Where Next? Summer / Autumn 2014 Farmor’s School Sixth Form

Post A-Level Options Employment University study Apprentice Voluntary work Gap year

Support for Tough Decisions 19 th March 2013: UWE Careers Convention 27 th June Careers Day: Job applications, interviews, careers guidance OR Birmingham University UCAS day. 10 th May Study Leave Starts 11 th June Last AS exam 13 th June Lessons resume 15 th April: Dare to be a Doctor 13 th June Oxbridge Trip 28 th June UCAS Day

Starting Point: What are you interested in? ‘Nothing works unless you do’

Common Threads to all routes: Finance advice Cooking on a Budget How to sell Yourself: personal statements and letter of introduction References Personal advice and guidance from tutors Personalised pathways

What the UCAS form entails Personal details Education history and results Employment history Choices (up to 5 for all courses except medicine which have 4) Personal statement (4000 characters or 47 lines) Tutors then add predicted grades and a reference.

Introduction – Why apply ? University provides students with or more years to think about what career they want to go into. Students can develop a range of skills that provide a strong foundation for employment A university degree is flexible and provides access to a range of careers; apprenticeships only focus on one particular profession.

Why NOT to apply NOW Really no idea of course / career University is not for you. School leaver programmes offer routes into professions like accountancy, law, retail, IT, banking. You will not have debt to deal with. First hand experience through working with professionals. You can gain professional qualifications and get paid for it.

Overview A massive choice: 50,000+ possible courses at over 325 institutions reduced to a maximum of five Oxbridge Deadline: 11/10/13 Medical deadline: 11/10/13 UCAS deadline: 17/1/14

What if I want a Gap Year ? Generally well received by universities Usually best to apply now and defer – where will you be in October/November next year ? Odd courses do not defer entry – watch out What if I apply for 2014 and then decide I want a gap year?

The UCAS tariff OFFERS a points offer: eg. 280 points and a grades offer eg. BBC Some offers include AS grade, others do not - BEWARE

An offer example: Psychology: This offer is subject to you obtaining grades AAA at A-Level in 3 subjects excluding General Studies. Obtain Grade B or above in GCSE Mathematics. Business Management: This offer is subject to you obtaining A minimum total of 280 points, consisting of at least 220 points at A Level or equivalent; including a grade C or above in A-level Business Studies or Applied Business. COPE can be counted towards the overall score, but not towards the A level requirements.

Choosing courses and institutions A vast amount of information available: Tutors / Sixth Form Management Team Teachers, friends, parents HE/Careers days Websites: Literature from institutions, careers guides. Open Days

Websites

How to Choose a University & make the most of Open Days Student Lifestyle Social Life / Clubs & Societies / Cost / Sporting facilities Distance from home What is the optimum Campus or City University What’s the difference? The University Teaching facilities & Study facilities etc. Accommodation Cost and availability

How to Choose a Course Entry Requirements : Be realistic Course Content / Structure Methods of Teaching and Assessment Career Opportunities / Intentions Tuition Fees, Scholarships, Bursaries & Grants Interest Type of Degree: Foundation / Honours Single / Joint Opportunities to Specialise Duration of Course Sandwich / Industrial Placements Subject Specific Open Days

Choosing Courses and Institutions Books The Times Good University Guide The Guardian University Guide The Heap Guides – Course Offers / Details The Virgin Alternative Guide The UCAS Directories Open Days How many to go to? How to make the best of them?

The Guardian

Money Matters Student Finance 4 prongs Maintenance Grant Student Loans to cover Maintenance / Living Costs Loans to cover Variable Tuition Fees Sponsorships / Bursaries / Discounts / Offers in Kind

Money Matters Maintenance Grant – ‘Free Money’ Maximum grant of £3250 pa Based on Household Income Non-repayable – NOT part of loan system

Money Matters Student loan for Maintenance 65% available to everyone regardless of parental income 35% dependant on parental income Annual Amount but allocated termly Higher figures if attending London universities

Money Matters Variable Tuition Fees Maximum of £9000 per year (England) No-upfront payment – annual loan is added to final debt Payment is paid automatically by ‘Student Finance England’ to the University Sandwich courses: For year away tuition fee often lower UCAS website details

Repayment of Student Loans

Money Matters Discounts / Scholarships / Bursaries You may find some offers: Discounts – likely for shortage subjects (Cash Sum) Scholarships – to encourage able students Bursaries – for low-income / disadvantaged students. Students receiving full maintenance grant and paying full tuition fee will receive a bursary of at least £300 Offers in Kind – free laptops / rent rebates / sports memberships etc Disability Allowance – specific support like a laptop for dyslexic students.

University of Bath…

Scholarship example An applicant applies for a place on a degree scheme at Lancaster and receives a conditional offer (via UCAS) of a place provided that they achieve BBB at A-level. The applicant may be told that if they achieve grades of AAB or higher, and make Lancaster their firm choice, they will receive an Academic Scholarship of £1,000 per year.

Choosing the wrong course / uni … Many people do it Can be a very costly mistake Do everything you can do make sure you choose the right uni / course If you’re not sure: DON’T GO! University will still be there in years to come.

The APPLY system Students will be applying online This enables UCAS applications to be done at home Training to be given in school –They will receive a guidebook and full support –Lunchtime drop-ins available throughout the autumn term

Entry Tests BMAT: for Medicine, Veterinary & Pharmacology at Cambridge, Oxford, Royal Veterinary College, UCL, Imperial - £42.50 (2012) Test on the 6 th November. Apply by the 29 th September. UKCAT: Medicine - £65 Book by 20 th September – taken at a Pearson test centre between 2 nd July and 4 th October. LNAT: for Law at Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow, Kings, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, UCL - £50 Other Entry tests – for example: Cambridge, Oxford, Natural Cambridge

ROLES Role of the Student Carry out research – and get going NOW Work Hard – it’s a competitive world Ask for help Role of the tutor Provide support and guidance with applications Check forms / personal statements Write the reference Monitor offers / rejections Primary source of advice Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form Check all Personal Statements & References Guidance & Support Parents’ Role Open days / applications / career choices ‘Gentle’ encouragement

Who Goes? 96 students have places offered in Y13 (out of 115 students) 45% of students last year went to Russell group Universities. 2 students went to Oxford; 3 took up apprenticeships in business, accountancy and Rolls Royce.

Thank you … any questions?