University Information Evening University Information Evening 20142014

Why Higher Education?Why Higher Education?

Increase potential earningsIncrease potential earnings** Better career prospectsBetter career prospects Benefit the wider communityBenefit the wider community Social and cultural reasons Social and cultural reasons More independence, self-confidence andMore independence, self-confidence and responsibilityresponsibility Personal challengePersonal challenge Broadens interests and knowledgeBroadens interests and knowledge Better healthBetter health *Source: Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, 2006, in

Universities UK, Research Report, The Economic Benefits of a Degree

The UCAS JourneyThe UCAS Journey

Exploring their optionsExploring their options Deciding on a subject and on universitiesDeciding on a subject and on universities Checking the entry requirements for eachChecking the entry requirements for each Completing and sending the online applicationCompleting and sending the online application Waiting to hear back from the universitiesWaiting to hear back from the universities Replying to any offers, Replying to any offers, Checking that they meet the entry conditions*Checking that they meet the entry conditions* Making sure of finance, accommodation and Making sure of finance, accommodation and

materials to start the course. materials to start the course.

How You Can HelpHow You Can Help

– Assist with their researchAssist with their research– Open DaysOpen Days– Proofreading their personal statementProofreading their personal statement– Help them consider their offers Help them consider their offers – Motivating them to achieve their offersMotivating them to achieve their offers– Preparing them for living away from homePreparing them for living away from home– Results Day Support* Results Day Support*

The Process at CampionThe Process at Campion

Registration and personal statements – Registration and personal statements – June – July 2014June – July 2014

Final UCAS deadline for Medicine, Final UCAS deadline for Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, Dentistry and Oxbridge applications – 15Oxbridge applications – 15thth October October 20142014

Completion – by Autumn half term 2014Completion – by Autumn half term 2014 Final UCAS deadline – 15Final UCAS deadline – 15thth January 2015. January 2015.

Choosing the Course & Choosing the Course & University University

What do you like and/or do well in?What do you like and/or do well in? What do you need for your career?What do you need for your career? Where do you want to study?Where do you want to study? How do you want to be assessed?How do you want to be assessed? What grades are you likely to get?What grades are you likely to get?

Other things to considerOther things to consider• Work experience / Placements / Sandwich Course Work experience / Placements / Sandwich Course

• Study abroadStudy abroad

• Career prospectsCareer prospects

• Finance – course fees, grants, travel and living Finance – course fees, grants, travel and living costscosts

• Travel – to and from homeTravel – to and from home

• Accommodation – university halls or private Accommodation – university halls or private residences?residences?

Making the applicationMaking the application

ApplyApply is the UCAS online application system. is the UCAS online application system.

Every applicant has six sections to complete:Every applicant has six sections to complete:

– Personal detailsPersonal details– Student finance (UK and EU only)Student finance (UK and EU only)– ChoicesChoices– EducationEducation– EmploymentEmployment– Personal statement.Personal statement.

• The school has a very thorough checking process The school has a very thorough checking process • Once a student submits their final application and payment has been Once a student submits their final application and payment has been

made, the school’s reference is completed and it is sent to UCAS made, the school’s reference is completed and it is sent to UCAS which passes it on to the university. which passes it on to the university.

Decision-Making by InstitutionsDecision-Making by Institutions Universities and colleges will review:Universities and colleges will review:

– Personal statement Personal statement – ReferenceReference– QualificationsQualifications– Admissions test resultsAdmissions test results– InterviewsInterviews– PortfoliosPortfolios– AuditionsAuditions

An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions:An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions:

– UnconditionalUnconditional offer offer– ConditionalConditional offer (e.g. ABB or 300 points from 3 A Levels offer (e.g. ABB or 300 points from 3 A Levels – Unsuccessful.Unsuccessful.

