Applying to University 2019/20

What do you want to do? University Employment Apprenticeship

Process of application to university Research courses Register with UCAS Apply via UCAS

Why go to University?

Traditional Higher qualification and bigger salary Acquire transferable skills Learn critical thinking Build self-confidence, independence and responsibility

Good Reasons Find out what you are really good at Learn for its own sake Find where your limits lie and the cost of success Establish a useful network of professional friends

Things to think about Course content Teaching and assessment Practical considerations - entry requirements/Subjects can be covered by 1 personal statement Overall academic reputation (Russell Group) Graduate employment rates What's the city like? What are the academic facilities? Career opportunities Starting salaries Other “leisure” facilities/activities

Don’t worry – help is at hand!

Which university? Which course? Spartan test – sacu-student.com Which? University Guide - university.which.co.uk Guardian University Guide - www.theguardian.com/education/universityguide UCAS – UCAS.com The Times Good University Guide Complete University Guide - www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk The course website! Prospectuses Open Days

SACU – Spartan Test

SACU - apprenticeships

Which?

The Guardian

UCAS

The Times Good University Guide

Course Website

Complete University Guide

Open Days

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Key Features of UCAS Applicants can only make 1 UCAS application per cycle Maximum of 5 choices Primarily 3 realistic, but also 1 aspirational and a back-up (more later!) £24 fee (£18 for 1 choice of HEP & course) Some choice restrictions: Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4 for any one (+ another) Oxford or Cambridge Simultaneous consideration ‘Invisibility’ But only one personal statement to cover ALL choices Nurses Beware! Further options later if required (and eligible) Extra / Clearing / Adjustment

Completing a UCAS application Every applicant has up to seven sections to complete: Personal details Additional information Student finance Choices Education Employment Personal statement

Grades and predicted grades The important parts Student Grades and predicted grades Tutor Reference Personal Statement

The best preparation you can do now is….

Start thinking super-curricular!