1. A few things you may or may not know….

2. This is the next level of education following qualifications like A Levels. A levels and equivalents are called Further Education. FE also includes the Art Diploma which many visual art students do before going on to their degree (the so-called Art Foundation) It covers University Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher Diplomas and so on.

3. You can study Higher Education courses at Universities, Art Colleges, Agricultural Colleges and other institutions. You could also study on an earn and learn basis by starting a degree with the Open University or other distant learning options.

4. The majority of BHASVIC students will enter Higher Education in one form or another. Most will opt to apply for a University Degree but others will apply for Foundation Degrees, including Art Foundation. This year we processed 556 UCAS applications and 52 Art Foundation applications. A number of these were from ex-students.

5. Universities and Colleges Admissions Service http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ Although its dressed up with a lot of information essentially UCAS is a cross between a postal service and a dating agency.

6. Course – Full time – Sandwich/placement – Practical/academic Location – City vs Campus – Distance Ratings – http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.ph p http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.ph p Grades – Grades vs Points – Subjects

7. These can be very useful but make sure not to miss too much College time! Most Unis expect parents to be there and organise separate activities for them Useful questions to ask (that students probably wont!): Provision of welfare services/career advice/medical centres etc Contact time with Lecturers, weekly workload etc

8. AS grades received in August 2012 MUST go on the UCAS form so they will have a big influence on what Universities a student should think about applying to.

9. Deferred Entry Apply to Universities at the same time as everyone else (October 2012) for a course that starts in October 2014 Pros: Benefit of full support of Tutor, staff etc in completing UCAS application, know about Uni place – have a Gap Year in confidence! Wont get sidetracked Cons: Feel current AS grades dont match potential

10. Delayed Entry Apply once you know results (in October 2012) to start in 2013 Pros: accurately judge what Unis to apply for Cons: only limited support from BHASVIC, may drift, hard to go through application process when on a Thai beach

11. Application completed online Student sends form to BHASVIC BHASVIC puts reference/predicted grades on form BHASVIC send completed form to UCAS UCAS sends on form to relevant Universities Universities decide whether to make offers (conditional/unconditional) Student decides which offer to accept and tries to get grades.

12. A1 – A2 Transfer June – Progression Day Intensive help with application/personal statement September/October - encourage applications to be in as soon as possible, advice and help along the way Ex-students applying – limited help where possible