Why University?

Brainteaser… A man is trapped in a room. The room has only two possible exits: two doors. Through the first door there is a room constructed from magnifying glass. The blazing hot sun instantly fries anything or anyone that enters. Through the second door there is a fire-breathing dragon. How does the man escape?

Brainteaser… He waits until night time and then goes through the first door!

Higher Education Explained

Higher Education Further Education Vs.

What is Further Education? Sixth Form Sixth Form College FE College Workplace EMA – you may be eligible to get up to £30 a week to study at FE

What is Higher Education? Range of courses available Academic or vocational courses Work-based learning (your employer pays!) Certificates and Diplomas Part-time or Full-time Half of all jobs will need an HE qualification in ten years’ time

Types of Higher Education Degree Higher National Diploma (HND) Higher National Certificate (HNC) Foundation Degree National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Courses Available More than 50,000 Higher Education courses to choose from, at over 500 colleges and universities Including: PuppetryOceanography CriminologyHotel Management Equine StudiesSocial work EnglishLaw

Gaelic Gallery Management Gambling Game Gamekeeping Garden Garment Gastronomy Gemmology Gender General Engineering Genetics Genome Geoarchaeology Geochemistry Geography Geohazard Geology Geomatics Geophysics Georgian Geoscience Geotechnics German Glass Global Global Cinema Goldsmithing Golf Government Graphic Greek Green Greenkeeping Guitar Gujarati Courses Under ‘G’

University of Glamorgan, Cardiff and Pontypridd University of Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian University The Glasgow School of Art Gloucestershire College University of Gloucestershire Goldsmiths, University of London University of Greenwich Greenwich School of Management Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education Guildford College of Further & Higher Education Institutions Under ‘G’

Routes into Higher Education GCSE NVQ1 GNVQ Foundation AS AVCE (vocational AS level) NVQ2 GNVQ Intermediate A2 AVCE (vocational A level) NVQ3 BTEC National Or AVCEs DegreeHNC/HND Foundation Degree DipHE

Getting into HE A levels Vocational A levels (AVCEs) Diplomas BTEC NVQ Open University Foundation International Baccalaureate (IB) Remember to check that your qualifications are suitable for your HE course…

Choose subjects you enjoy and that you think you would be good at Keep your options open if you aren’t sure what you want to do, i.e. Mix of arts and sciences If you do know what you want to do make sure you choose the right A levels to suit the course you want to apply for A-Level Choices

What makes a University? 5,000 – 30,000 students Different locations: City centre Suburbs In the countryside Campus like a student town

Lecture theatres Libraries Laboratories Classrooms Halls of residence Students’ union Shops, sports facilities, restaurants, bars etc. What makes a University?

Places to Study FE colleges Campus Universities e.g. Warwick, Bath

Campus Universities

Places to Study FE colleges Campus Universities e.g. Warwick, Bath City Universities e.g. Manchester, UCL

City Universities

Places to Study FE colleges Campus Universities e.g. Warwick, Bath City Universities e.g. Manchester, UCL Collegiate Universities e.g. Cambridge, Oxford, Durham

Collegiate Universities

University Teaching Lectures Seminars / classes Practicals Field trips / language courses / study visits Exams

Collegiate Universities University based teaching: –Lectures –Seminars / classes –Practicals –Field trips / language courses / study visits –Exams –Supervisions –Director of Studies College-based teaching:

What is a Cambridge College? 29 undergraduate Colleges Differ in: –Size (number of students) –Accommodation –Location –Appearance –Facilities Students live in the Colleges and study in the Departments Each subject has its own Department with special libraries and teaching rooms

Cambridge Colleges

Who goes to Cambridge? ?

You don’t have to be: Rich Posh A genius From a family that’s been to university From a certain type of school

You don’t have to be: Rich Posh A genius From a family that’s been to university From a certain type of school You do have to be: Enthusiastic about your subject Likely to get A*,A,A in your A-levels Willing to work hard The best person for the place, whatever your background Who goes to Cambridge?

Student Life Independence Entertainment Sports at every level College and/or university societies Religious/cultural/support groups Students’ Union

Benefits of Higher Education Job opportunities Earning potential Independence Study a subject you love Lots of great opportunities More time to think about what you want to do It’s fun!

Higher Education Quiz 1)True or false: HE is much harder work than school vs.

Student Learning In reality HE is very different from school… Informal environment Lots of individual study Lots of free time Fewer teaching hours Great opportunities You have chosen to be there!

2) True or false: You have to have A levels to get onto a Higher Education course HE Quiz

Getting into HE A levels Vocational A levels (AVCEs) Diplomas BTEC NVQ Open University Foundation International Baccalaureate (IB) Remember to check that your qualifications are suitable for your HE course…

3)You don’t have school-type lessons in HE but can you name three ways in which you do learn? HE Quiz

HE Learning Lectures Seminars Practicals Individual study Field trips One-to-one sessions (supervisions) Online learning

HE Quiz 4) Give three reasons why HE is a good idea

Benefits of Higher Education Job opportunities Earning potential Independence Study a subject you love Lots of great opportunities More time to think about what you want to do It’s fun!

Student Life Student societies Politics Social life New friends from all over the world

HE Quiz 5) What does UCAS stand for and what is it?

UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Processing centre for applications to higher education courses Students use an online form to apply for up to five different courses

University Pros & Cons Independence Career Progression Jobs Friends Starting Salary Opportunities WorkFees Interest Qualifications Facilities Leaving Home Socialising Achievement Experience Diversity

Financial/Career Benefits Average graduate starting salary is £23,000 Graduates earn on average £500,000 more over their life times than non- graduates Graduates have greater choice of jobs

Why should I think about it now? Allows you to make the best choices for you and keeping your options open for the future Lots of people decide it’s not for them without knowing much about it

A few last things to consider… Online and etiquette Get a suitable address to use for correspondence with institutions Remember not to use text speak or emoticons in formal communications! allows you time to think and plan what you want to say – make sure you practice this in person too