploma Irish Leaving certificate Access to HE Diploma European Baccalaureate AQA Baccalaureate OCR National NVQ APs HNCs/HNDs OU credits Foundation Degree UCAS Tariff GCSE

5. 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield Navigating the maze…. What is the University doing to support informed choices?

6. Policy perspective: development and communication… Effective processes for assessing new and revised qualifications e.g. academic-led assessment, regular review Developing our communications strategy  Schools & colleges and admissions web pages, resources for schools, newsletter, face-face meetings, workshops, hosting events  Targeted outreach activity at age 14-16  Other outreach programmes 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

7. What are our standard requirements? Grade C or above in GCSE English and Maths Minimum of 3 A-levels or equivalent, of which 2 should be in acceptable A-level subjects www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/requirements.html Specific course requirements (grades and subjects) www.shef.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses www.ucas.ac.uk/students/coursesearch/ 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

8. Do we need the English Baccalaureate? No…. “At present, we require all applicants to have achieved a minimum of a Grade C in GCSE English language and GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent). However, we do not require the English Baccalaureate. We will welcome applicants offering the English Baccalaureate, but we will treat them equally to those achieving in a range of GCSE subjects. Please note that some courses require higher GCSE grades in maths and other subjects. Please see our entry requirements for details.” NB. we also do not require a GCSE modern language as standard www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/policies/ 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

9. Accepted Level 3 qualifications Guidance on which Level 3 qualifications we accept and see most often Information on minimum requirements (volume) and combinations we accept Includes Advanced Diplomas, Access to HE, A- levels, BTECs, IB… NB. different types of qualifications can offer different types of preparation www.sheffield.ac.uk/ukquals 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

10. A-level subject guidance De-mistifying the ‘soft’/’hard’ subject debate Guidance on the combinations of A-level subjects which offer the best preparation for study at Sheffield www.shef.ac.uk/undergraduate/policies/ 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

11. 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield Informed Choices Guide to post-16 subject choices Developed in collaboration with the 20 RG institutions and Institute of Career Guidance Web based and available as a download www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices.aspx

12. Other useful references Matching interests and abilities to possible HE subjects, courses and career options: www.ucas.com/students/choosingcourses/ www.icould.com www.bestcourse4me.com www.centigradeonline.co.uk The application process: www.ucas.tv 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield

13. 24/04/2015© The University of Sheffield How might we further support informed choices?… ukquals@sheffield.ac.uk

14. To Discover And Understand. Any Questions?