1. Applying to university

2. Deciding to go to university
Direct Link to Career
Activity – Split the class into groups and give each group some flip chart paper and marker pens. Ask them to draw up a list of advantages and disadvantages for going to University. Present and discuss as a class group.
Learn more about a subject
Improve Life Long Employability

4. What factors do I need to consider when?
Choosing a course
Choosing a University
Specific grades needed – will you meet them?
What does it involve/modules
Does it relate to my chosen career
What are the assessment methods?
Does it include work placements?
How successful have graduates been in finding employment?
Do you want to study locally or move away?
Do you want to study in a big city or smaller location?
Where is it located?
Is accommodation provided?
What are the facilities like?
Are they offering any bursaries?
How big is the institution?

5. Use HE guides/websites
Making choices
Use HE guides/websites
Do careful Research
Open Days/Visits
Speak to people
Consider differences in course content, type of university eg. Size, facilities, extra-curricular activity, entry requirements, links with industry, sandwich year
Resources online and in the hub library
Click on the shape to go to the open days section of the UCAS website
Ask friends and family for their opinions and experiences. Speak to a Careers Adviser in The Hub. If you are interested in a particular career see if you can arrange to work shadow someone already doing the job or if you can gain some experience.

7. The UCAS process and navigating the UCAS site
UCAS Choices
UCAS Tariff
UCAS Deadlines
UCAS Apply &
UCAS Track
Click on the boxes to be taken to that section of the UCAS website. The UCAS logo takes you to the homepage.
Proceed to demonstrate to students important features of that area of the site.
Choices – Advise students that they get to apply for upto 5 different places at University. Stress that they should only be applying for one subject area if their personal statement is to be relevant and give them the best chance of acceptance. Remind students that they will have to pay an application fee, which is reduced if they only make 1 choice. Fees for 2017 are £13 for a single choice and £24 for multiple choices and applications made after 30th June. The hyperlink will take you to the course search section of the UCAS website. We recommend using this as a starting point. It will help students discover which universities offer particular subjects. We would then advise students to look up course leaflets directly on the university website as they will often contain further details, such as module content, which is important for students to consider when making their decisions. Once Universities start to reply and make their offers, students will need to make a Firm Choice (which is usually the University they most want to go to) and an Insurance Choice (usually has slightly lower entry requirements or may be a Frim Offer, rather than a Conditional Offer) and will need to reject all other offers. Their place at University will then be confirmed at results.
UCAS Tariff – Universities set a UCAS Tariff which is the number of points a students must achieve from certain qualification in order to meet entry requirements for the course. This varies from course to course and from University to University. It is important that students check the required tariff carefully and assess if their predicted grades are likely to meet the tariff requirement. The link will direct you to the section of the website with the Tariff tables for students to convert qualifications and grades.
UCAS Deadlines – There are a number of important deadlines students must meet. The universities also have deadlines by which they must respond to the students application. The link takes you to the key dates section of the UCAS site.
UCAS Apply – This is the section of the site students will access to register and complete their application.
UCAS Track – Students access this section of the site after they have sent their application. It will notify them of any decisions about their choices and students will be able to respond to offers. Students should speak to their tutor before responding to any offers so that we can ensure students are making realistic choices and stand the best chance of securing a University place. Students can also make amendments to their application on Track for the first time this year.

8. Open Days On a University Open Day, you'll get the chance to…….
look at the relevant academic Department
look at other facilities like the library, sports facilities, students' union
usually see some University housing
generally gain a deeper insight into 'the flavour' of that University.

