The Sixth Form at Lord Williams’s School An Introduction to Higher Education For Parents

Johnny Hammond Head of Sixth Form Jason Faust Head of Year 12 Welcome Johnny Hammond Head of Sixth Form Jason Faust Head of Year 12

How do we support Year 12? Tutor Time – Learning for Life Higher Education Talks during Assembly Extra support for Oxbridge and Medicine/Vet Sci/Dentistry Individual Tutor Interviews Interviews with Connexions Advisor

Summer 2019 Guidance on research in L4L A critical analysis of prospectuses Advertising of University Open Days Progression Examinations – 24th – 28th June Futures Day – 4th July Visit to Cambridge – 5th July ACE Week - Personal Statement writing – 8th & 9th July Visit to University of Reading – 11th July

Open Days Please try and go with your son/daughter Half term is best Avoid Progression Examination Days Try to avoid consecutive Wednesdays – many now offer weekend Open Days. Look at Universities with a range of offers. Look at Universities in a range of locations.

Autumn 2019 Further guidance from HE Institutions UCAS Apply Interview Techniques

Applying to UCAS Decision making – maximum of 5 institutions Final draft of personal statement agreed Form completed on UCAS website Form checked by tutor and then JFA/JHA Paper copy given to CBa. Please pay using a debit or a credit card. References added & application sent electronically to UCAS. (One choice £13. Two to five choices £24) Student informed very quickly by UCAS of receipt of application.

Types of courses available Single: study one subject. Joint honours degree: divide your time 50:50 between two subjects. Major/minor: study two subjects, normally at a 75:25 ratio. Combined honours programme: study between two to four subjects, specialising in just two subjects in years two and three. Sandwich courses: courses with one year in industry or a year abroad. Foundation year: if you don’t have the right qualifications, some universities and colleges offer this to help students prepare for and enter higher education.

What to consider? a subject your child enjoys – they are investing time, money, and effort whether it’s right for their career path – check with employers location – city or rural, transport links extracurricular activities finances

Experience and Personal Statements Personal Statement Building Project Work Voluntary Work Extra-curricular Activities Work Experience (e.g. Law, Teaching, Medicine) Books, Newspapers, Journals, Blogs TV Programmes and Documentaries

Points to remember Strong opening paragraph. Research into courses applied for will help. 80% academic, 20% extra curricular. Be honest. Draft, redraft, and proof read. There’s no perfect statement.

Predicted Grades These will be based on Progression Exam Results and GCSEs

Important Dates 20th September 2019 – Oxbridge, Medicine & Veterinary Science applications due in at school. 11th October 2019 – advised deadline for all UCAS applications at school 15th October 2019 – Oxbridge, Medicine & Veterinary Science applications to UCAS 15th November 2019 – final school UCAS deadline

UCAS Tariff A* - 56 points A - 48 points B – 40 points C – 32 points D – 24 points E – 16 points

Russell Group Universities University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Cambridge Cardiff University Durham University University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow Imperial College London King’s College London University of Leeds University of Liverpool London School of Economics & Political Science University of Manchester Newcastle University University of Nottingham University of Oxford Queen Mary, University of London Queen’s University, Belfast University of Sheffield University of Southampton University College, London University of Warwick University of York

Student Finance Tuition Fee Loan Full-time student 2018 to 2019 academic year 2019 to 2020 academic year Full-time Up to £9,250

Maintenance Loan for living costs Full-time student 2018 to 2019 academic year 2019 to 2020 academic year Living at home Up to £7,324 Up to £7,529 Living away from home, outside London Up to £8,700 Up to £8,944 Living away from home, in London Up to £11,354 Up to £11,672 You spend a year of a UK course studying abroad Up to £9,963 Up to £10,242

Extra Support Many universities and colleges offer financial support to their students through bursaries and scholarships: Bursaries: linked to personal circumstances and often, household income awards can include discounted tuition fees, accommodation or cash Scholarships: linked to academic results or ability in an area such as sport or music can be subject specific and are usually limited in numbers

Useful websites www.which.co.uk www.ucas.co.uk

Unifrog All year 12 students have a code Mike welcomes everyone

The Sixth Form at Lord Williams’s School An Introduction to Higher Education For Parents Questions