Prince Henry’s High School
Sixth Form
Higher Education
Parents’ Information Evening
2015
1
Options for students at 18+
 Continue studying – Higher Education
 Gap year - work related – volunteering – travel
 Employment
 Apprenticeship or training schemes
2
Destinations of PHHS students
 67% in 2014 went on to Higher Education
 16% deferred entry – gap year – university in 2015
 7% apprenticeships
 10% employment / training / other
3
What is Higher Education?
Wide range of courses: first degrees, diplomas and
masters.
Different levels of study, course duration, teaching
styles and assessment methods.
Usually taught in universities, colleges and specialist
institutions such as art schools, music conservatoires or
agricultural colleges.
4
A traditional 3 year first degree
 Usually a three or four year course – also known as a
bachelor’s, undergraduate or first degree.
 These are delivered in academic environments with
lectures and seminars, usually made up of different
modules adding up to the full degree.
5
Shorter Undergraduate Courses
 Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diploma of
Higher Education (DipHE): one year (certificate) and two
years (diploma) of a degree course – usually academic rather
than vocational qualifications.
 Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National
Diploma (HND) : one year (certificate) and two years (diploma)
of work related study.
 Foundation degree: completed full time (over two years) or
part time over a longer period. This is a flexible vocational
course combining academic study and workplace learning.
 These are qualifications in their own right but students can go
into the second or third year of a full degree after completing the
original qualification.
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What are the benefits?
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Why Choose Higher Education
 Students gain transferable higher level skills.
 Career prospects and future financial success can be enhanced.
 Some vocational careers require a higher education qualification.
 Over their period of study students may gain clearer insights into
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their future career path.
Some students proceed onto postgraduate vocational courses
(e.g. PGCE or LPC).
Students gain more independence, self-confidence and
responsibility.
Students will broaden their interests and knowledge
Wider life experience ...!
8
The Process
Students will be guided through the process by the
Sixth Form Team.
This term and in the autumn term, the focus will be on
choosing courses and institutions and preparing the
personal statement.
9
What is UCAS?
 The organisation responsible for managing applications
to higher education courses in the UK.
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/gettingstarted
 Their services provide a centralised application service
for prospective undergraduates.
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What is UCAS?
 For performance based courses in music, dance or
drama studying at a Conservatoire students there is
a slightly different system, the details of which can
also be found through the UCAS website:
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/conservatoires
 Also look at http://www.dramauk.co.uk/ for drama
courses.
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Key features of the UCAS scheme
• Your son or daughter can make up to five
choices in one application.
• The 2015 applicant fee was:
• £12 for one choice
• £23 for up to five choices.
• Applications received by the key
In 2012...
 UCAS received 653,637
applications
 464,910 were accepted
deadlines are given equal consideration.
• ‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see
where else students have applied.
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How to apply through UCAS
The UCAS website : www.ucas.com
The UCAS parent page :
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate
/getting-started/parents-and-guardians
The UCAS parent advice sheet :
https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/uc
as-parent-guide-2016-entry_0.pdf
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Filling in the UCAS form
1) Personal details
2) Education
3) Work
4) Course choices
5) Personal statement
6) School reference
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How are students supported in
their application at PHHS?
 Students enjoy an extensive careers’ programme
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delivered primarily by tutors during tutor time.
Over the next few weeks students will discuss Higher
Education and other career paths with tutors and work
through the tutor programme study pack.
Further support from Mrs Webb & Mrs Tozer.
Subject teachers will advise on subject specific courses.
One-to-one advice from Sixth Form Team and Chris
Brewster, Independent Careers Adviser based at PHHS.
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Next Step Conference
June 17th students will be taken off timetable for a series of
lectures and workshops delivered by visiting speakers on a range
of topics :
• Student Finance
• Completing the UCAS application / CV workshop
• HNDs (Higher National Diplomas)
• Subject specific talks on such subjects as medicine, psychology,
•
•
•
•
teaching
Choosing a course and Open Days
Apprenticeships and other alternatives to university
Student Life
Applying for Oxbridge
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The UCAS journey
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Choosing a subject
In 2015 there were around 37,000 different courses at
370 universities and colleges. Therefore, students will
need to do a lot of research. They will need to
consider: Ability
 Interest
 Methods of assessment
 Employment opportunities
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How to choose
 UCAS course finder search.ucas.com/
 University websites
 Tutors/teachers/peers
 LRC and Sixth Form Office resources
 The Heap guide www.heaponline.co.uk/ every student
will have their own log-in
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What courses do students apply for?
Top ten most popular subjects
nationally 2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Computer Science
Physical Sciences
Law
Engineering
Social sciences
Biological sciences
Creative and Performing Arts
Business related
Nursing/midwifery /medical
Education
Top ten most popular subjects
for PHHS students 2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Business related
Creative Media and
Journalism
Psychology
History / Politics
Engineering
Nursing/midwifery/medical
Biological science
Physical sciences
Creative and Performing arts
Education
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Choosing an Institution
 Course
 Number of students
 Tuition and assessment methods
 Location
 Accommodation
 Fees/bursaries
 League tables/unistats
http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/
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UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
National top ten universities 2013
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Nottingham University
Leeds University
Manchester University
Edinburgh University
Manchester Metropolitan
Sheffield Hallam
Birmingham University
Leeds University
Bristol University
Coventry University
PHHS top ten universities 2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
University of the West of
England
Cardiff University
Worcester University
Nottingham University
Swansea University
Oxford Brookes University
Birmingham University
Coventry University
Birmingham City University
University of Gloucestershire
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Entry Requirements
The UCAS Tariff:
Entrance to University is based upon AS/A2 level grades
or points which are converted to a tariff system as below:GRADE
A Level
AS Level
A*
A
B
C
D
E
140
120
100
80
60
40
60
50
40
30
20
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Admissions Tests
Some of the most competitive courses now have
additional entrance tests. These include:
 Medicine / Veterinary / Dentistry (BMAT) or UKCAT
 Law (LNAT)
 Some subject specific tests at Oxbridge and other
Russell Group universities.
