1. Why
Higher
Education?

2. Where do you want to be in a year’s time?
University?
Training?
Employment?
Your life, your choice!
Why Higher Education?
Is university worthwhile?
Is university achievable?
Is university affordable?

3. Odd One Out

4. Odd One Out Better job opportunities Increased earning potential
Experiences
Opportunities

5. Develop employability skills
At the University of South Wales, you will have access to outstanding facilities that will enable you to get the right skills for your career.
Develop employability skills

6. Develop employability skills More than just a degree: Work experience
Simulated learning
Specialist facilities
Links with employers
Over recent years, we have invested over £160 millions in our five campuses to ensure that we provide you with a first class learning environment. This reflects our forward-thinking outlook as a university and demonstrates that we put the quality of your students experience first.
<Outline main course and general facilities on campus>
When you came onto campus this morning, you may have noticed that there are redevelopments taking place ready for our new intake of students in September.
<outline new developments on campus as applicable>

7. Improve your career prospects
You have probably chosen to go to University to gain skills, experience and qualifications for a successful career. At the University of South Wales we have made this a priority - we work hard to ensure that we prepare students for their future careers.
Improve your career prospects

8. Improve your career prospects
For many jobs a degree is essential
Graduates are more likely to be employed and in higher skilled jobs (ONS, 2013)
The graduate premium is £165,000 for men and £250,000 for women (BIS, 2013)
The UK’s leading employers expect to recruit significantly more graduates in 2014 taking graduate recruitment to its highest level since 2007 (High Fliers, 2014)
94.8% of USW graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation
Our focus on employability and careers is demonstrated by the high employment rate of our graduates. 93% of our graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation (*Graduate Destinations Survey, 2011)
Studying at the University of South Wales, you will gain more than just a degree. We maximise our students’ chances of getting a job after they study with us through a range of opportunities:
We actively encourage students to gain the skills they need for employment. Grad Edge is an innovative programme developed by the University in partnership with employers and is embedded in everything we do to provide you with opportunities and experiences which will give you a distinctive edge when competing for employment. Through Grad Edge you will have the opportunity to attend career focused events, develop enterprise skills and enhance your CV through our Grad Edge Award.
Learning isn’t just about books and theories, work experience is a crucial part of your education. From projects based on real life cases to year long ‘sandwich’ placements in industry, there are plenty of ways to gain the experience that you need.
We have many links with employers and industry which help inform our courses to ensure they are prepare students for their careers and ensure that employers value the training and experience of our graduates.

9. Expand your horizons
“Doing this course has opened my eyes to so many possibilities. Three years ago, I never thought there would be so much I wanted to do with my life.”
“University has changed me in so many ways.”
“University is a place where you will have some of the most memorable experiences of your life.”
Quotes from recent graduates
We want you to succeed in your studies and your future career and therefore our teaching is designed to equip you for this success.
On our courses you will be taught by lecturers who are experts in their field. Many of our academics are heavily involved in applied research within their specialist areas and work hard to research solutions for problems that affect society and our economy. For example, within the School of XXXX, our lecturers are at the cutting edge of research in the following areas:
<outline key research areas relevant to school/campus>
This means that on your course you will be taught by staff who are national and international experts in their field and who are at the cutting edge of learning and knowledge.
At the University of South Wales we pride ourselves on having staff who are supportive and approachable and throughout your course your lecturers are committed to supporting you to achieve your potential both professionally and personally.
All of this support is underpinned the excellent learning support and facilities that are available to you throughout your course. As a student here you will use the latest technologies to enhance your learning experience. From virtual learning environments, to fully equipped libraries, accessible IT and specialist equipment - you will have all you need at your fingertips to succeed at your course. Why not explore see for yourself today by exploring our library on a campus tour?
Most importantly, courses at the University of South Wales are more than just a degree. Employability is at the heart of everything that we do and we ensure that our graduates have a good mix of specialist knowledge and practical experience and are fully prepared for their careers.
Throughout your course, you will learn about your subject area or profession in environments that recreate the workplace. This hands on approach ensures that you are ready for the workplace and have the confidence to succeed. Through real life simulations and cases and industry standard equipment, you will gain the skills you need for your career.
<Give examples that are relevant to the school/campus>
Because our courses are designed to equip you for your career, many of our courses have received a seal of approval from professional bodies. Many of our courses have been accredited by professional bodies which means that they are of the highest standard and can earn you exemptions from professional exams. Future employers will look for graduates who have studied accredited courses, so you can rest assured that you are gaining the right skills and knowledge to impress future employers.

