Welcome to the Higher Education Evening at SWCHS

1. Welcome to the Higher Education Evening at SWCHS Helen CoxDirector of Sixth Form at SWCHS

2. Higher Education evening - speakers • Richard Stringer – University of Nottingham • Student finance – Anglia Ruskin University • Helen Cox – Director of Sixth Form • Amy Kennedy –DeputyDirector of Sixth Form: overall management of UCAS • The Tutors –who write the reference and support the student application process • (The Teachers –who give the predicted grades and the subject-specific reference material)

3. The UCAS process at SWCHS has already begun… • Choices and guidance discussions on university applications • Logging on to Apply and uploading key data • Student finance talk • Speaking to alumni students about their experience • Offer of one-to-one guidance from our careers advisor • Personal statement writing advice from Paul Teulon and subject specialist teachers • Visit to UEA – Making a competitive application and student budgeting

4. Where do our students go to university? • 80% of students who have applied to UCAS have received offers from Russell Group universities (compared to the UCAS average of 58%) • Within our top ten most successful universities: 87% of our students were made an offer compared to UCAS average of 66%. Our top 1o most successful universities are: • Nottingham Leeds • Birmingham Exeter • Bristol Nottingham Trent • Manchester Southampton • Sheffield York

5. Some Key Dates (refer to your handbook for further information) • 15th October: UCAS deadline for early applicants; applications should be completed Friday 26th September to ensure meeting this. • 15th January 2014: UCAS deadline for all applicants • 24th October(half term): School deadline for completed application for all other applicants. • 13th August 2015: Results Day (tbc) – we strongly recommend you are there.

6. How can parents help? • A poll commissioned for a recent Higher Education campaign shows that many mature students had experienced a range of barriers that prevented them going to university straight from school. • 11% said their parents’ influenced their decision not to go • 77% regret the missed opportunities and experiences

7. How can parents help? “ … throughout the three years – I learned how to cook, and manage money, too. Did my parents get involved with my choice to study at Cardiff? Yes – they came with me to a couple of open days, and they informed themselves about the whole application process, which helped a lot. The advice they gave me when I left home? ‘Be safe and sensible’!” “I couldn’t have followed the career I wanted without a degree.”

8. Parents’ section on UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/parents-and-guardians

10. Download 2015 Parent Guide http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/parents-and-guardians/parent-guide

11. APPLY on sale tonight - £5

12. Useful websites www.ucas.com www.university.which.co.uk www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk www.push.co.uk OPEN DAYS: www.opendays.com FINANCE:www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance