WELCOME from UNIVERSITY OF YORK
WHY HIGHER EDUCATION? Studying a subject in which you have a particular interest
WHY HIGHER EDUCATION? Studying a subject in which you have a particular interest Sometimes a qualification (such as a degree) is necessary for your career path e.g. Doctor, Social Worker, Midwife, Vet, Archaeologist
WHY HIGHER EDUCATION? Studying a subject in which you have a particular interest Sometimes you might want to think forward to postgraduate study e.g. Law, Teaching, Psychology
WHY HIGHER EDUCATION? Studying a subject in which you have a particular interest And sometimes your degree programme will not restrict your career at all. You will have gained Transferable Skills e.g. Media, Management, History, English, Politics
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TOP TIPS Start your research early Make the most of all opportunities available to you What are you looking for? What interests you? Consider carefully – don’t What do you hope to get out of the rush into any decisions higher education experience? What are you currently studying?
BUT…WHICH UNIVERSITY? Things to consider Expense of living in the area How far from home do I want to be? UNIVERSITY Which institutions What are the offer my course? transport links like? Are the courses offered at different institutions quite similar or do they differ greatly?
BUT…WHICH UNIVERSITY? Other factors University Facilities e.g. Accommodation sports, disability support, Price Industry placements/study abroad Do you feel at home? UNIVERSITY The University’s Location reputation City? E.g. Sheffield, Leeds Campus? E.g. York, Lancaster
CHOOSING A COURSE
CHOOSING YOUR COURSE Subject The subject itself Continuation of a school/college subject E.g. Mathematics, English Literature, Sociology Related to something you have studied E.g. History of Art, Environment, Biochemistry Something completely new E.g. Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering
CHOOSING YOUR COURSE Subject How many subjects? One E.g. History of Art Two (Equal or Major/Minor) E.g. English/History Three or more E.g. Natural Sciences, PPE
CHOOSING YOUR COURSE Subject Is it widely available? History (V100) available at 85 HE institutions Veterinary science available at 25 HE institutions Vietnamese available at 1 University (SOAS, London)
COMPARING COURSES Courses with the same name can differ greatly Conversely, similar courses can be listed under very different names
COMPARING COURSES Researching the current course modules will give you a taste of what you will actually study and whether you will enjoy the course How is the course taught and assessed? Does this differ much between universities? What opportunities are there to study or work abroad on a course?
TOP TIPS Check the specific requirements for the programme E.g. Specific subjects needed? Experience preferable? If you can’t find the answer to anything, get in touch with the University admissions team or the Departmental Admissions team. Contact details are listed online and in prospectuses.
ONLINE IN PERSON National Student Survey (NSS) Attend UCAS Higher Education results conventions League table positions – Attend on-campus events e.g. check this by subject Open days, taster days, Compare different courses at summer schools unistats.com
APPLYING AND PERSONAL STATEMENTS Closing date for most applications is 15 th January For some it is 15 th October Central body for all HE admissions Separate system for Music conservatories, and some dance/drama courses One application form on which you can apply for up to 5 courses Up to five offers, choose two (one Firm/first choice the other Insurance/second choice Restrictions on choice: -only 4 choices for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science -Can usually only apply for Oxford or Cambridge
BEFORE YOU APPLY... Do some research This shows that you are focused and helps avoid mistakes Get some work experience? Medicine, Law, Teaching, Nursing Think about course and university preferences: subject, course content, entry requirements, university and location, your interests and hobbies, career plan
OVERVIEW OF THE UCAS SYSTEM Applicant is Applicant Application Universities made Application accepts Applicant submitted Decisions send unconditional - assessed by (Firm or meets through made decision to progresses to universities Insurance) conditions UCAS UCAS enrolment or declines
HOW TO APPLY TO UNIVERSITY
Filling in the application - Apply ❑ 1. Register online and pick a password Apply will generate you a username
❑ 2. Complete the sections in Apply ✓ Personal Details: contact, residential status, disability status ✓ Ethnic origin, national identity, any summer schools/taster courses you attended, care and parental education and occupational background (This information is for producing statistics so isn’t compulsory) Top Tip: Use an email address that you can always access and make sure the name is professional! ✓ Choices: where and which courses (use ‘see list’) ✓ Education: all your previous places of study and qualifications ✓ Employment: any and all part/full time work you have done ✓ Personal Statement: why have you chosen this subject? ✓ Reference: written by one of your teachers ✓ Additional Information: for example, any access or widening participation schemes, summer schools/taster events attended, time in care, mitigating circumstances etc. ✓ Student Finance: UCAS will share some of your information with the student loans company (e.g. contact details & courses applying to)
❑ Save your application as you go along You can go back and edit it until you’re happy to send it ❑ You can give nominated access to a parent, guardian or advisor if you would like them to be able to speak on your behalf
UCAS APPLICATION AND PERSONAL STATEMENT They What can want to make you Is there an gain a stand interview? picture of out? YOU ✓ Experience ✓ What can you ✓ Will the ✓ Skills decision be bring? ✓ Aspirations ✓ Why do you based on your application deserve a alone? place?
THE ROLE OF A PERSONAL STATEMENT: An Admissions tutor wants to gain a picture of you! Helps you stand out from other applicants Admissions tutors are looking for: You to have researched your choices You to have a passion for your subject Appropriate skills and approach A strong academic potential from past and predicted academic achievements
YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT The basics… Around 500 words/47 lines/4000 characters in length Be original, honest and positive but take the application seriously, no jokes required! Top Tip: A clue is in the title. It should have a clear layout and development of ideas. Make your PERSONAL As well as: statement, unique to you o Well written o Good punctuation o Grammatically correct o Clear formatting
Why is the University/course for you?
Top Tip- Read around your subject. Follow any news/latest developments Show an understanding of, and interest in, the subject area What have you done with your interest in that subject…
- Through my Biology coursework I have improved my ability to… - On my work experience placement… Can use specific examples (especially if university course related) - Following a visit to the Natural History Museum… - Reading novels by Charles Dickens inspired my fascination with…
WHAT ARE ADMISSIONS TUTORS LOOKING FOR? Demonstrate that you are clear about what the study of a new subject will entail and you are passionate about it! You need to demonstrate your reasons and motivations for taking the course(s) At least half academic, social and cultural interests relating to the course(s) - We recommend at least 50%...up to around 80%
Your Reference Usually a school or college reference: ❑ Broad indication of student’s ability ❑ Suitability for course ❑ Subject area comments ❑ Personality and contribution at school or college
STUDENT FINANCE
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSITY FUNDING?
Can I afford to go to university?
Only rich students can go to university? FACT or MYTH? MYTH • There are no upfront costs. • A university can only charge the maximum £9250 a year if they offer increased financial support to students who need it (bursaries and scholarships).
Tuition fees have risen from £3000 to £9250 a year. Previously, the government topped up fees with taxpayer’s money. FACT or MYTH? FACT Yes, previously the fees were topped up with taxpayer’s money, now all the cost of the fees is borne by the student directly.
Every student is entitled to a tuition fee loan to cover the costs of their course. FACT or MYTH? FACT Yes, all students can receive a loan from the government to cover the cost of their fees, up to £9250 a year, paid directly to their University or College. This is called a Tuition Fee Loan.
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