1. FOR SIXTH FORMERS AT x SCHOOL KATE AMIS MANAGER, THE GEOGRAPHY AMBASSADOR PROJECT, RGS - IBG Applying to University and the UCAS process

2. Starting point Which comes first - the course or the university?

3. Course criteria Grades required Physical or human? BSc or BA Teaching or research university? Joint honours combinations 2 nd and 3 rd year choices, specialisms and combinations Assessment method Fieldwork options and costs Level of support, size of classes etc Employability record

4. University criteria Status, reputation and history Location – inner city, city campus or rural campus Live home or away? Accessibility Distance from home and comfort zones Cost of living Term time job opportunities

5. Where do I get my info from? UCAS website www.ucas.ac.ukwww.ucas.ac.uk Entry Profiles ‘Study Geography’ pages of the RGS website Web based prospectus Hard copy prospectus League table style guide books Visits- open days and talking to students

6. Getting started ManchesterBrightonUWEBirminghamSussexDurham High coursework component Erasmus opportunity Climate change specialism in years 2 & 3 Cost of living Job opportunities at uni Accessible to home Result of first sift

7. Your UCAS application Your course choices and personal details Your past results Your predicted grades and reference from school Your personal statement

8. Entry profiles

12. Personal statement – style You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank lines). No jokes No exclamation marks No references to ‘I have always wanted to study this since I was given a globe at the age of three......’ No lists Go easy on the hobbies unless they evidence something eg commitment, time management etc

13. Personal statement – subject specific Why you have chosen the course and the reasons why that subject area interests you. Evidence that you understand what is required to study the course. How your current or previous studies relate to the course that you have chosen. Any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course. Why you want to go to university or college.

14. Personal statement- general Details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course Positions of responsibility that you hold/have held both in and out of school, eg form prefect or representative for a local charity. Attributes that make you interesting, special or unique. Whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain.

15. Personal statement- the bottom line If you were an admissions tutor what would you want to read? Who would you want on your course? How would you be sure they were the right candidate?

16. UCAS offers Firm Insurance Decline UF only - You have firmly accepted an unconditional offer as 1 st choice. You cannot have an insurance choice. CF only - You have firmly accepted a conditional offer. CF + CI - You have firmly accepted one conditional offer and accepted another conditional offer as an insurance. CF + UI - You have firmly accepted a conditional offer and accepted an unconditional offer as an insurance

17. Plan of action Key dates: Research period = now till end October Application period = September 15 th – January 15 th Offers = November through to March 31 st UCAS extra = from February Acceptances = Usually by March 31 st Clearing = 20 th August – 21 st September

18. Contact Kate Amis k.amis@rgs.org