Andy Sherlaw, Kirsty Hutchinson and
Michael Knott
Intro Song

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.

 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?

 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

Listed here are the most popular university destinations for Year 13 students in 2012:-
 Northumbria University
 Newcastle College
 Sunderland University
 Leeds Metropolitan University
 Newcastle University
 Sheffield Hallam University
 Durham University
 Cumbria University
 Manchester Metropolitan University
 Leeds University
 York University
 Teesside University
 Sheffield University
41 students
15 students
14 students
13 students
12 students
10 students
9 students
7 students
6 students
6 students
4 students
3 students
3 students
Over 230 students have applied to University this year.

Wine Studies
English Literature
Midwifery
Law
Computer Science
Physics
Soil Science
Psychology
Drama
Medicine
Internet Security
Engineering
Mathematics
Chemistry
Accountancy

 Single Honours
 Joint Honours
 Combined Honours
 Foundation Degrees
 Sandwich Course - thick or thin

 Compulsory vs optional modules.
 Course Assessment.
 Professional Accreditation.

 Campus University
 City Centre University
 Collegiate University
 Traditional or Progressive?
 Old or New?
 Large or Small?

 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

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.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

www.bestcourse4me.com/

 The Telegraph Course Finder – a free app which allows you to search and compare different universities.
 The Student Room – A blog which discusses many issues that A Level students have – such as post 18 options.
 ITunesU – An app where Universities upload lectures, podcasts and tutorials on personal statement writing and UCAS advice.

UCAS online (via YOUTUBE or UCAS website) provides many video tutorials

 University websites, videos, CD-ROMS
 Visit Days / Open Days / Taster Sessions
 Parents / Friends / Teachers

What do you think are common problems with students’ applications to University?
Number Common Problem
1
2
3

1
2
3
What do you think are common problems with students’ applications to University?
Number Common Problem
Getting offers only from Universities that students do not want to go to
Getting offers from Universities students have not visited.
Students being rejected by all of their choices

 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!

 UCAS form only or UCAS form and…
 Interviews
 Group Discussions
 Examples of Work
 Additional Testing LNAT, UKCAT
 Points or Grades

Students have already completed sessions covering:-
 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

The following sessions are yet to come …
 Higher Education Evening Fair
Wednesday 17 th April 5-7pm
 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

Further support is offered through …
 Personal Statement support sessions.
 Connexions.
 Mock Interviews.
 General Studies and Critical Thinking courses.

September 2013
 UCAS start to accept University Applications
15 th October 2013
 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and
Veterinary Science
15 th January 2014
 UCAS Deadline for all other applications
Mid March 2014
 Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start from October or earlier)
 Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)

From Now:
 Researching courses and Universities
 Tutorial – Everyday students take part in an activity which will benefit their application
 General Studies sessions devoted to preparing UCAS application
Summer Term:
 University Open Days
 Careers Day - Wednesday 26 th June
 Personal Statement drafting

September –
October 2013
Each tutor completes a tutorial looking into options after Sixth Form including websites such as UCAS.co.uk
January 2013 Students are actively encouraged to research courses and
Universities whilst conducting wider reading in their interested area.
January – June
2013
Tutorial tasks help students to make decisions on their next step.
Students work on their personal statements aided by tutorial activities.
June – July
2013
Students attend University Open Days – in chosen establishments only!
July 2013 Tutor checks personal statement for the last time
August 2013 Personal statements and CVs to be handed in during Year 13 enrolment.
September-
October 2013
December 10
2013
January 15
2014 th th
Remainder of the form completed and checked by tutor. Interview to be arranged and completed with a Sixth form or Leadership team member.
October 15 th – Early Application Deadline (Oxbridge, Veterinary
Science/Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry)
Final interviews arranged before Christmas to guarantee applications will be sent.
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.

All references written by
Senior members of staff after reference interview
Expecting over 230 of present Yr 12 to make a
UCAS application
“APPLY” System
Apply early for high tariff courses /
Universities
Nursing /
UCAS
Only 4 choices for Medicine,
Dentistry, Veterinary Science

Support Is Always Available
Steve Wilson
Andy Sherlaw
Steve Williams
Michael Knott
Adam Rule
James Branson
Richard Chambers
Kirsty Hutchinson
Helen Davison
Sheila Scoffham
Assistant Headteacher
Head of Year 12
Head of Year 13
Sixth Form Enrichment Co-ordinator
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Sixth Form Guidance Tutor
Sixth Form Guidance and Support Assistant
Sixth Form Administrator
Sixth Form Administrator