Higher Education Evening 1 2009

George Casley

Speakers

• George Casley, Director Post 16 Education, Overview

• Kerry Nash, Queen Mary’s College, why apply and what to consider

• Alison Grant, Head of Year 12, support available in Year 12 and Post AS programme

• Michelle O’Malley, KS5 Pastoral Assistant, Work Experience Programme

• Jonathan Cheshire, Head of Year 13, support available in Year 13

• Jonathan Cheshire, KS5 Gifted and Talented co-ordinator, support for Oxbridge, • Jonathan Cheshire, KS5 Gifted and Talented co-ordinator, support for Oxbridge, Medicine and Law candidates

• Antonia Manoochehri, KS5 art co-ordinator, support for Art Applications

• Ramon Rizvi and Alex Bradlley, past SMS pupils tell of their experiences

• Ed Sharpe, Jesus College Cambridge, How to strengthen your application

• George Casley, Director Post 16 Education, Any questions and concluding comments

• There will be an opportunity to ask all of the speakers questions informally at the end of the evening.

Choices

• Higher Education

• Gap Year

• Art Foundation / Drama Courses

• Work (with or without training)• Work (with or without training)

Time scale• NOW – research and decide

– Build on talks from LSE, UEA and Worldwide volunteering– Look at websites– London University visits in February– Oxbridge Taster days in February and university visit day in June– UCAS Convention– Open Days– Staff in school

• Post AS examinations• Post AS examinations– Draft UCAS form– Meeting on Tuesday 16th June at 1830 with more detailed input and talks

from a Cambridge admissions tutor and university finance officer– Aptitude Test training

• September– Apply

• October– Mock interviews for all– Most Aptitude Tests

Support• Tutors

• Heads of Learning

• Heads of Year

• Learning mentors• Learning mentors

• Director of Post 16 Education

• Talks and meetings

• Leaflets and booklets are also issued through the process.

… but there are also many things that are very

unhelpful …

League tables …

• The Times

• Sunday Times

• Financial Times

• Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• HEFCE• Financial Times

• The Higher

• Daily Telegraph

• The Guardian

• HEFCE

• BBC Online

• others...

• and, of course, Government

The Times 2006

1 Oxford

2 Cambridge

3 Imperial

4 LSE

11 Edinburgh12 Royal Holloway13 Aston14 Nottingham

5 UCL

6 Loughborough

7 Bristol

8 Warwick

9 Bath

10 Durham

15 York16 Cardiff17= UEA17= King’s19= SOAS, Leicester,

St Andrews

The Sunday Times 2006

1 Cambridge

2 Oxford

3 LSE

4 Imperial

11 Bath12 Nottingham13 King’s14 Edinburgh

5 UCL

6 Warwick

7 York

8 Durham

9 Bristol

10 St Andrews

15 Manchester16 Southampton17 Loughborough18 Exeter19 UEA20 Sheffield

The Guardian 2006

1 Cambridge

2 Oxford

3 LSE

4 UCL

11 Nottingham12 Surrey13 Bristol14 Manchester

5 Imperial

6 SOAS

7 King’s

8 Warwick

9 Bath

10 Edinburgh

15 York16 Birmingham17 Leeds18 Goldsmiths19 Aston20 Royal Holloway

The Financial Times 2003

1 Cambridge

2 Oxford

3 Imperial

4 LSE

11 UMIST12 Bath13 Loughborough14 Edinburgh

5 UCL

6 Warwick

7 Bristol

8 York

9 Nottingham

10 King’s

15 Manchester16 Birmingham17 SOAS18 Leicester19 St Andrews20 Southampton

‘Poll of polls’(Daily Telegraph 2003)

1 Cambridge

2 Oxford

3 Imperial

4 LSE

11 SOAS12 Bath13 Birmingham14 Loughborough

5 Warwick

6= Nottingham

6= UCL

8 York

9 Bristol

10 Manchester

15 King’s16= Durham16= St Andrews18= Southampton18= Edinburgh20 Sheffield

Times HigherWorld Rankings 2006

2 Cambridge (3)

3 Oxford (4)

9 Imperial (13)

17 LSE (11=)

64= Bristol (49)70= SOAS (103=)73 Warwick (77=)81 Glasgow (101=)

25 UCL (28)

33= Edinburgh (30)

40 Manchester (35)

46= King’s (73=)

90= Birmingham (143)85 Nottingham (97)99= Queen Mary (112)

Dangerous...• Criteria used do not reflect quality of education

• Historical data

• Variation over time

• Scores are institutional averages – mask • Scores are institutional averages – mask strengths

• Distorting effect of weightings and scalings and data manipulation

• Many of criteria used are inter-related (ie not independent)

... extremely dangerous ...• Apples and elephants and paperclips

• Perverse incentives

• Hugely political – Government interest

• Open to manipulation• Open to manipulation

• Spurious precision – there’s no such thing as a good league table

• Serious consequences for universities, departments, staff and students

More Details

• Full information is available in Higher Education: Handbook.

