The UCAS process Giving yourself the best chance David Winstanley

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
FOR SIXTH FORMERS GEOGRAPHY AMBASSADORS RGS IBG How to Choose and Apply for Geography at University.
Advertisements

Higher Education Evening. Choosing a Course Choosing a University How universities choose What happens after the application is sent in How BHASVIC helps.
Personal Statements. Before applying to university... Why do you want to go to university? What do you want to study? Why do you want to study this course?
LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY What Admissions Tutors are Really Looking For … Professor Mike Ewing UCL Dean of Students (Academic)
Higher Education Evening Claire Gray – Head of Careers Claire Marrington – University Campus Suffolk Hannah Archer – Aim Higher Suffolk.
UCAS Open Evening 10 th February Annabel Thompson Head of Careers.
Leeds University Business School Accounting & Finance Accounting & Management Joanna Ye Head of First Year, Accounting & Finance.
1 Herschel Grammar School Academic Success and Personal Responsibility AS YOU ARRIVE … PLEASE COMPLETE THE PSHCE SURVEY Place a tick in one of the BEFORE.
1 Herschel Grammar School Academic Success and Personal Responsibility Is there life after Herschel?
1 Herschel Grammar School Academic Success and Personal Responsibility Is there life after Herschel?
Higher Education Evening Choosing a Course Choosing a University How universities choose What happens after the application is sent in How BHASVIC.
Oxford and Cambridge. Why consider Oxbridge? Study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world? Learn from brilliant minds? Meet like-minded.
Personal Statement References. Aims and Objectives What Are Universities Looking For? What to Include in the Reference School Information Student Information.
Welcome David Seaton BA (Hons), MA, MCIPD, ACIM, DipIE, PhD.
APPLYING TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. WHAT DO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE OFFER? Exceptional teaching and academic support Extensive financial and other support.
Applying to University – 2014/15 David Seaton – Head of Student Engagement BA (Hons), MCIPD, ACIM, DipIE, MA, PhD.
25 th June To give parents/guardians of students in Year 12 an overview of the Higher Education process.
St. Francis' College What is UCAS? UCAS stands for the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service. Manages all applications to UK universities, for home,
Choosing and Applying for Competitive Universities and Courses Liz Simmons Admissions Progression Officer.
An Introduction to Unit 3: Exploring your future.
What do we use references for?  To assist in selection/decision making  To distinguish between candidates with similar academic profiles  Professional.
FOR SIXTH FORMERS AT x SCHOOL KATE AMIS MANAGER, THE GEOGRAPHY AMBASSADOR PROJECT, RGS - IBG Applying to University and the UCAS process.
Applying to Oxford or Cambridge
If you are applying to an oversubscribed university course, e.g. physiotherapy, medicine, etc and everyone applying is likely to have good grades, the.
University Information Evening Why Higher Education?  Increase potential earnings*  Better career prospects  Benefit the wider community  Social.
19/09/20151 An introduction to UCAS and Higher Education choices Mr D Clarke Deputy Head of Sixth Form Netherhall Sixth Form.
Choosing A University UCAS & Personal Statements.
The Admissions Process Made Easy Newent Community School and Sixth Form UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Information for parents
Writing your Personal Statement. Why is it important… 'For highly competitive courses which attract applications from many more candidates than there.
Applying to Competitive Universities Penny Dowell Widening Participation and Undergraduate Recruitment Officer 14 th June 2013.
Helpful Tips when completing your UCAS application Helen Lee Professional Development Officer.
Applying to University. UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Vast majority of Higher Education courses in Great Britain and.
APPLYING TO EXETER University of Exeter Open Day Saturday September 19 th 2009.
Putting an Oxbridge application into context Some early considerations.
The Personal Statement. Objectives By the end of this session you should: be aware of the necessity of ‘selling’ yourself.
Applying for selective courses Sue Garrett, Admissions and Outreach.
Planning for Higher Education Penny Edwards Head of Student Recruitment University of Brighton Rob Evans Head of Admissions University of Sussex.
Applying to Competitive Universities Caitriona Woolhouse, Head of Student Recruitment, University of Oxford.
1 Herschel Grammar School Academic Success and Personal Responsibility Is there life after Herschel?
University… What’s it all about? Barnsley College 17/4/12.
Applying to study in the UK
Making the right choices
Applying through UCAS.
UCAS PARENT’S INFORMATION EVENING.
UCAS Universities and College Admission Services
Personal statement Preparation.
Higher Education: Choosing and Applying
Parents’ evening presentation
Preparing your students for UCAS
PLEASE BEGIN THE PSHCE SURVEY
At The John Fisher School
Applying to Higher Education
and Personal Statements
Gosforth Academy Sixth Form
The UCAS journey at The Regis Sixth Form
A broad overview of the key issues surrounding Higher Education
UCAS & Personal Statement
Making the right choices
Higher Earning Potential Further their education
Post-school destinations
Teacher references.
Being informed about a range of options gives you choices.
Applying to study in the UK
UCAS Research Questions to ask yourself as you think about which universities you should apply for...
Applying to study in the UK
Parents’ evening presentation
Writing your Personal Statement
HIGHER EDUCATION APPLICATION EVENING.
Making the right choices Security marking: PUBLIC
What is HE and Why Go!.
Presentation transcript:

