Transcript Slide 1
Sandwell Academy
6.1 University Information
Evening 16.7.14
Overview of the Evening
Programme
Parent Booklet
Applying to University
Where ?
What ?
When ?
Two stage process
Stages:
1. Research –
2. Self presentation (i.e. your UCAS application
form)
Internal Closing date for application forms
24.10.14
Friday before October half term.
UCAS Closing date 15 January 2015
UK higher education – key facts
372 UCAS providers
37,000 courses
At the heart of connecting people to higher education
The provision of higher education in the UK
▪ Applicants in 2013
474,310
▪ Acceptances in 2014 489,940
(Source: UCAS end of cycle report 11/12 released December 2012)
Online research – where to go for useful information
▪
UCAS website
▪
UCAS Course Search
and Entry Profiles
▪
UCAS books
University websites
UCAS connect
▪
Unistats
▪
Which? University
UCAS Search tool
▪ Search for Maths
courses in North
West for 2014 for
someone who
normally lives in
England
▪ 13 providers listed
(104 courses)
At the heart of connecting people to higher education
▪ Can view info on HEI
& explore courses
offered by each one
▪ Can view all courses
▪ Can view locations
▪ Further filters
Search tool – subject clusters
At the heart of connecting people to higher education
Entry Profiles
▪ Details presented within Course Search
▪ Around 90% of courses have an Entry Profile
▪ Provide clear, up to date information
▪ Help you to make fully informed choices
▪ Same course title – different experience
▪ Bursary and scholarship information
Which? University http://university.which.co.
uk
▪ Launched 2012
▪ Free to use
▪ Developed in association
with NUS
▪ Input from experts in
careers and HE
▪ NSS
▪ KIS
▪ HE leavers destinations
▪ HECSU graduate
employment analysis
▪ HESA student record
▪
Search tool - may not cover all UCAS
HEPs (284) & courses (<31,000)
▪
Some well managed data:
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% applicants who have received offers
and grades achieved on entry
League tables data
Extra-curricular strengths of HEIs
Student views on accommodation,
facilities, costs
At the heart of connecting people to higher education
Prospects ( www.prospects.ac.uk )
At the heart of connecting people to higher education
May 2014 slide 17
Visit, visit, visit.....
‘
2015 Apply
UCAS - key dates
1 September
First day for receipt of applications
15 October
Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry
Oxford or Cambridge
15 January
‘On time’ applications
24 March
Remaining Art & Design Courses
30 June
Applications after this date held for
Clearing
Key features of the UCAS scheme
Application is online
1 Choice - £12 2-5 Choices - £23
Maximum of 5 choices
Some choice restrictions:
Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4
Oxford or Cambridge
Simultaneous consideration
‘Invisibility’
Key facts about the UCAS scheme
Some subject restrictions:
Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4
choices
Aptitude tests –
Medicine/Veterinary = www.bmat.org.uk
Medicine/Dentistry = www.ukcat.ac.uk
Law = www.lnat.ac.uk
Personal Statement
Your personal statement
What’s special about the personal
statement?
It’s the only part of the application where
you have the opportunity to bring yourself
to life
If done well, provides a 360º snapshot of
you as the applicant
Must be honest and written in your own
words (not lifted off the internet!)
Your personal statement – What’s it for ?
Supports and amplifies your academic
achievement.
Opportunity to explain more about your
current studies (e.g. if you are taking
Statistics as a unit of AS Maths)
May replace or supplement an interview
(keep a copy!)
Your personal statement
What should go into it?
Evidence to tell HE selector what you’re like i.e.
your personal characteristics and transferable
skills:
Committed and motivated
Self reliant and well organised
Interest in and aptitude for subject
Good team worker etc
Evidence of relevant non qualification attainment:
Interests, hobbies, sports
Voluntary / work experience etc
Personal Statement
Good
ABC Guide
What you’ve done
What
skills precise
it has
Better
Structured, clear,
concise,
Activity
given you Benefit
Avoid waffle, slang and inappropriate language
Best
How these relate to your
course
Check GRAMMAR and SPELLING
Course
Your personal statement
How should it be written?
Reflective and insightful
What you’ve done
What you’ve learned from it
Why this is relevant to your chosen course / career
You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes
spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank
lines).
Example format for a personal statement
Opening Section
Provide insightful reasons for choosing the subject
Demonstrate commitment to the subject
Middle Section
Opportunity for the writer to identify themselves
as a reflective
and mature individual with appropriate skills,
knowledge and attitudes
Final Section
Needs to be ‘punchy’ and leave the reader
with a firm impression of a strong desire to
study the subject chosen
Common opening sentences
I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in..464
309
From a young age I have always been interested in..
From an early age I have always been interested in.. 292
275
Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career..
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with... 196
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only”... 189
Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with...
178
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in...
166
I am an International Academy student and have been studying
since. 141
10. Academically, I have always been a very determined and...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
138
New Vocabulary
Extra
UCAS Tariff points
Clearing
Deferred Entry/Gap Year
Decision making by institutions
An admissions tutor may initially make one of three decisions:
Unconditional offer
Conditional offer
Unsuccessful
Or recommend:
A place on an alternative course
Track
Enables you to follow the progress of
your application (24/7, access via
password)
Quickest way to find out about new
offers
You can reply to offers online
Applicant replies to offers
Once the final decision has been received, a maximum of two offers may be
held
Applicants have a choice of three reply options:
Firm acceptance
Insurance acceptance
Decline the offer
Academy Website – www.sandwellacademy.com
Careers Software
Fast Tomato (SAWB)
E-Clips (password 4705jan07)
Higher Ideas (Start Menu)
Next Steps
Register on the UCAS website and create an account
with me on Friday 18 July 2014
HE Week 14 – 18 July 2014
1st Draft Personal Statement
Students given time to visit open day – need a release
form from me.
UCASINO
UCASINO
12
372
140
14
4
120
37,00
0
47
100
489,940
80
120
2
23
474,
310
5
4000
Contact details
Parents if you have any questions
or wish to meet with me, please
telephone me at the Academy
0121 525 1700 or e-mail
[email protected]
Students my door is always open.