Choosing and Applying Pat Reid – Colleges and Wider Access Officer

What to study? Where to study? What do universities look for?

Why? What? Where? Why choose Higher Education? Improve Job prospects and expand career opportunities Gain valuable transferable skills Make new friends Experience a new city? What and Where will I study? Over 55,000 courses Over 300 HE Institutions in the UK Including 15 Universities in Scotland

Fact or Fiction…? Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion Studies Equestrian Psychology David Beckham Studies Astrology Brewing and Distilling Surf Science and Technology Education Studies at University of Durham Nottingham Trent University BA Sports at Staffordshire University FICTION Heriot-Watt University University of Plymouth

What to study? Is it … a subject you have already studied? e.g. History or Music Is it … a subject that relates to a career idea? e.g. Accountancy or Physiotherapy Is it … a brand new subject? e.g. Engineering or Japanese

Finding the course that’s right for YOU Course content – applied vs theoretical? Dig beneath the title! Type of assessment Minimum Grade/Subject Requirements (*Contextual exceptions) Study abroad / Placement opportunities Professional Accreditation Graduate employability

Finding the University that’s right for YOU Geographical location HE Institution size and population Accommodation Facilities Reputation (?) Does it feel right? Articulation/ Associate students

College to University

Examples of routes at HW HNC/D Business MA (Hons) Business Management HNC/D Applied Sciences BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences HNC/HND Architectural Technology MEng (Hons) Architectural Engineering HNC/HND Computing BSc (Hons) Information Systems HNC/HND Fashion Design and Production BSc (Hons) Fashion Technology

Sources of information… Visit the UCAS website Request university / college prospectuses Visit university / college websites and check their social media Attend Open Days & Applicant Visits Arrange an informal visit

What do universities look for?

Academic Qualifications Teacher/Tutor Reference The Personal Statement Interview/ Portfolio / Audition / Extra Tests (e.g. Law or Medicine)?

Academic Qualifications Minimum requirements; – National 5 – Highers Subject choices; – Required – Desired/Preferred – Useful Other considerations; – Advanced Highers and ‘double counting’ – Resits

Personal statement - include 1.Explain your reasons for wanting to study the course (ENTHUSIASM AND UNDERSTANDING OF COURSE) 2.Explain how you’re right for the course / any future career plans? (EVIDENCE / any relevant EXPERIENCE) 3.Reflect on what you’ve done outside the classroom ( e.g. sport, music, p/t work etc ) (TRANSFERABLE SKILLS) Ensure it is POSITIVE & RELEVANT to the course(s) you are applying for

Personal statement - avoid Stilted vocabulary Overuse of !!!, poor grammar, incorrect spelling Quotes from other people Over-use of CLICHÉS and the word ‘passionate’ Negative comments or excuses Trying to be funny - can be a huge risk and may just seem weird IRRELEVANT personal facts – apply the ‘so what?’ rule Plagiarism, lies or exaggeration

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Thank you for listening… any questions?

Important UCAS dates timeline… Mid September 2015 Applications can be sent to UCAS from mid Sept 15 October 2015 Application deadline for all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses (max 4 choices in any one area) and for the universities of either Oxford or Cambridge 15 January 2016 Application deadline for all courses (except art & design courses with a 24 March deadline) 31 March 2016 Universities should aim to have made their decisions for applications received by 15 January (but they can take longer) 6 May 2016 You need to reply to any offers by this date (otherwise they will be declined for you!) Replies = Firm, Insurance or Decline. 5 August 2016 SQA results released and Scottish Clearing starts Up to 5 choices

Tuition Fees Scottish students resident in Scotland and studying full-time at Universities and Colleges in Scotland DO NOT pay tuition fees. NOTE - Students MUST apply online to SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) each year to have their tuition fees paid for them, even if they are not applying for any other means of support for living costs. Scottish students studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland in 2015 will pay up to £9,000 annually towards the cost of tuition. NOTE - Students can apply to SAAS for a non income-assessed student loan to pay for their fees if they wish to study outside of Scotland. Tuition fees are paid direct to the institution.