1. Higher Education Evening Claire Gray – Head of Careers Katie Proctor – University Campus Suffolk Adam Knights - Student Ambassador University Campus Suffolk

2. Why go to Higher Education ? 44% of under 21s go to university 44% of under 21s go to university 80% of Northgate students go on to higher education 80% of Northgate students go on to higher education 80% of graduates are employed in graduate-entry jobs 80% of graduates are employed in graduate-entry jobs 70% of gradates are not using their subjects directly in their work 70% of gradates are not using their subjects directly in their work Graduates earn on average 20%-25% more than non- graduates during their working life Graduates earn on average 20%-25% more than non- graduates during their working life Average graduate salary aged 21 – £24,000 Average graduate salary aged 21 – £24,000 Average non-graduate salary aged 21 - £18,000 Average non-graduate salary aged 21 - £18,000 Increase in life time earnings - Degree £1,819,792 verses A Levels £1,223,024 Increase in life time earnings - Degree £1,819,792 verses A Levels £1,223,024

3. Why read for a degree? Transferable skills – knowledge, communication, team work, analysis, problem solving, numeracy, IT Transferable skills – knowledge, communication, team work, analysis, problem solving, numeracy, IT Greatly improved career prospects Greatly improved career prospects Essential for some careers Essential for some careers Graduates are highly valued by employers Graduates are highly valued by employers Academic and social experience of university life Academic and social experience of university life Three million few lower skilled jobs in the UK by 2020 Three million few lower skilled jobs in the UK by 2020 40% of available jobs by 2020 will require a degree 40% of available jobs by 2020 will require a degree

4. UCAS The University and College Admissions System The University and College Admissions System An independent charity An independent charity One of most popular websites in the UK One of most popular websites in the UK The most popular educational website in the UK The most popular educational website in the UK UCAS website is updated hourly UCAS website is updated hourly UCAS card offered to all students – offers advice and discounts UCAS card offered to all students – offers advice and discounts Process is totally electronic and on-line at www.ucas.com Process is totally electronic and on-line at www.ucas.com

5. Applications 2009-2010 570,557 had applied by the January deadline, 23% up on last year 570,557 had applied by the January deadline, 23% up on last year Medicine up 13.7%, Dentistry up 12.5%, Veterinary up14%, Teaching up 40%, Oxbridge up 12% Medicine up 13.7%, Dentistry up 12.5%, Veterinary up14%, Teaching up 40%, Oxbridge up 12% 6,000 fewer places for 2010 entry due to government cuts, up to 200,000 students may miss out on places 6,000 fewer places for 2010 entry due to government cuts, up to 200,000 students may miss out on places

7. Researching Options In the UK - 50,000 courses are available at more than 300 universities and colleges In the UK - 50,000 courses are available at more than 300 universities and colleges Stamford Test on UCAS website Stamford Test on UCAS website Open days start in March and continue in April, June and July Open days start in March and continue in April, June and July Best to visit two institutions if possible Best to visit two institutions if possible Taster courses available Taster courses available www.opendays.com www.opendays.com www.opendays.com www.suttontrust.com www.suttontrust.com

8. Finding the Right Course Research thoroughly Research thoroughly Course search via UCAS – grades and points Course search via UCAS – grades and points Entry profiles Entry profiles Entry requirements Entry requirements Relevant work experience for vocational courses Relevant work experience for vocational courses Location Location Type of institution Type of institution

9. The Application Process 5 choices of course 5 choices of course 4 choices for medicine, veterinary, dentistry plus one other choice if required 4 choices for medicine, veterinary, dentistry plus one other choice if required Personal statement Personal statement Content – 60-80% about subject, 20-40% about individual Content – 60-80% about subject, 20-40% about individual Length – 4,000 characters Length – 4,000 characters Plagiarism Plagiarism Academic reference from Northgate including A2 predicted grades Academic reference from Northgate including A2 predicted grades Cost - £21 for five choices, £11 for one choice Cost - £21 for five choices, £11 for one choice

