1. Prince Henry’s High School Sixth Form
Higher Education
Parents’ Information Evening
2015

2. Options for students at 18+
Continue studying – Higher Education
Gap year - work related – volunteering – travel
Employment
Apprenticeship or training schemes

3. Destinations of PHHS students
67% in 2014 went on to Higher Education
16% deferred entry – gap year – university in 2015
7% apprenticeships
10% employment / training / other

4. What is Higher Education?
Wide range of courses: first degrees, diplomas and masters.
Different levels of study, course duration, teaching styles and assessment methods.
Usually taught in universities, colleges and specialist institutions such as art schools, music conservatoires or agricultural colleges.

5. A traditional 3 year first degree
Usually a three or four year course – also known as a bachelor’s, undergraduate or first degree.
These are delivered in academic environments with lectures and seminars, usually made up of different modules adding up to the full degree.
You might get to choose some of the modules you take, so you'll be able to study the parts of your subject you're most interested in.

6. Shorter Undergraduate Courses
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE): one year (certificate) and two years (diploma) of a degree course – usually academic rather than vocational qualifications.
Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) : one year (certificate) and two years (diploma) of work related study.
Foundation degree: completed full time (over two years) or part time over a longer period. This is a flexible vocational course combining academic study and workplace learning.
These are qualifications in their own right but students can go into the second or third year of a full degree after completing the original qualification.

7. What are the benefits?

8. Why Choose Higher Education
Students gain transferable higher level skills.
Career prospects and future financial success can be enhanced.
Some vocational careers require a higher education qualification.
Over their period of study students may gain clearer insights into their future career path.
Some students proceed onto postgraduate vocational courses (e.g. PGCE or LPC).
Students gain more independence, self-confidence and responsibility.
Students will broaden their interests and knowledge
Wider life experience ...!

9. The Process
Students will be guided through the process by the Sixth Form Team. This term and in the autumn term, the focus will be on choosing courses and institutions and preparing the personal statement.

10. What is UCAS?
The organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.
Their services provide a centralised application service for prospective undergraduates.
UCCA formally merged with its partner organisations PCAS (Polytechnics Central Admissions System) and SCUE (Standing Conference on University Entrance) in 1993 to create one independent service.

11. What is UCAS?
For performance based courses in music, dance or drama studying at a Conservatoire students there is a slightly different system, the details of which can also be found through the UCAS website:
Also look at for drama courses.
UCCA formally merged with its partner organisations PCAS (Polytechnics Central Admissions System) and SCUE (Standing Conference on University Entrance) in 1993 to create one independent service.

12. Key features of the UCAS scheme
Your son or daughter can make up to five choices in one application.
The 2015 applicant fee was:
£12 for one choice
£23 for up to five choices.
Applications received by the key deadlines are given equal consideration.
‘Invisibility’ – universities cannot see where else students have applied. In
UCAS received 653,637 applications
464,910 were accepted
The only exception where students can not make five choices is for medicine, veterinary science/medicine and dentistry courses, where students can only make 4 choices.
Students can also only apply to study one course at either Oxford and Cambridge – not both.

13. How to apply through UCAS
The UCAS website : The UCAS parent page : The UCAS parent advice sheet :

14. Filling in the UCAS form
Personal details
Education
Work
Course choices
Personal statement
School reference

15. How are students supported in their application at PHHS?
Students enjoy an extensive careers’ programme delivered primarily by tutors during tutor time.
Over the next few weeks students will discuss Higher Education and other career paths with tutors and work through the tutor programme study pack.
Further support from Mrs Webb & Mrs Tozer.
Subject teachers will advise on subject specific courses.
One-to-one advice from Sixth Form Team and Chris Brewster, Independent Careers Adviser based at PHHS.

