Y14 Induction - Careers Department

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Y14 Induction - Careers Department

• Head of Careers
• Mr J Davey

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Higher Education

• University Fees
• NI Universities 3,575
• GB Universities up to 9,000
• Republic of Ireland Universities 2,500
• European Universities (UNICAS) Free gt 2,500
• --------------------------------------------------
  ----
• College of Further and Higher Education
• Belfast Metropolitan 2,575

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Why Higher Education?
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Considering a STEM Career...

• Top 10 Recruiting Industries in NI 2012
• IT
• Engineering
• Accountancy Finance
• Pharmaceutical Science
• Public Sector
• Manufacturing
• Sales
• Banking, Financial Services Insurance
• Secretarial Administration
• Construction Architecture
• 7 out of 10 STEM related

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Remember STEM is not for everyone

• You will do better in courses you enjoy
• Consider studying Arts / Creative courses
• Job satisfaction is important
• You may be a long time in your chosen career so
  choose wisely!

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UCAS

• University and course research
• UCAS website
• University prospectus / website
• Unistat

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Choose Suitable Courses

• You should consider
• Your interests
• Your academic strengths
• What you enjoy studying
• Your desired career path
• Be realistic about entry requirements
• A course with a lower entry requirement

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UCAS Registration

• Before returning to school on the 4th September,
  all students MUST have
• Registered with UCAS using the buzzword
• KNOCKCAREERS10
• Completed the Personal Details, Education and
  Work sections on the UCAS application form
• Started a first draft of a Personal Statement
• UCAS Parent Guides are available in the Hall and
  online- www.ucas.com

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Key to writing Personal Statements

• It is a process that will require several drafts.
• It should be
• Short (47 lines or 4000 characters)
• Concise and relevant
• Written in formal language
• Well structured using paragraphs
• Without errors in punctuation, spelling and
  grammar
• Strong in its opening and closing statements

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Writing Personal Statements

• Word process and then paste into UCAS when
  complete
• Seek parental help
• Submit to your Careers teacher for further advice
  only after you have re-drafted a number of times
• Be aware of similarity detection

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Why do Admissions Tutors reject applicants?

• No evidence of enthusiasm or passion for the
  subject
• Spelling mistakes
• Repetition of words e.g. interesting
• Poor structure
• No evidence of interest outside of the school
  curriculum
• Lack of expansion on relevant areas
• Broad statements, no specifics
• Too much emphasis on hobbies with no links to
  courses

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Additional Advice

• Make sure to keep your referee fully informed of
  your plans
• Arrange post AS results appointment with your
  referee to discuss grades
• Be realistic in your choice of courses
• Be aware that some courses require Aptitude Tests
  
• All payment to UCAS by credit card
• Keep checking your e-mail for further information

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Key Dates and Deadlines

• Open Days
• UU Wednesday 11th September (Open Evening -
  12th September)
• QUB Friday 13th September
• St Marys Tuesday 17th September
• Higher Education Conference at Methodist College
• Evenings of Thursday 12th and Friday 13th
  September (by ticket only)

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Key Dates and Deadlines

• School UCAS Deadlines
• Early applicants (Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine,
  Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine) 30th
  September 2013
• All other applicants 25th October 2013
• UKCAT
• Registered before 20th September 2013
• Test completed by 4th October 2013

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Careers Advice

• Careers Staff will be in the Sports Hall for
  advice.
• Mr Davey
• Mr McKenna
• Ms Hughes
• 
  

Best wishes with your Year 14 studies!