1. Preparing your students for UCAS
Geography Teachers Conference – 2nd July 2014
Title slide of presentation.

2. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS Overview
Context
Facts and figures on applications
Advice for applicants to all subjects
What we are looking for from you
What a Geography Admissions Tutor looks for…
Discussion
Backing slide to be used during registration

3. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS Context
More students than ever applying and being accepted into HE
Removal of student number control – increasingly competitive environment in Higher Education
Changes to A-level and GCSE
Backing slide to be used during registration

4. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS Facts and figures
UCAS report 2013
495,600 placed through UCAS in 2013 – more than ever
More offers than ever (1.7 million)
Over 50% had 4 or more offers
363,300 placed at their firm choice
'Higher tariff' institutions increased acceptances by 10 per cent to highest ever total
Backing slide to be used during registration

5. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS Facts and figures
2013 applications per subject (national)
Subject
Applications
Accepts
Ratio
Medicine
84,395
7,515
11.2
Geography
35,065
6,400
5.5
History
51,425
9,425
Business
60,080
12,375
4.9
Law
103,460
19,150
5.4
Engineering
14,315
3,765
3.8
Agriculture
6,505
1,995
3.3
Backing slide to be used during registration

6. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS The personal statement and reference
Do universities take any notice of references and personal statements…?
Yes! Essential part of UCAS process – they can make a real difference
4,000 characters, 47 lines
Backing slide to be used during registration

7. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS What we want to see
Informed and academic assessment of an applicant’s suitability for further study
The student's academic performance in their post-16 education
Their potential for academic success in higher education – are they ready for university life?
Why the course they have chosen is suited to them, is this the right path?
Any personal qualities which will benefit them at university, such as skills, aptitude, enthusiasm
What they can bring to the university, such as extra-curricular activities and interests.
Career plans
Overall recommendation
Backing slide to be used during registration

8. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS Key issues
Note any factors that have affected the student’s achievement or individual circumstances that might warrant special consideration.
Family Circumstances
Health issues
Make sure the predicted grades refer to the right qualifications
If predicted grades are not consistent with achievement so far, then why?
Remember that the reference is for ALL the student’s choices.
Common qualifications do NOT need explaining
Backing slide to be used during registration
Universities do NOT see what the candidate’s other choices are

9. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS References - Do…
Make it readable
Use a style that you feel comfortable with
Read application – especially the Personal Statement
Check where they have applied to
Check what they have applied for
Expand on their activities
Use Entry Profiles
Be honest
Use concrete examples - this shows you know the applicant
Backing slide to be used during registration

10. PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR UCAS References – Don’t…
Use it to promote school or college
Hide bad predicted grades in the text
Ignore students’ Personal Statements
Need to have references completed by the Head/Principal
Directly mention one institution by name
Paste in information on the wrong student
Repeat information that can be found on the form
Backing slide to be used during registration