10. University enhances your future prospects
£26,000 - average graduate starting salary (AGR, 2012)
On average graduates earn £12,000 a year more than non-graduates (ONS, 2012), or on average £15 per hour compared to £9 per hour for non-graduates (ONS, 2012).
By 2017, 56% more jobs in the UK will require degree-level skills (Confederation of British Industry).
86% of graduates were employed in 2011, compared with 72% of non-graduates (ONS, 2012).

11. University broadens horizons:
Explore the world by studying or working abroad. Gain experience on work placements and develop valuable skills.
New Experiences:
Meet new people, learn new things and encounter new experiences

12. Is University achievable?
You are here, you are clever enough
…you just need to want it
Is University achievable?

13. Is University Affordable?
University does cost money….
However, you are entitled to lots of support
Plus…
Scholarships
Part-time work
Loans
Grants

14. An investment for the future

15. The UCAS Personal Statement

16. What do UCAS want to know?
Personal information e.g. name, address
Universities you want to apply to
Schools / Employment history
Completed and ongoing qualifications
Reference
Personal statement

17. “The Personal Statement is your chance to sell and differentiate yourself…to influence the Admission Tutors and explain your motivations”

18. There is no ‘Perfect Statement’
Stunning, smart, red head female, seeks overweight, elderly male, who must be loaded.
Reply to Box 0561

19. Entry Profiles
Provide clear, up to date information about undergraduate courses
Facilitate fully informed choices
Same course title – different experience

23. Relevant Related Content & 1. Why are you choosing this course?
2. Why should we choose you?
Motivation
Background to your interest
Experience/Key skills
Other Evidence of Achievement
Current Studies
Understanding of course
Career Aspirations
Relevant
Related
&

24. Structuring your personal statement…
Why do you want to do this course?
Show that you are motivated, interested in the course and have an understanding about the course.
Are your current studies related? Did they influence your choice (enjoy/interested in a certain aspect?)
What made you choose the course? Do your research to show knowledge of the course e.g. modules, topics
Does the course help fulfil your career aspiration? Where would you like to be in 5-10 years time (be realistic)?

25. 3. School achievements/responsibilities
2. Work experience
Show what you learnt from the experience/skills you’ve gained.
If related to your chosen course, show how it supports your course choice.
3. School achievements/responsibilities
School awards/certificates, prefect responsibilities etc - what have you gained from these?
What skills have you developed? What do they demonstrate about you?

26. 4. Extra- curricular activities/responsibilities
All sorts – sports, voluntary work, special projects etc.
Skills you have gained from these? Relate to skills needed for University course.
5. Hobbies/ best experiences
Use these to show that you are a well rounded individual and demonstrate how you are unique.

27. Useful phrases / words…
In addition
Furthermore
Strengthen
More recently
Enabled me
Provided me
Opportunity to
Reinforce
Teamwork
Communication skills
Commitment
Organisation
Empathetic
Initiative
Interpersonal skills
Enthusiastic

28. Use a thesaurus Not… ‘do’ but…
undertake, accomplish, achieve, complete, realise, produce, prepare, arrange, organise, be responsible for, take on, be in charge of, originate, design, perform, resolve, decipher, progress, etc.

