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CEDARS SIXTH FORM. INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION. Why do people go to University ? Ø To gain a degree to prepare for a specific vocation or profession . Ø To gain a degree in a subject that will improve their intellectual ability.
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CEDARS SIXTH FORM INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Why do people go to University? Ø To gain a degree to prepare for a specific vocation or profession. Ø To gain a degree in a subject that will improve their intellectual ability. Ø To study to a higher level a subject they really enjoy. Ø To study something new. Ø To experience a new and diverse range of activities. Ø To meet and work alongside like-minded individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. Ø To learn to become increasingly independent. Ø Graduates generally have a much greater earning potential than non-graduates – but this is not guaranteed! Ø Because they don’t know what else to do – and everyone else seems to be going.
What do I/We need to do now? Ask yourself whether you really want to go to university. • Do I want to study for another three or more years? • Will a degree help me in the future? • Financial implications • Go now? Defer? Gap Year?
DECIDING WHAT TO STUDY?. • A traditional subject – continuing subjects studied at school. • What am I good at? • What do I enjoy? • Move on to study something new or different. • Move towards a vocational subject – Medicine, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy • Will I gain professional recognition? • Does my chosen career require a specific pathway? • Will I need to undertake additional training after my degree?
TYPES OF COURSE • Foundation degree • Single Honours • Combined/Dual Honours • Modular Degrees • Sandwich Degree • Four Year Courses • Study Abroad • Open University • Art and Design Foundation Courses
WHERE TO RESEARCH • Course finder • Occupations Book • Course Discover • Talk to Subject Teachers • Form Tutors • Talk to KS5 Coordinator
WHERE DO I WANT TO STUDY? • Do I want to study away from home? • How far am I prepared to go? • Do I want to be within easy/affordable distance of home? • Do I want to study and live at home? • Do I want to be in a city? • Do I want to be on a campus? • Are other facilities important? • Do I want to be in a specific region? • Which universities offer my course? • Which places are considered to be the best? • Where is it on the map? • ‘Old’ university? • New university? • College? There is no such thing as a typical university!
Think about which universities are accessible to you…. • Universities all have specific entry requirements – these will vary within and between departments. • Some courses are more competitive than others. E.g. English, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Law • Some courses will ask for specific grades, others will make a points offer. • Others will be looking for particular experiences (e.g. work experience) alongside your academic qualifications. • Entry Tests - BMAT, LNAT, UKCAT
GAP YEARS….. • Travel • Volunteering • Employment • The Year in Industry • Deferred entry?
What is UCAS ? ‘If you don’t know already …you soon will!’ University & Colleges Admissions Service www.ucas.com
The UCAS Process… • Involves a huge amount of research • Asking a lot of questions • Making important decisions – up to five possible choices • Requires important deadlines being met UCAS deadline: 15 January 2014 (Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy/Oxbridge: 15 October 2013) Cedars internal deadline: 5 November to get forms away by Christmas
The UCAS Tariff(Points are also available for other qualifications – See UCAS website for details)
FINDING OUT ABOUT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS • Prospectuses • UCAS & University websites • http://www.ukcoursefinder.com/
OXBRIDGE • Application to Oxford or Cambridge • Collegiate universities • ‘The interviews’
WHAT IS IT GOING TO COST? • Loans • Fees • Grants • Bursaries • Scholarships • Additional funds • Paying it back • www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/
The Personal Statement • http://www.cedarsupper.org.uk • http://www.ucas.com/ • The personal statement is a very important part of their application. It MUST be exactly right. • NO spelling errors • Good grammar and punctuation • It must be coherent • You must not come across as arrogant. • No more than 4000 characters (including spaces)
What you should be doing NOW... • 10 June – 5 November: • Ask your form tutors to check your personal statement. • You will have a 1:1 session with your tutor before the end of this term to discuss your future plans. • Complete application • Register first week in September • Check information very carefully!! • Hand in a printed off copy to your form tutor – they will then write your reference. • Wait for information from UCAS and universities • January 15 2014 • Last day for receipt of applications by UCAS
March 2013 • UCAS Extra End of May 2013 • You should be holding ONE conditional Firm offer and ONE insurance offer (this must ALWAYS be lower offer than the conditional Firm) Mid August 2013 • A Level/AGCE results published • Clearing if necessary
Where can I find out more? • Books • Websites – www.ucas.com University websites • Course finder http://www.ukcoursefinder.com/ • ‘You Can’ Magazine • Open Days – www.opendays.com • League tables • Information about the quality of courses: WW.TQI.AC.UK • Prospectuses • Talk to the universities • Assemblies • Come and talk to us..