1. Higher Education Evening Claire Gray – Head of Careers Claire Marrington – University Campus Suffolk Hannah Archer – Aim Higher Suffolk

2. Why go to Higher Education ? 43% of under 21s go to university 43% of under 21s go to university 79% of Northgate students go on to higher education 79% 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 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 Only 2% of graduates are unemployed Only 2% of graduates are unemployed

3. Why read 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

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 575,000 applications in 2008 – 450,000 were offered a place 575,000 applications in 2008 – 450,000 were offered a place Yougofurther card offered to all students – offers advice and discounts Yougofurther 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 Length Plagiarism Plagiarism Academic reference from Northgate Academic reference from Northgate Cost - £19 for five choices, £9 for one choice Cost - £19 for five choices, £9 for one choice

9. Deadlines Northgate Northgate Oxbridge & medical – 21 September 2009 Oxbridge & medical – 21 September 2009 All others – 12 October 2009 All others – 12 October 2009 Final UCAS deadline – 15 January 2010 Final UCAS deadline – 15 January 2010

10. 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 Oxbridge additional tests – History, Modern Language, Maths, English and Thinking Skills

11. Extra Open to students with no offers – 5,500 students in 2008 Open to students with no offers – 5,500 students in 2008 Available from 26 February 2010 until end June 2010 Available from 26 February 2010 until end June 2010 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

12. Gap Year ? Two options Two options Deferred entry – 2011 Deferred entry – 2011 Apply Sept 2010 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Apply Sept 2010 through Northgate with final results – usually leads to an unconditional offer Gap Year students 2009 – 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

13. Finalising the Choice Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2010 Institutions must make offers by 31 March 2010 Students must make their decision by 6 May 2010 Students must make their decision by 6 May 2010 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 - second choice Students choose one insurance offer with a lower entry requirement - second choice Clearing – July onwards Clearing – July onwards Adjustment period – post results for five days Adjustment period – post results for five days

14. Important Dates Oxbridge conference – 7 May 2009 Oxbridge conference – 7 May 2009 Higher Education Fair – 18 June 2009 Higher Education Fair – 18 June 2009 Medics Course- 11 June 2009 Medics Course- 11 June 2009 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2009 Oxbridge preparation course – October 2009 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2009 Oxbridge/Medical mock interviews – November 2009

15. Support at Northgate Careers Department Careers Department Connexions P.A. Connexions P.A. Tutors Tutors Sixth Form team Sixth Form team Subject teachers Subject teachers Head of Sixth Form Mrs Hope Head of Sixth Form Mrs Hope Deputy Head Mr Trench Deputy Head Mr Trench

16. Any Questions?