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What is the Russell Group?
The Russell Group is a collection of 24 British public
universities that are committed to the highest
standards of academic excellence in both teaching and
research which receive around two thirds of all
university research grant and contract income in the
UK.
A majority of the members are leading universities,
making applications to these particular institutions
more competitive.
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19 members are from England, 2 from Scotland, 2 from Wales and 1 from Northern
Ireland. The current members of the Russell Group are:
 University of Birmingham
 University of Liverpool
 University of Bristol
 University of Cambridge
 London School of Economics and
Political Science (University of London)
 Cardiff University
 University of Manchester
 University of Durham
 Newcastle University
 University of Edinburgh
 University of Nottingham
 University of Exeter
 University of Oxford
 University of Glasgow
 Queen Mary, University of London
 Imperial College London
 Queen's University Belfast
 King's College London (University of
London)
 University of Sheffield
 University of Southampton
 University College London (University of  University of Warwick
London)
 University of York
 University of Leeds
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After the Application
• UCAS will send an acknowledgement email- check that
they have recorded the application correctly.
• Note the SERIAL NUMBER and use it in all
correspondence with UCAS and Universities.
• Note the password, enabling you to use the Applicant
Enquiry Service on the UCAS Website (24hrs a day!)
• Applicants will also receive NOTES FOR CANDIDATES:
keep this in a safe place as it should answer most queries
• UCAS EXTRA (March to June)
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 Offers - ultimately students can hold TWO offers.
 CONDITIONAL FIRM - first choice
 CONDITIONAL INSURANCE - back up
 If you gain the grades for your CF you must go there or
drop out of the scheme.
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Student Finance
Going to university is potentially one of the biggest
investments your son or daughter will make.
You should visit www.ucas.com/parents/studentfinance
http://www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/
And student finance matters at
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/
www.studentcalculator.org
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Money, money, money
While at university or college your son or daughter will
have two main expenses: tuition fees- £9000 a year
 living costs (such as rent / food / books / clothing /
transport) £5-6000 a year
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Financial Support
Your son/daughter may be eligible for:-
 Tuition fee loan – a repayable loan to cover the cost of their tuition
fees. The student will only start repaying this loan after they leave
university and are earning above a threshold level= £21,000
 A Maintenance Loan – a repayable loan to cover some or all of
their living expenses, the amount received depends on factors such as
where they live when they are studying.
 Maintenance Grant – a non-repayable grant to help students
from lower income households with their living costs.
 Bursaries and scholarships from universities and colleges –
non-repayable cash support. Bursaries are usually linked to household
income, where scholarships are usually given to students because of
achievement and excellence.
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Gap Year – Why?
Students should analyse their main purpose in taking a Gap
Year as it will be then easier to research ideas.
 Gain experience in industry / business
 Improve ability in a language
 Volunteering at home or abroad in the charity sector
 Gain extra qualifications
 Work with young people
 Travel
 Earn money
 To have a rest – this is not a good idea!
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Gap Year
Advantages
Disadvantages
1) Time to think
1) Requires planning
2) Experience
2) Lose academic
3) Self reliance/confidence
motivation
3) Cost
4) Enjoyment
5) Enhance CV
6) Finance
7) Best Opportunity
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7 things your son/daughter
should do now
1) Start research early
2) Know the deadlines
3) Register for a UCAS card
4) Search for courses and institutions
5) Check entry requirements
6) Visit course providers on Open Days
7) Gather material for the personal statement
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Parents’ Checklist
1) Check application deadlines
2) Encourage them to attend Open Days - go with them
3) Check through their application form
4) Advise on, and read, their personal statement early
5) Ensure they have checked tuition fees and researched
student finance options - you will have to fill in financial
details
6) Make sure they reply to offers by the reply by date
7) When they receive their UCAS confirmation letter,
ensure they follow the instructions for replying to the
university.
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Key dates for 2015 applications
* 1st October
2015
Deadline for receipt at CUKAS of applications for music courses
– they may consider you after this time but not all courses or
colleges will be available
* 15th October
2015
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for all medicine,
dentistry, veterinary medicine courses and all Oxbridge courses
* 15th January
2016
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses
except those listed above and Art and Design courses with 24th
March deadline
Spring 2016
Apply for student finance
25th February
2016
UCAS Extra starts for eligible applicants
* 24th March
2016
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design
courses except those listed with a 15th January deadline
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Key dates continued ...
March –
May 2016
Final decisions made about firm and insurance choices
30th June
2016
Applications received at UCAS by this date will be sent to the
applicant’s chosen universities and colleges. Applications sent later
will be entered into Clearing
18th August
2016
GCE A level, As and Advanced Diploma results are published and
full Clearing vacancy information starts
31st August
2016
Adjustment closes
20th
September
2016
Final date to submit 2016 applications
* STUDENTS WILL NEED TO PAY AND SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS WELL
BEFORE THESE DEADLINES SO THAT STAFF HAVE TIME TO WRITE
REFERENCES AND PROCESS THE APPLICATIONS.
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Useful Websites
 http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/
 http://www.opendays.com/
 http://www.ucas.com/
 http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/
 http://www.studential.com/university/applying
 http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-
career/doctors/training-to-become-adoctor/undergraduate-medical-education/how-to-applyfor-medical-school/
 Also note finance sites listed in money section
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Opportunity for Questions
Mrs Clare Webb – Head of Sixth Form
Mrs Jane Tozer – Head of Year 12
Mrs Helen Wood – Deputy Head
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