1. 25 th June 2014

2. To give parents/guardians of students in Year 12 an overview of the Higher Education process.

3. Many higher education courses offer a vocational programme that is directly related to particular work areas, such as accountancy, nursing and teaching. A higher education qualification is essential for some careers like medicine, chartered engineering and architecture. A degree or HND can improve the chances of getting a fulfilling job and their financial potential. Universities and colleges bring together students from a variety of backgrounds. This interaction can strengthen understanding of different cultures and beliefs. Higher education develops important transferable skills, such as numeracy, communication and information technology, which can give an edge in the fast-changing world of employment.

4. Students should think carefully about the course they'd like to do at university or college. There are thousands of courses available at hundreds of universities and colleges, and each one suits some people better than others. They need to choose their courses for the right reasons and do plenty of research before deciding where to go.

5. Students need to start being more scientific about assessing UK university courses and whether they will suit them. Need to start looking at: – Graduate Employment figures – Retention rates – Staff-to-student ratios – Student-to-tutor contact time – Campus or town university – Cost of living in the area

6. Open Days – 40% of students who left University in their first year did not attend an open day. Work experience – students need to get it now so they can talk about it in their personal statements If not University then start looking at work- based routes now.

7. Quality Assurance Agency carries out external reviews. Quality Assurance Agency http://www.direct.gov.uk/unistats website contains statistics and reports about students' views on the quality of teaching.http://www.direct.gov.uk/unistats The Complete University Guide, an interactive site where you can highlight your requirements and create your own unique table. The Complete University Guide www.whatuni.com www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/University_Guide/ http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/A- Z_of_Universities read the student guides to find out what students at that university have to say about it. http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/A- Z_of_Universities

8. 15 October - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all professional medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses, and for all courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. 15 January - application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses except those listed above with a 15 October deadline, and art and design courses with a 24 March deadline. Deyes High deadline is October half-term!

9. Students need to look at the course requirements: – What are the grade requirements and are they achievable? Look at Entry Profiles on UCAS. – Are there any extra requirements e.g. entrance tests, interviews, portfolio – they will be listed on UCAS.

10. All Year 12 students will register with UCAS and attach themselves to our school next Wednesday. Application fee is £23 for a maximum of five choices. Each university can view the application at the same time; choices are not listed in preference order. Universities cannot see where else your son or daughter has applied. They will only see any other choices after you have replied to your offers.

11. The personal statement is the young person’s opportunity to tell universities and colleges about their suitability for the course. They need to demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that they stand out from the crowd. 47 lines writing about themselves.

12. Students get a lot of guidance in school and students should expect to draft and redraft personal statement. Students will have a workshop next Friday and will be given a booklet. Tell them to start now!! First draft to Form Tutor in early September. Just a warning – all Personal statements are put through anti-plagiarism software and it works!!

13. The Head-teacher is listed as your son/daughter’s referee. The reference is compiled by form tutor, based on the three subjects they do at A2. Predicted grades are added, based on performance at AS and professionalism of Subject Teachers. Every reference is checked by one of Pastoral Managers. UCAS form will not be sent until student has read the reference and signed a paper copy.

14. Firm acceptance - first choice; the preferred choice out of all the offers received. Students can only have one firm acceptance. Insurance choice - acts as a back-up, so if student doesn't meet the conditions for firm choice but meet the conditions for insurance, they will be committed to the insurance choice. Students can only have one insurance choice.

15. Students need to be sensible! The insurance should be lower than the firm choice and should be a course that they are willing to go onto if they don’t meet the requirements of their firm choice. E.g. Firm choice ABB Insurance choiceBBC

16. Students who receive 5 rejections will be able to enter EXTRA and apply for places on courses that are not full. Open from late February until mid-July. If students A Level grades are higher than expected they may enter ADJUSTMENT. If students don’t meet their offer they will automatically be able to enter CLEARING.

17. Be available – your son or daughter needs to be available on Results Day and willing to talk to Universities if things haven’t gone to plan.

18. Tuition Fee Loans 2014/15 For courses starting after 1 September 2015 universities and colleges can charge up to £9,000 in tuition fees for full-time students Full-time students from England who are studying for their first degree or other higher education course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan for the full amount.

19. Living costs To cover living costs, full-time students from England can apply for a: – Maintenance Loan of up to £5,555 (higher in London) – Maintenance Grant of up to £3,387 The amount they get will depend on: – household income – whether they live with parents – whether they live in London – Maintenance Grants don't have to be paid back but you do have to pay back a Maintenance Loan.

20. Full-time students in England apply online for financial support at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance. The usual deadline will be May 31 st 2015. www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

21. Students in Year 12 and 13 need to equip themselves with all the financial information they can when looking at what and where to study. Every institution will have a pot of money to award for Bursaries and Scholarships – these do not have to be repaid!

22. Questions?