University Journey 2014/15

1. University Journey 2014/15 Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

2. Life after Tring School! Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

3. Choosing your university/course • UCAS website • Unifrog • University websites • Centigrade online • Prospectuses • Sunday Times Good University Guide • ME! • Check employability of graduates • Look at university links with industry • Look at dropout rates • Research, research, research! Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

4. Choosing your course • What really interests you? What career will it lead to? • Do you need a specific degree for a specific career? • Open days – attend subject specific talks • How is the course assessed • Sandwich courses/placements • Can you take part of the degree abroad? Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

5. Choosing your University • How far from home are you? • City campus or not? • Get to know the area – do you like the city? • Courses on offer • Social life • What makes the university special – you will be spending 3/4/5/7 years there Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

6. Which University? • You can apply to five universities • Look at entry requirements – is it a realistic choice? • Entry is based on grades or UCAS points A* or Distinction* = 140 A or Distinction = 120 B or Merit = 100 C or Pass = 80 D = 60 E = 40 • Therefore a university could ask for 3 X B’S or 300 UCAS (this could either be 3 X B. OR an A, B & C) Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

7. University Open Days • Attend as many as possible • Try to see the majority before or during the summer holidays • Register/book online • Study the schedule and plan your day • Look at the accommodation • Look at the sports facilities/study facilities/student union Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

8. Questions to ask at Open days • Ask students there about the course/university/city • How many classes are taught a week • What careers do graduates go on to? • Is the course accredited to a professional body • How long does it take to travel between facilities? Shuttle buses & other transport • What is transport like to get home & the cost • Review all the information at the end of each visit • How is accommodation allocated and the cost • Who teaches the undergraduates – Professors/Post Grads/Industry experts Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

9. Applying to University - The Basics • Online Application • Personal Statement • School Reference Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

10. Online application • UCAS (University& college admissions service) • You will be logged on to UCAS today • Personal details • Academic profile • Choice of 5 universities that you wish to apply for • Places of work • Personal Statement • Reference • Pay and Send Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

11. Starting your application • Your whole application is dealt with online, once you have sent your application, you use UCAS Track to follow your progress • UCAStv - watch video guides: Using Apply 2015 Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

12. Personal statement • Precisely 47 typed lines to sell yourself! • COOL session to give guidance 7 July • Support • Over the summer holiday • Workshops in September • Family and friends • Tutors and subject teachers • You will write numerous Personal Statements • Mock Interviews Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

13. School Reference • 47 lines • Written by your subject teachers and tutor, then checked by UCAS Coordinator • Each subject teacher has already written a short academic written paragraph to your reference, they will write about your academic performance and personal characteristics. • Form Tutors will write about your attendance and punctuality, contributions within school and out of school and your hobbies. • This week – w/c 23 June – Tutor time • Every reference checked and amend where necessary • Your reference will include predicted grades! Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

14. This week! • Tuesday 24 June ASCOTT • Wednesday 25 June CLAYDON • Thursday 26 June WADDESDEN • Friday 27 June HALTON Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

15. What you should be doing now! • Visiting the UCAS website; carrying out lots of research • Look at a variety of courses around your preferred subject / career choice • Use Unifrog & Centigrade Online • Make a grid of the different universities and entry criteria Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

16. Open Days GO TO OPEN DAYS, BEFORE & DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS! You will have 3 weeks until we break up for the summer! Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

17. Other • International HE • CUKAS • Foundation Degrees • Art Foundation Degrees • Oxbridge Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

18. UCAS Card • Discount in many high street stores • Tailored university and course information by email • Monthly Newsletter about application process • Expert help from UCAS with all the essential information, reminders, hints & tips Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

19. Preparation for Higher Education Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

20. Timeline Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

21. Timeline Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

22. Timeline Assemblies on Student Finance and other areas of the university process from now until you leave in May 2015! Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

23. Any questions? Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014

24. Logging on to UCAS • B13 – Mrs Hubble • B14 – Mrs Golla • B4 – Mr Wallington • D4 – Mrs Thompson • S3 – Mr McEvoy • LRC – Sixth Form area – Miss Moore Year 13 HE journey and logging on to UCAS June 2014