Preparing for the Higher Education Exhibition Aim: To help students have the knowledge and skills to make the most of their visit to the HE Convention

3 Minutes Start Timer Why go to University and other options write down 1) Reasons to go to university 2) Your other options at 18

Reasons to go to university 1.Love of subject / enquiring mind 2.Requirements of certain careers- but not as many as you might think 3.Employability - employers like graduates 4.Earning potential- Graduates earn on average 35% above average wages

Alternatives to Higher Education Employment Higher Apprenticeships Gap Year Foundation Course- especially for Art courses- also for engineers with low maths/science grade

SWOT Analysis What does SWOT stand for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Extensively used in Business Strengths- What strengths might students have that universities will like Weaknesses- areas that students could improve Opportunities- What university could offer you Threats – Barriers to success

Minutes Start Timer Group SWOT analysis try to fill in the SWOT sheet Try to give as many reasons as possible One example of each in your booklet We’ll get suggestions from the class at the end

Here are some suggestions Strengths- Predicted grades, Focussed career idea, relevant work experience, confident interpersonal skills, strong personal profile Weaknesses- predicted grades, no career ideas, areas of development in personal profile, indecision in Uni choices

Opportunities- career progression, Gap year Sandwich Year placements, Gaining additional skills, Combining study interests Threats Finances Family/ Personal circumstances Unrealistic aspirations Undecided as to the benefits of University.

Minutes Start Timer What do you want from a University? And in what order? Course/ Subject Facilities Accommodation costs Location- City or Campus Family/Personal considerations Graduate destinations

So what is important? There is NO right answer – it depends on the individual That said course is more important than university.

Research UCAS Website- Course searches League Tables Quality of Course Use your booklet tend/reg/tOtherPage.csp?pageID= &eventID=1417&eventID= tend/reg/tOtherPage.csp?pageID= &eventID=1417&eventID=1417

On the Day By good preparation- I will 1) Have a list of universities I should visit 2) Have a list of questions I want to ask ( use the booklet 3) Attend a workshop if there is one on an area I need to know more about- e.g. Gap Year- Finance 4) Be open minded! Nothing needs to be decided yet

And afterwards…… Go to Open Days Revise to get the grades you need.