Access to Higher Education Introduction to UCAS Shengchi Eddie Hsu Bury College September 2017

UCAS APPLICATION Detailed standard College UCAS handbook as part of the Access to Higher Education Student Handbook College Procedure: Student  Group Tutor  Student Quality Manager  UCAS Your UCAS Application will not be sent until payment is made (Please refer to Access to HE Student handbook for price). Check your university course Entry Requirements carefully Shengchi Eddie Hsu

AN EXAMPLE OF ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS STUDENTS Clear Grade, Level and Number of Credits stated Check Additional requirements Shengchi Eddie Hsu

New UCAS Tariffs for Sept. 2016 For the first time, Access to Higher Education Diploma is included in the UCAS Tariff. You will find the complete tariff table in your Access to HE Student Handbook. Combinations – See tariff. Please make sure you consult the university directly about whether they prefer to use the points or grade combinations as their entry requirement. Shengchi Eddie Hsu

How do you choose a university and a degree programme? Source: Which? Magazine Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover… Source: Cartoonstock.com Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Some Points to Consider… Location and accommodation University, Department or Faculty reputation / Ranking Course content Career Choice Vocational or Academic? Teaching or Research? Finance (Bursary, Scholarships, etc) and Social/ Night life? Anything else? Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Bury College Degrees Bury College also offers a range of degree programmes suitable for your progression from the Access to HE Diplomas. The relevant programmes are as follows: Education Studies Social Policy / Sociology Health and Social Care Psychology Child Care and Early Years Criminology Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Personal Statement – To Get You Started The reason it is called a Personal Statement is because… it is PERSONAL and belongs to YOU So theoretically and logically speaking NO personal statements should be the same or similar Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Remember… You should have quite a lot to write about… so… Think and Plan Carefully Before you Write… Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Tell Your Story… It is YOUR story that you are writing. And… it is VERY difficult to write about oneself. Select carefully the anecdotes you wish to include… Consider their significance and impact on your life… But can you write just about ANYTHING? Not really… Because a limited word count is stipulated… Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Clichés or Statement of Significance? Example Statement Good? Why or why not? I am a mother of 4 and I have single-handedly brought up these children. Circumstances have helped me perfect my organisation and time-management skills. As my children are now older, I can start to pursue my dream to become a teacher, nurse or a midwife. From a young age, I have always been passionate about and fascinated by A, B, C. That is why I want to apply to study to study English at your institution. I am a charitable person and have organised/ engaged in many charity fundraising events, such as A, B, C. My involvement in these has helped me become more determined to pursue a career in Health and Social Care. Shengchi Eddie Hsu

So What Can You Consider? Personal Life (including hobbies and interests) Work Experience Education and Qualifications Future Aspirations This is a UCAS application, not a job application. Shengchi Eddie Hsu

Write Carefully The register and tone of your personal statement Try to keep your sentences/ statements concise Proof read (punctuation and spelling) Use paragraphs effectively and clearly Drafting can be very longwinded and laborious. Be patient. Be persistent. Be the best! Know about the course(s) and future career(s) Shengchi Eddie Hsu

UCAS APPLY Please read through the UCAS APPLY guide in the Appendix 1 of the Access to Higher Education handbook. Follow instructions to register and activate your account You will be guided through the process in your Core sessions where your group tutor and computer facilities are available. Shengchi Eddie Hsu