• More detailed information about the whole process, as well as talks from an admissions process, as well as talks from an admissions tutor, student finance officer and some ex-SMS pupils will comprise the Higher Education evening on Tuesday 16th June at 1830.

Kerry Nash

WHY APPLY and WHAT TO CONSIDER

Kerry Nash

Education Liaison Officer

WHY APPLY and WHAT TO CONSIDER

Kerry Nash

Education Liaison OfficerEducation Liaison Officer

Queen Mary, University of London

Education Liaison Officer

Queen Mary, University of London

Benefits of higher education

Best time of your life!

Study something you loveDevelop valuable transferable skills

Time managementAnalytical Presentation CommunicationInterpersonal

Less likely to be unemployed

Grow up & gain independence

Network of friends and contacts Get involved in

clubs & societies –can enhance career options

Interpersonal

What to study?

• 50,000 courses/combinations• Courses can be professional / vocational /

academic• Important to consider career implications, • Important to consider career implications,

but remember that over 50% of graduate careers are not subject specific

Careers – some examplesEnglish Marketing / Advertising /

Journalism / Law / Publishing

History Politics / Law / Management consultancy / Journalism / Events

Maths Accountancy / banking / teaching / management

Psychology Accountancy / management consultancy / marketing / local government

What to study?

• Remember you could start a completely new subject• Think about methods of teaching and assessment• How flexible is the course?• Does it include a year or semester abroad? Or a sandwich

placement?• Pick a course you will enjoy!• Pick a course you will enjoy!• Remember that courses with the same title can vary• Think about the entry requirements and be realistic !• Entry requirements vary but offers generally made on a basis

of: AS, A2 Levels, Applied A-Levels, BTEC Diploma & Certificate, Access & Foundation programmes.

Which university?• Entry requirements• Stay at home / move away – advantages and disadvantages• Campus vs. City or multi-site• Are there halls of residence?

– Are they on-site? What is the cost?– Ensuite? Self-catered flats or more – Ensuite? Self-catered flats or more traditional halls?

• Size of institution• Traditional vs. New• Extra curricular – clubs / societies / student newspaper /

sports / drama / music / politics

Do your research

• Prospectuses• University websites• Go and visit! Attend Open Days/HE Conventions, go on

campus tours• Taster courses• Taster courses• Careers Adviser, school & university staff• Ask current students questions!• Useful websites:

– www.ucas.com– www.push.co.uk– www.unistats.com

Alison Grant

Support Programme

In order to ensure our pupils are fully prepared foruniversity life we offer supportive sessions throughoutYr12 and 13 such including

• Wednesday afternoon lectures• Wednesday afternoon lectures• University visits• Subject specific support• Interview preparation and practice• Taster sessions at Oxbridge• UCAS application support and guidance

Key Dates - 2009February 2009 - Visits to London university’s in study skills sessions.

16th February 2009 - Oxford and Cambridge

17th February 2009 - Taster Day visits

2nd March 2009- Interview training day

8th & 9th June 2009 - Year 12 UCAS day & University visits

23rd June 2009- Cambridge Taster afternoonHE evening 2 for students and parents – Finance

1st July 2009 - Deadline for draft personal statement

6th July 2009 - Second day of HEI visits (tbc)

14th July 2009 - Aptitude tests preparation days (tbc)

20th August 2009 - AS Results Day!

Post AS Programme

Monday 15th June – Yr 12 return to school after AS exams

15/6/09 - 3/7/09 Three weeks of lessons

6/6/09 -10/7/09 Activity Week 6/6/09 -10/7/09 Activity Week

13/7/09- 16/7/09 Last week of term including skills development days, sports day and an wards assembly

Michelle O’Malley

Work Experience Expectations

• All Year 12 expected to complete somework experience.

• Students have ownership of organising placement.placement.

• No formal requirement for length of placement.

Why do work experience?

• Get an idea of what the profession is actually like:

• Develop key skills

• Make contacts

or• Gain valuable experiences which you can talk about in a UCAS application, or interview.

What now?

• Work experience booklets given out this evening.

• Start thinking about organising a placement • Start thinking about organising a placement now – it will take time.

• See me or form tutors for any advice.

Jonathan Cheshire

How to apply to university

• All university applications are carried out online at www.ucas.com ( There is no pen and paper)

UCAS stands for University and Colleges Admissions Service

What does the UCAS application entail?

• An application form with sections on…• Student’s education • University choice• A personal statement• A personal statement• A reference• Predicted grades

The personal statement

This consists of 4 sections:

1. Why you want to study the subject

2. What skills and interests do you have which will 2. What skills and interests do you have which will aid you study of this subject

3. Positions of responsibility (and their relevance)

4. Other interests and skills that you have developed (and their relevance)

A2 Predicted Grades

• In June all students will be given a Guideline Grade for University Choice for each subject. This will also be communicated to parents in writing. It is based onwriting. It is based on

– The professional judgement of teachers

– Relevant AS performance

– Evidence of necessary wider reading etc.