16. Next Step Conference
June 17th students will be taken off timetable for a series of lectures and workshops delivered by visiting speakers on a range of topics :
Student Finance
Completing the UCAS application / CV workshop
HNDs (Higher National Diplomas)
Subject specific talks on such subjects as medicine, psychology, teaching
Choosing a course and Open Days
Apprenticeships and other alternatives to university
Student Life
Applying for Oxbridge

17. The UCAS journey The steps all applicants will take to get to uni.
1 – Research, what are you looking for and do you have what the universities/colleges are looking for?
2 – Making your application
3 – Starting uni – enrolment, finance, life at uni.
More detail on ucas.com, and in Parent Guides if you have given them these.

19. Choosing a subject
In 2015 there were around 37,000 different courses at 370 universities and colleges. Therefore, students will need to do a lot of research. They will need to consider:-
Ability
Interest
Methods of assessment
Employment opportunities

20. How to choose UCAS course finder search.ucas.com/ University websites
Tutors/teachers/peers
LRC and Sixth Form Office resources
The Heap guide every student will have their own log-in

21. What courses do students apply for?
Top ten most popular subjects nationally 2014
Top ten most popular subjects for PHHS students 2014
Computer Science
Physical Sciences
Law
Engineering
Social sciences
Biological sciences
Creative and Performing Arts
Business related
Nursing/midwifery /medical
Education
Business related
Creative Media and Journalism
Psychology
History / Politics
Engineering
Nursing/midwifery/medical
Biological science
Physical sciences
Creative and Performing arts
Education

22. Choosing an Institution
Course
Number of students
Tuition and assessment methods
Location
Accommodation
Fees/bursaries
League tables/unistats

23. UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
National top ten universities 2013
PHHS top ten universities 2014
Nottingham University
Leeds University
Manchester University
Edinburgh University
Manchester Metropolitan
Sheffield Hallam
Birmingham University
Bristol University
Coventry University
University of the West of England
Cardiff University
Worcester University
Nottingham University
Swansea University
Oxford Brookes University
Birmingham University
Coventry University
Birmingham City University
University of Gloucestershire

24. Entry Requirements The UCAS Tariff:
Entrance to University is based upon AS/A2 level grades or points which are converted to a tariff system as below:-
GRADE
A Level
AS Level A* A B C D E
140
120
100 80 60 40 50 30 20

25. Admissions Tests
Some of the most competitive courses now have additional entrance tests. These include:
Medicine / Veterinary / Dentistry (BMAT) or UKCAT
Law (LNAT)
Some subject specific tests at Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities.

26. What is the Russell Group?
The Russell Group is a collection of 24 British public universities that are committed to the highest standards of academic excellence in both teaching and research which receive around two thirds of all university research grant and contract income in the UK.  A majority of the members are leading universities, making applications to these particular institutions more competitive.

27. 19 members are from England, 2 from Scotland, 2 from Wales and 1 from Northern Ireland. The current members of the Russell Group are:
University of Birmingham
University of Liverpool
University of Bristol
London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)
University of Cambridge
Cardiff University
University of Manchester
University of Durham
Newcastle University
University of Edinburgh
University of Nottingham
University of Exeter
University of Oxford
University of Glasgow
Queen Mary, University of London
Imperial College London
Queen's University Belfast
King's College London (University of London)
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University College London (University of London)
University of Warwick
University of York
University of Leeds

28. Entry to Russell Group Universities
2011
2012
2013
2014
University of Birmingham 5 4 12
University of Bristol 2 6
University of Cambridge
Cardiff University 3 8
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow 1
Imperial College London
King’s College London
University of Leeds 7
University of Liverpool
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
Queen’s University Belfast
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University College London
University of Warwick
Durham University
Exeter University
Queen Mary, London
University of York
Total Russell Group Entries 25 34 36 38
Total University Entries for Year
135
121
101 98
% Russell Group
18%
26%
35%
39%

29. After the Application
UCAS will send an acknowledgement - check that they have recorded the application correctly.
Note the SERIAL NUMBER and use it in all correspondence with UCAS and Universities.
Note the password, enabling you to use the Applicant Enquiry Service on the UCAS Website (24hrs a day!)
Applicants will also receive NOTES FOR CANDIDATES: keep this in a safe place as it should answer most queries
UCAS EXTRA (March to June)

30. Offers - ultimately students can hold TWO offers.
CONDITIONAL FIRM - first choice
CONDITIONAL INSURANCE - back up
If you gain the grades for your CF you must go there or drop out of the scheme.

