Higher Education Information Evening for Parents Thursday 23

rd

April 2015

Background Information & Support

% Progression of Notre Dame students in 2014

69% 33%

Destination

Higher Education Progressed to Russell Group universities  Intensive support provided by Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Vice Principal and Careers Advisers throughout the UCAS process.

The UCAS process

When?

What happens?

February 2015 onwards Students research university courses, visit University Open Days, check entry requirements and grades needed June 2015 Higher Education Day • Personal details • Qualifications • Personal Statement – Wed 24 th June - [compulsory] – UCAS application started. Form includes: • Courses/ universities applied to [up to 5] • Academic reference written by college July and August 2015 • Enhance application with work experience, volunteering • Attend Open Days, Taster Days and Summer Schools

The UCAS process

When?

What happens?

From September 2015 • Students work on UCAS application in tutorials • Applications may be sent online to UCAS • Students may be asked to interview October 15 th 2015 Deadline for certain applications • Oxford and Cambridge universities • Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science October 23 rd 2015 ND Internal deadline for all other applications January 15 [2016]

N.B.

Final date for applications to be received by UCAS

Places start to be offered from around October so early application is best, especially for popular courses

Students need to do their best …

 Universities base their offers on GCSE performance,

AS grades

grades and A2 estimated  Some universities will check to see how many times students have re-taken modules and some consider only the result at first sitting – so they must take summer exams seriously

REALISTIC applications AS grades are the best predictors for final A-level results, so choose courses accordingly

Future Opportunities: Open days & events

 Encourage – go with them! Book an open day place in advance.  Students should:  Visit before they apply  Find out about

bursaries and scholarships

  Website: www.opendays.com

Local events published on Moodle Careers Calendar

E.g. HE Summer Schools and Taster Days.

Future Opportunities: H.E. Day

      Wednesday 24 th June 2015 Representatives from local universities advise on

Applying, Personal Statements

and

Finance

Tutor –led activities Registration on UCAS apply and begin application Specialist workshops

[e.g Medicine, Law, Teaching, Health] Students can also find out about alternatives such as Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes.

U6 Enrolment Day

 25/6/15  One to one consultations for all students with their personal tutors.  Information, advice and guidance on most appropriate options, subject choice and progression routes.

Work Experience & Volunteering

ESSENTIAL for:

 Healthcare-related degrees – e.g. Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Radiography, Nursing, Midwifery. Ideally directly related but it is important to demonstrate caring skills and empathy for patients – e.g. in a care home for the elderly  Social Work degrees  Teaching: must be classroom-related at the right KS level    Experience should be completed

BEFORE

application The more experience an applicant has, the better

Get it organised now for the summer! Students should consult Careers staff.

COMPACT/ ACCESS schemes

      Links with Leeds, Bradford, York, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity University Schemes such as

Next Step York

,

Reach for Excellence

and

Access to Leeds

. Criteria apply Additional pro-forma to be completed and sent with UCAS form May result in special consideration for courses or possibly a

reduced

offer See College Careers for details

Support for Students with Disabilities in H.E.

       Academic support Special arrangements in examinations Financial Access Accommodation Disabilities must be declared on UCAS form APPLY for Disabled Students Allowance

https://www.gov.uk/disabled students-allowances-dsas

START RESEARCHING it’s later than they think

!

  Press on with research/ visits Help available in person and ‘virtually’ from within College and from ‘yougo’ section of ucas website   

What can you do as parents?

Encourage them – read the www.ucas.com/parents UCAS

Parents’ Guide

and sign up for bi-monthly bulletin at UCAS Go to Open Days with them – attend Parents’ sessions  Encourage students to explore

university league tables

and the

module content

of degree courses.

ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY

       Important that all students think about

PLAN B

looking at

alternative routes

. e.g. taking a

Gap Year

or

Foundation Degrees

are 2 year degree programme taught in colleges and universities. Often lower entry requirements and smaller class sizes.

Leeds City College

detail. are here today in room 95 to talk to you about these in more Information is available from Careers stall today on alternative progression routes including

Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes

Leeds Apprenticeship Hub

are present today and delivering a presentation in room 90 if you wish to attend. Information and resources for students are available on MOODLE CAREERS

Apprenticeship website

:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship School Leaver website

:

http://www.studentladder.co.uk/

Further Information on Student Finance

 Simon Bright from

Leeds University

is here tonight to do a short presentation on Student Finance.  www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance  ‘

You CAN afford to go to Uni

available from : ’– A Parent’s Guide to Student Finance’

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guide

Top Tips for Students

• • • • • • • •

RESEARCH

universities: entry criteria grades and work experience

VISIT

university open days

ENHANCE

your application with volunteering and work experience

MAKE THE MOST

of the opportunities on offer at Notre Dame such as attending

summer schools

,

master classes

and

lunch time workshops .

APPLY EARLY TALK TO UNIVERSITIES & CAREERS

: specific queries

SPEAK to TUTORS

about any concerns with grades, exams or coursework.

PARENTS: ENCOURAGE & SUPPORT

your son/daughter to aim high and reach their potential.

Useful Resources for Parents

       

UCAS website

http://www.ucas.com/ (Parent Section)

Complete University Guide

: http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/

Student Finance England

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

Individual University Websites Open Days

http://www.opendays.com/

Guardian University Subject Guide 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/education/series/university-guide-2015 subject-tables-series

Russell Group Universities

: http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our universities/

Parent Advisor

: http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/

College Careers



Anna Geldart & Liz Crick



Email: [email protected]



Phone:0113 294 6644

Optional SUBJECT Talks now

Topic

Art & Design Apprenticeships Business Health Law Medics Oxbridge Psychology Teaching Studying Abroad Foundation Degrees

General questions & HE Stalls Location

84 90 M1/M2 Main Hall 94 89 87/88 85 91 95 Upper Common Room