Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College Higher Education Information Evening for Parents Thursday 27th April 2017

Destination data 2016 statistics 74 % of Students progressed to Higher Education 8% Employment 6% Gap Year 4% Apprenticeship Intensive support provided by Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Vice Principal and Careers Advisers throughout the UCAS process.

Benefits of higher education Opportunities whilst studying Chance to study a subject they are passionate about. Achieve a qualification that will lead to their chosen career. Gain confidence, independence, and important life skills that will widen their prospects. Make lifelong friends. With a degree The opportunity to follow their career path. Better job prospects. Many employers target graduates. Higher earning potential.

Summary of the UCAS process Researching HE courses & entry requirements Online application UCAS website [opens 23rd May 2017 for Sept 2018 entry] 1 course – 5 universities Personal statement Possible HE interview Student monitors offers on UCAS Track Replying to offers – Firm & Conditional A-level results day - 23rd August 2018 Personal Tutor Support PAM Support Careers Support

ND schedule for UCAS When? What happens? Jan 2017 onwards Students research university courses, visit university open days, and check entry requirements. June 2017 Higher Education Day Thurs 22nd 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 August 2017 Students enhance application with work experience or volunteering. Students attend university open days, taster events and summer schools. Work Experience Week 3-7th July 2017.

The UCAS process When? What happens? From September 2017 Students continue to work on UCAS application in tutorials Applications will be submitted online to UCAS Students may be asked to interview Sept 22nd Early deadline for certain applications: Oxford and Cambridge universities Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science October 6th ND internal deadline for competitive courses requiring A/B grades and subjects such as health related, teaching, social work applications. November 17th Final date for all other UCAS applications to be sent. N.B. Places are offered from October so early application is best, especially for popular courses.

Students need to do their best. Universities base their offers on GCSE performance and A2 estimated grades. MOCK exams must be taken seriously. This helps tutors with estimated grades. College attendance and punctuality is key. Some universities check how many times students have re-taken modules and some consider only the result at first sitting.

Research and realistic aspirations. Mock exam results are good predictors for final A level results, so choose courses accordingly. Students should start researching their course options now. Please encourage students to attend university open days before they apply – local events are listed on Moodle Careers. All students should have a Plan B.

Notre Dame HE Day Thursday 22nd June 2017 Over 50 universities attending offer HE advice. Lectures on Choosing your HE Course, Student Finance and Personal Statement Writing. Students register on UCAS and begin their application in June. Specialist workshops. Students find out about alternatives e.g. school leaver programmes /apprenticeships. Tutor support.

U6 enrolment day 23rd June 2017 One to one consultations for all students with their personal tutors. Information, advice and guidance on most appropriate options, subject choice and progression routes. Careers support available.

Work experience and volunteering ESSENTIAL for: Healthcare subjects e.g. medicine, physiotherapy, dentistry, radiography, nursing, midwifery. Social work degrees. Teaching: must be classroom-related at the right key stage level. [3 weeks required]. Competitive courses Experience should be completed BEFORE applying. The more experience an applicant has, the better. Get it organised now for the summer! Students should consult careers staff. Work Experience Week for L6 3rd – 7th July 2017 Students should have completed ‘Work Experience request form’ and submitted to Careers.

University access schemes Available for students who meet certain criteria Offered by Leeds University, York, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity, Northumbria and Newcastle. May result in special consideration for courses or possibly a reduced offer. Students to contact Careers for details. Please encourage students to speak to their PAM if there are any personal circumstances which may have affected their academic performance and which staff need to be aware of for reference purposes.

Support for students with disabilities. Academic support Special arrangements in examinations University accommodation Disabilities must be declared on UCAS form Apply for Disabled Students Allowance

University offers Once your son or daughter has submitted their UCAS application, they will hopefully receive offers from the universities. Students can monitor their offers online via UCAS TRACK. These may be conditional or unconditional. Your son or daughter will need to choose one firm and one insurance offer and decline the others. Students taking a gap year may wish to DEFER an offer.

Alternatives to university Gap year Foundation degrees Apprenticeships School leaver programmes Information and resources for students are available on Moodle Careers Speak to the Apprenticeship Hub today – new degree level apprenticeships are available. Also find out about the different routes into the legal profession at the law workshop. Students have the opportunity to join an upper sixth employment tutor group.

Useful resources for parents UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/ (parent section/newsletter) 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/ Parent Advisor http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/ College Careers team Anna Dickinson, Liz Crick & Vicky Pointing careers@ndonline.ac.uk 0113 294 6644