29. Not “I” Not… ‘I have gained X skills’ but…
‘the X skills I have gained from Y have strengthened …’
‘I enjoy playing sport’
‘the skills developed whilst captaining a local community football club provide me with…’
Not...
‘I enjoy socialising’
‘socialising is important to me because I am able to create opportunities to…’

30. Not “I” Not… ‘I have always wanted to…’ but…
‘practical experience in X has reinforced my long-term interest in achieving…’
‘I have always been interested in…’
‘my developing interest in X has raised questions about Y that I’d like the opportunity to investigate…’
‘I am studying A-levels in’
‘my A-level subjects have enabled me to…’

31. What are admissions tutors looking for?
Evidence of:
Independent study skills
Self-awareness
Motivation and commitment
An understanding of the course
Good numeracy and literacy
Essay writing
Research skills
Time management skills
Enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

32. Reasons given to unsuccessful applicants“
Your personal statement does not strongly support your desire to study your chosen degree.
You failed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and interest in the subject in your personal statement. ”
These four examples are taken from data given in 2010 to applicants as reasons for being made unsuccessful

33. 5 Experiences and 5 Skills
Content
5 Experiences and 5 Skills
For example:
Planning an overseas holiday
Going on a first date

34. The Personal Statement ABC
What you’ve done
What skills it has given you
How these relate to your course
Activity
Benefit
Course
Good
Better
Best

35. Not just a diary of events…
Elaborate & Analyse
Not just a diary of events…
“I have…and I have…”
but go that one step beyond…
What does this prove?
What does this show evidence of?
Always ask…
So what?
What more can I say?

36. Your personal statement should…
Discuss your choice of course
Show that you have skills suited to University life
Show that you are somebody who will benefit from life at University
Show that you are going to benefit from the course
Show that you are an interesting person

38. Personal Statements – Avoid being bland
Not…
Not “From an early age I have been interested in civil engineering…”
but…
“The Millennium bridge was only open for two days before sideways oscillation of approximately 70mm forced its closure…”

39. Personal Statements – Avoid being bland Not…
“I have always been interested in motor sport…”
but…
“July 5th 2011 was a key date. On that day I experienced Formula One at 200mph, and wondered how the engineering evolved to cope with such stresses…”

40. Don’t be afraid to be different!
1. From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]... (1779 times) 2. For as long as I can remember I have... (1451 times) 3. I am applying for this course because... (1370 times) 4. I have always been interested in ... (927 times) 5. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed... (310 times) 6. Reflecting on my educational experiences... (257 times) 7. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]... (211 times) 8. Academically, I have always been… (168 times) 9. I have always wanted to pursue a career in… (160 times) 10. I have always been passionate about… (160 times)

42. Do not go over the top…
… and when I’m not working towards World Peace, I enjoy learning languages from scratch, writing symphonies and playing a standard of golf that Tiger Woods can only dream about.

44. Punctuation
Dear John, I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we are apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours? Gloria
Dear John, I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we are apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be. Yours, Gloria
The words stay exactly the same – spellchecker could not help you here – yet the meaning is entirely different!

45. Inappropriate career references.

46. Applications for more than one subject
Joint Honours course:
Focus on one subject – e.g. Politics and History, Politics and English: focus on Politics.
Talk about both equally – refer to any link between the two subjects.
Applying for two completely different courses:
Difficult to give enough information about both subjects.
Look at all course choices and find a balance

47. Accepted

48. Do Paint a picture of who you are Show enthusiasm & motivation
Stand out from the crowd
Meet the criteria
Elaborate – What? Why? How?
Structure – beginning, middle and end
Use good spelling and grammar
Check, check and re-check

49. Don’t leave it til the last minute!
Begin all sentences with ‘I’
Waffle….
Write more than 47 lines
Sound like you have swallowed a dictionary
Lie
Don’t leave it til the last minute!

50. 146million results in 0.26 seconds(!)
UCAS has ‘Copycatch’ software which detects statements which are similar to each other or similar to those found online. The applicant’s university choices are informed and appropriate action is taken.

51. PLAGIARISM Make sure that all work submitted is your own!!
When you take the ideas, thoughts, words or inventions of someone else and present them as your own.
UCAS will not tolerate plagiarism e.g. copying from other student’s statements, books, the internet.
All statements put through a scanning system (Copy Catch) which detects plagiarism.
If detected the University is notified and this will have a detrimental effect on your application.
Make sure that all work submitted is your own!!