AS and A2 LevelsAS and A2 LevelsAS EXAMSAS EXAMS

Grade A = 60 UCAS pointsGrade A = 60 UCAS points Grade B = 50 UCAS pointsGrade B = 50 UCAS points Grade C = 40 UCAS pointsGrade C = 40 UCAS points Grade D = 30 UCAS pointsGrade D = 30 UCAS points Grade E = 20 UCAS pointsGrade E = 20 UCAS points

Grade A*= 140 UCAS pointsGrade A*= 140 UCAS points Grade A = 120 UCAS pointsGrade A = 120 UCAS points Grade B = 100 UCAS pointsGrade B = 100 UCAS points Grade C = 80 UCAS pointsGrade C = 80 UCAS points Grade D = 60 UCAS pointsGrade D = 60 UCAS points Grade E = 40 UCAS pointsGrade E = 40 UCAS points

A2 EXAMS

BTECDistinction = 120 points (Grade A)Merit = 80 points (Grade C)Pass = 40 points (Grade E)

How to improve their chances?How to improve their chances?

ReadRead EPQEPQ Get involvedGet involved University Taster daysUniversity Taster days Work experienceWork experience TeachersTeachers Open daysOpen days UKCAT, BMAT, LNAT, STEP TestsUKCAT, BMAT, LNAT, STEP Tests TimingTiming

Personal Statement – Start EarlyPersonal Statement – Start EarlyPersonal statements should stand out – admissions tutors receive 200 per week!Personal statements should stand out – admissions tutors receive 200 per week!

Personal statements are so important, make sure your son or daughter includes: Personal statements are so important, make sure your son or daughter includes:

• academic achievements, past and presentacademic achievements, past and present• interests in the chosen subject areainterests in the chosen subject area• knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus • what they enjoy about studyingwhat they enjoy about studying

• details of their independent study skills.details of their independent study skills.

The questions universities and colleges will ask: The questions universities and colleges will ask:

• have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?• do they have a range of interests?do they have a range of interests?• does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject?does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject?• have they studied independently?have they studied independently?• are they motivated and committed?are they motivated and committed?• do they possess good numeracy and literacy skills?do they possess good numeracy and literacy skills?

Personal Statement Basic Personal Statement Basic Structure*Structure*

Paragraph 1: Introductory Paragraph Paragraph 1: Introductory Paragraph – What you would like to – What you would like to study and a little bit about why.study and a little bit about why.

Paragraph 2: Main academic paragraph Paragraph 2: Main academic paragraph – What you are – What you are studying now, demonstrating genuine ability, interest and the studying now, demonstrating genuine ability, interest and the skills and qualities to meet the requirements of the course. skills and qualities to meet the requirements of the course. Self awareness may be relevant as well.Self awareness may be relevant as well.

Paragraph 3: Extra-curricularParagraph 3: Extra-curricular e.g. sports, music part-time e.g. sports, music part-time employment. Try to link it.employment. Try to link it.

Paragraph 4: Short concluding paragraph Paragraph 4: Short concluding paragraph leaving the tutor in leaving the tutor in no doubt about your conviction, commitment and ability to no doubt about your conviction, commitment and ability to enjoy and do well. enjoy and do well.

** This structure is advised, but variation is possible, you just This structure is advised, but variation is possible, you just need to impress. need to impress.

UCAS SYSTEMUCAS SYSTEM

Your son or daughter can make up to five choices Your son or daughter can make up to five choices in one applicationin one application

UCAS pass on the applications to each universityUCAS pass on the applications to each university The 2015 applicant fee is:The 2015 applicant fee is:

– £23 £23

‘‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see where else Invisibility’ – universities cannot see where else students have applied.students have applied.

UCAS ChoicesUCAS Choices

Medicine = 4 + 1 choicesMedicine = 4 + 1 choices Law = 1 choice should not require LNATLaw = 1 choice should not require LNAT All others = 5 choicesAll others = 5 choices

Following OffersFollowing Offers Decision of your two preferred choices*Decision of your two preferred choices* Called “Firm” and “Insurance” offersCalled “Firm” and “Insurance” offers

Find out moreFind out more