Important Facts about Graduates: Job Market, Application Trends, and the Benefits of Being a Graduate

2. Some Key Facts Concerning Graduates It doesn’t really matter what you study unless you have a specific vocation in mind! – 60% of job vacancies for Graduates are non-specific!

3. Some Numbers For 2010, 2011 and 2012… • 10, 000 fewer places for 2010 entry. Less this year for 2011 • 20% increase in applicants for 2010 entry…..BUT • -6.6% decrease in applicants for 2012 entry –700,100 to 653,600 FIRST REAL SIGNIFICANT DECLINE? Perhaps not…? The result of all this…………….IS?

4. Our Aim Higher partner ARU had a 53% rise in applicants in 2010. How have they been affected this year? £3,700 fine for each student a University admits above their allocated number for each individual course 2012 – 10.5% drop in applicants from the East Midlands!!

5. 18 year old applicants only by UK country

6. Let’s look at the subjects! Conclusions?

7. Case Study: My Daughter! Falls into the creative arts and design category of applicant Only put two choices on her UCAS application! Leeds and Manchester AAB offers Not prepared to go to a university which is not at the top end Conclusion: Top end more competitive!

8. Does it matter when I apply…? The number of applications submitted before the end of Sep 2010 had increased by 21.7%! This trend was not continued for Sep 2011 or Sep 2012. With the increased fees applicants have taken more time and consideration. Crucial to get it right! This suggests candidates over the first two cohorts of higher fees have been far more conscious of the level of potential financial investment they may be committing to. BUT REMEMBER IT IS STILL THE CASE THAT THE EARLIER YOU APPLY THE LIKELIER YOU ARE TO GET A SLIGHTLY REDUCED OFFER!

9. Lesson………? DO YOUR RESEARCH AND CHOOSING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A Cautionary Tale: Back to my daughter! FALSE START!!!! How much has it cost?

10. Dropped out after two terms….. £7000 Maintenance loan Fees

11. Tougher Offers!!! Alan Cain – Director of Marketing at ARU "the market may have to realise that you have to apply early and you have to accept quickly." "Before, if we needed to control intake, we could do it at the end through clearing," Cain says. "Now, we need to micromanage at course level to ensure that we're not fined."

12. A real live job opportunity!! • Store Manager Designate - Cardiff Area • UK-Cardiff We have an exciting opportunity in WHSmith for people with a proven track record of delivering results through creating a truly customer focused environment. We are looking for people who are seeking a challenge and want to progress their career.As a Store Manager Designate you will receive an induction working alongside our top managers in our top travel stores. Following this induction period you will be appointed into a Store Management position.The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader who will match the following criteria: • ·         Have at least 2 years management experience gained in a customer-facing environment, preferably retail. • ·         The ability to demonstrate a passion and understanding of the retail environment. • ·         The ability to lead, motivate and inspire a team. • ·         Passion for delivering great service to customers. • ·         Proven ability to deliver results. • ·         Commercial awareness. • ·         Have a clear track record of success in their current role. • ·         Be willing to travel to a number of stores within the selected location. • If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you! • “WHSmith values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community”

13. More Facts • On average a graduate will earn £150K more in their working lifetime than a non-graduate • Average starting salary for a graduate is £22K • Graduate starting salaries rise faster than the national average • Graduate unemployment is half that of non-graduates • Over a quarter of a million people graduated last year

14. Is it important to be a graduate? • Yes!!!! Why?? • The vast majority of career opportunities that have potential development and growth increasingly require baseline graduate status. • The fact that 1 in 3 of the population are now graduates illustrates how competitive the job market has become

15. You don’t just learn facts and stuff… • The modern employer has a skillset of transferable skills they have in mind that successful graduate applicants will have. • Universities work closely with employers and know what those employers want!! • This knowledge is crucial in the dog eat dog world in which we now live, where employees are expected to be effective from day one!!

16. What are those transferable skills? • Imagination and enthusiasm • Customer focus • 'Can do' attitude • Ability to work in teams • Ability to adapt • Ability to use IT • Willingness to learn • Higher level problem solving skills • Creativity • Commercial awareness

17. Why are those skills so important? • Companies frequently downsize • No such thing as a job for life • Need to manage one’s own career and need to retrain if necessary • You need to take skills with you when you move as well as experience!