52. Don’t forget… Honesty! The Reference (written by your tutor) will:
Confirm the accuracy of your statement
Check & approve your stated qualifications

53. Personal Statement activity

54. There is no maximum length to a personal statement
Answer 1
A personal statement is a maximum of 47 lines or 4000 characters whichever comes first
TRUE
FALSE
Question 1
There is no maximum length to a personal statement
You can enter up to 4,000 characters (this includes spaces) or 47 lines of text (this includes blank lines), whichever comes first. You do not have to use all the space provided. When you save text, the system will tell you how many characters are still available or if you have used too many characters. You can preview your statement after you have saved it.

55. A personal statement can be written in paragraphs
TRUE
FALSE
Answer 2
You can use paragraphs in a personal statement – remember that blank lines count towards the maximum
Question 2
A personal statement can be written in paragraphs

56. The UCAS Apply software has spelling and grammar checks
Answer 3
Apply will not spell check your work – we recommend you prepare your personal statement offline using a word-processing package and copy and paste it into apply
Question 3
The UCAS Apply software has spelling and grammar checks
TRUE
FALSE
We recommend that you prepare your personal statement offline using a word-processing package and copy and paste it into the Apply system. Whether you are typing your statement directly into the box, or amending a statement that you pasted in, you should click 'save' regularly because Apply will time-out after 35 minutes of inactivity. The countdown on the screen displays how much time you have left before it times out.
The character and line count in Apply may be different to a word-processing package, such as Microsoft Word - this is because formatting characters, such as paragraphs and tabs, are counted in Apply but may be ignored in Word. Please use the size as specified in Apply as the guide.

57. You can write a different PS for each of your choices
Answer 4
You only write one personal statement and it will be used for all your choices
Question 4
You can write a different PS for each of your choices
TRUE
FALSE
Remember that you only write one personal statement so it will be used for all your choices. Try not to mention a university or college by name, even if you're applying to only one university - your personal statement cannot be changed if you apply to a different place later.
If you're applying for a joint degree you will need to explain why you are interested in both aspects of this joint programme.
If you're applying for different subjects or courses, you need to identify the common themes and skills that are relevant to your choices. For example, both mathematics and law are subjects where you have to think logically and apply rules. You may like both subjects because you enjoy solving problems, using theory and natural or man-made laws to come to a correct conclusion.
If your chosen courses can't be linked by a common theme, think about your reasons for applying to such varied courses - it might be useful to speak to a careers adviser to get some guidance.
If you mention a subject in your personal statement and are applying to other courses, you may be asked by the university or college for additional information about why you have chosen alternative courses.

58. You can use bold, italics & underlined characters
Question 5
You can use bold, italics & underlined characters
Answer 5
You cannot use italics, bold, or underlining in your personal statement - the system will automatically remove this formatting
TRUE
FALSE

59. You should keep a copy of your personal statement
Question 6
You should keep a copy of your personal statement
Answer 6
The personal statement could be used as the basis for an interview. Keep a copy so you are prepared to answer questions on it
TRUE
FALSE

60. There’s no problem in using material I’ve found on the web
TRUE
FALSE
Answer 7
All personal statements are checked by our system for similarities – see for more details
Question 7
There’s no problem in using material I’ve found on the web
All personal statements sent to UCAS are tested for similarity.
There are some example personal statements on the internet that have been used by applicants, in some cases word for word. The service we use, called Copycatch, finds statements that show similarity, works out how much of the statement may have been copied, and reports the findings. It helps admissions staff at universities and colleges judge applications, and it is the institutions who decide what action, if any, to take regarding notified cases.
Each personal statement is checked against:
a library of personal statements previously submitted to UCAS
sample statements collected from a variety of websites
other sources including paper publications.
Each personal statement received at UCAS is added to the library of statements after it has been processed.

61. There is a link to a ‘Personal statement guide’ on Apply
Question 8
There is a link to a ‘Personal statement guide’ on Apply
TRUE
FALSE
Answer 8
The link on Apply will take you to a section on where you can find help and advice on writing an effective personal statement .
Take time to read it