31. Student Finance
Going to university is potentially one of the biggest investments your son or daughter will make. You should visit And student finance matters at

32. Money, money, money
While at university or college your son or daughter will have two main expenses:-
tuition fees- £9000 a year
living costs (such as rent / food / books / clothing / transport) £ a year

33. Financial Support
Your son/daughter may be eligible for:-
Tuition fee loan – a repayable loan to cover the cost of their tuition fees. The student will only start repaying this loan after they leave university and are earning above a threshold level= £21,000
A Maintenance Loan – a repayable loan to cover some or all of their living expenses, the amount received depends on factors such as where they live when they are studying.
Maintenance Grant – a non-repayable grant to help students from lower income households with their living costs.
Bursaries and scholarships from universities and colleges – non-repayable cash support. Bursaries are usually linked to household income, where scholarships are usually given to students because of achievement and excellence.
All of this is detailed on the formerly mentioned websites.

34. Gap Year – Why?
Students should analyse their main purpose in taking a Gap Year as it will be then easier to research ideas.
Gain experience in industry / business
Improve ability in a language
Volunteering at home or abroad in the charity sector
Gain extra qualifications
Work with young people
Travel
Earn money
To have a rest – this is not a good idea!

35. Gap Year Disadvantages Advantages Time to think Experience
Self reliance/confidence
Enjoyment
Enhance CV
Finance
Best Opportunity
Requires planning
Lose academic motivation
Cost

36. 7 things your son/daughter should do now
Start research early
Know the deadlines
Register for a UCAS card
Search for courses and institutions
Check entry requirements
Visit course providers on Open Days
Gather material for the personal statement

37. Parents’ Checklist Check application deadlines
Encourage them to attend Open Days - go with them
Check through their application form
Advise on, and read, their personal statement early
Ensure they have checked tuition fees and researched student finance options - you will have to fill in financial details
Make sure they reply to offers by the reply by date
When they receive their UCAS confirmation letter, ensure they follow the instructions for replying to the university.

38. Key dates for 2015 applications
* 1st October 2015
Deadline for receipt at CUKAS of applications for music courses – they may consider you after this time but not all courses or colleges will be available
* 15th October 2015
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine courses and all Oxbridge courses
* 15th January 2016
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for all courses except those listed above and Art and Design courses with 24th March deadline
Spring 2016
Apply for student finance
25th February 2016
UCAS Extra starts for eligible applicants
* 24th March 2016
Deadline for receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design courses except those listed with a 15th January deadline

39. Key dates continued ... March – May 2016
Final decisions made about firm and insurance choices
30th June 2016
Applications received at UCAS by this date will be sent to the applicant’s chosen universities and colleges. Applications sent later will be entered into Clearing
18th August 2016
GCE A level, As and Advanced Diploma results are published and full Clearing vacancy information starts
31st August 2016
Adjustment closes
20th September 2016
Final date to submit 2016 applications
* STUDENTS WILL NEED TO PAY AND SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS WELL BEFORE THESE DEADLINES SO THAT STAFF HAVE TIME TO WRITE REFERENCES AND PROCESS THE APPLICATIONS.

40. Useful Websites http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/  
Also note finance sites listed in money section

41. Opportunity for Questions
Mrs Clare Webb – Head of Sixth Form
Mrs Jane Tozer – Head of Year 12
Mrs Helen Wood – Deputy Head