BHASVIC HE Evening 2012

1. Higher Education Evening BHASVIC HE Evening 2012

2. Higher Education • Choosing a Course • Choosing a University • How universities choose • What happens after the application is sent in • How BHASVIC helps • Common mistakes

3. Where do you get information from…ucas.com ucas.com/parents National newspaper league tables The Complete University Guide (website) Brian Heap: Degree Course OffersUniversity prospectuses Open Days Choosinga course

4. Interest and enjoyment Professional; academic Employment Single, joint, major/minor Content and Structure Assessment Course

5. Required subjects Grades in specific subjects or overall points score Entrance test Non academic requirements, e.g. work experience Entrance Requirements

6. Generally speaking all A levels are acceptable for University entry but it can depend on the course or individual university. • A ‘spread’ of courses is fine e.g. Biology, Maths, Drama would be fine as 2 courses are regarded as being strong academically. • But Drama, Music and Film Studies would be excellent for any performance related degree • Also a pass in Drama will be worth more than a fail in Maths! “Acceptable” A Levels

7. Some universities ask for grades, including ‘*’ e.g. Chemistry at Cambridge requires A*AA • Most do not ask for A* grades e.g. Brighton requires BBC • Some ask for points e.g. Chemistry at Nottingham Trent requires 260 points • Points are calculated using the UCAS Tarrif • The UCAS Tariff also gives details of the points allocated to L3 BTEC qualifications. Points or Grades?

8. There are break-out sessions regarding these more specialist applications later Excellent GCSE results are expected; since 2010 BHASVIC students who went to Oxford or Cambridge had an averageGCSE profile of 8 A*. A quick word about oxbridge and medicine

10. BTEC qualifications have their own UCAS points attached to them. The Sports Science course at BHASVIC is a double course and so a double Distinction would be 240 points (2 A equivalent), a double Merit would be 160 points (2 C equivalent). BTEC Qualifications

11. The right course, quality of facilities, provision Type and size, quality of accommodation Distance from home Choosing a university

12. Reputation league tables, employer links, word of mouth • Scholarships and bursaries • Learning Support • Student mix state school/private/mature students/ international students/diversity

13. Some degrees at UK universities will offer a year abroad, typically languages or American (or other cultural) Studies. • A student could think about studying their entire degree abroad and this now has greater relevance given the recent rise in tuition fees. • This year BHASVIC students have applied to U.S, Holland and Australia and we are building up a comprehensive guide for students thinking of this route, as well as offering direct support. Studying abroad

14. Using UCAS Apply Once student has decided on potential courses and universities, they apply to them using ucas.apply UCAS: universities central admissions system, not a decision making body. Handles applications for all full time first degree higher education courses.

15. www.ucas.com

16. January onwards Interviews Students can trackOffers made application usingucas track • May (or earlier) Students respond to offers (one firm choice one insurance choice) If no offers are made, students can make further choices through UCAS Extra • 18 August Exam Results (A level) Confirmation of offers or clearing period of Adjustment A student What happens after application sent in • January - May: Students update themselves on what Universities have made them offers/rejected them using UCAS track • Usually students will have all their decisions by March and can then decide on which they want as a firm offer and which as an insurance • If a student receives no offers at all they can use UCAS Extra to find courses which still may have places on them. UCAS Track will prompt students to do this.

17. How BHASVIC can help March 16th Tutors begin discussing next year’s options with their Tutor Groups. March 14th Parents Information Evening and 20nd March 21st Higher Education Information Day at Sussex university May 15th Gap Year Fair June 18th Progression Event Writing Personal Statements Personal Finance Using ucas apply

18. June onwards: BHASVIC gives students support in using ucas apply and writing personal statements • Students can apply for five courses (unless applying for medicine/veterinary science) • Applications begin in September • Deadline for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry - 15 OCTOBER • Students who have not made 5 choices can, if they wish, add a further choice before the January 15th deadline. • Deadline for all other students - 15 JANUARY • Internal deadlines are earlier

19. A student will have to have the grades – AS Grades are crucial as these will be what an Admissions officer will regard as an accurate prediction of A level grades or BTEC levels of achievement. • The student’s personal statement • Student’s enthusiasm and motivation for course. Why they want to do it? • Student’s understanding of the course • What students have gained from their current courses (specific interests, skills)? • Additional reading • Evidence of special commitment, work experience, attendance at lectures, organising clubs How do universities choose

20. 3. Reference – written in collaboration between all teachers and Tutor 4. Tests (BMAT, LNAT, HAT) where appropriate 5. Interview (where invited) 6. Widening Participation and the Office for Fair Access

21. Lack of research - Applying for courses without the right qualifications/subjects • Applying to courses whose entry requirements are higher than AS grades • Applying for extremely diverse courses • Leaving writing a Personal Statement until the last minute • Applying to universities they do not want to go to • Not having a proper insurance offer • Applying for courses they do not want to do • Handing in final ucas form for checking the day before the deadline Common mistakes