1. Higher Education Information Evening for Parents Thursday 23 rd April 2015

2. Background Information & Support Intensive support provided by Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Vice Principal and Careers Advisers throughout the UCAS process. % Progression of Notre Dame students in 2014 Destination 69%Higher Education 33%Progressed to Russell Group universities

3. The UCAS process When?What happens? February 2015 onwards Students research university courses, visit University Open Days, check entry requirements and grades needed June 2015Higher Education Day – Wed 24 th June - [compulsory] – UCAS application started. Form includes: Personal details Qualifications Courses/ universities applied to [up to 5] Personal Statement Academic reference written by college July and August 2015 Enhance application with work experience, volunteering Attend Open Days, Taster Days and Summer Schools

4. The UCAS process When?What happens? From September 2015 Students work on UCAS application in tutorials Applications may be sent online to UCAS Students may be asked to interview October 15 th 2015Deadline for certain applications Oxford and Cambridge universities Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science October 23 rd 2015ND Internal deadline for all other applications January 15 [2016]Final date for applications to be received by UCAS N.B.Places start to be offered from around October so early application is best, especially for popular courses

5. Students need to do their best … Universities base their offers on GCSE performance, AS grades and A2 estimated grades Some universities will check to see how many times students have re-taken modules and some consider only the result at first sitting – so they must take summer exams seriously

6. REALISTIC applications AS grades are the best predictors for final A-level results, so choose courses accordingly

7. Future Opportunities: Open days & events Encourage – go with them! Book an open day place in advance. Students should: Visit before they apply Find out about bursaries and scholarships Website: www.opendays.comwww.opendays.com Local events published on Moodle Careers Calendar E.g. HE Summer Schools and Taster Days.

8. Future Opportunities: H.E. Day Wednesday 24 th June 2015 Representatives from local universities advise on Applying, Personal Statements and Finance Tutor–led activities Registration on UCAS apply and begin application Specialist workshops [e.g Medicine, Law, Teaching, Health] Students can also find out about alternatives such as Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes.

9. U6 Enrolment Day 25/6/15 One to one consultations for all students with their personal tutors. Information, advice and guidance on most appropriate options, subject choice and progression routes.

10. Work Experience & Volunteering ESSENTIAL for: Healthcare-related degrees – e.g. Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Radiography, Nursing, Midwifery. Ideally directly related but it is important to demonstrate caring skills and empathy for patients – e.g. in a care home for the elderly Social Work degrees Teaching: must be classroom-related at the right KS level Experience should be completed BEFORE application The more experience an applicant has, the better Get it organised now for the summer! Students should consult Careers staff.

11. COMPACT/ ACCESS schemes Links with Leeds, Bradford, York, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity University Schemes such as Next Step York, Reach for Excellence and Access to Leeds. Criteria apply Additional pro-forma to be completed and sent with UCAS form May result in special consideration for courses or possibly a reduced offer See College Careers for details

12. Support for Students with Disabilities in H.E. Academic support Special arrangements in examinations Financial Access Accommodation Disabilities must be declared on UCAS form APPLY for Disabled Students Allowance https://www.gov.uk/disabled- students-allowances-dsashttps://www.gov.uk/disabled- students-allowances-dsas

13. START RESEARCHING -it’s later than they think ! Press on with research/ visits Help available in person and ‘virtually’ from within College and from ‘yougo’ section of ucas website What can you do as parents? Encourage them – read the UCAS Parents’ Guide and sign up for bi-monthly bulletin at UCAS www.ucas.com/parents www.ucas.com/parents Go to Open Days with them – attend Parents’ sessions Encourage students to explore university league tables and the module content of degree courses.

14. ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY Important that all students think about PLAN B e.g. taking a Gap Year or looking at alternative routes. Foundation Degrees are 2 year degree programme taught in colleges and universities. Often lower entry requirements and smaller class sizes. Leeds City College are here today in room 95 to talk to you about these in more detail. Information is available from Careers stall today on alternative progression routes including Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes Leeds Apprenticeship Hub are present today and delivering a presentation in room 90 if you wish to attend. Information and resources for students are available on MOODLE CAREERS Apprenticeship website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeshiphttps://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship School Leaver website: http://www.studentladder.co.uk/http://www.studentladder.co.uk/

15. Further Information on Student Finance Simon Bright from Leeds University is here tonight to do a short presentation on Student Finance. www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance ‘You CAN afford to go to Uni’– A Parent’s Guide to Student Finance’ available from : http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-guide

16. Top Tips for Students RESEARCH universities: entry criteria grades and work experience VISIT university open days ENHANCE your application with volunteering and work experience MAKE THE MOST of the opportunities on offer at Notre Dame such as attending summer schools, master classes and lunch time workshops. APPLY EARLY TALK TO UNIVERSITIES & CAREERS: specific queries SPEAK to TUTORS about any concerns with grades, exams or coursework. PARENTS: ENCOURAGE & SUPPORT your son/daughter to aim high and reach their potential.

17. Useful Resources for Parents UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/ (Parent Section)http://www.ucas.com/ Complete University Guide: http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/ Student Finance England https://www.gov.uk/student-financehttps://www.gov.uk/student-finance Individual University Websites Open Days http://www.opendays.com/http://www.opendays.com/ Guardian University Subject Guide 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/education/series/university-guide-2015- subject-tables-series Russell Group Universities: http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our- universities/http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/our- universities/ Parent Advisor: http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/ College Careers Anna Geldart & Liz Crick Email: careers@ndonline.ac.ukcareers@ndonline.ac.uk Phone:0113 294 6644

18. Optional SUBJECT Talks now TopicLocation Art & Design84 Apprenticeships90 Business HealthM1/M2 LawMain Hall Medics94 Oxbridge89 Psychology87/88 Teaching85 Studying Abroad91 Foundation Degrees95 General questions & HE Stalls Upper Common Room