A2 Predicted Grades

• Guideline Grades for University Choice will be reviewed after AS results and at the start of A2 courses and will become formal predicted grades at the start of the autumn term. These will also be sent home to parents. They are not negotiable.home to parents. They are not negotiable.

• It is important for both students, universities and the school that both Guideline Grades for University Choice and Predicted Grades are realistic.

Students receive lots of help with this process

The form tutor is the most important teacher in the process.

Subject teachers, head of year and Director Subject teachers, head of year and Director of post 16 education are also very important.

Academic reference

What is it? A statement of suitability for higher education in their chosen subject:

• Para 1: An outline of a student’s academic strengths and skills for higher education.and skills for higher education.

• Para 2: Skills displayed in their chosen university subject. (refer to subject reference if applicable)

• Para 3: Skills displayed in the other subjects studied. (refer to subject reference if applicable)

• Para 4: Extracurricular activities and the skills the student has developed.

• Para 5:Conclusion

What your Tutor has to do

1. Check that students have completed the UCAS application form correctly.

2. Provide advice/ proof reading on personal statements.statements.

3. Write a tutor reference.

What subject teachers have to do

They write individualised reference paragraphs regarding students ability which are then used in the reference.

What the head of year 13 and Director of Sixth form have to do

- Proof read each statement.- Proof read each reference.- Proof each application form.- Proof each application form.- Send forms to UCAS.

- Provide mock interview practice for all students.

What Happens after Applying?

• Acknowledgement received from UCAS

• Universities need to make decisions before March.

• When all universities have made a decision the student needs to decide what to do. Usually this is to hold one offer as firm and one as an insurance.hold one offer as firm and one as an insurance.

• After A2 results are received offers are confirmed or (if missed) clearing needs to be used. It is very important that students come into school on results day, (probably) Thursday 20th August 2010.

Oxbridge/ Medicine/Law

If students fullfill the following criteria then they have a chance of gaining a

place at either Oxford or Cambridge university:

- At least 4 A* and 8 A grades or higher at GCSE.

- A grades in all subjects at AS with an average of 90% or above ( 80% is

an A grade) an A grade)

If students are capable then they will receive specific preparation lessons

focusing on:

- Personal statements.

- Interview practice

- Specific subject knowledge

Antonia Manoochehri

A1 Portfolio sheets. You need 20…

AO1

Observation drawings and Observation drawings and spidergram to clarify initial direction

in the project

Students usually choose a theme inspired by a visit to a gallery…

Gallery visits and connections with own ideas.

Developing interests and use of photography as primary source collecting.

Students make a series of self directed studies in any chosen media…

More explicit connections with artists seen in gallery visits.

Making connections with other artists

Students promote their best skills…really push their ideas in that chosen media.

Students clarify the end point in the creative journey. journey.

Extras:• We have life drawing classes each week. We

expect a porfolio to have at least 5 x A1 high quality life drawings.

• We have Saturday School links with Chelsea College of Art. 3 current year 12 students will be offered places in March 2009.offered places in March 2009.

• The course leader from Chelsea reviews students porfolios in December and January, building partnerships between school and art college practice.

• Gallery visits. We expect students to be aware of the full range of contemporary and established galleries and visit them regularly.

Applications:

• www.ucas.com has a comprehensive list of all art colleges offering an art foundation.

• Students who are under 19 get this year at art college for free.

• We focus on the London Institute Colleges for • We focus on the London Institute Colleges for applications: St. Martins, Chelsea, Byam Shaw, Wimbledon, LCC, Camberwell. We have an excellent track record of securing places at these colleges.

• Application is made on separate forms to UCAS. They are released in November and the deadline is January 31st for submission.

Ramon Rizvi and Alex Bradlley

Ed Sharpe

Preparing for applying

Ed SharpeAccess and Schools Liaison Officer

Christ’s, Homerton and Jesus CollegesUniversity of Cambridge

Research universities and courses

• Hundreds of courses available.• Content/structure will differ a lot between

unis, even for the same subject• Make sure the course is what you want to • Make sure the course is what you want to

do• Different types of uni- collegiate, campus,

etc.

Academic

• Most important aspect• Reading around the subject• Related to A-Level• Own interests• Own interests• Lectures- online• Visits- e.g. museums• Bear in mind personal statement/interview

Non-Academic

• Less important for most subjects• BUT- very important for some, especially

medicine and veterinary medicine• Gap years- good for engineering, not for • Gap years- good for engineering, not for

maths

Why is preparing important?

• Personal statement- for most universities, only chance for you to say something

• Needs to be interesting and get the attention of admissions tutorsattention of admissions tutors

• Oxbridge/medicine, etc- interviews

George Casley

Good Luck

• Don’t Panic!

• There is lots of support available

• Enjoy the challenge