9. Resources Connect with Social Media– Facebook, Twitter
Student Room – A really useful site which enables students to post messages and chat with other students, admissions officers etc.. Amongst other things students can start to research accommodation and share university interview experiences
Push – An independent University Guide
Unistats – A useful website for comparing Universities and courses
The Guardian – Lots of useful information including the University Guide and Career Insight webchats
Studential – Lots of useful information on going to uni including example personal statements. Inform student about Plagiarism and the UCAS software that all applications are automatically put through

10. Moodle

11. Contacting us 1:1 Appointments available each day
Book via Main Reception –
Drop-in Advice without an appointment available:
Monday – Friday 11-1pm (Careers & Student Finance)
Mondays – 4-6pm (Careers)
Thursday – 4-6pm (Student Finance)
For e-advice contact us on
Chat live via

13. The Personal statement

14. Your UCAS personal statement
Preparation
Check uni and college websites and course search for course requirements
Write list of skills and experiences to include
Presentation and Style
Show enthusiasm and commitment
Make it interesting
Check spelling and grammar
Organise it into a logical structure
Introduction: write an opening sentence that will encourage the reader to read on
Conclusion: reinforce your commitment, enthusiasm and skills suited to university life and study
Your UCAS personal statement
Technicalities
Length: up to 4000 characters or 47 lines of text (including spaces or blank lines) (approximately 600 word)
Remember, there is only one personal statement, regardless of whether you apply for 1 or 5 courses
UCAS check for plagiarism
Mature Students
Talk about experiences since leaving school
Demonstrate ability to cope with academic work
Critically evaluate your experiences, matching them to your chosen course requirement

15. UCAS personal statements
About The Subject
Reasons for choosing the course
Why the subject is of interest
Suitability for the course
Correlation of current studies
Experience and understanding of the subject
Special Attributes
Attributes that make the student interesting, special and unique
Positions of responsibility held both in and out of college
Anything which demonstrates student would be an asset to the university
Work
Details of jobs, placement, work experience, voluntary work,
It’s important the information is reflective to show learning
UCAS personal statements
Evidence
Evidence skills required to study the subject or to enter chosen occupational area
Evidence of academic insight and enthusiasm
Evidence showing understanding of what is required to study the course
What You Want From The Future
Future career plans relating to skills and experience chosen course will give
Achievements Your Proud Of
Hobbies or interests that demonstrate skills and abilities

16. Personal Statement Suggested Format
Paragraph 1
Needs to be a strong opening statement to demonstrate your commitment to study and capture admissions tutors interest
Why you’ve chosen that subject
Career Aspirations
What experiences do you want to gain?
Paragraph 2
Is all about the finer details
What relevant study have you already done?
What skills can you bring to the course?
What work experience do you have and how will this aid your studies?
Paragraph 3
All about you
What other interests do you have?
How else will you contribute to university life?
What wider experiences would you like to gain?
Paragraph 4
Concluding statement outlining why you deserve a place on the course
Summarise main points
Sound passionate about your future

17. Do’s & Don’ts DO Don’t Be tempted to plagiarise Lie
Demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest in chosen course
Present yourself as a rounded individual – not just academic
Show your statement to others before sending it off
Give positive examples from college or work
Don’t
Be tempted to plagiarise
Lie
Start each sentence the same way
Refer to anything from too long ago
Feel you need to use elaborate language
Be general

18. Any questions ?

19. The Hub – The Beacon Centre UCBC – UC007
Careers Team
The Hub – The Beacon Centre
UCBC – UC007
Main Reception –
Courses CV
Mock Interviews
Job Applications
Make students aware that they can get 1:1 support from the Careers Team in College
We offer impartial information, advice & guidance on the topics in the blue ovals. Students may have no idea what they want to do in the future, or they may have specific questions about particular careers or courses, whatever their situation, we can help them with their decision making and making suitable career plans
Students can access our support at any point. They can even come and see us once they have finished their studies.
We offer appointments Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm. These are booked in advance by the reception team and are approx. 1 hour long.
We also offer drop-in sessions, for quick queries. Students have between 5-10 mins to speak with us and if needed we can arrange a further appointment. Please see the following for times and locations for drop-in sessions:
Mondays 1-4pm – Beacon Centre
Tuesdays 9-12 – UCBC
Wednesdays 9-12 – Beacon Centre
Thursdays Beacon Centre
Fridays 1-3 – Beacon Centre
If students can’t attend in person we are happy to offer advice by . They can also us copies of their CVs or Personal Statements to be checked.
Students can also get support on the Careers page on Moodle. Take students to this page to show them the information available. We are in the process of building these pages and more information will be added over the coming months. Students can access the page from the Quick Links menu at the top of the Moodle Home Screen
Career Pathways