An Introduction to Unit 3: Exploring your future

Unit 3 CATs 3a: Complete table 3a in order of your top 5 UCAS choices Write an assignment to justify your top 2 choices (750 words) OR 3b: Complete table 3b listing 2 career choices and 2 HE options Write an assignment to compare and contrast one of your career choices and one HE option.

Purpose of session Enable students to undertake HE research Why? Research is vital to inform YOUR decision making How? Step by step – primary and secondary research using web, print, events

Purpose of Unit 3 Enable you to be realistic and set achievable targets based on entry requirements Develop your research and assignment writing skills Start to put your Career Action Plan into practice Choosing the right path for you HE and career research and decision making

HE stats 37, , ,596 Number of courses Number of HE providers Number of applicants (2014) Number who got places (2014)

A female graduate will earn 52% more (£252,000) over their working lifetime than a female non- graduate A male graduate will earn 28% more (£168,000) over their working lifetime than a male non- graduate Subject interest Transferable skills Career prospects Improve earnings Have the time of your life Why Higher Education?

How to choose a course If you have a career in mind Does it require a vocational or non-vocational qualification? Does it require postgraduate study? Does it require professional accreditation? Does it require additional/work experience? What’s the competition like? If you don’t have a career in mind What subjects do you enjoy? Opt for a generic/traditional subject What are you good at? What are your skills, strengths, interests?

Familiar or new subject? Entry requirements Vocational or academic? Type and level of qualification Career prospects Teaching and assessment methods Choosing the right course

Use UCAS.com to research which courses are available at which universities

Use Unistats.com to compare courses at different universities

UCAS Tariff Understand and use the tariff The UCAS tariff is changing for 2017 entry AS worth 40% Factsheet, video and calculator ExampleCurrent Tariff pointsNew system for 2017 entry A level A*140 pts56 pts

Home or away City centre or out of town Campus or non- campus Accommodation Academic and leisure facilities Social opportunities How to choose a university

Your Choices Use the UCAS Website – Be sure of what you want to study Remember 5 courses, not 5 HEIs Be realistic with entry requirements

Useful research tips Consider a range of factors: graduate employment, student satisfaction, course reputation Primary research – open days, HE and careers fairs Study prospectuses (paper copy and online) Talk to tutors, friends, family and current student Use the Progression Module webpage as a resource

Use the PM web page as a research tool

Points to remember Refer to table 3a/b in your assignment Use relevant primary and secondary sources (web and print) to inform your assignment Include a bibliography (at least 3 web sources – remember to bookmark your sources during research) Don’t copy and paste info from the web – plagiarism Write at least 750 words and add a word count at end Use the writing frame in Unit 3 booklet as a guide

Open Days 2015/16 Saturday 24 October 15 Friday 4 December 15 Thursday 23 June 16 Wednesday 29 June 16 Saturday 17 September am – 3.00pm