Transcript Choosing a University and a Course

Choosing a University
and a Course
Steve Williams, Andy Sherlaw, Kirsty
Hutchinson and Michael Knott
Intro Song
What is Higher Education?
Programme of study at a higher level than A Level
 3 year eg. BA, BSc
also
 2 year Foundation Degrees
 4 year Masters courses and others
You can study at University, Colleges of Higher
Education or Further Education Colleges.
Choosing the Right Course
 300 Universities / Higher Education Institutions
 Over 50,000 courses available in Higher Education
 Do you choose to study…
A course which you are studying at AS/A2?
A vocational course?
A completely new course?
Most Popular Destinations
Listed here are the most popular university destinations for Year 13
students in 2011:
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Northumbria University
Leeds Metropolitan University
Newcastle University
Sunderland University
Sheffield Hallam University
Durham University
Sheffield University
Hull University
Leeds University
York University
York St John University
43 applicants
23 applicants
17 applicants
10 applicants
7 applicants
6 applicants
6 applicants
5 applicants
5 applicants
5 applicants
5 applicants
Over 230 students have applied to University this year.
Wine Studies
Physics
Internet Security
English Literature
Soil Science
Engineering
Midwifery
Psychology
Mathematics
Law
Drama
Chemistry
Computer Science
Medicine
Accountancy
Types of Course
 Single Honours
 Joint Honours
 Combined Honours
 Foundation Degrees / HNDs
 Sandwich Course - thick or thin
Other considerations Course Structure
 Compulsory vs optional modules.
 Course Assessment.
 Professional Accreditation.
Other considerations –
Types of University
 Campus University
 City Centre University
 Collegiate University
 Traditional or Progressive?
 Old or New?
 Large or Small?
Useful Websites
www.ucas.com
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
www.bestcourse4me.com/
www.push.co.uk/
www.thebigchoice.com
www.connexions-direct.com
www.careersoft.co.uk
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.hotcourses.com
www.ucas.com
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
www.bestcourse4me.com/
Other Sources of Information
 University websites, videos, CD-ROMS
 Visit Days / Open Days / Taster Sessions
 Parents / Friends / Teachers
Number of Choices
 Students choose up to 5 courses
 Students start receiving offers from October
to March
 Students choose two courses to hold
One FIRM Choice
One INSURANCE Choice
What do you think are common
problems with students’ applications
to University?
Number
1
2
3
Common Problem
What do you think are common
problems with students’ applications
to University?
Number
Common Problem
1
Getting offers only from Universities that
students do not want to go to
2
Getting offers from Universities students
have not visited.
3
Students being rejected by all of their
choices
Avoiding the Problems
 Check UCAS website and University Prospectuses.
 Draw up a shortlist of Universities.
 Contact Universities.
 Visit Universities.
 Look at Independent Guides e.g. Times Guide,
Hotcourses & Heap’s Guide.
 Be realistic!
Location, Location, Location
 Accommodation
Catered / Self catering halls?
Private accommodation?
Cost?
Distance from University?
 Distance from Home
 Social Life - it’s not all work!!!
 The feel of a place
Methods of Selection
 UCAS form only or UCAS form and…
 Interviews
 Group Discussions
 Examples of work
 Additional Testing LNAT, UKCAT
How we deliver
support and guidance
Students have already completed sessions
covering:
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Post 18 Opportunities
“What career is for me?” and CareerSoft
Personal Skills identification
Does University Pay?
Which degree and university should I pick via a large range
of useful websites
 The PARTNERS scheme via assembly
 Useful resources in the library
 Taking a GAP year
How we deliver
support and guidance
The following sessions are yet to come …
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Higher Education Evening
Finance and University
Careers Day
Writing a successful Personal Statement
Online Applications
Improving Interview technique – General Studies /
Critical Thinking / Discussion Group
 Accepting and Rejecting Offers
How we deliver
support and guidance
Further support is offered through …
 Personal Statement support sessions.
 Connexions.
 Mock Interviews.
 General Studies and Critical Thinking courses.
KEY DATES
September 2012
 UCAS start to accept University Applications
15th October 2012
 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and
Veterinary Science
15th January 2013
 UCAS Deadline for all other applications
Mid March 2013
 Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start
from October or earlier)
 Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)
September –
October 2011
Each tutor completes a tutorial looking into options after Sixth Form
including websites such as UCAS.co.uk
January 2012
Students are actively encouraged to research courses and
Universities whilst conducting wider reading in their interested area.
January – June
2012
Tutorial tasks help students to make decisions on their next step.
Students work on their personal statements aided by tutorial activities.
June – July
2012
Students attend University Open Days – in chosen establishments
only!
July 2012
Tutor checks personal statement for the last time
August 2012
Personal statements and CVs to be handed in during Year 13
enrolment.
SeptemberOctober 2012
Remainder of the form completed and checked by tutor. Interview to
be arranged and completed with a Sixth form or Leadership team
member.
December 10th
2012
Final interviews arranged before Christmas to guarantee applications
will be sent.
January 15th
2013
Deadline for all applications to UCAS. Students can still apply after
this date and it is up to Universities if they look at their forms.
Support Is Always Available
Steve Wilson
Assistant Headteacher
Steve Williams
Head of Year 12
Andy Sherlaw
Head of Year 13
Michael Knott
Sixth Form Enrichment Co-ordinator
Adam Rule
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Faye Robinson
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Clare Laidler
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Kirsty Hutchinson Sixth Form Guidance and Support Assistant
Sharon Armstrong Pastoral Administrator
Helen Davison
Sixth Form Administrator
Sheila Scoffham Sixth Form Administrator