Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College

Higher Education Information Evening

for Parents

Thursday 23rd April 2015

Background Information & Support

Intensive support provided by Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Vice Principal and Careers Advisers throughout the UCAS process.

% Progression of Notre Dame students in 2014

Destination

69% Higher Education

33% Progressed to Russell Group universities

The UCAS process When? What happens?

February 2015 onwards

Students research university courses, visit University Open Days, check entry requirements and grades needed

June 2015 Higher Education Day – Wed 24th June - [compulsory] – UCAS application started. Form includes:• Personal details• Qualifications• Courses/ universities applied to [up to 5]• Personal Statement• Academic reference written by college

July and August2015

• Enhance application with work experience, volunteering• Attend Open Days, Taster Days and Summer Schools

The UCAS process When? What happens?

From September 2015

• Students work on UCAS application in tutorials• Applications may be sent online to UCAS• Students may be asked to interview

October 15th 2015 Deadline for certain applications • Oxford and Cambridge universities• Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science

October 23rd 2015 ND Internal deadline for all other applications

January 15 [2016] Final date for applications to be received by UCAS

N.B. Places start to be offered from around October so early application is best, especially for popular courses

Students need to do their best …Universities base their offers

on GCSE performance, AS grades and A2 estimated grades

Some universities will check to see how many times students have re-taken modules and some consider only the result at first sitting – so they must take summer exams seriously

REALISTIC applicationsAS grades

are the best predictors for final A-level results, so choose courses accordingly

Future Opportunities: Open days & events

Encourage – go with them! Book an open day place in advance.

Students should: Visit before they apply Find out about bursaries and

scholarships

Website: www.opendays.comLocal events published on

Moodle Careers Calendar E.g. HE Summer Schools and Taster Days.

Future Opportunities: H.E. DayWednesday 24th June 2015Representatives from local

universities advise on Applying, Personal Statements and Finance

Tutor–led activitiesRegistration on UCAS apply and

begin applicationSpecialist workshops [e.g Medicine,

Law, Teaching, Health]Students can also find out about

alternatives such as Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes.

U6 Enrolment Day 25/6/15

One to one consultations for all students with their personal tutors.

Information, advice and guidance on most appropriate options, subject choice and progression routes.

Work Experience & Volunteering

ESSENTIAL for:Healthcare-related degrees – e.g. Medicine, Physiotherapy,

Dentistry, Radiography, Nursing, Midwifery. Ideally directly related but it is important to demonstrate caring skills and empathy for patients – e.g. in a care home for the elderly

Social Work degreesTeaching: must be classroom-related at the right KS level

Experience should be completed BEFORE applicationThe more experience an applicant has, the betterGet it organised now for the summer! Students should

consult Careers staff.

COMPACT/ ACCESS schemes

Links with Leeds, Bradford, York, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity University

Schemes such as Next Step York, Reach for Excellence and Access to Leeds.

Criteria applyAdditional pro-forma to be

completed and sent with UCAS formMay result in special consideration

for courses or possibly a reduced offer

See College Careers for details

Support for Students with Disabilities in H.E.

Academic supportSpecial arrangements in

examinationsFinancialAccessAccommodationDisabilities must be declared on

UCAS formAPPLY for Disabled Students

Allowance

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas

START RESEARCHING

-it’s later than they think!Press on with research/ visitsHelp available in person and ‘virtually’ from within

College and from ‘yougo’ section of ucas websiteWhat can you do as parents? Encourage them – read the UCAS Parents’ Guide and

sign up for bi-monthly bulletin at UCAS www.ucas.com/parents

Go to Open Days with them – attend Parents’ sessionsEncourage students to explore university league tables

and the module content of degree courses.

ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY Important that all students think about PLAN B e.g. taking a Gap Year or

looking at alternative routes. Foundation Degrees are 2 year degree programme taught in colleges and

universities. Often lower entry requirements and smaller class sizes. Leeds City College are here today in room 95 to talk to you about these in more detail.

Information is available from Careers stall today on alternative progression routes including Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes

Leeds Apprenticeship Hub are present today and delivering a presentation in room 90 if you wish to attend.

Information and resources for students are available on MOODLE CAREERS

Apprenticeship website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship School Leaver website: http://www.studentladder.co.uk/

Further Information on Student Finance

Simon Bright from Leeds University is here tonight to do a short presentation on Student Finance.

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

‘You CAN afford to go to Uni’– A Parent’s Guide to Student Finance’ available from:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guide

Top Tips for Students• RESEARCH universities: entry criteria grades and work

experience• VISIT university open days• ENHANCE your application with volunteering and work

experience • MAKE THE MOST of the opportunities on offer at Notre Dame

such as attending summer schools, master classes and lunch time workshops .

• APPLY EARLY• TALK TO UNIVERSITIES & CAREERS: specific queries• SPEAK to TUTORS about any concerns with grades, exams or

coursework. • PARENTS: ENCOURAGE & SUPPORT your son/daughter to aim

high and reach their potential.

Useful Resources for Parents UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/ (Parent Section) Complete University Guide:

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ Student Finance England https://www.gov.uk/student-finance Individual University Websites Open Days http://www.opendays.com/ Guardian University Subject Guide 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/education/series/university-guide-2015-subject-tables-series

Russell Group Universities: http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our-universities/

Parent Advisor: http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/

College Careers Anna Geldart & Liz Crick Email: careers@ndonline.ac.uk Phone:0113 294 6644

Optional SUBJECT Talks nowTopic Location

Art & Design 84

Apprenticeships 90

Business

Health M1/M2

Law Main Hall

Medics 94

Oxbridge 89

Psychology 87/88

Teaching 85

Studying Abroad 91

Foundation Degrees 95

General questions & HE Stalls

Upper Common Room