1. Researching UK

2. Starting out Course Admissions Personal My parents think… My brother went… I’ve heard of… My friends are… My girlfriend is… My teacher says… The place for you!

3. Look at courses The UK offers thousands of different courses Stay open minded – there are some you have never heard of: BA Special Effects BSC Disaster Management BA Packaging Design BA Eco and Adventure Tourism BA Viking Studies

4. Studying more than one subject Combined courses e.g. Natural Sciences Offered joint honours e.g. Business and Language Created joint honours e.g. Exeter Joint Honours BA Liberal Arts and similar Tripos systems e.g. Edinburgh

5. Consider Course content Teaching style / methodology Facilities Course structure Industry links Academic reputation Admissions requirements

6. Admissions Understand the exact requirements Be realistic Check English Language requirements Check GCSE requirements Look at additional requirements – tests / submissions Go for 1.Reach 2.Achievable 3.Insurance

7. Criteria Grades 3 A level grades E.g. ABB 1 AS grade E.g. BBBc Some may ask for a grade in a specific subject E.g. ABB (with A in Mathematics) Some may exclude some subjects UCAS points E.g. 280 points A* = 140 points A = 120 points (60) B = 100 points (50) C = 80 points (40) D = 60 points (30) E = 40 points (20) 280 = (A + B + D) / (B + B + C) / (B + C + D + d) etc.

8. Resources www.ucas.com Sunday Times League Tables www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/University_G uide/ www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/University_G uide/ The Guardian League Tables http://www.theguardian.com/education/univ ersityguide http://www.theguardian.com/education/univ ersityguide Prospectuses / books

9. Personal Big City Old Traditional International Academic facilities Close to… Expensive Warmer/drier Small Campus New Modern British Extra-curricular facilities Far from… Cheap Cooler / wetter

10. How to find out THES Student Experience Survey www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/times -higher-education-student-experience-survey- 2014/ www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/times -higher-education-student-experience-survey- 2014/ University websites Talk to people…

11. Things to avoid Applying to different courses at different places Applying to different courses at the same place Applying to the wrong course at the right institution (and vice versa) Applying anywhere for any reason other than that it suits you…

13. Start NOW Research It takes time… Things may have changed since your teacher / parent / sibling went to XXXX Come up with a long list over the summer – 10-15 places Finalise these after AS