18. Higher Education Information Evening • 6.30 pm “Why should I go to University?” The changing job market in 2013. Why it pays to have graduate status! Followed by Application Case Studies, emphasising the need for good research- Shaun Fricker • 6.55 The Role of The Library. Resources Available – Catherine Keating • 7.20 pm Financial Implications for Parents and Students –Laura Cook, Education Liaison Officer, ARU • 7.50 pm EveningCloses

19. Higher Education Information Evening • What happens to your application once the Universities receive it? • “Who gets in and who gets binned?” • The selection process: Case Study, Newcastle University, Dept. of Dentistry

20. How do They Choose? • There are 650 applications for 75 places • How do they decide who to choose? • Dentistry Schools usually require AAB or AAA at A2 level. • But that is not the whole story…

21. Case Study: Dentistry • First scan of the UCAS form, looking at academic ability – Must be predicted AAB with two of the subjects being Biology and Chemistry. • At Least Five GCSEs at least at Grade B • Candidates who have had to retake modules are automatically binned

22. Case Study: Dentistry • This first read through removes a significant number • Those that have survived are examined for non-academic factors • MUST HAVE minimum of 10 working days in a General Dental Practice • Evidence of a commitment to caring for others

23. Case Study: Dentistry • Team Working with Leadership Skills • Understanding of the working of the NHS and insight into a career in dentistry • Empathy with reflection • THIS SHOULD ALL BE EVIDENCED IN THE PERSONAL STATEMENT AND MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE REFERENCE

24. Case Study: Dentistry • Second Scan of UCAS form will remove more!! • Applicants placed into three categories: • Interview (Outstanding Applicant) • Possible Interview (Strong Applicant but will only be interviewed if there are not enough in category A) • Unsuccessful

25. Case Study: Dentistry The Interview!!!! Two selectors and a scoring form, looking for: • Aptitude • Motivation • Personal qualities

26. The Interview • It’s not as easy as you think. They are looking at absolutely everything and the interview itself is scored by the admissions tutors • So what are they looking for?

27. The Interview • Subject Knowledge • Breadth of Subject Knowledge • Ability to form and discuss opinions • Sense of humour • Tolerant caring nature • Sensitivity • Academic ability

28. The Interview • Ability to work within a team • Non verbal communication and body language • Handshakes • Taking off one’s coat! • Commitment to the institution

29. Case Study: Dentistry • Candidates are graded and that is the basis for the offers: • AAB • A in Chemistry • All applicants must have taken the UKCAT • Late applications not considered

30. Case Study: Dentistry • Inevitably luck plays a part: some applications are binned arbitrarily. Some interviewees are binned arbitrarily • Therefore perfectly good candidates WILL miss out at some institutions

31. UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE or Where is my child going?

32. Four questions • What are they going to study? • Where are they going to study? • How much is it going to cost? • Is it worth doing?

33. Type of Degree • Academic subjects • Vocational subjects • Sandwich degrees • Foundation degrees • Part time • Distance learning (OU)

34. HEAP: DEGREE COURSE OFFERS • Organised by subject • Gives details of degree courses • Points required • Preferred subjects • Number of applicants per place • Further sources of information

35. Guides • The Times Good University Guide • The Guardian University Guide • Give basic overviews of the subject • Some information about career prospects • Form of grading best courses • Latter varies between guides

36. Virgin Guide to British Universities • ‘The only guide by Students for Students’ • Social information • Student ratings • Campus • Area

37. Prospectus • Issued by most institutions • Give more in depth details of courses • Methods of assessment • Requirements • Facilities • Remember these are also advertising documents

38. Application Process • Various titles to help • UCAS Guide to getting into University and College • Getting into the UK’s Best Universities and Courses • Insider’s Guide to Applying to University • How to complete your UCAS Application

39. Websites • League tables • http://education.guardian.co.uk • www.timesonline.co.uk • www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk • Individual University sites

40. UCAS website • www.ucas.com • Gives advice and has a parent’s page • Covers recent developments • You can check up to date details

41. Alternative Course Finder • http://www.push.co.uk/ • Search on predicted grades • Particular subjects • Where available • Short list

42. Other Websites • http://university.which.co.uk • www.opendays.com • http://unistats.direct.gov.uk • www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

43. Additional Information • Specific books relating to law and medicine • Student life and finance • Gap Year information • Alternative - apprenticeships

44. And After Uni? • General Careers information • Job File • Careers • Annual publications • Research now – Post graduate requirements and finance

45. The Endof The Beginning • I’ll be willing to try and answer any questions at the end of the evening.