The UCAS process Giving yourself the best chance David Winstanley Associate Director; Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing

Overview Some context What are the options? How to choose? What is UCAS and how does it work? What are Admissions Tutors looking for?

535,175 placed through UCAS in 2016 (0.5% increase) – more than ever 27.2% of 18 year old men enter HE. 36.8% of 18 year old women do. More offers than ever (1.9 million) – 4th consecutive year of significant increase. 94% who make 5 choices receive at least one offer Applicants are 28% more likely to have five offers in 2015 than in 2012, and 52% more likely than in 2011. 386,300 achieved their firm place; 72% of those placed Some statistics

Some statistics Application rates for 2014 entry Subject Applications Accepts Ratio Medicine 84,850 7,680 11.0 History 52,935 9,685 5.5 Business 65,715 13,720 4.8 Law 103,220 19,340 5.3 Mechanical Engineering 49,320 7,885 6.3 Agriculture 7,265 2,175 3.3

Why bother? A personal challenge! Follow a vocation Get ahead in the jobs market Increase earning potential Develop skills and gain confidence Have more money over your lifetime Have fun!

How to choose? Starting Points…. Identify your academic strengths and weaknesses Why do you enjoy particular subjects? Think about your career ambitions

Things to consider… Identify subjects you enjoy and excel at You’re there for 3 years or more! Find out about course structure Lectures, seminars, class sizes, assessment procedures Grade requirements? The UCAS Tariff – entry grades can vary greatly Work placements Is there an option for a placement year in industry / study abroad options Keep an open mind Remember there are 40,000+ courses at over 320 locations that you could choose

What are the options? Location Support and advice Personal tutors, welfare support, peer assisted study groups Facilities and the ‘student life’ Think about libraries, I.T. provision as well as the Students’ Union Cost of Living University Open Days Visit as many as you can, and think about questions to ask in advance

Where to research… UCAS - University and Colleges Admissions Service www.ucas.com – contains details of ALL courses Independent guides – e.g. Heap, Times, Virgin University websites / prospectuses League tables Admissions tutors Endorsements – from friends or teachers

What is UCAS? Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Handles all applications to UK HE institutions (and others…!) Apply, Extra, Clearing

What is UCAS? Five choices, applications ‘blind’ Conditional and unconditional Interviews and portfolios Firm and insurance What is UCAS?

What are we looking for? Admissions Tutors look for: They will use: Intellectual/creative ability Whether you suit the course Evidence of motivation and commitment Well-rounded applicants Extra-curricular activities Passion! They will use: Your academic profile Predicted A Level/BTEC results GCSEs Personal statement Reference

Personal statements The only personal information an Admissions tutor will get from the applicant Most courses do not interview Should there be an interview process, the personal statement may well be the basis for it The applicant’s chance to impress and differentiate themselves

Commitment to, interest in and enthusiasm for the subject approximately 75% dedicated to academic content (dependent on subject/university – higher in some cases) Consider your audience admissions tutors Be analytical and reflective – not merely descriptive Illustrate your relevant skills and abilities Highlight your work experience! Demonstrate that you understand what the course you have applied for entails… What do we want to see?

The reference What’s needed from teachers and tutors? Informed and academic assessment of the applicant’s suitability for further study Predicted and accurate grades for each subject of study Comments on applicant’s maturity, attitude, and readiness

Summary There is no ‘best place’ for anything It is still competitive for popular courses Importance of visiting Strong personal statements and references can make a real difference

Questions?

David Winstanley Associate Director; Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing d.winstanley@gold.ac.uk