The process of applying for university

and Careers Week

AIMS

» The importance of researching courses and universities

» How to use the UCAS ‘Apply System’ to apply for university courses

» Student Finance

» Centralised on-line application system for all university applications

» Maximum of 5 course choices

» Every University course in UK has a UCAS code (listed on www.ucas.com and prospectus’)

» Broxbourne deadline for applications October Half Term

» Fee of £23 (£12 if only one course)to be paid online

Securing the right course will depend on the time taken to research the options. Where to look?

» University prospectuses and websites » Independent websites: e.g. http://university.which.co.uk/

» Admissions Tutors at University

» Open Days, College HE Event

» Course Leaders

Securing the right course will depend on the time taken to research the options. What to consider?

» Entry grades

» Course content

» Support on offer such as scholarship / bursary

» Whether they want city or campus

» Are they looking for a sandwich course or year in industry or studying abroad

UCAS website is incredibly helpful with student and parent guides as well as useful video guides and advice

» Once they have registered for UCAS they will be issued with the following:

• Username: pmurray1

• Password: poppy22

• Personal ID Number: 108-354-2209

• Verification Email Code:6589

» We suggest they store the above information in their planner, UCAS Guide, phone/smart phone or email as they will need this information throughout the application process.

» We will give them the school’s Buzzword so they can link their application to the school and we can track them and add their reference.

• The electronic application requires them to complete 7 sections as displayed

• As they mark each section off as being complete a red tick will appear

• If they have a section which they have started but have yet to complete they will have a green dotted line

• They will not be able to pay and send their application unless all sections are marked as complete

» The apply system is easy to use and offers applicants drop down menus and pop up boxes to assist in the completion:

» They must make sure they save each section as they work through the form

» Please note they will need to obtain a full list of all unit codes and titles which they are studying as part of their current and previous courses AS & A2, and their GCSE ones (use their GCSE certificates/results pages)

Need more help?

There is lots of online help available and this will be on Moodle for them to access afterwards and they should use the tools on UCAS too.

Top Tips: 1. Course before University. 2. Don’t rely on the course title. 3. Key Information Sets can make research easier –

these are comprehensive sets of information about all full and part time courses in the UK. Available at http://unistats.gov.uk / http://thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk – allows comparison of key data for different courses including cost, contact time and assessment methods.

4. Think outside the box – don’t just stick to current A Level subjects, explore what options there are

5. Forward plan – does the degree fit their career aspirations?

Next steps » Choose course

» Choose universities

» Draft personal statement and give to tutor by Friday 20th June

» Check personal statement and redraft after 1-1 meeting with tutor on PSHCE day(s)

» Register on UCAS once 2015 is open using buzzword

» Complete UCAS application by Half term October

Student Finance

» In Autumn term:

Student Finance England come into school to talk to students

» Website: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview (Student Finance England in Google)

Tuition Fee Loan Paid directly to the University (to be paid back)

Maintenance Loan Paid directly to the Student (to be paid back)

Maintenance Loan Paid directly to the Student

Exactly how much depends on household income.

Maintenance Loan Calculator on website

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Repayments

They must pay back Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. They will pay interest on these.

Maintenance Grant

University is not the only option…

» Gap Year

» Higher Apprenticeship

» School Leaver Programme

» Employment

Students will receive advice on all of these

Useful websites

www.ucas.com (go to ‘search for courses’)

www. university.which.co.uk

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

www.mycareerspringboard.co.uk

www.thebigchoice.com

www.studentladder.co.uk

www.apprenticeships.org.uk (look for Higher ones for post 18)

Lots of companies advertise for school leavers including:

KPMG, EY, Deloitte, Tesco, GlaxoSmithKline, Astrium, Harrods, Thames Water, TFL, Post Office, Lloyds…the list goes on

Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes

» Apprenticeships talk by an advisor

» Apprentices coming in to talk to students

» Current Y13 students will talk about the application process they have just been through

Employability & Careers

» Employers leading sessions on CVs, Covering Letters, Interviews, Employability skills, use of social media in recruitment.

» Led by professionals: Deloitte, Pearson, FreedomComms, Hays.

» Deloitte

» Tesco

» Marks & Spencer

» Institute of Engineering

» Clyde & Co (legal)

» Hays

» Fashion Designer

» HB Accountants

» Fire Service

» Police

» Royal Air Force

» The Creative Place

» HRC

» Pearson Education

» Marriott Hotel

Employability & Careers: Careers Fair

If they are unsure come and get advice!

• Tutors • Mrs Reynard • Mr Thompson • Mr Langley • Mr Nugent • University personal

statement drop in clinics this Friday with University Admissions staff