10. Deadlines Northgate Northgate Oxbridge & Medical – 21 September 2010 Oxbridge & Medical – 21 September 2010 All others – 12 October 2010 All others – 12 October 2010 Final UCAS deadline 15 January 2011 Final UCAS deadline 15 January 2011 Some Art and Design Courses – 24 May 2011 Some Art and Design Courses – 24 May 2011

11. Additional Tests UK CAT – Clinical Aptitude Test UK CAT – Clinical Aptitude Test BMAT – Bio-Medical Assessment Test BMAT – Bio-Medical Assessment Test LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law CUKAS – Musical Conservatoires CUKAS – Musical Conservatoires Oxbridge additional tests – History, Modern Language, Maths, English and Thinking Skills, Physics Oxbridge additional tests – History, Modern Language, Maths, English and Thinking Skills, Physics

12. Extra Open to students with no offers – 5,500 students in 2009 Open to students with no offers – 5,500 students in 2009 Available from 26 February 2011 until end June 2011 Available from 26 February 2011 until end June 2011 Courses available marked on website with X Courses available marked on website with X Apply to one course at a time Apply to one course at a time Having made a choice approach the individual institution Having made a choice approach the individual institution

13. Gap Year ? Two options Two options Deferred entry – 2012 Deferred entry – 2012 Apply Sept 2011 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Apply Sept 2011 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Gap Year students 2010 – Where did they go? 1. Employment to earn money for university 1. Employment to earn money for university 2. Work experience relevant to degree/career choice 2. Work experience relevant to degree/career choice 3. Doing something close to home 3. Doing something close to home

14. Finalising the Choice Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2011 Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2011 Students must make their decision by 5 May 2011 Students must make their decision by 5 May 2011 Students should not make any decision until all five offers are in Students should not make any decision until all five offers are in Students choose one firm offer - first choice Students choose one firm offer - first choice Students choose one insurance offer with a lower entry requirement (at least 40 points below) - second choice Students choose one insurance offer with a lower entry requirement (at least 40 points below) - second choice Clearing – July onwards Clearing – July onwards Adjustment period – post results for five days Adjustment period – post results for five days

15. Important Dates Oxbridge conference – 29th April 2010 Oxbridge conference – 29th April 2010 Higher Education Fair – 17th June 2010 Higher Education Fair – 17th June 2010 Medics Course- 24th June 2010 Medics Course- 24th June 2010 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2010 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2010 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2010 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2010

16. Student profiles GCSE grades are used as a major part of the decision making process. Some colleges are now openly asking for 8A* grades. GCSE grades are used as a major part of the decision making process. Some colleges are now openly asking for 8A* grades. Successful Oxbridge students his year had 8.2A* and 1.6A grades at GCSE and at A2 were predicted 3A* grades. Successful Oxbridge students his year had 8.2A* and 1.6A grades at GCSE and at A2 were predicted 3A* grades. Medical and veterinary applications were up dramatically eg Southampton had 5,000 applications for 230 places for medicine, Nottingham had 1600 applicants for 100 places for veterinary. Medical and veterinary applications were up dramatically eg Southampton had 5,000 applications for 230 places for medicine, Nottingham had 1600 applicants for 100 places for veterinary. Successful Northgate medics this year had 8.5 A*s and 2.4As at GCSE and at A2 were predicted 2.5A* and 0.75A grades. Successful Northgate medics this year had 8.5 A*s and 2.4As at GCSE and at A2 were predicted 2.5A* and 0.75A grades.

17. Support at Northgate Careers Department – Mrs C Gray and Mrs L Hunt Careers Department – Mrs C Gray and Mrs L Hunt Connexions P.A – Mrs P Stone Connexions P.A – Mrs P Stone Tutors Tutors Sixth Form team Sixth Form team Subject teachers Subject teachers Head of Sixth Form - Mr T Elmy Head of Sixth Form - Mr T Elmy Deputy Head Mrs A Hope Deputy Head Mrs A Hope

18. Any Questions?