The aim of the talk is to outline the UCAS application system and how to make an appropriate and successful application to higher education.

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The aim of the talk is to outline the UCAS
application system and how to make an appropriate
and successful application to higher education.
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• Our aim is to provide accurate information and
  guidance and to enable our students to gain the
  skills to make appropriate decisions for
  themselves.
• We will provide detailed and professional
  guidance but we will not tell them what choices
  they should make.

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• Getting on the appropriate course at the right
  university
• Doing well at university
• Enjoying the experience
• Providing a stepping stone towards an interesting
  and suitable career

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• What is UCAS?
• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
• Centralised application processing service
• On-line application form
• Cost of application for 2011 entry 21
• UCAS also provide lots of valuable information
• Please check out their website

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Reasons for going on to Higher Education

• Career choice requires a degree
• Enjoy lifestyle of a student
• Enjoy studying!
• Graduates on average earn more money than
  non-graduates

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Salary Comparisons

• Various surveys have concluded that graduates on
  average earn more money than non-graduates with A
  Levels
• However different surveys can come to different
  conclusions and graduate earnings will vary
  considerably from course to course

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• On average History and English graduates will
  earn about 90,000 more over a lifetime than
  someone with A levels but no degree.
• On average Chemistry and Physics graduates will
  earn about 180,000 more over a lifetime than
  someone with A levels but no degree.

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Drawbacks of encouraging your child to progress
to university

• Cost
• Impossible to give guarantees of the job market
  in 4 years time. At the moment significant
  numbers graduates are struggling on the job
  market.

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Benefits of encouraging your child to progress
to university

• Reduction in trips to the supermarket to re-stock
  the fridge
• You can use your own car when you want
• You will sleep better- not having to worry what
  time they will get home after a night out
• Less dirty washing
• Chance to visit a new city for a weekend break

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What to study?

• Specific vocational course e.g. Radiography
• Broad vocational course e.g. Business Studies
• Continue an Advanced Level Subject
• New subject
• If students are unsure what to study we have a
  number of programs on the careers website to help.

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Thousands of different subject choices

• Audiology
• Broadcast Journalism
• Cruise Ship Management
• Public Health Nutrition
• Pharmacology
• Linguistics
• Nanotechnology
• Yacht and Powercraft Design
• Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies

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Most Popular Degree Choices from NEW College
students this year

• Law
• English
• Business/Accounting
• Psychology
• Maths
• Computing
• Sport

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Other issues to consider about subject choice

• Single subject
• Joint degree
• Combined degree
• Sandwich course
• Year abroad
• How is the course assessed?
• Employment prospects of chosen degree - check
  careers website for graduation destinations

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Where to go?

• Live at home?
• Close to home?
• As far away from home as possible?
• City?
• Campus?
• Large/small institution?
• Cost of living especially accommodation?

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UCAS Application System

• Students will be using the UCAS on line programme
  Apply

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When to apply?

• Between September and 15 January
• Except Oxbridge, Veterinary Science, Dentistry
  and Medicine - deadline 15 October
• NEW College Deadline 26 November
• UCAS Official Deadline 15 January

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UCAS Application System

• Up to 5 choices
• The choices are included on the form in
  alphabetical order. You do not indicate a
  preference.

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What criteria do University Admissions Tutors
use to make their selection?

• GCSE Results
• A/S Level Results
• Reference ( Includes predicted A/2 grades )
• Personal Statement
• Suitability and motivation for the course
• Vocational knowledge and experience for certain
  vocational courses
• Interviews

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National Tests

• LNAT- Law at 8 universities
• UKCAT- Medicine, Dentistry at 23 universities
• BMAT-Medicine,Vet Science at 5 universities
• There are also other tests set by certain courses
  at some universities-students must check

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UCAS Personal Statement

• Commitment to choice
• Academic interests
• Relevant experience - crucial for specific
  vocational courses
• Achievements
• Hobbies
• Do not alienate any of your choices!

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The applicant who all had burnt his pyjamas

• An applicant for Medicine began his personal
  statement with an entertaining yet thoughtful
  anecdote about setting fire to his pyjamas when
  he was a boy.

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The applicant who all had burnt his pyjamas

However 233 other applications told exactly the
same story.
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• By nature, I believe myself to be a lively and
  sensitive person who enjoys the company of people
  of all ages. I have a positive personality, which
  I feel is well suited to the caring profession of
  Physiotherapy.
• In order to obtain as much information as
  possible on Physiotherapy I have attended a
  variety of lectures on the profession at
  University and local hospitals. I also organised
  a work experience placement at a local hospital
  with the Physiotherapy department. The time I
  spent at the hospital enabled me to gain an
  understanding of the breadth and depth of the
  work of a Physiotherapist. I observed
  Physiotherapists working with coronary patients,
  in paediatrics, geriatrics, general ward work and
  with patients with learning disabilities. I was
  able to gain an excellent understanding of the
  variety of skills required and the necessary
  continued commitment towards learning and
  training by experienced Physiotherapists.
• Whilst at college I have been involved in
  community work with the Prince of Wales hospice,
  which I have found extremely rewarding and a
  natural outlet for my close affinity with people.
  

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UCAS Points System

• A 140
• A 120
• B 100
• C 80
• D 60
• E 40
• Although there are exceptions the more
  prestigious universities tend to make grade
  rather than points offers

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Make a balanced selection of Universities

• This balance will vary from student to student
• depending on likely exam results

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Example from NEW College Applicants

• Student A (Psychology)
  Student B (Psychology)
• Durham AAA
  Hull BBC
• Lancaster AAB Gen St accepted
  Northumbria BBB
• Leeds AAB Gen St excluded
  Nottingham Trent 280 pts
• Newcastle ABB
  Sheffield Hallam 280 pts
• York Rej
  YSJ 240 pts
• Although there are exceptions the more
  prestigious universities tend to make grade
  rather than points offers

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• Tiers of Universities in terms of competition
• Oxford Cambridge Imperial UCL Durham Warwick
• Nottingham York Leeds Manchester Newcastle
• Leicester Liverpool Lancaster

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University selection

• Make a conditional offer e.g. BBC
• Reject
• Invite for interview prior to making a decision

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By the end of April students narrow their 5
choices

• One offer as a firm CF
  BBC
• One offer as an insurance CI
  240 points

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We have negotiated partnership agreements with a
number of universities

• Leeds University Access to Leeds - Can lead
  to slightly lower entry grades for eligible
  students
• Newcastle University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Leeds Trinity University College

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NEW College Careers Department

• NEW College Destinations 2010
• 509 students progressed to 72 different
  universities

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University Destinations 2010

• 2010 Firm 86 Insurance 8 Clearing 6
• 2006-2009 Firm 92 Insurance 4 Clearing 4
• Students need to see their Insurance choice as a
  real alternative.

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• Recent research has shown approx 14 of
  undergraduates fail to complete their course.
• Most common reason given was wrong selection of
  course or university

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• Facilities available in College to aid research
• Careers/ Higher Education Website this can be
  accessed from home via www.newcollpont.ac.uk
• Reference books
• Prospectuses

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• Dont forget to encourage your son/daughter to
  seek professional advice
• Guidance interviews are available every day
• Parents are welcome to attend